Not knowing the choices available, we boarded whichever available and ended with a converted ferry from a trawler. It took one hour-journey to our destination while the other took half the time.
The advantages are the open view and the strong breeze with good view from both sides for photography. The disadvantages are the deafening noise from the roaring engine and slow pace skimming over the choppy sea.
In the rocky trawler-ferry on the way to Pulau Ketam, this couple with their young infant caught my attention.Well, it was a brilliant idea for the exhausted father to place his baby to sleep on his body. Unfortunately, a seven feet long piece of wood supporting the life jackets fell on them.
The supervisor came to investigate not knowing that two teen-age passengers had earlier fooling around and accidentally pulled the wooden pole loosen. The vibration from the trawler-ferry finally saw the mishap taken place.
The supervisor went to the couple after the investigation and handed them a red-packet as a gesture of apology. Luckily, the baby and his father were unhurt.
The residents of Pulau Ketam lead a mundane life with a population of 8000 is made up of Chinese from the “Teochew”, “Hokkien”and “Hainanese” speaking clans. No wonder the younger generation have made their ways out to the mainland to look for greener pastures.
The houses are all built on stilt above the mangrove swamps now occupied by about half the populace.As far back in the early fifties, Pulau Ketam was a desolated island of mangroves swamp where crabs were in abundance. The fisherman arrived for crabs and made daily trip back to the mainland with their catch.
The journey then (without engines) took nearly the whole day to travel to and fro from the mainland. The fishermen build a small house and stayed overnight and such convenience saw more houses sprouting around the island.
When the small populace wanted to stay permanently, the “Chuan Eng Bio” temple was built as the guardian for their safety and solace.
When the small populace wanted to stay permanently, the “Chuan Eng Bio” temple was built as the guardian for their safety and solace.
From 1960's to 1970's, post office, primary school and the other basic facilities sprouted in this island as well. Today, a secondary school has become a reality.Unfortunately, fires in 1967 and 1972 had destroyed all the houses and shop lots in Jalan Besar and Sungai Dalam. All the shops were rebuilt later. For preventive measures, the Bomba Sukarela Pulau Ketam was formed in 1972. All volunteer members are from Pulau Ketam's residents.
In 1991, the new jetty was ready for use, and pipe water was supplied from the mainland by the state government.
The major activities were catching crabs, fishes and prawns.
The trip back to the mainland was rather amusing. The conductress of the trawler-ferry put up an entertaining sail home.
A septuagenarian, she sang and danced like a “child” in her world of her own. In different dialects, she churned out all her favourites.
In 1991, the new jetty was ready for use, and pipe water was supplied from the mainland by the state government.In 1993, the Hospital Desa Pulau Ketam was set up to serve the village.
During 1994's Christmas Day, another fire destroyed four shops on the main street.
In 1998, Pulau Ketam experienced a slight flood. It affected roughly 30% of the residential areas.
In the same year, Alam Flora started to collect the detritus to make this island more presentable.
In 1999, the new ferry services came into being. One of the KTM terminals located at Pork Klang, and the convenience of transportations make the journey to and fro Pulau Ketam easier and time saving.
Today, Pulau Ketam is equipped with almost all the basic facilities. It also plays a role as a major fish, crabs, prawns provider to Klang valley, and as tourist destination for the state of Selangor.
The major activities were catching crabs, fishes and prawns.The trip back to the mainland was rather amusing. The conductress of the trawler-ferry put up an entertaining sail home.
A septuagenarian, she sang and danced like a “child” in her world of her own. In different dialects, she churned out all her favourites.
Shock was the word! Many passengers were taken by surprise by her spontaneous teasers. Some were sceptical that she was herself while some may take it as her gimmicks to keep all the passengers in their seats.
Somewhere beneath her physical exterior, she could be a very lonely individual who enjoys seeing people laugh and be amused. To her, it is gratifying!
Salute woman, keep it coming!
Somewhere beneath her physical exterior, she could be a very lonely individual who enjoys seeing people laugh and be amused. To her, it is gratifying!
Salute woman, keep it coming!
The trumpet blows for the ceremony to start, but in a tame affair. The crowd is expected to be overwhelming, but a handful that could be counted.
