A beautiful, verdant tropical island with white sandy beaches, brilliant aqua waters, steep forested mountains, emerald green rice paddies and studded with traditional kampungs or villages it is a real picture postcard.
Pulau Langkawi is the largest of the group of 99 islands that lay off the west coast of the far north of peninsular Malaysia near the Thai border.
The island also has a surprising number of attractions including the largest aquarium in SE Asia and a cable car that would rival the one in Rio de Janeiro.
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| Favourite spots: |
I loved the island as it had so many contrasts. The brilliant turquoise blue of the water with so many islands dotted on the horizon. The countryside with its steep mountains and then the green rice paddies dotted with grazing water buffalo and the traditional Malay wooden houses that are unfortunately being replaced with concrete.
Langkawi sunsets have to be seen to be believed. Sitting on the beach at with a drink in one hand watching the sun set in a show of gold or pink is a really memorable experience.
If you like hot it is scorching, 32 degrees and 100% humidity. There was nearly always a heat haze shimmering on the water.
Remember if you are looking for a beach holiday with guaranteed sunshine that Langkawi is monsoonal. We were there in November which is the end of the wet season; we had rain nearly every day. First in the evening but every day it was raining earlier. Luckily when it rains it is torrential but nearly always clears quickly.
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| What's really great: |
The island is so safe and the people very friendly. The kids are gorgeous and very friendly also.
I really loved the slow pace. It didn't take long to slip into the slower rhythm of life or as we called it "Langkawi Time", getting up late, eating late and going to bed late and taking that little bit longer to do anything.
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| Sights: |
Underwater World is worth visiting, it has a large array of aquariums including one tank with some of the biggest fish I have ever seen! There are unusual fish endemic to Asia and beautiful coral reef tanks showing off some beautiful fish & coral. As I have a marine tank myself I really enjoyed it. My favourite this tiny shrimp (pictured) about 2cm long but just gorgeous.
The cable car which is made up of two rides up the very steep Mt Cincang offers stupendous views all the way to Thailand on clear day, if you are lucky.
There are many more attractions that I didn't go to including a Crocodile Farm, Bird Park, Argo Park (tropical fruits) and Hot Springs just to name a few.
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| Accommodations: |
Casa del Mar is a boutique Resort of 29 rooms on the main Pantai Cenang beach. Intimate & beautifully furnished it was originally built & designed by a wealthy owner as a private resort for family & friends, this shows in the design & quality throughout the resort. You are picked up at the airport. There are no formalities here; you register while sitting on a lounge & sipping a welcome drink, then you are escorted to your room. These are very private with each one facing the beach. The little touches are great, like the topping up of your fruit basket each day, your ice bucket & peanuts refilled each afternoon, and fresh milk for your morning coffee. Leave a book lying facedown when you go out and when you return it is closed with a Casa bookmark marking your spot. No request is too much.
The pool is also on the beachfront. Laze the day away while taking in the view. Cold watermelon and refresher towels are supplied by the attentive pool-bar staff. Highly recommended.
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| Restaurants: |
My favourite would be the upmarket "Nam" in Bon Ton Resort. An open air pavillion from which you can choose local & Thai influenced meals such as Nyonya Platter, 9 dishes served on a banana leaf including Grilled Coconut Chicken, Beef & Peanuts, Lamb Rendang, Mango Prawn Curry, marinated vegetables & Rice all for about $10US. Desserts are sensational & worth saving room for! Chances are it will rain so there is a comfy lounge area to wait out the downpour.
Poolside the restaurant at Casa de Mar includes a fantastic choice for breakfast in the room rate along with with salads & local dishes for lunch & dinner.
The Red Tomato Cafe is a great place to go for yoghurt Lassi's, tomato salad & pizzas all served in a shady courtyard for about $4US.
Opposite the Resort Warung Persona Indah serves authentic meals cheap as chips at about $1 per person.
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| Other recommendations: |
Hire a car and drive around the island. Tanjung Rhu is a beautiful beach looking straight across the water to Thailand.
The drive to the Andaman and The Datai Resorts is very picturesque, you can stop off at the Temurun waterfall which is along the way.
When you are driving around you will most likely see quite a number of the local monkeys and the large Monitor Lizard (pictured).
Kuah is the main town in the island and worth going to have a look at especially for some shopping.
The traditional cloth of Malaysia is Songket. Rich colours with gold thread woven through, it is exquisite. For individual handwoven pieces pay a visit to Atma Alam Batik Art Village.
The island was given duty free status in 1987 but most things are not any cheaper except for liquor.
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Published on Sunday December 28th, 2003
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Publish on Facebook
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Thu, Jan 22 2004 - 03:01 PM
 by anna_moon
Thu, Jan 08 2004 - 09:20 AM
 by marianne
Hi Kerrie,
I liked to read this especially because I'll be going to malaysia in July. I love the pictures of the monitor lizard. |
Sun, Dec 28 2003 - 04:50 PM
by christianj.
Hi Kerrie,
I really like this report. Also the fotos are great. I imagine that I have an idea how life should feel there - and I'd like to have my own 'Langkawi Time'! Do you think you could add some Internet-Adresses?
All the best for 2004, Christian |
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