ABOUT AMAN ISLAND

Pulau Aman

Pulau Aman in Bahasa Malaysia means "island of peace" and its name suggests, it is the gateway to tranquility and serenity. Situated on an island covering an area of 288 acres, it is 2.5 nautical miles from the mainland just off the coast of Seberang Perai's southern district. The nearest town is Bukit Tambun.

An idyllic fishing village with a population of only three hundred, the majority of people on Pulau Aman are elderly folks and laughing, carefree children. Life on Pulau Aman is simple and traditional with man and nature of co-existing in harmony with one other. Here the warmth of the sun is only rivalled by the warm friendliness of the locals.

Fishing, water sports and jungle trekking are some of the popular activities of holiday-makers on the island. Places of interest, each with their own fascinating story to tell, await the exploration of the adventurous.

Places of Interest
Some stones resembling gold were once found at "Telaga Emas". This well is unique because it never runs dry even during the worst drought and its water continue to remain fresh even when mixed with sea water. "Batu Perompak" literally means "Pirate's Rock" and in the olden days it was the haunt of pirates who plundered the waters around the island.

There is also an old grave at the top of the hill near Batu Perompak which is believed to be the final resting place of a pirate chief called Panglima Garang. Near the beach of Pulau Gedong is "Gua Lanun" or "Pirates' Cave" where pirates sheltered and hoarded their loot.

Village on Pulau Aman

There is a Malay village on Pulau Aman. The houses are clustered together near the coast. A network of paths wrap themselves around the village. On the whole, the area is clean and well maintained. The people here no longer live in traditional Malay stilt houses, having moved down to ground level. Many of these homes are now open for homestays. I suppose this is one of the limited options the people here have to earn a source of income. This will probably appear more to Western tourists looking for a glimpse at the slow-paced country living.

Telaga Mas

Telaga Mas is a historic well on Pulau Aman. This well is located surprisingly close to the seashore, and yet is able to provide fresh water.

According to the story on the interpretive board, in the year 1789, just a few years after Captain Francis Light landed on Penang Island and named it Prince of Wales Island, a villager on Pulau Aman discovered a spring eminating from the seashore. He suggested to the villagers that the spring should be widened to form a well, so that the water can be used by the village.

In the process of digging the well, the villager discovered a gold pitcher. Feeling scared at the discovery, he rushed off to inform the rest of the villagers. When they returned to the spot, the gold pitcher was gone, but in its place was a golden rock.

When news of the discovery reached the British administrators, the British hired the villagers to dig a hole in the hope of finding gold, and nuggets thought to contain gold were retrieved from the ground and sent for analysis. However, it turned out that the nuggets contained no actual gold, but were merely minerals that appear golden. This brought the excavation to a stop. By then, a hole of about 2.5 meters deep had been dug, aznd the villagers decided to use it as a well or tank, and to name the site Telaga Mas. And the name remains to this day.

Pulau Aman Exploration

It's pretty easy to explore the small island. Along its coastline, there is a 4 kilometer pathway that could bring you to the pebbled beaches which are shaded by coconut tree. There even a kayaks for rent for those who likes sea adventure. If you are physically fit, you can consider hiking to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the Penang mainland. Else, just rent a bicycle and explore the details of the quaint village.

Next, at the Jalan Telaga Emas, it will lead you to an old well dating back to 1789. This well is unique because it never runs dry even during the worst drought and its water continues to remain fresh even when mixed with sea water. Many visitors draw water from the well to bathe in as it is believed that it will bring them good luck.

According to the legend, there is a young man who discovered a spring when digging on a beach. He decided to dig deeper to make a well for the villagers. To his surprise, he found a golden vase. He quickly rushed to the village to tell the others but when they went back to the spot, they found only gold-colored stones.

When British officials heard of the incident, they hired some villagers to search for the gold-colored stones. Samples were sent for analysis and the results showed they were not gold after all. Digging was stopped when a depth of 2.3 meters was reached.

There is also an old grave at the top of the hill near Batu Perompak which is believed to be the final resting place of a pirate chief called Panglima Garang. "Batu Perompak" literally means "Pirate's Rock" and in the olden days it was the haunt of pirates who plundered the waters around the island.

At the nearby island of Pulau Gedung, there is a "Gua Lanun" or "Pirates' Cave" where pirates sheltered and hoarded their loot. You can get to the island by hiring a boat for about RM 60 (max. 12 person). You can also find some of the World War II ammunitions depot here.

A fishing excursion trip to the offshore kelong is another place not to be missed. You can make enquiry at the ticketing counter near the jetty for the different packages available.