One great part about Salang is the nightly congregation for our evening meal and movie at either Salang Sayang or Restaurant Pusaka. They have about 4 books bursting with DVD’s,  but it seems they only play Hitch or Blood Diamond. It doesn’t matter, we love the place. Then most people move on to either the Beach Bar for more libation or to another restaurant that has a band and then on to Beach Bar (the little shack pictured below is the Beach Bar in it's mild mannered daytime form). Here's the caveat, Tioman is a duty-free zone which means beer is about the price of water so the revelers love the BB. Here's the next part of the caveat, I ain't 20 anymore, I’m old and I cherish my sleep so these are the few occasions we have actually made it to the bar. One night I made the amazing discovery I have a god-given talent to play percussion on a wheelbarrow. The others were truly amazed by my abilities.

Pictured: Staff at Pusaka; lovely Norweigen Family; gli Italiani (Sylvia and Laura, we love you); me and Punk Rock Joey; Scott and Suzanne (who, due to their quick exit, must be running from the law); band from KL; group; Jack and Yousef; group; Jeanette with beer tower; Beach Bar; party; party; Shaum, Bob and me; group; P and H; Eric and Jeanette; marauding pirates who washed up on the beach in the night; morning bonfire.

Salang was, until now, a one football team town. But, since more restaurants have opened there is more talent, so now Salang FC has competition from Salang United. We’re having a conundrum over which color to paint our faces when they finally meet. Here are some shots of them practicing after their cigarette break. Actually, that's not entirely true, I'm pretty sure some of them are still smoking.

And, of course, there's the animals. The island is full of cats. No dogs, just cats. The first cat, Tiger, has had this throat problem for a very long time. Supposedly he's alergic to squid and even though it's off limits to him he stilll manages to get it. We had him looking pretty good then it flared up again. These cats are operating in a limited gene pool area so many are inbred. They have short tails and funny eyes (just like some of my relatives in Texas). Anyway, several of the kittens have had some severe eye problems. Here are a few of the little ones we take care of on our nightly Kitty Duty. The three in the middle are brothers and sisters. We found the newborn kitten in the last shot in a flower pot. It was hours old and the umbelical chord was still attached (the filthy brown lump is it's placenta - yuk). We took it home and syringe fed it for two days, but sometimes things just don't worrk out they way you intend them too. All you can do is try, right?

Finally, we have to say a huge thank you to our hosts The Salang Sayang Hotel. In the beginning of the Tioman pages I wrote that we knew Salang Beach was the place to unpack. This is because we met Don and Pisa, the owners' children who are now running Sayang. They have been extremely accomodating and helpful in every way. Comfy beds, great food, and big smiles. Thanks! We will miss you.