But as soon as you reach the island you start to be suspicious: ruined buildings here and there, stinking swimming pools with green water and trash everywhere are far from what you’ve expected. So it’s high time to face the truth: nowadays Pulau Besar is an abandoned island with no one allowed to stay overnight, a couple of tents for some locals and empty streets of former 5-star hotel.

The story of Pulau Besar might seem unbelievable for a person who grew up in Europe.

In the 90’s the Malaysian government initiated construction of a luxury hotel and a golf course. It was designed by a Spanish architect and was supposed to become a small escape spot for the rich and wealthy. It actually was for three years, but then, suddenly, due to numerous complaints from Hindu and Muslim communities, the hotel was closed and the island was turned into the pilgrimage destination as it used to be for many centuries before foreign investors had come with their resort ideas. But you arrive you will hear different stories as these are not documented anywhere. 

The jungles do their job well and now, apart from pilgrims’ garbage here and there, you can see how beautiful the tropical forest can be. There’s plenty of flowers and birds mixed with the remains of golf course’s grass and artificial ponds.