Originally we had anticipated staying at a place not far from our home of the week but (luckily), unable to get in touch, ended up on another doorstep. It is called Tioman Cabana and is run by a man named Sham who has put his whole heart into building the place up from nothing but the sand on the beach. Every detail will tell you a little more about what you have come in to, from the musical instruments on the patio to the surfboards hanging from the ceiling. It is a place that is simple, but has everything you need.

Hungry? There's a restaurant that has a menu for all kinds of taste buds.
Need privacy? Chill out in your room.
You want be social? Hang out on the patio.
Want to play an instrument? Sham is always down to jam.
Want to be in the water? This place is BEACH FRONT.
Want to do water sports? Snorkeling, paddle boarding and surfing can all be found here.
Ferry not running and you need a place to stay again? You will be welcomed back with open arms (as long as other haven't booked the place up, of course)
Even the rain doesn't stop you from having a full and enjoyable stay there.

Aside from everything there is to do there, Tiomana Cabana staff and friends are truly kind, helpful, and chill. From the moment we met Sham, he was always projecting good vibes. For someone who runs an accommodation establishment, his generosity makes up for so much more than what he charges for a room in a night, and extends beyond than just for his guests. During our stay, we met plenty of people staying in other places, either bored or not getting the information they needed from their own hosts, that found themselves drawn to Tioman Cabana. Sham helps and welcomes everyone to hang out and enjoy time together without ever asking for anything in return. Not to mention, the guy is pretty smart. Although still young, he has accomplished quite a lot in his days and is full of knowledge and advice for anyone in need. From his earlier career to accomplishing his dream that is Tioman Cabana, he also has various other projects like fostering coral reef growth out front of his home, organizing a yearly music festival, making can crushers for the neighboring establishments and other eco-friendly developments, and helping friends getting experience or recognized for potential career advancement. With Sham, you don’t just get the feeling you're renting a place from him for a week, you feel like you've got a new friend.

My husband and I have been traveling in Malaysia for about 3 weeks now and of all the places we have explored so far, our time on Tioman Cabana was not only the most enjoyment we have had but also the most comfortable we have been in this country. There it doesn’t matter what color your skin is or what religion you practice, as long as you don’t mind a bit of sand and go in with an open heart, you can be sure your venture out there will be well worth it.