To get to this gorgeous little island, you first take the train to Pelabuhan Klang. Then you climb aboard a cigar-shaped boat, and wend your way past islands and along channels to Pulau Ketam. (This is not the most comfortable of journeys, to be honest -- it's a hot little boat, and on the way out we had seats up front, where there were no windows to see out of, so it was pretty claustrophobic. Also we got stopped by the police about five minutes out of port, and the pilot had to temporarily get off with all his papers, leaving us all adrift, so that lengthened our journey.)

Anyway, once arrived, it's all very much worth it. The whole village is built on stilts, and the houses are brightly painted, and generously provided with verandas, shrines, and greenery. No cars, just bicycles. So it's all hugely picturesque. We went for a hot but fascinating walk, and had lunch in the middle. Seafood, of course. Crabs are the big speciality here, but we're so ridiculously inexpert at eating crab that we opted for steamed fish and deep-fried squid, with rice and vegetables.

On the way back, we had a slightly better view out of our little torpedo -- fish farms, mangroves, and the big, important-looking port.

Great day out.

Tragic end to my sunglasses, however (which I've only had since 2003). Before leaving the island, I used the long-drop facilities near the jetty. In the process, my sunnies slipped out from the top of my shirt where I'd hooked them, and went straight down the hole... Very sad. They've accompanied me on many an adventure. But they obviously thought Pulau Ketam was the place they wanted to retire. I hope they'll be very happy there at the bottom of the harbour. As they enjoy the sun on their lenses when the tide is low, and the cool, watery dimness when it rises, I hope they continue to see many wonderful things.