Days that I am appeared myself within: A weekend getaway touring around Langkawi!

Hi all! This is my second trip to tour the islands along Peninsular Malaysia, so where's my destination next after Pangkor?

Saturday, 9 May 2015

I have never been to Langkawi. Langkawi that I recognize and I understand, is an island located far away from Singapore, near to Malaysia - Thailand border. What I know before this trip, is the surrounding 99 islands along Langkawi. And also the story of the Mahsuri that had actually curse the island to become a barren land for seven generations, speculating that the island before 1987, houses more cattle than human. It was only after the former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir make his visit to Langkawi on January 1987, it is believed that Mahsuri's curse has no effect on Langkawi, hence the modernization of Langkawi began from there, until what it is known to the world, as the top destination to visit in Malaysia.

I arrive at the airport, check-in by 1000h, only to inform that there'll be a delay of 15 mins. Thus, in the end, I have to wait for almost an hour. Flight to Langkawi usually takes about 75-90 mins. Since I know the journey is longer than my normal forte flight to KL, so I decided to pre-book my flight meals.

Singapore to Langkawi, flight passes through the Penang state, before entering Langkawi's airspace. Upon arrival, the method to walk through the airport, is more like a budget trip, as all passengers had to walk freely to the terminal.

After immigration clearance, had my lunch courtesy from Marrybrown Malaysia, and also had the chance to tour around the airport, which is relatively small, as the flights are mostly bound for Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, Subang (Firefly) and Singapore.

After lunch, I have decided to tour around the island. Initially, I went to the booth (taxi) to ask for their plan of how the trip can be break down to different stages. Minimum tour using the cab is for 4 hours, for a price of RM120. That's not bad already. But imagine the taxi that I board on it.

It's a van, and imagine I board this alone, with the driver. Hence, my first destination........

Oriental Village at this place, is well-known for its culture, heritage and also a food centre that houses local Malay food, Chinese and Thai food, plus also German food. On the other side of the building also houses an Arab restaurant. Not only it showcase that, this place also offers a chance to ride an Automotive Transport Vehicle or ATV in short, there's also art in 3D museum, plus also a chance to see real live elephants. All these, of course, with charges as low as RM10 to see the elephants plus as high as RM250 for an hour ride on ATV. However, this is part of the attraction, as this place also offers........

The most prestigious cable car ride. There's a lot of packages involved for this ride, can get as low as RM35 for tourist. But, I manage to seal a good deal, as there's this........

Sitting on the lower deck while waiting for the special cable car. And, when I board it, this is the view that stuns me......

A transparent glass bottom cable car ride, worth RM85.

And there's even a middle station before going on to the top.

Passengers paying the normal package will have to exit here, and board here again. As for me, there's no need to do it. All I have to do, is to just enjoy the full ride, and alight at the peak station.

This is the peak station. Once reach here, there are two choices, to choose............... or .......................

Skybridge or Walking Platform. The fascinating part about Langkawi is the skybridge after the cable car ride. Hence, I paid RM5 to walk the skybridge as that's the admission rate. After walking for about 10 minutes plus, these pictures greeted me and it's so beautiful.

Ever thought that this island above belongs to Malaysia? No, as this is known as Ko Tarutao, which borders with Thailand.

The walking platform.

The skybridge where I was from, previously.

The skybridge that leads to the view of Ko Tarutao, southern Thailand. After settle down with the panoramic view from the skybridge, I decided to go to the walking platform. However, these are the obstacles to walk at the skybridge.

The uneven plight of stairs that need to walk through up and down to go either the skybridge or back to the peak station.

Lots of tourists, including myself, walk here.

This is what lies behind the walking platform, a two-storey panoramic view of Langkawi. After strolling both skybridge and walking platform, it's time to go down back to the Oriental Village.

Interesting patch I found, so don't forget when you visit the Langkawi Cable Car, remember to do this

#langkawiskycab

And here's my next stop...............

Geopark Interpretative centre, is a centre to know more about how a land was formed via a volcanic rock. and also the different types of granite rocks that forms Langkawi. After visiting the Oriental Village plus also the cable car, here's my next destination...........

Known as Seven Wells Waterfall (Air Terjun Telaga Tujuh), this natural waterfall is amazingly beautiful. Since I never visit a waterfall before, I really take my time to figure out on how to go on the higher steps of the waterfall. I spent about 30 minutes over there, resting my legs on the waterfall. The weather was really warm, so it's cooling to just soak in your feet to the water. After this visit, my next stop journey goes through a paddy field, that really makes me feel like going back to a kampong.

