Too much information for one post…we have decided to split this into several sections.

First, getting there and the resort.
Pangkor Laut is about a four hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. On the map it looks like you just head up Highway 1 and then take a left on highway 18, wind around a bit and come to the marina…no problem. I boldly stated we would drive ourselves. Heidi, who is much smarter and wiser than I, suggested we hire a driver. Mr.”Internal GPS” was a bit put-off by this suggestion, pouted for awhile, but finally conceded.

The driver picked us up at 8:30 am sharp and out of our driveway we went. He went left, I had planned to turn right. I wanted to tell the man he was heading in the wrong direction but bit my tongue. Heidi appeared quite relaxed and confident in our driver’s ability. First left on one highway, right on another, round about, over and under, and after about 20 different turns and maneuvers I was completely turned around but we landed on Highway 1. I had to admit that I never would have found my way..Heidi, bless her soul did not say, “I told you so”…she just continued to sit there with a most contented look on her face. You see, directional signs are practically non-existent in Kuala Lumpur, or they point you in three different directions.

Highway 1 is a modern 6 lane toll freeway that travels the distance of peninsula Malaysia from Singapore to Thailand. Once off the freeway, the side roads were rather enchanting. (we never did get on Highway 18). By now I was best friends with our driver, quite content to sit back and enjoy the views and before long we rolled into the resort marina. The sun was shining, we were offered a chilled towel and a glass of rose water w/ soda. We were led to the motor craft and off we boated to Pangkor Laut. (the “a” in Pangkor pronounced “au” like in “author”) You head south into the Straits of Malacca, skirting big Pangkor Island, past the little fishing villages and then you see it…Pangkor Laut Island and all the little houses on stilts…such a sight.

We were led to the reception area, seated in cushy chairs and Anna, from Poland, checked us in and gave us a complete overview of the resort. Now, you are probably thinking we selected one of those amazing huts over the water. Well, we thought about it and after much research, we decided on the Hill Villas. The huts are truly lovely, but not as private. Boats zip by, the huts are right next to each other, and most of the balconies can view other balconies, and when the wind picks up the waves can be a bit noisy. On our reservation form we requested the villa with the “best view”…and that is what we got. Room 372…All by ourselves at the tippy-top with a killer view. It was sooooo quiet. You hear the birds, the cicadas, the breeze rustling in the leaves, and silence…lovely, peaceful silence. At night we sat looking down on the resort and up at the stars as one by one they began to peak though the dark sky.

Heidi and I have had the good fortune of staying at a few nice resorts but none compare with this one. The service is world class, the facility so well laid out, the food….oh, the food…tell you more about that later, and spa is ranked every year as one of the best in the world. (more on that later also)

Our room was exquisite, spacious and homey. Included was a two person soaking tub with bath salts (of which we took full advantage of…the tub and the salts), a rain shower, comfy bed, and of course our view. Our room was made up in the morning and freshened up twice a day including a turn-down service The only downside and one we were warned about…MONKEYS!!!! Let me tell you a little more about monkeys. The monkeys on Pangkor Laut are long-tailed Macaque monkeys and if they attended school they would quickly be enrolled in the gifted program when not waiting outside the principal’s office…smart little boogers they are. They have learned to check the sliding doors to the rooms. They push against the door to see if they are locked. If not, they call to the other monkeys that it is check-in time and they team up on the sliding doors and open them. They know from experience that they have about 10 minutes before security will make their rounds. They head straight for the mini bar…you know, those ultra expensive candy bars, the chips, and drinks They open your suitcases and grab any item they think you might not want…like sunglasses, cell phones, jewelry. And before leaving they thoughtfully leave a “remembrance or two” on your pillow as a way of saying, “THANKS”. We dutifully locked our doors. I also found out that you do not want to smile at these monkeys. You see, people see these “cute” little monkeys and squat down to take their pictures. Monkeys don’t seem to mind having their picture taken. The monkeys may even do something “adorable” Then the tourist smiles at the monkey…now there is a problem. When the monkey sees your teeth, he thinks it is a sign of aggression and will “smile” back at you. He may even jump over and bite you if your grin is too wide. They have these big canine teeth and are strong, strong, strong. They chomp on and don’t let go. A couple we met from New Zealand were coming back to their room one night but there in front of them were about twenty monkeys. When they saw our Kiwi friends they started making a ruckus, jumping here and there and over the top of them taking a grab at their camera, showing their teeth, and acting very un-neighborly. Then they just disappeared into the jungle. Heidi and I prefer to keep monkeys afar.

The resort is divided into four separate areas…the Hill and Garden Villas, the Sea Villas, the Spa Villas, and the Estates. The Hill and Garden Villa area includes the check-in area, the Feast Village Restaurant (breakfast, lunch and dinner, casual attire), the library, the workout facility, the infinity pool, tennis courts, squash courts, and the Royal Bay Beach Club (lunch and drinks) On the far side of the pool area you enter the Sea Villa area…the rooms on stilts. You follow the narrow boardwalk and come to two fancy-dancy restaurants, Uncle Lim’s and Fisherman’s Cove (both dress-up spots…button up shirt, long trousers and shoes for guys…anything goes for the girls except shorts and swimwear). Continuing around the island you come to the Spa and then Spa Village. Here is another huge infinity pool, another set of huts on stilts but no children allowed in this area. On the other side of the island are the Estates…amazing rooms(homes) complete with butler, house staff, chef, etc. This is where the rich and famous stay. (meaning, not Heidi and Bob) This is also where the rich and famous leave a large portion of their bank account. Also on the other side of the island is Emerald Bay. A crescent beach with baby powder white sand, a bar and restaurant. The water in the bay is warmer than the swimming pools.

For us, Pangkor Laut Resort was a little slice of heaven.

Here are a few pics.

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