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Published: October 25th 2008
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Langkawi made a pleasant change from Kuala Lumpur and was exactly what was in order. This is the most relaxed, chilled out place I think we have been too. The island has a passion for Reggae which is no surprise as it is perfectly apt for the pace of life. The island is also duty free so everything is ridiculously cheap making Langkawi a backpacker’s haven.
We stayed at the Zackery Guest House for the two nights in Pantai Tengah. It’s the sort of place people come intending to stay for three nights and three weeks later they are still there. Zackery is very social, friendly folk and great value with excellent facilities. Always cold beers in the fridge to help yourself too, you just tally them up at the end of your stay. So a good place to stay if you are travelling on your own. The beach here was phenomenal and local eats were excellent, large portions, so cheap and tastes amazing. Still missing breakfasts at the Cactus just down the road and the banter form the locals.
The weather here is so humid and we encountered some thunderstorms of epic proportions. Nothing like I have ever
Kok Beach
Lots of 5 star resorts here also awesome beach worth a visit. seen before. That in its self was quite an experience. You may have to wait a few hours though for it to pass before heading out.
A couple nights later we moved to the Grand Beach Motel on the next beach down the road called Pantai Cenang. Accommodation was basic (just a fan and cold showers) but you can’t really complain when you open you door and step out of your beach hut onto the white sands. We also here we bumped into our Swedish mate from the KLCC tour Jackob who was heading Langkawi from KL the same day as us. Pantai Cenang had a bit more life about it and we met many fellow backpackers staying at the Gecko Guest House (as Jackon was also staying there) just over the road. The bar Babylon Mat Lounge is an excellent place to have a drink with other travellers night or day. You can also order Shishsas (best on Cenang beach apparently) and sip beers for 4RM on the beach till 12ish. Then if you have got the energy, head of to Reggae bar back in Pantai Tengah to catch the live local bands and party to into small
Sevel Wells
At the top of the waterfall. hours.
With car rentals of 50RM and no more than 10RM of petrol it would be rude not take advantage and plan your own tour of the island. So me, Tash and Jackon headed for the Cable Car near Pantai Kok. This was truly terrifying and more like a roller coaster rise on the Pepsi Max in Blackpool. It’s the steepest one in the world apparently and you are not entirely inspired with confidence when you hear that the cable “broke” and needed replacing a few weeks ago. Jackob literally had is head buried in his knees. All that aside its well worth the money (30RM) and a must do on the Island. Tash also informs me its better then the Table Mountain cable car for those that have done that one.
Also in the car we drove through the local towns, which is worth doing. Also good to see what the local folk get up too. Just watch out for the motorbikes, there are swarms of them. Also make a stop at the beach Pantai Kok on the way to the cable car. It’s stunning walk and you can check the Water Buffalo bumbling around. The harbour
here is where a few celebs like to keep their Yachts. The resorts here are 5 star, would be a great place to come back too or for any one to visit who can afford it.
We also stopped at Kuha the main port on the island where ferries come in from the main land. You can also catch a ferry to Thailand from here, but that’s about the only good thing about this town. Not worth going out of you’re way for.
On the penultimate day Tash went off for a dive at small island between Langkawi and Penang in the Malacca Straights.(Two hours from Langkawi on the boat and I forgot the name.) The island is surrounded by a coral reef. The marine life here is phenomenal. Tash was very excited to swim with a sea turtle, which she has always wanted to do. Next box to tick is the Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reed in WA.
So I decided to organise an Island hopping tour with the crowd from Babylon bar. I went canoeing with Jakob in a massive lake on one of the islands and had some beers in the sea at one
of the other islands. The monkeys on “Pregnant Lady Island” were highly and worth checking. Made a nice change of scenery for the day but our boat ran out of fuel on the way home which out an interesting spin on the tour. Was a good laugh.
Heading to Perth now and am sad to say good-bye too Langkawi after our 10 nights here. Easy to lose track of time here and wouldn’t have said no to another 10 more. Finally, Jackob if you are reading “shmoke in a pancake” and remember to smile and wave!
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