Flawed-Democratic Federation of Malaysia
Perak Darul Ridzuan
Pangkor Island
Teluk Nipah
Seagull Beach Villa Resort +6056852878
Adequate double room for MYR 55.- or US$ 15.30 per night.
Proselytising, zealous and unnerving Christian resort management which helped us to remember the atheistic words: "Religion is like a penis. It's fine to have one and it's fine to be proud of it. If you meet someone who wants to share it, that's wonderful. However, don't whip it out in public and start waving it around, and never once shove it down my child's throat, then I'll find you and cut it, hallelujah."
Touring Pangkor Island in a clockwise circuit by a hired 80-cc Honda motorbike (MYR 25.- or US$ 7.- for a 24-hour rental from our resort) and exploring (i) the pristine beaches on the west side of the island (Pasir Bogak, Teluk Nipah, Teluk Coral), (ii) the traditional fishing villages on the east side (Sungai Pinang Kecil, Sungai Pinang Besar, Pangkor Town), all famous for their multitude of dried fish products with its distinctive smell, and (iii) the islanders' colourful temples (the Chinese Foo Lin Kong Temple with many hanging spiral joss sticks and the South-Indian Pathirakaliaman Temple with its small gaudy gopura).
Finding our balance between lazily blobbing on the beach at Teluk Nipah and to the point of exhaustion hiking over the jungle-clad hills of the island’s interior thus spotting arboreal hornbills (great hornbill [Buceros bicornis] and oriental pied hornbill [Anthracoceros albirostris]) with their distinctive casques, watching and listening to white-bellied fish eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) high above us, following a 1.5-m long water monitor (Varanus salvator) into the undergrowth and being watched by a gang of curious gray langurs.
Taking the Mesra ferry boat from Pangkor Town to Lumut for MYR 5.- or US$ 1.40 per person, and hereafter the Plusliner express bus (quoted from their terms and conditions on the back of the ticket: “…indecent and immoral activities are not permitted on board the bus…”) from Lumut all the way back to Kuala Lumpur's convenient and well-organised Puduraya Bus Terminal for MYR 24.40 or US$ 6.80 per person for the 290-km ride.
Click below for blog entries about other islands in the Strait of Malacca
11 May - 21 May 2013 Pantai Cenang on Langkawi
17 Feb - 20 Feb 2013 George Town on Penang
01 Feb - 17 Feb 2013 Batu Ferringhi on Penang
20 Mar - 07 Apr 2012 Iboih Beach on Pulau Weh
01 Jan - 04 Jan 2012 Kuah on Langkawi
Click below for a summary of this year's travels
2009 Map Konni & Matt
Visit the Konni & Matt online albums and order high res photos
Konni & Matt Travel Photos
Recommended books - click below for your order from the United Kingdom
Visit the Konni & Matt online albums and order high res photos
Konni & Matt Travel Photos
Recommended books - click below for your order from the United Kingdom
