Confession: I didn’t want to go to Pulau Ketam. I read enough to know what it would be like: houses on stilts, human waste go straight back to nature, fresh seafood hopefully not bred nor collected from the very same nature areas. It sounds like Kukup, a fishing village off Pontian in Johor. I’d been to Kukup in my younger days. I don’t particularly want to go back.
Then Joyce who occasionally slaps sense into me said, “YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO PULAU KETAM, HOW DO YOU REALLY KNOW??”
True that. Off we went with friends. We took the KTM from Subang to Port Klang, a journey of nearly an hour each way. The return ticket costs RM5.80. It was my first time on the KTM and I have just one comment: the time schedules were created to mock your waiting self, right?
From Port Klang, you can get to Pulau Ketam via the ferry (RM7 about 30mins) or private speedboat (RM10 about 15mins). Along the way you could see mangrove swamps, boats, fish farms, and eventually Pulau Ketam’s houses on stilts.
Pulau Ketam literally means Crab Island. In the late 1800s, Hainanese fisherman from Port Klang arrived at this island where they caught crabs and sold them for a living. Initially they went to and fro every day, which was a long journey because there were no speedboats back then.
After a few months, they built a small house on the swampland so they could stay the night. Eventually the swampland, regarded as an island became populated.
And that was how Pulau Ketam was born, ta-dahhhhh!
Swampland full of mini crabs that you cannot eat.
Horng and KY, overwhelmed.
What can you do in Pulau Ketam? If you’re on a day trip, walk around and pose for photos in strange positions. Rent a bike for RM5, cycle and explore the island, whizzing past people’s homes and unsuspecting villagers. Eat fried ice-cream, assorted shaved ice dessert, seafood at the many eateries. Buy local products consisting of dried seafood items.
If you’re staying the night, do all these and more. When the day-trippers are gone, enjoy the calm, quietness and simplicity of the fishing village. At evening towards night time, the tide rises and the fishermen go to sea. They return by dawn so wake up early and go witness all these activities. Most of Pulau Ketam’s harvest are exported so you could see the fishy buggers that go off to say, Hong Kong.
Rented bicycles go fast, grab yours quick!
You do know where human waste in Pulau Ketam go, right? Right, I shan’t elaborate then. Just… be prepared for an unmistakable stench in the air should you catch the wind in the wrong direction.
A gate? Really, why? Your neighbours don’t have any.
Food in Pulau Ketam was… wait let me rephrase. We learned from experience that food served in Pulau Ketam were not to our palate. Sure the clams are huge and fresh, fishballs springy and fresh, fish was fresh but unfortunately overcooked…
To summarise, they have the fresh goods but not the cooking skills to best deliver them.
We were very disappointed with the crabs. They were supposed to be fresh; I don’t know how to measure freshness of a crab but the flesh isn’t supposed to disintegrate too easily, right? There was not enough ‘muscle’ in the meat, it wasn’t firm, not good.
Apparently that’s how they serve crabs in Pulau Ketam. RM38/kg… inexpensive but I’d happily pay more for Wong Poh in Aman Suria for a fantastic, satisfying crab feast.
The lesson here is: take Pulau Ketam for what it is; a fishing village booming with city day-trippers lured by the promise of fresh seafood, so the locals have to accommodate the best they can. I believe it’s decent income alongside their normal fishing operations. They are friendly people and work hard for their money, good for them.
Should you visit Pulau Ketam? Yes! Why not? Get the experience, support the local folks, expose your kids to how other people live, cuti-cuti Malaysia.
And of course happiness is intensified with great company, so bring along some good friends for the ride.
Suan, I can see some really nice pictures with nice composition. I like.
oh thank you thank you, it’s the work of your camera 😀 😛 /runs
first store we went to the food was not bad ya, the seafood restaurant for dinner was lousy though. great pics btw!
KY recently posted..KY eats – Set Lunch at Coco Tei Japanese Restaurant
you mean lunch, we didn’t stay for dinner 😛
er.. yeap u’re right. :/
KY recently posted..KY travels – The Datai Langkawi
Like
My si-fatt is kinda sore *from the ride* the next day… OMG, so unfit! lol
Wrong type of bicycle, maybe?
WHY did u have to show the “where does the poo go” shot before the food shot.. gross! LOL. And yeah , too bad about the overcooking.. u should step in and teach them how not to spoil their fresh seafood! 😛
ciki recently posted..Weng Onn Chicken Rice Shop @ Taman Cheras
Would you really bother, though? 😛
Same sentiment as Ciki. It’s interesting that you could gobble away while knowing that it’s a pooey place 😛
Ruzhi recently posted..People Photos from Japan!
Hahaha it’s amazing what the mind can block out..!
you look good
Love your pics Suanie! SO cantik! Haven’t visited Pulau Ketam ever since the Pulau Ketam doggie issue.
missyblurkit recently posted..Sharing The Dream Of Malaysian Children
You went there for the dog issue??
wow look so fun, sad to say my 7 yr old don’t know cycle two wheels. lol
Never too late to learn 🙂
Did you take the speed boat. If you did what time is the schedule for it.
Yes. No schedule, they are private companies, as long as they have enough people then they will go.
Any good hotel to recommend in Pulau Ketam? Besides eating seafood, what’s good over there?
Mike recently posted..10 things to consider when taking up a home loan in Malaysia
It’s a small island, any one should do, I reckon. You could rent a bike, watch sunset, watch fishermen return from the sea…
Hi Suanie,
I want to know some details about Pulau Ketam accomodation. Do you have any number that I can contact to?
Hi Lex, I don’t have any numbers with me. But maybe you can Google for Pulau Ketam accomodation? 🙂
A good posting on what to expect from Pulau Ketam. Thanks.
Thanks. I hope you enjoy your visit.