About The Blogger

My name is Tammy Lim and I am an award winning blogger from Top 10 Malaysia Magazine and Cleo Malaysia Magazine. I have been blogging since 2008 and I am also the founder of a local Malaysian beauty & lifestyle community called The Butterfly Project. People often tell me that I'm a wonder woman, but in reality - if it's something you love, you can do wonders.

When I'm not wondering, I'll be on my computer searching for the next fountain of youth or hunting down a fantastic deal. I'm also a shopaholic, wanderluster, spa enthusiast and proud hipster who loves planning special occasions and surprises for her loved ones.
  • Top 10 Female Bloggers in Malaysia Award
  • Cleo's Next Top Blogger Malaysia Award
  • Founder of The Butterfly Project Malaysia



  • Malam Tradisi Experience at Berjaya Tioman Resort

    6.14.2017


    Recently, I was invited by the Berjaya Group to review and experience the opening of their new Malam Tradisi (Night Market) at their resort in Tioman Island. Tioman Island is the largest out of all the 64 islands that inhabit the southeastern peninsular of Malaysia in the South China Sea. It lies about 56 km off the coast in the federal state of Pahang and is ranked among the 10 most beautiful islands on earth. An idyllic paradise for honeymoons, retreats, sightseeing and all sorts of water activities especially popular for scuba diving, snorkeling, due to its protected rich and diverse marine life.

    Arriving at Tanjung Gemuk Passenger Terminal

    Wall mural map of Tioman Island

    Official Launch of Berjaya Ferry Services 

    Cutting of the cake

    Berjaya Tioman Resort Ferry

    Inside the 60 seater Berjaya Tioman Resort Ferry

    Fortunately for this trip, I was allowed to bring a +1 so I invited my friend Paddy along for a welcome short break 3 days 2 nights away from work. As we were departing from the Berjaya Times Square hotel so early in the morning at 5.30am and arriving back late on Sunday night at 11 pm, we were kindly given a complimentary stay in 1 of their suite rooms for both nights. The journey time from Kuala Lumpur to Pier Tanjung Gemuk in Pahang is about 5-6hrs depending on traffic. We arrived just in time to witness the official opening ceremony of the Berjaya resort's ferry to Tioman Island. This 60 seater brand new ferry is very comfortable and is fitted with A/C and a TV so you can watch a movie while you wait to disembark in Kampung Tekek Jetty Tioman Island in approx 2 hrs time (Weather depending). Ferry schedule runs daily departing from Tanjung Gemuk 10am-6pm.

    Just arrived at Berjaya Tioman Island Resort

    The view coming into Berjaya Tioman Resort Pier is breathtaking, crystal clear turquoise waters, lush coral reefs, and white sandy beach - the perfect start to a relaxing vacation. On arrival, we were treated to a traditional Malay welcome with a live musical performance by greeters dressed in Baju Melayu. Fresh local young coconuts were served as a welcome drink before we checked into our rooms. To be honest, my room Superior Chalet was pretty basic, kinda small for a twin room and a bit dated so don't expect any comforts or luxuries that you may find in high-end island resorts. It was fine for me, however, clean and a comfortable enough bed with an ensuite bathroom, which suited my needs. The room comes with a balcony outside with a garden view, A/C and ceiling fan, cable tv, mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities. Standard, Deluxe, Junior Suite, Standard Quad & Deluxe Triple Chalet options are also available. Prices start from Rm 330 per night for a standard chalet.

    Superior Chalet

    Twin Bed Superior Chalet

    Welcome Letter on bed

     Bathroom Sink/  Ensuite shower & toilet

     Tea & Coffee making facilities

    After checking into our room, we ate lunch at Sri Nelayan (Fisherman) restaurant, which features traditional Malaysian style architecture with wooden furnishings embellished with intricate wooden carvings. Very spacious with a poolside view and serving buffet style, as well as a la carte Malaysian and International cuisine. Food is tasty with lots of variety to cater for most people's tastes. After lunch at 5 pm, we went for a beachside walk to explore a little more of the resort and start our 1st activity- plant some coconut trees near the beach bar. First time I had experienced this and I was surprised by how easy it is, just dig a hole and plant grown seedlings from coconuts.