Here's my next destination, Mahsuri's tomb (Makam Mahsuri)

Mahsuri was actually the wife of a prince who ruled Kedah on the early 19th century. Due to hatred and evil-doing by some ministers, when the prince left Langkawi to go for hunting, the minister accused Mahsuri of committing adultery to a young man. She waited for her husband, but her husband still go for hunting, thus the minister wanted to sentence Mahsuri by executing her to a common area. At the common area, when Mahsuri was about to be executed, white blood flow out from her, indicating that she was framed. The villagers did not know anything about it, but with Mahsuri's white blood, she curse and swear that Langkawi would not be prosperous and shall be remained as a barren land until seven generations of her. Thus, this happened in 1819, and within the period after 1819 to the early 20th century, Langkawi was inhabitant to humans, as there were more buffalos than humans. Only until 1987, Langkawi started to prosper again, thus ending Mahsuri's curse for 168 years.

Here's her tomb, Mahsuri Binte Pandak Mayah. Inevitably, this tomb marks respect for both Muslims and Buddhist. Why? I'll tell you more later.

This group, believe from the southern Thailand, paid their utmost respect to Mahsuri, by giving away a bunch of bananas as a sign of respect and learn that Mahsuri was a woman that comes in a pure heart.

Entering to the mini Perkampungan Kedah during Mahsuri's era are these......

The cultural village or house.

This is what locals and tourists will look far, the Mahsuri's well (Telaga Mahsuri). It was believed that this well had its water since Mahsuri's era and the water doesn't dries up until today. Locals believe that when you wash your face with this water, your face will be beautiful as Mahsuri for the ladies, will be handsome for the gentlemen. Locals and tourists will have the chance to use the well, via the traditional system of using a bucket tied with a rope, and that was my first time, I try to 'take the water from the well'. Once the bucket is filled with water (not to the brim, of course), I splash it on to my legs, the water is way colder than the normal tap water that you can find anywhere in the world, making Mahsuri's well, the real freshwater that I have ever tasted and tried.

Mahsuri's house.

A typical villager house.

A typical coffee shop (warung) at the village.

The Chief village house. (Rumah Penghulu). More pictures to come for this house.

The picture of Mahsuri and her seven generation after her, named as Wan Aishah.

Wan Aishah, Mahsuri's seven generation in heir with her husband, a local from Langkawi. Wan Aishah moved to Phuket and she stays there until today.

Miniature of eagle at the place. After visiting Mahsuri's tomb, and most of the attractions in Langkawi close at 1800h (6pm), I decided to go to a beach. The driver suggested Cenang Beach, but I decide to add-on Kok & Black Sand Beach, to make my visit a useful trip that I would never forget. So, my first beach stop is Cenang Beach. Here are the pictures from Cenang Beach.

Cenang Beach, the most popular must-visit destination, especially for the tourists and some of the locals, as the recreation activities consists of jet-ski, taking on a banana boat and also parasailing on the beach. However, if you want these, please reserve a separate budget for it, as the prices range from RM90 to RM360. Luckily, I just wanted to make a stop-over, and the driver decided to 'eat and treat me for a meal' there, hence, I was hungry but not really that hungry. But, my favourite meal was laksa (Penang/Kedah laksa, different from Johor/ Singapore laksa). This is more suited like Batu Ferringhi in Penang, or even a mini-Phuket. Hence, I didn't really enjoy to stay longer, as it was packed with tourists. Kok Beach, is way better, as the ambiance is rather quiet, and not much people around the beach. After Kok Beach, comes the Black Sand Beach. Want to know why? Here's the reason.

Typical road in Langkawi. I like these rural roads, like in a kampong.

Probably their industrialization is the cement field in Langkawi.

Noted, this is pure black sand.

The stairway to go down to Black Sand Beach. After the visit to all three beaches, the last visit for the day is to go Eagle Square (Dataran Lang). On the way there, we did pass by these few places.

Perdana Gallery (Galeria Perdana), showcasing Langkawi's fine art.

Entering to the suburb area of Kuah, before sunset.

Crossing the bridge at Kuah.

Eagle Square, so beautiful, especially when my visit is near towards sunset. And this picture below explains it all.

Coincidentally, nearby the Eagle Square, there's a display of helium air balloon, known as the skytour. I took the opportunity to hop on the helium air balloon for a cost of RM29.

Can you see what time is it? Still looks bright even after 1930h.

The surrounding food eateries and shops.

The helium air balloon.

The light display chair.

