Pulau Ketam

Pulau Ketam has two (predominantly Chinese) fishing villages built on stilts, the main one being Kampung Pulau Ketam, and the far smaller one being Kampung Sungai Lima.

The former can be slightly disappointing at first glance, particularly if the tide is out. But move beyond the cluster of seafood restaurants near the jetty and the village becomes genuinely charming.

A short walk or bicycle ride (5 ringgit a day) is all that is necessary to escape the noise and stress of modern urban living -- there are no cars on the island. Kampung Pulau Ketam has a handful of affordable accommodation options, should you want to stay the night. Booking is advisable at weekends and major Chinese festivals.

Regular KTM Komuter trains link KL Sentral (4.30 ringgit) and Kuala Lumpur station (4.40 ringgit) with Port Klang. From Port Klang station it's a five-minute walk to the jetty, where regular air-con and old-style ferries (both seven ringgit) depart for Ketam. The latter offer a much more pleasant travelling experience, but take twice as long.