Malaysia (Pulau Ketam & Sungei Lima, Selangor) May 2018

" One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about " 

" You don't need magic to disappear, all you need is a destination and a great hostel " 

" I like backpacking, others like packing bags "

Cuti Cuti (Vacation) Malaysia 2018 - my day trip by KTM train & speed boat rides from Subang Jaya  to Sungei Lima & Pulau Ketam (Crab Island), Selangor during the Labor Day (1st May 2018) - accompanied by KC & Lam, my travel buddies from USJ & Singapore - my last visit to Sungei Lima & Pulau Ketam was in Nov 2017

Total cost incurred (1 day) : Rm29.20 (US$7.50)

KTM trains : Rm2.10 x 2 (senior)
Speed boats: Rm15 (return)
Food & drinks: Rm10

Travel Highlights : Jalan Jalan (Walkabout) in Pulai Ketam (Crab island) & Sungei Lima, Port Klang

1) KTM train ride from Subang Jaya departing 08.35 to Port Klang (last stop), Selangor (approx. 45 mins; 21km); our group had a cup of local coffee before boarding the speed boat

2) Pulau Ketam Jetty & Crab Icon, Port Klang, Selangor - ferry ticket Rm15 (US$3.85) & return; took the 10.15am speed boat from Port Klang to Sungei Lima (25 mins)

3) Sungei Lima Jetty - the 14th Malaysian General Election campaign is around the corner; the polling date is set on 9th May 2018; to woo voters, colorful flags & banners from major political parties contesting this election are noticeably seen in high traffic & strategic places in both fishing villages & throughout the various constituencies in Malaysia ! Politicians & voters are anxious to know the election outcome next week  & Malaysians of all races will be displaying the "Malaysia Boleh" high spirits  during this 10 days election campaign ! For seasoned travelers like me, KC & Lam, we too were in high spirits after enjoying the sea breeze & visiting Sungei Lima & Pulau Ketam on this Labor Day !

4) Sungei Lima, Selangor

A small sleepy fishing village, quiet, elderly folks, no cars, bicycles for rental, colorful homestay houses, drying of shrimps, mud crabs crawling around the muddy ground, a few eatery stalls , peaceful & calm, lesser known to tourists ...

5) Drying of shrimps under open air (sunbathing) outside of the fishermen's homes in Sungei Lima; Lam is doing a squatting exercise - for how long, I don't know !

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island), Selangor

1) Pulau Ketam Jetty - after spending an hour in Sungei Lima, our group took the 13.15pm speed boat (Rm1) from Sungei Lima > Pulau Ketam (20mins); you may like to take a water taxis from Sungei Lima jetty to Pulau Ketam (Rm5) for this short trip !

2) Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) - the early settlers were fishermen migrated from Hainan province of southern China in 1870's; muddy, mangrove swamp, wooden houses on stilts, mud crabs, dried shrimps, seafood restaurants, homestay etc for a great family outing & day trippers ! 

3) Chinese Temples in Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) serving the local community 

4) Hwa Lien Chinese School, Pulau Ketam

May 1 is a Labour Day, a public holiday in Malaysia. Lam who is my new travel buddy from Singapore is visitng KL for a week commencing from Monday 30th April & he had suggested we visit Pulau Ketam & Sungei Lima, located off the coast of Port Klang; so together we just showed up ! Sungei Lima is a sleepy fishing village, laid back & calm whereas Pulau Ketam tends to attract more tourists and more touristy due to better publicity & ferry services and people craving to savor the fresh seafood there ..... it is very easy to do this day trip so if you want to get away from the hustle & bustle of city life, go to Pulau Ketam and Sungei Lima & enjoy your time in these quaint fishing villages, never mind about the muddy odors & pungent smell like rotten eggs emanating from the drying of shrimps ! 

Travelling makes your heart grows fonder !