PANGKOR ISLAND
An Island in the Sun

   
It is usually the case that whenever someone plans to holiday at one of the many island resorts in Malaysia, Pangkor Island off the coast of Perak is always one of the last places chosen.

More often than not, places like Langkawi, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Kapas and Penang will be the more obvious choices.

It is ironical that Pangkor is more popular with school children - who head for the island resort during each holiday season - and foreign tourists.

As for the locals, many prefer the other island resort as Pangkor barely has any of the trappings of a modern city. Every corner of the island still maintains a pace of life similar to that of the pre-independence era.

The island is still tranquil with hardly any traffic and there are also no discos or bars. If at all, these nightspots are mostly confined to the upmarket hotels.

While Pangkor may be a "boring cowboy town" to those used to the hectic city life, it is indeed a paradise for nature-lovers and those who love an unhurried life.

With its long stretches of sandy beaches, nestling in a wide, crystal-clear bay, Pangkor is indeed a hideaway for honeymooners as it provides opportunities for romantic midnight walks along the beach.

Accessibility should not be a major problem as there are various modes of transport available.

The opening of the new Kayan Highway, which significantly cuts the travelling time between Kuala Lumpur and Lumut, and the commissioning of the new 792-metre Pangkor airstrip, have made it easier for tourists to visit the island resort.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can either hop onto an express bus or hire a taxi to Lumut. It cost between RM12 and RM13 to take the express bus and about RM60 to charter a taxi.

From Lumut, visitors will have to take a 30-minute ferry ride across the straits before arriving in Pangkor.

Be sure to look towards the mainland as the ferry leaves the jetty, so as to catch a glimpse of the Royal Malaysian Navy's base and its pride - its fleet of various warships moored at the jetty.

Apart from travelling by road, visitors also have the choice of flying into Pangkor, either via Kuala Lumpur or Penang.

Accommodation at the island also should not be a problem as there are may hotels and chalets available in practically every corner of the island.

Even budget-conscious travellers will be able to enjoy their trip to Pangkor as cheap accommodation, from as low as RM50 per night, is readily found on the island.

These hotels and chalets are strategically located on some of the better-known beaches including Pasir Bogak, Coral Beach and Teluk Nipah.

Tourism has become one of Pangkor's money-earner. Prior to this, the principal activity of most Pangkor folks has been fishing and the production of preserved seafood.

Speaking of preserved seafood, over the years Pangkor has become synonymous with seafood, either preserved or fresh, as the sea surrounding the "island in the sun" is reputed to be a haven for marine life.

Pangkor is also reputed to be the main producer of dried cuttlefish, anchovies, dried oysters, satay fish and shrimps in Malaysia.

A trip to Pangkor will be incomplete if one does no purchase any of these items, either for personal consumption or as gifts to family or friends.

To those who often wonder how the satay fish and fish crackers are made, a visit to the many factories in Sungai Pinang Kecil is a must on the itinerary.

However, be forewarned that the tour of the factory may not be a pleasant experience for those with a sensitive nose, as the smell of fish and other seafood put out for drying could prove rather offensive.

For those, who manage this ordeal, a bountiful reward awaits - in the form of free samples of satay fish, cuttlefish and fish crackers.

Other than these factories, places of interest on the island are the Sacred Rock, the Dutch Fort and the Mini Great Wall of China.

The Dutch fort, standing next to the 300-year-old Teluk Gedung fishing village, was built in 1670 to store and proctect tin supplies from Perak and was a Dutch stronghold against local pirates.

However, it was destroyed in 1690 by local Malays who were dissatisfied with the methods used by the Dutch to obtain the mineral. The Dutch were forced to abandon the fort in 1693.

The Dutch returned to Pangkor in 1743 and rebuilt the fort. A garrison of 60 soldiers was stationed there until the unit was disbanded in 1748.

About 400 metres from the fort lies a large granite boulder with faint carvings depicting a tiger holding what is said to be a child in its forepaws. The carving is said to have been done in 1743. This is the Sacred Rock or Batu Bersurat as it is locally known.

Legend has it that the child of a Dutch dignitary was taken by a tiger while playing near the rock. The engraving, which depicts the incident, remains as a monument.

However, the locals have a different version of it.

They say the child was kidnapped either by Malay or Bugis warriors who were at war with the Dutch.

From Teluk Gedung, you can make your way to Sungai Pinang Besar, about five minutes drive away, where Malaysia's very own Great Wall of China greets all visitors.

The miniature wall, at the Fu Lin Kong temple, was dedicated to one of the temple deities.

Travelling from one place of interest to another within the island does not pose any problem as there arae adequate taxis.

Don't worry if you are not familiar with the island as the drives will be more than happy to ferry you to all the places of interest, plus doubling as tourist guides to keep you informed regarding each location's significance.

Travelling around the island on a road that can only take one vehicle at a time is really exciting apart from the splendid view of the sea from several high spots as the taxi-van slowly winds its way through the hilly terrain.

Whatever your needs for a vacation are, Pangkor Island is indeed a perfect choice.

GEOGRAPHY The name Pangkor, originating from the Thai word 'Pang Ko', means "Beautiful Island." This is a very apt description, as any visitor will gladly testify. The early Thais were so mesmerised by its beauty that in their desperate attempt to claim the island. Towards the 1600's, the Dutch and the English aslo started showing interest in the island. The Dutch built a fort to store tin (an important commodity at the time) from the mainland before shipping it to Europe. The English on the other hand, came in search of a strategic supply base for the Straits Settlement. Pangkor Island lies off the the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, close by the mouth of the Dinding river, and about half way down the Straits of Malacca. Visitors to this tropical haven often mentioned its unrivalled natural beauty - dazzling white beaches, lush rainforests and clear blue skies. The days are filled with screams of joy and laughter, while the night air is resonant with the breeze, and the sweet lullaby of island's indigenous wildlife. And beyond all this lies Pangkor's colourful history, its myths, and its legends.

Once said to be frequented by pirates, Pangkor was the site of the famous Pangkor Treaty of 1874, signed by British Governor of the Straits Settlements Sir Andrew Clarke and a group of Malay chiefs. The treaty marked the beginning of British intervention in local state policies at a time when the booming tin trade was grinding to a halt due to conflicts between secret societies.

Here are some good websites to check out on Pangkor Island and Lumut. The website: Pulau Pangkor, has useful information on how to get around the island and where to find accommodation. Other good sites are Pangkor Info and Pangkor Galleries. Map of Pangkor Island - Click here

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