Langkowi Archipelago

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LANGKAWI ISLAND, MALAYSIA. Monday 5 March, 2012.

Our first stop on this cruise was the Langkawi Archipelago in Malaysia. Made up of some 100 islands, Langkawi means Eagle. Langkawi Island therefore means Eagle Island and is the largest island in the group. It belongs to the state of Kedah in the Malay peninsula despite the fact that it is actually off the coast of Perlis (the northenmost state of Malaysia).

We had an early breakfast and disembarked the ship. We walked along the waterfront passing some really plush hotels on the way until we reached a small settlement on a beach with plenty of little boats all touting for business. We negotiated a place on boat 5 for a trip to Pulau Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Island), Eagle Bay and Beras Basah Island (for the beach).

The Island of the Pregnant Maiden is a legendary island in the group with a large lake in the middle. The lake is called Tasik Dayang Bunting which means Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. According to local legend, it began when a male elf named Mat Teja fell in love at first sight with Dayang, a female elf. Mat Teja won her heart by rubbing a mermaid's tear drop on his face. Their romantic and intimate romance became complete when Dayang fell pregnant. Dayang then decided to retire at Tasik Dayang Beranak (Maiden Giving Birth Lake). Nine months later, Dayang gave birth to a child but unfortunately the child died after 7 days. Saddened by the incident Dayang decided to bury her baby in the lake. After the incident the lake became known as Tasik Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Lake) as a way for the locals to express their sorrow for the couple. We both had a swim in the lake and then strolled back to the tour boat with a couple from Oz - trying to avoid the thieving monkeys on the way.

After Pregnant Maiden Island we were taken to Eagle Bay where we could see the sea Eagles diving for fish. These are not true eagles but a particular type of sea bird with brown wings with white tips that resemble and eagle in appearance. They were beautiful. We watched them for around 15 minutes before being taken to Beras Basah Island which had a wonderful white sandy beach. Again you had to watch out for the thieving monkeys, but the water was clear and warm. We did try snorkelling but there were no fish to speak of apart from the odd small shoal of minnoes. We were allowed to swim and rest for an hour before rejoining the tour boat.

We went back to the ship, had a shower, a beer and lunch. We then walked back along the waterfront and followed the road towards the main town of Kuah. We stopped and looked at a lovely long sandy beach before flagging down a cab. We then purchased some duty free goods, the mandatory T Shirt for M and some postcards before returning to the ship.

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Photos

Pregnant Maiden Island
Can you see the shape of the Pregnant Maiden?

Beras Basah Island From The Little Tour Boat
Beach on Main Island

View of Pregnant Maiden Island
From Tour Boat

Comments

[Wendy]

Keep on Cruising
Thanks you guys for such an interesting and informative blog....its the first thing I read in the morning now so you do realise you will have to keep on travelling for ever...and ever........Luv Wendy

[Tony]

memories
The memory book looks like fun :)