     Sri Nelayan (Fisherman) Restaurant Entrance

     Buffet Style menu

    Freshly baked assortment of bread

    View from Beachfront

    Beach walkabout and planting of coconut trees 

    We caught a beautiful sunset before we went back to our rooms to freshen up and get changed for the media review at Matahari Restaurant. It's like a fine dining Thai Restaurant specializing in authentic and traditional a la carte Thai cuisine. Delicious Thai food served here with lots of variety and packed full of flavour and spice! Lots of variety served on the menu also, from appetizers to desserts I recommend you try. After dinner, we relaxed at the beach bar for a few cold beers and cocktails, while listening to live music from the resorts entertainment duo Ali (Guitar, Vocals) and Leeya (Lead vocals) playing all genres of music and open to requests.

     Beautiful Sunset on the beachfront

    Matahari Restaurant Food Review


    Chefs showing the product of their culinary skills

    Early on the second day, we got up early for breakfast at Fisherman Restaurant with a packed schedule planned for the day ahead on our itinerary. Buffet style breakfast serving both local Malaysian and International. After breakfast, we moved into the sports field to take part in traditional local Malay sports activities. We had a competition with other teams in playing games like ten pin bowling local Malay style by using plastic skittles and throwing a flip-flop instead of a bowling ball to try knocking them down haha. After a couple of hours sweating it out with the other 3 teams, we the media came 2nd place.


    A collection of different traditional kampung sports games





    After the sports games had finished, we walked to the dive centre for lunch before our next activities, diving & snorkeling. I chose to go snorkeling and it sure didn't disappoint amazing spot where you can see lots of different variety of marine life as, well as, vibrant and colorful coral reefs as they are so well protected.

     Dive Centre


    View from dive centre

    Snorkeling at 1 of the islands

    Life Jackets left out to dry after memorable snorkeling experience

    About a couple of hours later after we had finished our diving/snorkeling activities, it was free and relaxing time for a few hours before we got ready for the main event of this trip, the official launch of the cultural night - Malam Tradisi Tioman. Every Saturday night, the resort will be celebrating culture, creativity, and arts. Guests will be treated to an exciting experience of Malay culture through traditional dance performances, stalls selling local products, food and more. We all dressed up in traditional Malay costume - Baju Melayu.

    Me wearing Baju Melayu 

    As you can see in the pictures, I am dressed like a local Malay which looks a bit funny and weird being a western guy but it was interesting to learn more about the Malay culture. I actually bought the baju for me and my friend Paddy at a stall in jalan tar and jalan masjid India area of KL the evening before I travelled to Tioman Island. The event started at about 8 pm and it was so funny when I turned up and saw Paddy had put on the costume wrong, he looked like he was wearing a kilt! haha. In order to avoid the same embarrassing situation, I did some research beforehand and searched youtube for a video on how to dress correctly. So, anyway we were treated to traditional local Malay makan with some of it served in a traditional stall and also with dance set performances by local Malay teenagers. We were all invited onto the stage later to partake in the local Malay dance style, which was funny when you looked around at all the newbies who hadn't a clue how to move their bodies to the music style haha. It was a lively and energetic performance enjoyable to experience a different aspect of Malay culture that I've never tried before.

    Official Launch of Cultural Night (Malam Tradisi Tioman)

    delicious Malaysian food

     Pasar Malam Food Stalls

     Dessert Selection

    1 of the Pasar Malam Food Stalls


    Local Traditional Kampung Dance Performers




    On our last day, it was free and easy time to relax and enjoy the Berjaya Tioman Island resort one last time before we returned back to KL. Before arriving at the Kampung Tetek Jetty, we stopped for some duty free shopping, where the prices are quite a bit less cheaper than the airport! So a good opportunity to stock up on your favourite alcohol, cigarettes and chocolates before going back home! When we arrived at Pier Tanjung Gemuk, a brand new Berjaya Tioman Island bus Sanwa express was waiting to take us back to KL in style. Comfortable seats, recline with usb ports for charging phones laptops etc and powerful A/C. I definitely would be interested in returning to Berjaya Tioman Island Resort to spend a bit more time relaxing and exploring more of what the resort and island has to offer. I also have no hesitation in recommending it to friends and other people who are looking for a nice relaxing and/or a lively entertaining place to spend time alone, with a special someone in their lives or with friends & family.

    View of the Kampung Tetek Jetty

    A farewell Tioman Island Sunset

    A big thank you to Berjaya Group for once again kindly inviting me to another of their excellent resorts. I've always had such a great time with superb service and facilities are top notch. I hope to be lucky enough to visit another of their fine resorts in the near future.


    Berjaya Tioman Resort
    e-mail: klso.rsvn@berjayahotel.com

    Pulau Tioman
    Pahang, Pahang, Malaysia

    written & photographed by Baby G (Tammy's partner in crime)

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