The helium air balloon take-off and landing spot.

The counter to pay for the helium air balloon ride. Upon ascending up towards the air, I felt a little bit awkward at first, as even when there's safety harness and the hook in front of you, suddenly you feel uncomfortable until the balloon stops at 50m mark from the ground. That was when the wind was at the highest speed, as you even cannot talk to the person opposite you. To make things worst, the balloon was 'not even stable' as the wind helps the balloon to be on the 'tipsy-turfy' condition. Falter to the right and left is like a normal condition for the person opposite me. Nonetheless, I try to calm myself and enjoy the sunset-to-night wind breeze. The person ask me whether to ascend further up, or to go down. After 2-3 minutes on air (50m), I decided to descend down, as the wind is getting stronger, and the condition worsen. When the balloon descend, the wind blew strong as the balloon swerve side-to-side. The feeling to be on air, is something I would never forget.

Picture that I did try to take when descend down. The condition doesn't really allow me, as the wind blew strong.

Here's my photo for remembrance. That marks the end of my first day in Langkawi. Initially, the taxi trip that I paid for RM120 to tour for 4 hours, ended up paying additional 3 hours, for a charge of RM25/hr. However, he accepted RM70, since that's the small notes that I have. In total, the taxi ride costs me RM190. Even the Mahsuri's tomb visit, the admission rate is RM15 for tourists, but the person-in-charge only ask me to pay RM10, maybe I spoke fluent Malay.

In summary, the first day visit to Langkawi, I have go to places of interest, such as Langkawi Cable Car, Oriental Village, Seven Wells Waterfall, Mahsuri's tomb, Cenang, Kok & Black Sand Beach and Eagle Square before check-in and rest for a night at Altis Hotel. The hotel offers island hopping tour for a price of RM40, that eventually I agree to go on the next day.

Sunday, 10 May 2015

Prepare myself to go for an island hopping tour. By 0850h, a pick-up van come to pick me up towards the jetty. Arrive at the jetty around 0900h, having an ample 30 minutes of breakfast. Stock up with a packet of Chipsmore and also a bottle of distilled water. Here are some pictures at the jetty.

My breakfast, consists of nasi lemak (RM1.50) and distilled water (RM1.20).

Special enactment law for male Muslims to go for Friday prayers, with effect from 1 June 2015.

The jetty.

The food, in small packets. Set sail to the islands mentioned, Beras Basah Island, Singa Besar Island and Pregnant Maiden Island (Dayang Bunting). At Beras Basah Island, this island is just a replicate for the activities at St. John's Island, Singapore. Can go for swimming, suntanning and snorkeling. Here are the pictures at Beras Basah Island.

Pulau Singa Besar.

A resort at this island.

White sandy beach.

Swimming and snorkeling.

Towards the jetty.
The story of how Beras Basah Island got its name is like this, what is to believe from a local is that the Acheh people came to this island to trade rice. On one of the journey to this island, the rice was believe to be overflown by the wrecked boat, hence along the coastline there was massive pile of rice that was wet. Hence, that was what known as Beras Basah Island till today.

Clear fishes on water.

The boat to take us to the next island, Singa Besar Island. What's fascinating about this island is the eagle will come down to the waters to pick up the food that was given to us.

After stopping for a while at Singa Besar Island, next stop would be Dayang Bunting Island.

Pregnant Maiden Island, the shape of the island, is like the face (on the right), the pregnant shape on the right, and also the legs on the right. And, the others are the picture on the lake as well.

On the way back to the main jetty in Kuah, there were patches of natural phenomenon. Want to guess what type of phenomenon is it? Look to find out.

After going back to the hotel to check-out, that is when I had to go immediately to the airport to check-in for my flight back to Singapore. Since it was only the international route out from Langkawi, there were a lot of tourists transit through Singapore. Some of them, based on their passport nationalities are the French and the Americans. Departing through the mini-gate, here is the magnificent view of the airport and the airplane.

I will mark off my trip here in Langkawi for the weekend (2D1N). It has been a great pleasure enjoying and sharing my trip with you all.

What do I like and dislike?

Like - wonderful island hopping tour, the Kok & Black Sand Beach, the waterfall & cable-car
Dislike - Cenang beach (overcrowding of tourists)

Selfie

I believe I have break my own record of selfie taken. Let's count how many pictures, shall we?

In total, there were 43 selfies for this trip throughout the two days. The flight from Langkawi to Singapore took about 75-85 minutes, longer than the going flight. Hence, here are the pictures back to Singapore.