such as sailing, fishing, snorkeling, and
windsurfing. Open-air stalls line the beach
front, offering local delicacies such as
barbecued squid, satay, and fish crisps.
Accommodation is easily available as well,
ranging from luxury hotels and chalets to
the more spartan comforts of attap huts
and camping sites.
Hot on Pasir Bogak’s heels is the
increasingly popular Teluk Nipah area,
midway along the island’s west coast.
Accommodation here caters more to the
middle- to lower-ranged budgets, and the
area tends to be livelier than other parts
of the island. Restaurants and motels
line both the streets and alleyways and
are usually filled with tourists, especially
during peak season. The main road lies
between the beach and the motels and
chalets so it is best not to expect any
rooms on the beach itself.
Just off the main street lies the borderline
of the forest reserve. At sundown, those
lucky enough can catch a glimpse of
hornbills flying in for handouts left out
by local operators. The nearby islands of
Pulau Giam and Pulau Mentagor are only
a short boat ride away from the beach; if
a workout is what you’re after, try renting
kayaks for a paddle out to these islands.
Located on the northwest section of the
island, Golden Sands (or Pantai Puteri
Dewi) beach is a rather exclusive one;
under the ownership of an international
chain of hotels, this private beach offers
no land access to anyone but their guests.
A legendary lovelorn princess is said to
have drowned at this beach, which has
since been named in her memory. In spite
of this slightly morbid connection, the
beach remains a popular choice amongst
locals and tourists alike. Evening sunsets
can be particularly scenic when the last
rays of the sun turn the sand and sea into
fiery, liquid gold.
INLAND JOURNEYS
If relaxing by the ocean for days on end
does not tickle your fancy, head for a hike
in the Rainforest Reserves of Pangkor.
Choose between the Central Rainforest
Reserve (the Pangkor Hill and Tortoise
Hill areas), Southern Rainforest Reserve
(the Teluk Segadas Hill area) and the
Northern Rainforest Reserve (around
the Pangkor Island Beach Resort area)
for a walk on the wild side. Enjoy the
panoramic views of the ocean, waterfalls
and pools while revelling in the beauty
of the wildlife. Don’t forget to wear
appropriate footwear! It is also best to
cover as much of your body as possible as
leeches and insects inhabit the relatively
intense jungle.SPIRITUAL SOLACE
Take time out to soak up the peace
and tranquility of the various places of
worship on the island. The Fu Lin Kong
Chinese Temple, located in the village of
Sungai Pinang Besar should be on your list
of places to visit. An ancient architectural
structure built on the foot of Pangkor Hill,
it is home to numerous rock paintings and
features a miniature replica of The Great
Wall of China.The Lin Je Kong Temple is definitely
different from its counterparts. Besides
statues of legendary heroes from ancient
Chinese folklore, it is decorated with
various cartoon and comic characters, and
also features a dragon-themed furnace!The Kali Amman temple is the only
Hindu temple on the island and is
also one of only two Hindu temples
in Malaysia to have a shrine entrance
that faces the sea. Located just north
of Sungai Pinang Kecil, it has a short
staircase that descends to the sea where
worshippers are required to cleanse
themselves before entering the hall.HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
The Dutch fort (otherwise known as
Kota Belanda) is worth a trip if you tire
of the sun and sea. The centuries-old
stone foundation was built during the
Dutch occupation in 1670, initially for
the storage and protection of tin supplies
from the sultanate of Perak and later, to
fight off enemies, mainly pirates in those
days. Located at Teluk Gedung, on the
southwest part of the island, the fort was
abandoned after being attacked by a local
warrior and his followers. Muzium Negara
undertook its reconstruction in 1973, and
today only the stone foundations and
carvings on a large rock remain.To learn more about Pangkor Island, please
visit pangkor.com.my and pangkorisland.my.