LOCATION:
Lalang Beach is hosted by the only resort on its two-kilometre shoreline, namely the international-class Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort. While there is a dedicated boat jetty for the beach mainly catered for special arrivals for Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort, regular visitors can only hop off at the nearest passenger jetty in Tekek Village, from which the walking may take up to 30 minutes uphill and downhill until you enter the compound of the resort.

Alternatively you may try to hitch any of the shuttle vans that ply the route between Tekek Village and Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort. The shuttle service is complimentary for everyone, whether or not you are the patrons of the resort, and it is a popular mode of transportation even among the local villagers when going about their daily chores.

The boat terminal at Tekek Village is located after Paya Village or before Air Batang Village if you are going north. The normal route for the boats plying between Mersing and Tioman is Genting Village - Paya Village - Tekek Village - Air Batang - Salang Village.

DESCRIPTION:
The first thought that came to my mind was the name of the beach itself - lalang - which means long, sword-sharp coarse grass or weeds. In Malaysia, the word lalang itself does not bring out any positive connotations whatsoever; an empty land filled with lalang signifies its uselessness except for being a breeding ground for creepy crawlies like snakes and the likes, while of recent days, the infamous Ops Lalang was carried out by the Malaysian police to weed out, pardon the pun, political leaders from the opposition parties.

I did not see any traces of lalang on the beach. Perhaps it is just one of the place names in Tioman that brings out a cynical smirks on the face of people, others being Air Batang, Paya or even Juara. In theory, the whole length of the beach is hosted by the five-star establishment of Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort. Nonetheless, the beach should be accessible by everyone since the international-class resort does not restrict any access into its compound as well as the shoreline itself.

In term of natural beauty, Lalang Beach holds two contrasting landscapes. The northern portion of the beach, where most of the chalets in Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort are located, is somewhat unappealing with murky waters and coarse orange sands which atypical for Tioman's standard. In fact, I will not be surprised if those orange sands were transplanted on the beach section in the aftermath of monsoon seasons where ferocious ocean waves often uproot the many trees and structures. There are a number of beach huts and sunning beds provided should you find the view is good enough for sun-worshipping.

The southern section of Lalang Beach in the vicinity of the boat jetty at Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort is a different seascape altogether. Oddly, the sand is lighter in colour and the water is stunningly clear and beautiful. This beach section faces the small island of Pulau Rengis, a very popular diving and snorkeling spot. There are no beach huts here, but one should not be bothered much. Just bring your sunbathing mat and whisk yourself away on the soft, powdery sands.

There are a number of eating outlets right outside the entrance to Berjaya Beach, Golf & Spa Resort which are very popular among the patrons looking to taste something different from the often-too-bland hotel food. This section of the beach often comes alive at night with decorative lights and noisy motorised vehicles. The al fresco meals at a Chinese seafood joint here are highly recommended with delightful selections Malaysians and Western delights under the soothing sound of the waves on Lalang Beach.

MY RATING: