Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan is the most popular beach destination in the central part of Malaysia. It is located 32km from Seremban and 60km from Kuala Lumpur.
Port Dickson started life as a small town for the production of charcoal. For a while, it was also called Arang, meaning "coal". It gained prominence during the Straits Settlement era, when the British used it as a port. They gave it the name Port Dickson, after the officer in charged - some claim that it was named after Sir John Frederick Dickson in 1899.
Today Port Dickson has evolved into a major beach destination, and an escape for folks from Kuala Lumpur over the weekend. Among the beaches at Port Dickson include Si Rusa, Teluk Kemang, Tanjung Tuan, and smaller stretches including Teluk Pelandok, Teluk Kubur and Kampung Sungai Sekawang.
Recently AsiaExplorers collaborated with Sunshineestates.net and together, we wish to bring you the following article on Port Dickson, written by the researchers and authors at Sunshineestates.net:
A To Malaysia's Port Dickson
Malaysia, in south east Asia, shares borders with Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei, and features a varied landscape, with coastal plains rising to inland hills and mountains. The whole of Malaysia has a tropical – indeed, equatorial – climate, with average daytime temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, all year round, and high humidity. Heavy, monsoon rains fall in north eastern areas between October and February, and in south western areas between April and October.
Port Dickson Attractions
Port Dickson – named after its 19th century colonial founder, Sir Frederick Dickson – is the most popular beach resort on the west coast of Malaysia. The main attraction, obviously, is the virtually unbroken stretch of white, sandy beaches, which run for 10 miles from Tanjung Gemuk, in the north, to Tanjung Tuan, in the south. The Blue Lagoon, for example, some 10 miles from the town centre of Port Dickson, provides opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and a whole range of leisure activities. Other attractions include 3 golf courses, and – of all things – an Ostrich Show Farm. Here, you can see, and feed, the ostriches, and choose from a range of ostrich souvenirs and products, including wallets, handbags and ostrich burgers.
For those of less active persuasion, perhaps, the 19th century Fort Lukut, originally built to control the tin trade, on which the local economy was based, provides a site of historical interest. Similarly, the lighthouse at Cape Rachardo (Tanjung Tuan), was originally built by the Portugese in the 16th century, but is still working today; if you are able to climb the steps to the top of the lighthouse, it does provide exceptional view of the Straits of Malacca, even as far as the coastline of Sumatra.
Other Information
Holiday property in Malaysia is in plentiful supply, with any number of self-contained chalets, apartments and bungalows available. Accommodation is comfortable, air conditioned – something of a necessity, given the somewhat "oppressive" nature of the climate – and, usually, quiet. The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu, although English is also widely spoken. Currency is the "Malaysian Dollar" – officially, the Ringitt (RM) – which is sub-divided into 100 Sen. Currency exchange is possible in all banks, and – for notes, and travellers' cheques only – most major hotels. Do bear in mind that exchanging foreign currency may not be possible in outlying districts, away from the main tourist centres. Port Dickson, itself, is located roughly 40 miles, or less than an hour, away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, by road, and is well signposted of the main north-south highway.
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