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Published: October 13th 2009
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So having got myself a ridiculously cheap flight with Malaysia Airlines (£12) I flew to Langkawi with the intention of staying a few days before heading into Thailand.
Tuesday afternoon I landed and made my way to a hostel that had been recommended to me. It was a strange feeling to be back on my own again and in basic accommodation. I ended up with a single room with ensuite so it was a gentle re-introduction for me. That afternoon I wandered around the town of Pantai Cenang.
Wednesday morning I got up and went off for breakfast. I decided that I would investigate the cost of renting a car for the day as it was probably going to be the easiest way to see most of the island as there is no public transport on Langkawi it is either taxi or hiring a scooter/car. By 10.30am I was in my little 600cc hire car with map in hand setting off to see what I could see. I ended up at Pantai Kok which was a lovely beach at the north western side of th island. I sat there for awhile in the sunshine with no-one else in sight.
I soon headed onwards and found myself at the seven wells waterfalls. If I had known how many steps were involved I may have passed on climbing to the top however 457 steps later and I was sweating well but happy to get to the top.
I was stood at the top of the waterfall (the waterfall was nowhere in sight nor could you hear it) however there were various pools that you could have a swim in and even slide down between the pools where the rock had been worn down by the water and people. After a quick dip and dry off I headed downwards again however stopped off to stand at the bottom of the waterfall and look upwards.
From the seven wells waterfall I did call in at the cable car so that I could go upto the highest point on Langkawi unfortunately the weather was closing in and there was too much cloud so it wasn't running. I then inspected the map and set out the rest of my route around the island stopping at various waterfalls and beautiful beaches. Unfortunately however it is the end of the monsoon season here so the
rain soon hit and it wasn't for letting up and so I headed back to Pantai Cenang and dropped the car off.
That evening I went out for my dinner as per usual. I ended up in a restaurant and ordered my beer and prawn curry. Once I had ordered I noticed a group of three people sat to my left it was two guys and a woman. I briefly wondered what their relationship to eachother was but thought no more about it. Just as my meal was coming I looked across again and the guy facing me looked and smiled so I smiled back. Then as I was finishing my meal my attention was brought to them again and the other guy looked and smiled and the woman turned and asked if I wanted to join them. I blustered for awhile and then the two guys came across picked up the spare chair at my table and moved my beer giving me no choice but to join them. They introduced themselves as Rik from Canada, Fiona from Australia and Rob from Australia. Introductions over and we started chatting and Fiona told me that they had all been traveling
at some time or another on their own so knew how hard it could be at time eating in restaurants.
Personally I don't find it too much of an issue and I am more than happy to sit somewhere and watch the world go by. However occasionally I am aware of being on my own and it is usually when he staff make me feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately over here as it is a largely Muslim community often they do not approve of a female traveling alone and so can make me feel uncomfortable when in a restaurant however on the whole it is not an issue.
Anyway as per usual the conversation came around to what we were all doing and where we were heading. It transpired that Rik owned a boat and he was sailing around the world in it. he has been going for 8 1/2 years. On his travels he met Fiona and she has joined him for the past year on the boat. Rob is an artist from Darwen and was on holiday visiting them.
Having finished our meals and drinks we ended up in the bar next door for a couple more
Me and a desert island
Believe it or not but on my right on this photo is the boat Dikenga that I later sailed on and was on for my birthday!! drinks. At the end of the night Rob asked if we were going to all meet up again which then set of a chain of unexpected events..... Effectively Rik invited me to join them on their boat on Friday and we would see what happened from there. I was invited to join them the next day however their plans were to travel around the island like I had done earlier in the day so it was agreed that we would meet in the local Breakfast Bar at 10.30am on Friday. I gave them my mobile number and e:mail address and we said our goodbyes till Friday.
My previous plans had been to leave the island on Friday for Thailand so that I could find a place to stay and enjoy my birthday. Anyway as I had made no plans I was happy to see what came out of the offer. Granted on Thursday morning I woke up and did wonder whether the guys had been serious with their offer but decided that I would pack my stuff up and leave it at the hostel and if they didn't turn up I had lost nothing and could make my way
to Kuah for the ferry to Thailand. I spent Thursday chilling and once again catching up on the boring admin jobs that need doing from time to time.
That evening whilst having dinner I received a text message from Fiona wanting to confirm the arrangements and telling me it was going to be an overnight trip so I needed to pack my toothbrush. After a few messages back and forth my passage on the boat was agreed and all I needed was myself and a crate of beer.
On return to the hostel I found that I was sharing my room with a couple of cockroaches and what I suspected was a mouse (I didn't see it it just left me some "presents" including one on my bed). So the night was spent with one eye open and my mosquito net up in the hope it would protect me a bit.
Friday rolled around my adventures on Dikenga (the boat) began.......
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liliram
liliram
Don't hold out too long........
Hey, you're keeping us in suspense. ;-) Hurry! We want to know what happens next. And happy birthday!