It was a Thursday night when I personally requested for a leave the next day. Usually, it was not allowed. It has to be planned a week prior. But my boss understood perfectly because I have been in an extremely stressful work week. Working an average of 12 hours a day. Draining and exhausting. I need to recharge!
I was thinking where will I go. It was morning. Preparing my breakfast. While I was waiting for my bacon to be cooked, I glanced through our window and saw the train. I am staying on the 29th floor so I have the best view of the surroundings.
Then a light bulb moment! What if I will go to the last station of the train line in our area? I usually rode that train going to the North, I haven't been to the South. My workplace is only 4 stations (North) away from my unit. I got so excited with that thought.
I left my unit around 11AM. I walked to the KTM Petaling station for more or less 5 minutes. I waited for several minutes and the train arrived. It says, the last station is Pelabuhan Klang. 15 stations. No idea. No expectations. None at all.
The train was almost empty therefore I had the luxury of choosing where I could sit. I sat next to the window. I was really thrilled. As it went farther, you can see that fewer and fewer skyscrapers can be seen. I love rural life. Calmer and relaxing. We reached the last station. It was an hour ride. The train ride cost around 4.50RM or 54PhP. It was then I found out that Pelabuhan Klang is Port Klang in english. Facepalm. There should be a beach! I’ll take a swim. Being a thalassophile, I can’t contain myself. Excited to get off the train.
Several tumbling away was the Port area. Terminal Penumpang South Port. Unfortunately, I found out that the beach is not advisable for swimming. Ships docked there and the water is not that clean. That was the bad news. But there was good news! There’s an island near the port. Pulau Ketam or Crab Island. It is a small island located off the coast of Klang.
So I immediately checked the schedule of the next ferry going to the island. It will be in an hour.
Upon reaching the dock, you will be greeted by gigantic letters that spell KETAM. It’s like a welcome to the island.
I didn't know how to drive either of the two. So I opted to just walk and explore the island by foot. It was a sunny day. I already walked half of the island when I knew that there were regular bikes for rent. Another facepalm.
Pulau Ketam is equipped with almost all the basic facilities. A police station, bank, hospital, temples, fire station, hostels, public market, restaurants and shops. Name it, they have it.
With about 95% of its people being Chinese. The only difference is that all the structures were built on stilts. Usually made of long wooden stilts. The abodes were suspended to about ten meters above sea level.
Hhhmmmm…reliving the memories of Jetty Port in Penang and Kampung Ayer in Brunei. I also thought of the Badjao’s, the indegenous people of ZamBaSulTa region in Mindanao. And the best part, Pulau Ketam is free from any traffic as there were no cars. It's a tiny island where there's really nothing much to do as the island is surrounded by mangroves. A perfect habitat for crabs. It was just so sad that when I arrived there was low tide.
I was on the other side of the island when I asked a random person from the island (my last chance). Honestly, I have been asking people there but none spoke with me as they said, they don’t speak english. He was cleaning his shoes as he walked onto the muddy area (it was a shortcut) going to the dock. I approached him and asked the way to the dock. Finally! He can speak english. Whew! He gave me directions but apparently he will go there too.
I tagged along with him and we reached the dock. We bought a ticket and the good thing was, the ferry had already arrived. The ferry had 2 decks. The lower deck is an enclosed one as it was air conditioned. The upper deck was open. We chose the latter because I want to feel the sea breeze and to enjoy the view in the most natural way. I asked him about the island. By the way, his name is Yeoh. He was originally a resident of the island. However, when he got married he stayed in Selangor. He works in the island as a Supervisor in a gas company and he takes the ferry everyday. He was so gracious and patient enough to answer all my questions.
After an hour, the ferry arrived. I bade farewell to him. I need to catch the train the soonest as I have an appointment in the evening.
I must admit that this is not a typical tourist destination. Nonetheless, it was still an exceptional experience for me as I was able to visit that part of Selangor. Likewise, I gained another friend.
While I was doing this blog, I asked Yeoh to take a picture of the island during high tide
