June 11th, 2010

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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1 We set off aboard this handsome helicopter, which belongs to the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur.

2 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.

3 The small, private airport had high security!

4 Sophie, all set for take off - camera by her side.

5 Our bodyguard, Ismail, was thrilled to come with us. It was his first time on a helicopter!

6 We flew over prawn plantations.

7 The outskirts of Kuala Lumpur are quite industrial.

8 Moving further away

9 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.

10 New housing sites

11 Palm farms surround hilltops of natural forest.

12 A very silty river snaked beneath us.

13 The lighter green patches are rice paddies.

14 More rice paddies

15 We couldn't figure out what was going on in the darker patch.

16 A mosque amidst the paddies

17 There was a fire burning in the far distance and we weren't sure why.

18 Prawn plantations line the water's edge.

19 Our pilot was very friendly.

20 A large power plant on the north western coast of Malaysia

21 A small resort on a coastal island

22 I noticed that the rock lining the coast is similar to the pink granite found on Mt. Desert Island in Maine.

23 Here is Lumut and the Royal Malaysia Navy navy base.

24 Not far by helicopter from Pangkor Laut Island is a small fishing town.

25 Our destination - Pangkor Laut

26 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.

27 Many buildings stand elegantly on stilts over the sea.

28 So beautifully constructed

29 Another view

30 Amazing tropical flowers were set all over.

31 And of course, lush vegetation!

32 Many majestic trees

33 The tennis courts at the resort are beautiful.

34 Hornbills in the trees

35 A peacock chick and its mother!

36 Lovely guest villas

37 Another view

38 Memrie with Mr. Yip Yoon Wah, the resort's resident naturalist.

39 Each guest villa has a balcony over the water.

40 And beautiful bathrooms

41 Another villa

42 This open-air pavilion is used for yoga classes.

43 The lovely interior - Perhaps Sophie, a certified yoga instructor, will host a yoga retreat here one day.

44 We saw this cute lizzard by the waterside. Unfortunately, he might have been a little sick.

45 This inedible tropical fruit was quite beautiful.

46 A fabulous pool

47 These private rooms are where guests rest and meditate after massages or ayurvedic treatments.

48 Ayurvedic and tradition Chinese medicinal treatments are offered at the resort.

49 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.

50 We had a delicious, private lunch on this beautiful beach - Chapman's Bar sits on Emerald Bay.

51 Red snapper with mango chutney and prawns

52 The panna cotta type of dessert was amazing.

53 On our way back to the helicopter, we saw a group of monkeys, including this mother and baby.

54 The evening glow illuminated the resort as we set off for Kuala Lumpur.

55 Boats, some islands, and an expance of water

56 An aerial view

57 And another

58 And another

59 Later that evening, Memrie, Sophie, and I dressed up to attend The Colors of 1 Malaysia.

60 Arriving at Colors of 1 Malaysia - we were driven right onto center stage!

61 Chef Zak Pelaccio of Fatty Crab had on quite a flashy suit! Jori, his partner, is right behind him.

62 Here I am with Dr. Ng Yen Yen and Memrie.

63 As usual, there were so many photographers!

64 I decided to use a flip video cam on the paparazzi.

65 Jori, me, Memrie, and Sophie wearing our Malaysian garb

66 Here come the dancers!

67 A group photograph with people from Malaysia Tourism and elsewhere

68 It was a very colorful event.

69 Here comes the queen.

70 And the young king

71 Dr. Ng Yen Yen giving a welcoming speech. The king and queen are on the big screen.

72 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.

73 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.

74 And off we went

75 So many smiling faces

76 More

77 The children were so enthusiastic.

78 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.

79 Memrie and Sophie in the cool lounge

Posted on June 11th, 2010 in Friends, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

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