'''Mersing''' town is located on the east coast of the peninsular Malaysian state of Johor. It is a gateway to nature and unique traditional culture. For most, however, the small town of Mersing is a few-hours stop en route to Tioman Island or other off-shore Johorian islands such as Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Rawa. And in this way, Mersing is most well known for its passenger boat jetty where ferries depart daily for Pulau Tioman and other island destinations.

Narrative

But Mersing needn't be a mere stopover, a transient path to an offshore isle. The town has a quiet charm of its own, which in many ways represents the fast disappearing small-town culture that once pervaded all of Malaysia. Mersing town has yet to see any typical signs of major economic and urban development. There are only two junctions with traffic lights in the town, and only two traffic roundabouts.

Two main roads run through the town. They are lined with traditional and modern shop houses that provide a range of modern services. There are traditional grocers and modern supermarkets, too, plus a range of local restaurants and fast food outlets, with several open 24-hours.

There is little (if at all) in the way of chic clubs, cafes or shopping malls, to be sure. But Mersing's appeal lies rather in its out-of-doors, in the beauty of its natural surroundings, particularly its jungles and rocky seacoasts and, of course, in its boats that daily transport voyagers to glistening and verdant offshore islands where sun and sea and sand await them. But the slow pace of life - be it in or out of town - and the naturally calming and beautiful surroundings conspire to announce Mersing's ultimate luxury. Mersing is a throwback to the small town temperament that existed in Malaysia some 20 to 30 years ago.

The immediate attractions are its unspoiled beaches, rocky coasts, and offshore kelongs for pleasure angling. Try Penyabung and Air Papan beaches, about twenty minutes drive north of the Mersing town, and glimpse the remaining vestiges of traditional seaside Malay village life.

Get in

By bus

Several bus companies operate direct services to Mersing, including [http://transnasional.com.my Transnasional] (from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, and Singapore); other services that use the east coast highway (eg Johor Bahru to/from Kota Bharu) also call at Mersing.

When leaving Mersing, if you don't pre-book the bus to J.B. or Singapore, they are most likely full. The alternative for the spontaneous traveller is to take the local bus to Kota Tinggi (RM 6.90, less than 2 hrs.) and from there the local bus to Johor Bahru's Larkin terminal (RM 3.80, less then 1 hour).

From Singapore, the most economical way is by local bus to the border (e.g. No. 170, which finally goes to Larkin), then minibus to Johor Bahru's Larkin bus terminal (e.g. CW 1 & 2 or No. 170; they depart right behind the money changer after clearing Malaysia immigration), and proceed to Mersing from there. The bus costs RM 8.80 one way - but an early start will be required if an overnight stop in Mersing is to be avoided. There is a 8:30AM bus from Larkin, which can be easily caught if one is at the Singapore checkpoint around 7AM.

A search on the web suggests the following services from J.B. to Mersing: Cepat Express, S&S Express and Johora Express, but a check in Jan 2008 with a call to Cepat Express reveals that only Causeway Link and S&S Express continue to operate the service. [http://www.handalindah.com.my/services_detail.php?keycode=030240074763854c7e5f96c4772dd27d&txtRefno=20051202%3A152832%3A319 Causeway Link's Express Service] operates non-stop from Larkin to Mersing, departing Larkin daily at 11:30am and 7pm. Costs RM10 per adult.

A more convenient alternative is to take a Transnasional bus from Lavender Street bus terminus in Singapore all the way to Mersing. The bus lets down passengers to clear Singapore immigration, then again across the bridge at Malaysian immigration where all luggage has to be taken off the bus to clear customs. The earliest bus departs Singapore at 9AM, reaching Mersing by about 1PM, just in time for the 1:30PM speed boat. Bus tickets cost S$ 26.45 per adult, S$ 14.95 per child one way.

As of Jan 2008, Transnasional has a Singapore to Mersing service that departs Lavender (Singapore) at 10pm, arriving at Mersing 4 hours later. Costs S$ 26.50 per adult.

By car

Rental cars are available in the major Malaysian cities and town. There is as yet no reputable brand name car rental company in Mersing. Visitors are advised to make car rental arrangements elsewhere.

