Kembara Ramadhan 2026 – Day 08: Exploring the navigable roads of Pangkor Island...

"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller..." - Ibn Battuta

(Watching the sunrise at Telok Dalam beach)

Day 08: 08 March 2026 (Sunday)
Route: Pangkor Island
Hotel: Island Homestay, Pangkor

After the quiet serenity of yesterday’s journey to Pangkor, the eighth day of our Kembara Ramadhan was spent entirely exploring the island at a slower, more reflective pace.

The day began at dawn with Subuh prayers at Masjid Telok Raja Bayang, one of the island’s charming mosques located not far from Pangkor town.

(Masjid Telok Raja Bayang, Pangkor)

This mosque serves the local fishing community and residents of the island. The mosque’s name comes from the nearby Telok Raja Bayang area, a historic settlement on Pangkor. Though modest in size, the mosque is an important spiritual centre for the island’s Muslim community and offers a peaceful setting for early morning prayers. 

It is noted as the only mosque on Pangkor Island that has an adjacent cemetery.. The mosque is over 100 years old. It was originally built in 1923, by local villagers using forest wood through a 'gotong-royong' or communal work effort. While it maintains its historical status, it has undergone recent renovations to modernize its facilities.

(At a viewpoint - chasing the sunrise)

As the first light of morning spread across the sea, we set off on a small adventure - riding our rented motorbike around the island.

Pangkor in the early morning has a gentle rhythm. Fishermen returning from the sea, quiet roads shaded by coconut trees, and the sound of waves rolling onto empty beaches. We stopped frequently along the coastal road — sometimes to watch the sunrise, sometimes simply to take photographs or enjoy the calm beauty of the island.

(A boat for islands hopping)

Among the stops were several beaches that reveal different faces of Pangkor: the quiet stretch of Pantai Telok Dalam, the lively resort area of Pasir Bogak Beach, and the popular seaside village of Telok Nipah Beach.

Along the way we also visited two historical landmarks that connect Pangkor to centuries of maritime history - the weathered walls of Dutch Fort and the mysterious ancient stone known as Batu Bersurat Pangkor.

(Kota Belanda or Dutch Fort)

Built in 1670 by the Dutch, this small fortress of Dutch Fort (Kota Belanda) was constructed to protect their tin trade in Perak and to guard the strategic shipping routes along the Strait of Malacca. The fort later fell into disuse and was partially destroyed, but it has since been restored as a historical site. Today its old brick walls stand as a reminder of Pangkor’s role in regional trade and colonial rivalry.

(Batu Bersurat of Pangkor)

Located near the Dutch Fort is a large engraved rock known as Batu Bersurat. The stone carries 17th-century carvings left by Dutch soldiers, including the image of a tiger and several inscriptions believed to commemorate the killing of a wild tiger on the island in 1743. The carvings offer a fascinating glimpse into the island’s colonial past.

(Duty Free Shop)

By midday, the tropical sun had grown intense and fasting began to take its toll. Our ride around the island ended with a brief stop at the duty-free shops near the jetty to pick up a few souvenirs before returning to rest.

(Masjid Al Badar @ 1000 Selawat, Pantai Telok Baharu)

As evening approached, we gathered for Terawih prayers at Masjid Al Badar 1000 Selawat. The rhythmic recitation of selawat that gives the mosque its name seemed a fitting close to a day filled with gratitude and reflection.

Masjid Badar is popularly known as Masjid 1000 Selawat because of the many inscriptions of selawat displayed around the mosque. The unique concept encourages visitors to continuously recite selawat while admiring the calligraphy. The mosque has become one of Pangkor’s distinctive religious landmarks and a meaningful stop for visitors seeking spiritual reflection.

 

(Completing 20 rakaat of Terawih)

As the day drew to a close, the island slowly returned to its quiet rhythm with the sea breeze cooling the air. Travelling while fasting may tire the body, yet it sharpens the heart’s awareness of every blessing.

On this small island in the Straits of Malacca, another day of Ramadhan passed not just as a journey across places, but as a reminder that every road travelled can also be a journey inward.