Away & Away Zine: Travel - Pangkor Island

Pangkor Island - Free & Easy Life
With various beachside attractions in Malaysia, it is important to know the best time to travel. The Peninsular Malaysia often influenced by the monsoon season at the east coast area from October until February while at the west side from April to October. For this December issue, we’ll have a look away from the monsoon at the east coast happening right now to the tourist spot in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Pangkor Island.

The geographical area of Pangkor Island is the mix of various unique natural shape and form. It’s quite hillysurrounded by undeveloped forest at almost everywhere around the island thus making it a good place to hangout for nature lovers. Tourist can experience the peaceful way of village life hold by the local with classic wooden house still can be found here. With the massive visitor going in and out from the island, the main local economics contribution goes to tourism. There are huge choices of Accommodation from budget to luxury starting from RM110 per night (U$32) for comfortable 3 star hotels near the seaside.

Transportation here is very easy and convenient. Visitor can use taxi van to have a look at the Island with cost of RM 40 (U$12). If interested to travel independently, motorcycle can be rent from the local shop such as mini market or small rental vehicle company. However, it is advisable to ask the hotel or motel reception for information regardless to this as precaution against non illegal business which disable tourist to be protected by insurance policy in case of injury or damage while travelling around by hire motorcycle.

For activity, the islands have a lot to offer. From Snorkelling, island hoping, scuba diving and even banana boat ride and Jet Ski. The hotel or motels have their own product for the resident or if not, the resident can go for the local vendor spreading around the area. Regularly for the snorkelling activity, the guide will take you to other island not far from the accommodation. For tourists who want to be relaxed by the seaside scenery, have a time out at the restaurant offering food and drink of rich gastronomic culture touch in Malaysia.

Getting There
There are several ways to Pulau Pangkor but the main way to go there by travelling on car or by bus. The journey will take about 2 1/2 hour via PLUS North-South Highway from Damansara gate to Bidor. After making a way out of the highway, head to Lumut which take another 2 hour to arrive. Finally take a ferry from Lumut Jetty to Pangkor Island. There is not much difficulty heading to Lumut as there are many signboards being put at every corner of the road that can guide visitor safely to destination.