By taxi

Taxi transport to and out of Mersing is available from Johor Bahru (2:15) and other Malaysian towns, figure on around RM180 per car at peak hours (Fri/Sun evenings) and as little as RM130 at other times. Taxis (official and unofficial) can be found waiting around the Tioman ferry pier.

There are also Taxis in Mersing to travel within the town and the surrounding areas.

By bicycle

Many cyclists ride to Mersing in the summer months to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the Mersing countryside.

Get around

Mersing town can be navigated easily by foot during the summer period. It is however advisable to travel by motor vehicle as there are many beaches to explore outside of Mersing town.

See

Mersing river and the traditional Malaysian fishing boats

A Chinese and Hindu temples both located near to the central roundabout of Mersing town and the bridge. (on the right hand side if you are travelling from Singapore)

Mersing Mosque which is located in the heart of town. There are excellent views of Mersing from its high vantage point.

Mersing esplanade and park which is located near to and just after the Mersing Jetty.

The Beaches in the Penyabung area and at Air Papan. These beaches are all relatively isolated and visitors are advised to exercise care and caution.

[http://www.singastro.org/web/mediawiki/index.php/Mersing Stargazing]

Do

Take a walk through the town and savour traditional Malay "kueh" or confectioneries during the traditional teatime.

Have a picnic on a East Coast Beach.

Buy your fish and other seafood from Mersing market.

Internet facilities are sparse, unreliable, and expensive on the islands. Visitors who require internet access are advised to visit Mersing's internet cafe before they leave for the islands. The standard charge in Mersing is approximately RM2/- per hour.

Visit Mersing all year round! While it can be wet in December and January, the weather is generally more windy than rainy. Beach visiting is best between March to October.

Buy

If you are on a budget, it is best to buy everything you may need before you visit Tioman island or the other islands off Mersing as mainland prices are cheaper.

There is a "Giant" Supermarket in Mersing which is well stocked.

Eat

'''VEGETARIAN'''

There are only two vegetarian places in Mersing. Both are very simple.

  • '''Vegetarian Cafe''' ? a very cost-friendly Chinese semi-self-service-style "pick-what-you-like" place run by Mahayana Buddhist devotees. Menu: rice with various vegetable and tofu dishes, fried noodles, and noodle soup, coffee, tea & soft drinks. The food contains no onion or garlic. Location: Jalan Jemaluang about 12 min walk from the main traffic circle, left-hand side. Open from early morning to about 1 pm.
  • '''Vegetarian Hawker Stall''' ? a very cost-friendly but tiny stall among other numerous non-veg stalls in a semi-open complex near the road. Menu: Fried noodles, eggs, rice and various vegetable and tofu dishes. Open from early morning till about 10 am. Location: Jalan Jemaluang about 8 min walk from the main traffic circle, right-hand side.
  • '''OTHER NON-VEGETARIAN PLACES'''

  • '''Restoran P1''', 20, Jln. Dato Mohd. Ali, 86800 Mersing, (''center town, short road towards the river, about 30m from the mainroad''), [http://restaurant-p1-mersing.blogspot.com]. Every day 10:00AM to midnight, Tuesdays 7:00AM to midnight. An alternative to the local cuisine: homemade pizza, pasta, sirloin steak, schnitzel, salmon steak, all prepared by a Swiss chef, at "local" prices. Fantastic food. And a second-hand books exchange.
  • '''The Port''' (''right by the jetty''). Western food.
  • '''Warung Ikan Bakar''' (''right by the jetty, further up along the esplanade''). Barbequed fish.
  • '''Mersing Seafood''' (''near to Giant Supermarket''). Chinese Seafood - Recommended is Chinese Fried Rice, Squid stuffed with Chinese Century Egg, Spinach Soup, Butter prawns, Malay Hot "Kang Kong" vegetable dish.
  • '''Loke Tien Yuen''' (''opposite Kentucky Fried Chicken''). Chinese Seafood - Recommended is the day's catch steamed, sweet and sour pork, yoke lan gai, lin zi ngap, fu gua pai guat, BEST CHAR SIEW IN MERSING!!!
  • Drink

  • '''The Port''' (See above)
  • '''Raja Villa Resort & Hotel''' - Jalan Endau, Mersing, Johor (2 km from Mersing town) - fantastic views of Tioman and the other islands from the cafe and swimming pool.
  • Sleep

    There are numerous hotels and motels in Mersing town.

