- Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands ("Pulau Perhentian" in Malay) lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern
Malaysia inthe state ofTerengganu , approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border.The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") andPerhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"). The small, uninhabitedislands of Susu Dara ("Virgin Milk"), Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil.The Perhentians belong toPulau Redang National Marine Park , whichmeans that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictlyprohibited.History
The name "perhentian" means "stopping point" in Malay, referring to theirlongstanding role as a waypoint for traders between
Bangkok andMalaysia . The islands were sparsely inhabited by fishermenfor centuries, although tourism now accounts for most economic activity.The Perhentian Islands appear on many maps of the nineteenth and twentieth century as 'The Station Islands'. This arises from the British colonial period, as an English translation from the Malay "point to stop".
The Perhentian Islands were also used as a refuge in the late 1900s..
Perhentian Island also has a very beautiful beach call "Pasir Panjang" (Long Beach). It is located at Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian). It is a very beautiful white sandy beach, crystal clear water and it is the best place for picnic.
Geography
Both islands are fringed bywhite sand beach, and the reefs and crystalline water are host to a wide variety of
coral , sea-turtles, jellyfish, small sharks and reef-fish. The islands' maximum elevation is approximately 100 m and they are uniformly covered in coastal tropical jungle, with few interior foot-trails and no roads.Other than the owners and staff of the numerous cabin-style resorts that dot the islands (many of whom depart for the monsoon season), the islands' only permanent inhabitants live in a small fishing village on Kecil. With the exception of a single mainland-communications tower, there are no structures taller than two storeys.
Tourism
In the absence of tourism, economic activity on the Perhentian Islands would be limited to small-scale fishing.
Owing to the Islands' protected status, the main tourist activities are minimal in environmental impact: sunbathing,
snorkeling ,scuba diving , turtle and shark-watching.Summer 2007, 2 wind turbines have been installed, still not connected to the network in October 2008, Thus the island's electrical power is still provided by diesel generators. A third turbine is being built. Electricity is 24-hour during high season. Fresh water is provided by springs. In this respect, the Perhentian Islands are prized by tourists as an 'escape' from the modern world.
As the state of Terengganu follows Islamic customs, the consumption of alcohol and wearing of immodest clothing are discouraged. In order not to offend local inhabitants, tourists are advised to consume alcohol discreetly and to wear one-piece bathing costumes. No penalties are imposed on tourists for 'breaches' of the local customs, however.
The only access to the Islands is by boat from the fishing villages of
Kuala Besut andTok Bali . Local tourist operators run fishing boats and speed boats several times a day.External links
*wikitravel
* [http://www.andylim.com/gallery/Perhentian Perhentian Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.nhavers.8k.com/perhentian.htm A travel journalist's stay on the Perhentian Islands]
* [http://www.impression.com.my/Perhentianmain/perhentian.htm Malaysia travel guide on Perhentian Islands or locally known as Pulau Perhentian]
* [http://www.pulauperhentian.my Perhentian Island travel guide]
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