Palau Pangkor (Malaysia)
After a few hectic days in Hong Kong, Singapore & Kuala Lumpur, we decided it was time for some relaxing at a Malaysian beach. So, we caught a 4 hour bus from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut (moving Northwards in Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur) and then took a 30 minute ferry from Lumut to Palau Pangkor.
The adventure started in Kuala Lumpur at the Puda Raya bus station. We were warned that the station would be overwhelming, but the warnings were not adequate. We literally got dropped off in the middle of a busy street by our taxi driver and he yelled at us and pointed at a building that we could not imagine was a bus station. We went inside (loaded down with our enormous backpacks and other bags we have acquired) to find a series of hawker stalls. It looked more like a galleria of mini restaurants than a bus station, although curiously there were staircases all around that we assumed the bus station must be somewhere. Wade left me with all the bags so that he could maneuver through the crowds to try and purchase our tickets. I have never been so stared at in all of my life. A combination of my skin colour and all the bags that were accompanying me, granted me circus freak attention. I started counting and saw 6 other white people the entire time we were at the station. They were like shining beacons in the crowd. Wade struggled getting the tickets, but did return…then the adventure of finding our “platform” began. Buses were everywhere, signs were lacking and people did not speak English. Eventually we ended up walking up and down the bus stalls trying to find our bus. We eventually did and finally were on the bus to Lumut. It was a huge relief by that time and we were exhausted and sweating wet (they don’t believe in A/C in bus stations apparently).
Palau Pangkor was a well deserved vacation from our “adventure” earlier in the day. It is an 8 sq. km tropical island oasis. This is a picture of the nicest public beach on the island, which is called Coral Bay Beach. Coral Bay Beach is known for its emerald green water, which is due to the limestone sediment from the nearby cliffs. Although the backdrop scenery was more fantastic than Cayman, the beach and water did not quite compare. I guess we are a little spoiled having lived on one of the nicest beaches in the world for 4 years! Although, I would have to say the prices in Palau Pangkor are much better. Our hotel was across the road from the beach and had a very nice pool for US$25. Doubt Cayman could beat that!
Here is a look at the aftermath still evident on the beach at Coral Bay from last year’s Tsunami.
Another picture of the aftermath of the Tsunami.
We are not entirely sure what type of bird this is…maybe a Toucan. Anyways, there was a bit of a bird convention on the power wires above our hotel’s swimming pool. We couldn’t resist taking a picture of one of these guys due to their unique beaks.
The last day on the island we rented a motorbike (the main mode of transportation on the island apart from the pink taxi vans) and toured the island. It didn’t take long, but was an interesting tour. We went to the other side of the island which is mainly a fishing village and the island’s main business apart from tourism is fish products sold to other parts of Malaysia. As such, some of the places we drove by didn’t smell like a flower garden. We also were able to see many Malaysian Navy ships as the Navy’s main hub is on the mainland near Palau Pangkor. Here is a picture of some of the local fishing boats.
Wade also earned his keep by teaching me how to ride a motorbike (once we hit a more open, quiet stretch of road). Now I am all prepared for when we get to Vietnam. Luckily I am still in once piece with a clean “riding” record to date.
We had some of the best meals yet in Malaysia on this island. Hard to believe that corn on the cob sold by a guy on a street corner over an open flame could be the best you have ever tasted and that a whole fish (literally…head and tail) covered in peanut satay sauce could be the tastiest fish you have ever had. We now believe why the Lonely Planet guidebook provides a travel itinerary based solely on gastronomy in Malaysia!
The adventure started in Kuala Lumpur at the Puda Raya bus station. We were warned that the station would be overwhelming, but the warnings were not adequate. We literally got dropped off in the middle of a busy street by our taxi driver and he yelled at us and pointed at a building that we could not imagine was a bus station. We went inside (loaded down with our enormous backpacks and other bags we have acquired) to find a series of hawker stalls. It looked more like a galleria of mini restaurants than a bus station, although curiously there were staircases all around that we assumed the bus station must be somewhere. Wade left me with all the bags so that he could maneuver through the crowds to try and purchase our tickets. I have never been so stared at in all of my life. A combination of my skin colour and all the bags that were accompanying me, granted me circus freak attention. I started counting and saw 6 other white people the entire time we were at the station. They were like shining beacons in the crowd. Wade struggled getting the tickets, but did return…then the adventure of finding our “platform” began. Buses were everywhere, signs were lacking and people did not speak English. Eventually we ended up walking up and down the bus stalls trying to find our bus. We eventually did and finally were on the bus to Lumut. It was a huge relief by that time and we were exhausted and sweating wet (they don’t believe in A/C in bus stations apparently).
Palau Pangkor was a well deserved vacation from our “adventure” earlier in the day. It is an 8 sq. km tropical island oasis. This is a picture of the nicest public beach on the island, which is called Coral Bay Beach. Coral Bay Beach is known for its emerald green water, which is due to the limestone sediment from the nearby cliffs. Although the backdrop scenery was more fantastic than Cayman, the beach and water did not quite compare. I guess we are a little spoiled having lived on one of the nicest beaches in the world for 4 years! Although, I would have to say the prices in Palau Pangkor are much better. Our hotel was across the road from the beach and had a very nice pool for US$25. Doubt Cayman could beat that!
Here is a look at the aftermath still evident on the beach at Coral Bay from last year’s Tsunami.
Another picture of the aftermath of the Tsunami.
We are not entirely sure what type of bird this is…maybe a Toucan. Anyways, there was a bit of a bird convention on the power wires above our hotel’s swimming pool. We couldn’t resist taking a picture of one of these guys due to their unique beaks.
The last day on the island we rented a motorbike (the main mode of transportation on the island apart from the pink taxi vans) and toured the island. It didn’t take long, but was an interesting tour. We went to the other side of the island which is mainly a fishing village and the island’s main business apart from tourism is fish products sold to other parts of Malaysia. As such, some of the places we drove by didn’t smell like a flower garden. We also were able to see many Malaysian Navy ships as the Navy’s main hub is on the mainland near Palau Pangkor. Here is a picture of some of the local fishing boats.Wade also earned his keep by teaching me how to ride a motorbike (once we hit a more open, quiet stretch of road). Now I am all prepared for when we get to Vietnam. Luckily I am still in once piece with a clean “riding” record to date.
We had some of the best meals yet in Malaysia on this island. Hard to believe that corn on the cob sold by a guy on a street corner over an open flame could be the best you have ever tasted and that a whole fish (literally…head and tail) covered in peanut satay sauce could be the tastiest fish you have ever had. We now believe why the Lonely Planet guidebook provides a travel itinerary based solely on gastronomy in Malaysia!
posted by The Adventures of Rena & Wade | 10:02 PM
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