    Early reservation is recommended especially when your visit coincides with Singapore and Malaysia holidays.

    Budget

    The smaller hotels are most suitable for budget conscious travelers and they are usually run by families. Prices range from RM20 per night for non-aircon rooms to RM50 for air-con.

  • '''SariMawar Chalets & Campsite''' Lot 114, Kampung Mawar, Teluk Sari, Penyabong. Stargazers, astro-photographers and amateur astronomers flock to this spot between May and August each year to enjoy what is probably the clearest view of the universe.
  • '''Air Papan Chalets''', Air Papan about 15 km north of Mersing. RM 60 per night for a studio chalet. Good quiet beach. Two eateries, acceptable standard at local prices.
  • '''Omar's Backpacker's Hostel''' [http://www.journeymalaysia.com/citymersingomar.htm]
  • '''East Coast Backpacker's Hotel''' [http://www.geocities.com/anwarkinin/] (currently closed for renovation (as of 10 May 2008)
  • '''Embassy Hotel''', RM 35-70, 2 Jalan Ismail [http://www.journeymalaysia.com/citymersingembassy.htm]
  • '''Sun Dance Holiday''', RM 45, 3 Jalan Ismail
  • '''Rumah Persinggahan Mersing''', RM 28-63, 490 Jalan Ismail
  • '''Kali's Guesthouse''', RM 30-70 [http://www.journeymalaysia.com/citymersingkali.htm] This accomodation situated just 100 meteres to nearby Jalan Endau main road. It is on the Jalan Air Merah road. The Guesthouse consist of single storey building and raised house (void underneath the house.It is nearby the the road Jalan Dato' onn. You can stroll along the beach using the walkways built by the local authority. You can find facilities along the beach such as gazebos, decorative lighting, public toilets, rubbish bin and others. Here you can find stalls selling local food such as the "keropok lekor"(fish stick made from combination of fine fish and wheat flour), budu(fish sauce), cencalok(prawn sauce), keropok(fish and prawn crackers), lemang(glutinous rice cooked in bamboo-seasonal delicacies and might not be available on other months-normally around and after the Eid-ul Fitri)
  • '''Golden City Hotel''', RM 15-35, 23 Jalan Abu Bakar
  • '''Syuan Koong Hotel''', RM 10-28, 44A Jalan Abu Bakar
  • Mid-range

    These hotels are suitable for business and family vacation travelers.

  • '''Fishing Bay Resort''' Lot 525, Teluk Buih, Air Papan ''+07''-799-6753 (fax: ''+07''-799-7102) [http://www.fishingbayresort.com] is a secluded resort that offers peace, quiet, and serviced activities. Rates on their website start at US$28.
  • '''Raja Villa Resort & Hotel''' [http://www.rajavilla.com] Affordable and clean accommodation with swimming pool and other facilities from as little as Malaysian Ringgit 65+ per night.
  • '''Timotel Hotel''' [http://www.timotel.com.my]
  • Situated on Jalan Endau road, near the Mersing river and just after the central town roundabout

  • '''Teluk Iskandar Inn''', RM 80-100 [http://www.journeymalaysia.com/citymersingtelukiskandar.htm]
  • '''White Sand Beach Resort''', RM 170-200, 3 Jalan Ismail
  • '''Mersing Inn''', 38 Jalan Ismail. Affordable and clean accommodation. Tel:+607-7991919
  • '''Seri Malaysia Mersing''', RM 130-150, 641 Jalan Ismail [http://www.serimalaysia.com.my/ourhotel.jsp?stateid=MSG&dt=1200974252620]
  • Get out

  • Tioman - everybody's real destination
  • Pulau Besar - closer to the mainland than Tioman, very quiet, no night life. Swimming, snorkeling, beach and jungle walks.... Don't forget a good insect repellent as there may be sandflies around! A few budget and mid range hotels. Book in Mersing at one of the travel agents in town or at the jetty - no regular ferry service! During the monsoon season (November to February/March) you still get accommodation, but food wise the choice may be reduced to instant noodles....