Langkawi is a small island one hour plane direct to the International airport from Kuala Lumpur. You can fly direct from the UK if you wish with Malaysia airlines, but from KL you can get cheap flights using Air Asia (the equivalent to Easijet). You walk from the plane to the modern terminal in Langkawi and from here you are easily accessible to all parts of the island. The main town Kuah is approx 45 minutes drive. Here you will find the town divided into different shopping areas. The ferry terminal with direct access to Thailand and the mainland has a huge eagle statue and modern shopping areas. Revamped approx 3 years ago it is a bussling area for locals and tourists. You can then walk backwards towards the main town area to an inside mall Langkawi Fair, which has many stores selling souvenirs and clothing, as well as a large supermarket. There is also a McDonalds there if you wish. You can then walk along next to the sea to the next shopping area where you will find most of the large banks, many shops and restaurants. The restaurants are mostly Malay style, basic plastic table and chairs but each with a different style - Chinese (selling pork), Malay and Indian. There is also a large night market near this area and you will find stalls starting around 4 pm selling an array of fruit, vegetables, local fried food and clothing.
Check the day with the locals as this market moves around the island on a daily basis in different areas.
Langkawi is a paradise island and very scenic and beautiful. If you go into the area of the Cable Car you will enjoy the view of the Seven Wells waterfall, which you can also visit separately if you have strong enough legs to walk all the steps to the top. However, the Cable Car is a modern structure surrounded by a small village of shops. The view is spectacular and there is a walkway behind this that you can take down into the forest where you may be lucky enough to see the small wild orchids growing and butterflies, etc.
The humidity in Malaysia is very high, especially in the high season, which runs during our winter months to some degree. You may experience bursts of heavy rain, but often this will come and go in half and hour, but in the extreme heat this unfortunately increases the humidity. Dont be surprised to take a shower and then need another one ten minutes after! There are mosquitoes unfortunately, but if you use an electric 'mat', easily bought locally, in your living area you will not be bothered indoors and at nightime use repellent. They say baby oil and lemon is a good deterrent and certainly smells a lot better than some of the brands.
A popular tourist area is Pantai Cenang, with a long stretch of beach that you can walk at your leisure. There you will find a variety of good class restaurants, as well as local fair. Beach bars are a must to enjoy the superb sunsets that you will see there, so take your camera. Also along the beach you will find jet ski hire and paragliding.
Malaysia is mainly a Muslim country, although there are also many Chinese and Indian people living and working there. Therefore, respect their culture and dress accordingly. You will find the tourist areas more relaxed regarding clothing and of course drinking, but in the towns it is not good to expose too much flesh!
I would highly recommend the mangrove trips that are offered. You will be taken on a small boat into the mangroves, where you will see the tree root system a maze in the water and the peaceful scenery is a must. Some operators feed the wild eagles whilst on these trips, but this is actually trying to be stopped as it is interferring with the wildlife habits. You may be lucky enough to see some snakes in the trees too.
Another relaxing trip is to take the day cruise yacht trip. Crystal Yacht have been operating in Langkawi for many years now and will arrange transfer by taxi from your hotel to the jetty near Pantai Cenang and from there you will enjoy a day of cruising around the small islands off Langkawi on one of their yachts; free food and drink with a barbecue on a small island beach where you can relax and swim. The evening cruise starts around 5 pm and there you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, again with food and drink included on board.
I would recommend hiring a car in Langkawi as there is no bus service available. Taxis are relatively cheap, but to see the real culture and diversity of the island it is better to drive around yourself. The driving is on the same side of the road as the UK and as it is such a small island you will not find it busy on the road areas, other than maybe going into Kuah. You can then visit the 'kampung' (village) areas at ease, but beware of the roaming buffalo who will think nothing of walking across the road in front of you and at night they are difficult to see! The areas have many paddy fields growing rice and other vegetables. In certain areas you will also see the rubber trees and the small pots attached catching the white residue.
Nightlife is simple, although there are discos available. Langkawi is a very laid back island and the Tiger beer is cheap. Dont be surprised if you are still in a bar at 5 am chatting with the locals. There is a mixture of ex-pats living there - mostly English and German who will make your stay fun and the majority of locals speak good English.
Massage parlours are abound! The Malay traditional style works on the vein system, with a pushing procedure to unlock the blood circulation. Very relaxing and sometimes a little painful, but you will feel envigorated after and go back for more! Reflexology is also very popular, due to the Chinese influence there. The Malays and Chinese herbal beliefs are also very interesting as remedies and certainly a lot cheaper than the UK. A popular one in Langkawi is known as gamat and this is derived from the sea cucumber available around this area. It is a small sea slug that is boiled with a mixture of local spices and the sediment of sand then settles to the bottom. The resulting mixture is then used to assist in healing wounds or internal organs. The story says that years ago the sailors came back from fishing and had the sea slug on them. They hacked them off into pieces but on returning to their boats noticed that they had joined themselves back again! They thought that if they could cure themselves there must be something that can assist humans too and from then on you will find most Malay houses have some form of gamat in their houses. The white gamat is particularly good for mosquito bites as it will heal them quickly and stop the itching. Other mixtures contain lemongrass and the balm is useful for massage into sore areas. You will see many Gamat shops around, so dont be afraid to venture in. The Tongkat Ali is also very famous for increasing your virilaty.
There are many excellent five star hotels in Langkawi, but if you wish to travel cheaply the small hotels offer good, clean and adequate accommodation. You can live and eat in Langkawi very cheaply if you mix with the locals. At the night market you will find pieces of barbecue chicken for less than a pound, with rice that will fill you and fresh mangoes by the kilo that are so juicy. There are so many choices of fruit available.
Downside for me was the fact that unfortunately the locals tend to dump their rubbish as and where they wish, so you will plastic bags and polystyrene containers around the roadsides that unfortunately spoil the beauty.
There is also a large Aquarium and Penguin World in Pantai Cenang area if you get stuck with a rainy day, which is worth a visit.
If you want fun and sun or just a relaxing peaceful holiday listening to the sound of birds and crickets, then take a visit to this paradise island of palm trees and coconuts.
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Advantages: You can fly there direct from UK. Fabulous beaches and scenery. Friendly accommodating people. Disadvantages: You can't fly home direct to UK! Extremely high humidity outside the dry season. Mosquitos!
Advantages: You can fly there direct from UK. Fabulous beaches and scenery. Friendly accommodating people. Disadvantages: You can't fly home direct to UK! Extremely high humidity outside the dry season. Mosquitos!
Apr 29th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
