My First Trip to Pulau Besar, Melacca

I went first to Polau Besar in June 2014 with some friends. Expected the island to have some regular fun place. My first impression when I boarded Jetty, was to see there are strange looking people, I mean not tourists. I asked a guy with long hair & beard why is he going to the island? I asked with a curiosity cause he does not look like a beach lover or jungle hiker. He replied “for the love of the Island. It calls you when you have clean heart.” Hmm.. I was giggling in my heart..

But I ignored thinking he might be lacking some psychological therapy. So I went on enjoying the view and the cool breeze of the sea. We landed on the jetty and saw many people are waiting to go back. As I got on the jetty I saw few mini buses lined up with no doors for the passengers. It was hot day, so I decided to hope on. It cost me 2RM each. We were dropped in front of the Tomb of Sultan Arifin. I was actually disappointed when reached the location. I asked if we could do anything else on the island. Such if there is any activities or so on. But they told us no..

So we waited around, ate in the local restaurant. Taken few selfies and walked back to the jetty. I said to myself, I wouldn’t return back to that Island. It was a huge disappointment. So we returned and I came back to Dubai few days later.

I came back in December 2014 and I stayed in the same hotel, which is facing the island. From my room I can see island. I just felt like taking a drive again. I was bored in my room. May be I missed I something last time. Since the weather was cool, I took drive to the jetty and ferry across to the island. As I landed, there was a huge storm that did not allow us to move away from shade. The whole jetty was shaking. The raindrop was hitting so hard as if someone was whipping with a wire. I felt bit scared that moment. So I decide to go back. The rain stopped, as if it never rained. It was bright within 5 min. Waoo. Then I said to the Island, Ok, I am going back.. Won’t return anymore..

I came back to the city again in April 2015. This time I was stubborn. I felt challenged, so I packed a bag and decided to face the reality of that Island. I want to know what is the real story. So I left to the island for overnight. No challenges this time. Since I am alone, I took a scooter and started exploring. I was stuck in a location. Could not move further. Same location a guy called Ibrahim was chanting Quarnic verses loudly. I decided stop my bike to ask him if I can go further. He said its getting dark. Don’t go inside any further. It is dangerous. I didn’t understand what he meant by dangerous. His English was not so polished. He said few things, which flew over my head. However, I didn’t want him to feel I don’t know English, so I nodded my head to what he said. Somehow we managed to communicate that if I can stay in one of his tent, as I don’t want to stay in the hotel. He said ok with a price for his service. I agreed and stayed. I went back to drop the scooter and met a guy a on the way back. He said he wants to show me the caves. It was getting dark though. But I said to myself, lets live the evening at least. So we went for long 40 min walk. Asked had lots of questions to ask him, but I could not breath cause of the rout. I was kind of scared to death as well as it was not looking like a track people use often. However, I decided to explore so it was do or die situation. Finally I was brought to cave which is called Yunus Cave. He was one of the Auwlias (spiritual teacher) who lived in that cave by the sea until his last day.

Sitting in the cave the guy told me few stories in his broken English, but I had questions. So he said he will refer to someone who speaks English on the Island. And then my real journey started. I met the guy who actually had a gift. He could explain me everything, as I wanted to hear. He helped me overcome the fear of dark and death. We had free dinner together and we talked until 2:30 AM. The walk through the jangle to my tent was scary. I felt I would see something. But I reached my tent. No problem.

I left next morning, as I was not ready to spend more nights. But I came back again after 2 days. He took me to visit different sites, locations and talked more & more.

Then I could feel the jungle is safe. It all made sense to me with his lectures. Next day we went for complete jungle & forbidden places. It was scary but lots of fun..

I left the Island with great feeling this time. I would recommend to anyone who wish to visit for knowledge, not for fun.