Pangkor Island and Pangkor Laut Island
This beautifully conceived book has writings by Tan Joo Lee, an Ipoh girl. The text is concise and it’s a trip to nostalgia for us to read the stories narrated to her by these old timers.
Ipoh is well covered in this book. Somehow Pangkor has slipped below the radar. Its omission is undeserved.
Pangkor Laut Island is where the world famous YTL-owned Pangkor Laut Resort is situated. It is actually an islet, south west of Pangkor Island.
If one is staying at PLR one needs to go to the exclusive PLR office /jetty at Marina Island jetty, Lumut. Park your car in a covered parking lot in front of the office. Parking space is limited. You can park at a cheaper rate in the non-covered car parks. You pay when you park. The parking attendant will approach you.
If you are staying at Pangkor Island itself, you can take the ferry at Marina Island jetty {opposite the Ytl office/ jetty}, or at the older Lumut jetty about 10 km away.
The boat trips take about 10 min one way. The drive from KL to Lumut is 2-hour 50 min to 3 hour and 30 min.
I took 2-hour 50 min when I started on a sat at 7am via the coastal road, but the name is a misnomer. You are not driving by the coast. You can’t see the sea. As of 2020 it is not even a highway. The road is bumpy, and one can fly in the air at certain stretches. Use the coastal road if you like to see some kampung scenery but I assure you it is not picturesque.
The better drive is on the North south highway. Exit at Sungkai and drive for about 1 hour to Lumut. Return via Sungkai. JUST 10 min from the toll one can buy many fruits from the roadside stalls owned by villagers. The prices are reasonable and the fruits good quality. If one is staying at Pangkor Island I recommend staying at the Sandy beach resort. Taxis are regulated though about 30 years old. Touts will approach you on arrival. But don’t be afraid. They have a code of conduct. Prices are fixed!