See the Pangkor Laut Resort and Colors of 1 Malaysia
Yesterday, I told you about visiting a market called Pasar Tani and touring the Royal Selangor Visitor Center and Pewter Factory during our morning of day four in Malaysia. For the afternoon, we decided to fly by helicopter and see the island of Pangkor Laut and the gorgeous Pangkor Laut Resort. The helicopter ride away from Kuala Lumpur was stunning and our destination, even more so.
Later that evening, we dressed to attend Colors of 1 Malaysia, a type of street performance. This very vibrant cultural event showcases the country’s arts and crafts, and there are lively performances and parades. The highlight of the event is Dikir Barat, the local Kelantanese traditional song and dance that was performed by more than 5,500 dancers! Colors of 1 Malaysia was also attended by the King and Queen.
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- This photo was taken at dinner on day 2 at the Ritz Carlton. I’m posing with Y Bhg Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min, the executive Director of YTL Group of Companies. She helped arrange our visit to Pangkor Laut.
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- Sophie, all set for take off – camera by her side.
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- Our bodyguard, Ismail, was thrilled to come with us. It was his first time on a helicopter!
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- We flew over prawn plantations.
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- Amazing tropical flowers were set all over.
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- We would have had quite a crowd to maneuver in order to exit! Fortunately, our police out rider, Abu Bakar, once again parted the throngs. Sophie took a few last photos.
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- The children were so enthusiastic.
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- Memrie and Sophie in the cool lounge
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- After Colors of 1 Malaysia, at about 11:30PM, we met up with a great group of people from YTL and elsewhere at the new Lot 10 Restaurant and Night Club.
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- We set off aboard this handsome helicopter, which belongs to the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur.
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- The small, private airport had high security!
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- The outskirts of Kuala Lumpur are quite industrial.
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- Moving further away
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- Flying over a palm plantation – palm oil, derived from the fruit of the palm tree, is a staple crop in Malaysia, both on the peninsula and Malaysian Borneo.
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- New housing sites
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- Palm farms surround hilltops of natural forest.
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- A very silty river snaked beneath us.
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- The lighter green patches are rice paddies.
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- More rice paddies
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- We couldn’t figure out what was going on in the darker patch.
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- A mosque amidst the paddies
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- There was a fire burning in the far distance and we weren’t sure why.
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- Prawn plantations line the water’s edge.
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- Our pilot was very friendly.
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- A large power plant on the north western coast of Malaysia
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- A small resort on a coastal island
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- I noticed that the rock lining the coast is similar to the pink granite found on Mt. Desert Island in Maine.
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- Here is Lumut and the Royal Malaysia Navy navy base.
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- Not far by helicopter from Pangkor Laut Island is a small fishing town.
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- Our destination – Pangkor Laut
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- After a short walk from the heli pad, we walked into this beautiful airy restaurant at the resort. The chandeliers are made from delicate shells.
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- Many buildings stand elegantly on stilts over the sea.
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- So beautifully constructed
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- Another view
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- And of course, lush vegetation!
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- Many majestic trees
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- The tennis courts at the resort are beautiful.
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- A peacock chick and its mother!
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- Hornbills in the trees
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- Lovely guest villas
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- Another view
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- Memrie with Mr. Yip Yoon Wah, the resort’s resident naturalist.
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- Each guest villa has a balcony over the water.
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- And beautiful bathrooms
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- Another villa
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- This open-air pavilion is used for yoga classes.
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- The lovely interior – Perhaps Sophie, a certified yoga instructor, will host a yoga retreat here one day.
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- We saw this cute lizzard by the waterside. Unfortunately, he might have been a little sick.
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- This inedible tropical fruit was quite beautiful.
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- A fabulous pool
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- These private rooms are where guests rest and meditate after massages or ayurvedic treatments.
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- Ayurvedic and tradition Chinese medicinal treatments are offered at the resort.
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- Here I am with Soo Min’s father, Mr. Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay. He owns Pangkor Laut as well as the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur.
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- We had a delicious, private lunch on this beautiful beach – Chapman’s Bar sits on Emerald Bay.
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- Red snapper with mango chutney and prawns
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- The panna cotta type of dessert was amazing.
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- On our way back to the helicopter, we saw a group of monkeys, including this mother and baby.
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- The evening glow illuminated the resort as we set off for Kuala Lumpur.
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- Boats, some islands, and an expance of water
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- An aerial view
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- And another
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- And another
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- Later that evening, Memrie, Sophie, and I dressed up to attend The Colors of 1 Malaysia.
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- Arriving at Colors of 1 Malaysia – we were driven right onto center stage!
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- Chef Zak Pelaccio of Fatty Crab had on quite a flashy suit! Jori, his partner, is right behind him.
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- Here I am with Dr. Ng Yen Yen and Memrie.
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- As usual, there were so many photographers!
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- I decided to use a flip video cam on the paparazzi.
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- Jori, me, Memrie, and Sophie wearing our Malaysian garb
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- Here come the dancers!
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- A group photograph with people from Malaysia Tourism and elsewhere
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- It was a very colorful event.
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- Here comes the queen.
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- And the young king
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- Dr. Ng Yen Yen giving a welcoming speech. The king and queen are on the big screen.
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- The last dance, the peak of the event was Dikir Barat, the local Kelantanese traditional song and dance that was performed by 5,500 dancers.
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- And off we went
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- More
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- So many smiling faces
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