A Malaysian Photo And Travel Blog

Title: What is the menu of the day?
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, SelangorMalaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 10.10am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100

An interesting moment. I capture this photo randomly during my recent trip to Pulau Ketam. When I opened up the file on my desktop computer, I discovered the special moment between the dog and the menu board on the pavement - giving the impression that the dog is analysing the menu of the day. There were lots of stray dogs. The residents has been throwing their daily rubbish beneath their houses for so many years. This unhygienic practice has polluted the land and river. The stray dogs were thriving on these leftover. However, through my conversation with the village elder, I was convinced the people are changing their habits for good. Nowadays, the residents understand the urgent need to practice a proper rubbish disposal system.

Title: The Yellow Boat
Location: Perlabuhan Kelang, Selangor Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 8.54am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100

A large boat docked at Perlabuhan Klang port. This boat was heading to Indonesia. I snapped this picture while I was waiting for the 'speedboat' to arrive. A bright and sunny morning.

Title: A tired looking mongrel
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Selangor Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 10.11am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

This picture was taken the moment I enter the village. A tired looking dog lying on the pavement. I took my camera and try my best to have a close shot on the subject. I approached this dog carefully to avoid getting bitten - the dog does not look too happy. I like the outcome of the photo due to its classic outcome.

Title: Its a joyous life here.
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Islansd, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 11.22am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 100

I met this jolly lad when I was touring the island. He was a bit apprehensive at first seeing a photographer around. The residents here are quite used with the presence of tourists and visitors alike. I managed to strike a brief chat with him and his siblings. I communicate with them using my broken Mandarin and half Cantonese. Soon after I took this photo, it started to rain heavily, this chap over here invited me to come over to his house. I have to say, the residents in Pulau Ketam - young kiddos, adults and veterans alike are friendly and sociable . I felt welcome during my entire trip. A pleasant experience!

Title: Baby Palm Reading
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 10.32am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 110

This picture was taken when I was walking along the wet market. A baby in basket. A CUTE moment. I guess the baby was predicting if there is any green peas for lunch.

Title: Bicycle for rent
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 10.26am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

A metal plate advertising bicycle for rental. No worries about moving around the island. Lots of bicycles available for rental. But, I prefer to navigate the island with my own faithful legs - the best way to enjoy the scenery and also interact with the residents.

Title: The Endless RING
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 10.27am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 140

A typical bicycle with plastic bell in Pulau Ketam. The main mode of transportation is either human or diesel powered bicycle. No cars or buses. You can hear endless rings all over the island. Ring, ring here and ring, ring there...virtually everywhere. It can be a bit annoying at first .

Title: Fisherman boat
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 12.18pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

A diesel powered boat. During my half day trip to Pulau Ketam, I can see most of the boats were docked at their respective jetty. The water in Crab Island was and still murky.

Title: A simple man-made jetty
Location: Pulau Ketam/Crab Island, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2008, 12.17pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100

These small-sized jetty are aplenty in Pulau Ketam. About 90% othe residents are working as fisherman with their own fishing boats. Usually, these boats are docked to the jetty.

I truly enjoyed my half day trip to Pulau Ketam or Crab Island. I took the earliest KTM Commuter train from Kepong to Perlabuhan Kelang station. The train trip lasted for nearly two hours long. Arrival time at Perlabuhan Kelang port is around 8.50am. I took a 45 minutes ferry ride to Pulau Ketam. It was a bright and sunny day.

The island is simply peaceful, stress free and lovable, The residents there are mostly Mandarin speaking Chinese people. I managed to explored 99% of the island in my 41/2 hours trip there. I spend some time visiting the wet market, temples, villages and also tasting some local delicacies. By afternoon, it rains heavily. On my way back, I bought some really delicious crackers made form the island small enterprise.

Overall, Pulau Ketam is a good old traditional village that still maintains the traditional values and lifestyles. The people are friendly and I felt comfortable and at ease here. No traffic jam at all. The only shortcoming here is lack of entertainment in this island. No cinema or even large-sized hypermarket. I was told by some villages, young people moved out from the island to seek better working opportunity in big city like Kuala Lumpur.

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) - Getting There:

There are many taxis and buses plying the Kuala Lumpur-Port Klang route. Alternatively, one can also take the KTM commuter train to Port Klang from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. At the Port Klang jetty, board a ferry to Pulau Ketam. The journey takes about an hour.

Pulau Ketam Location (Google Maps):

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