22-07-2006 Langkawi Island , Malaysia, Second Trip
Langkawi is an archipelago (group of small islands) of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba (ref. Wikipedia).
This was my second trip to this beautiful island located in the northest part of Malaysia. We drived about 500 km from Kuala Lumpur to a port called Kuala Perlis.
Before reaching to the main entrance of this small city, few motor cycles start to wave their hands for us and escort us to the city. Last time we were too surprised that what they are going to do with us! But this time I knew that they are looking for customer for their parking. We parked the car in their parking for 4 days, buy ferry ticket, island package and car rental through them (good deal for them). They just ask for about 10% of the package value and gave us the voucher (a piece of paper). You don’t believe everything can be this much simple and straight forward. Who needs internet booking, credit card, agent, research…? Just ask which is one better? They tell you the most economical offer and interesting places to go. We got a new Renault eSpace, 7 seats MPV (Multi Purpose Van) for 100 RM per day. Internet price is at least 180 RM per day. The key element here of course is TRUST, But after few years living in Malaysia now I know that we can trust almost all the dealers and agent here especifically the Moslems. Interestingly they say for example that don’t buy this package it’s too expensive while they should know that for foreigner who are coming for holiday and want to spend money 130RM is nothing but since the package does not have the value of the money the reject the package for you and sometime they even do not tell you about it. I forgot to tell you that over here being a Moslem is a privilege and they will give you better service and help by a Salumon-Alaikom keyword. So Moslems are not always treated as terorist ;) another interesting thing is that they know Iran, our president and they LOVE him !! They treated us very well and help us for the best available deal.
Another interesting thing about Langkawi is that whatever package and trip you buy all will go to the same place so it’s not the matter of quality or service, the final place that you are going to go for all (those we know till now) is same trip, same boats and same port. So don't worry about anything just drop by Langkawi and ask from any agent where to go and how much is chipest and best deal.
After about one hour journey by boat which was as cold as a refrigerator and all of us were freezing all the time, we reached to Langkawi the Eagle Island, an unbelievably beautiful island.
We got our MPV and drived to our apartment on the other side of the island called Perdana Beach Resort. Helia called this car the Big Car (Mashin Bozorg) compare to our Proton Wira car and it was really big. We got this apartment for 160 RM per day for 3 nights 4 days. An apartment with 1 master room with queen bed, another room with a single and queen bed, and kitchen and TV, microwave, dinning table, sofa and d TV, dishes … and a very interesting bonus, the room was next to swimming pool. Just walk 5 steps from the main room you are inside the swimming pool. Bakhtiar and Helia were always inside the swimming pool playing and splashing water.
Our main problem over there was feeding few choosy persons from Sanandaj (my in-laws!!). So they would not be able to enjoy some of the local food like: Nasi Lemak, Satay, fried rice, noodles, ... and always keep asking for expensive, low quality food from KFC and McDonald and since we could not find them over here everywhere we were keep eating different kind of egg's flavours with tomato, potato and ... a lot.
We visited the following interesting places :
1- Three island tour package: We paid 250 RM for island tour package with a personal boat. The driver was a Malay, nice guy who could not speak English at all but try to share some of his information about islands. It's a shame after 3 years living here still I can not understand Malay language.
o Pregnant Maiden Island (Pulau Dayang Bunting Island): This island has the largest lake in the area in top of its hill and is famous for the legend of the fairy that was captured here and tricked into marriage by a human prince. She later gave birth to a child, which died within a week. In her anger, she flung the corpse in the lake and fled for her former home.
Your visit doesn't have to be as tragic, however, as you can enjoy rent water bikes, or bask in the surrounding majestic beauty. The side point of view of this island is similar to a lying down pregnant lady. There are some hungry fishes in the lake also which if you put your foot inside they start to eat them. Don’t worry it’s not painful just a little bit ticklish, I am wondering how the people are saying if you want to have a baby better to swim in this lake!! I think within few minutes you will fate and die since all the fish will try to eat all of your body.
o Snorkeling Island: They dropped us in a white sandy beach which I don't remember the name for few hours to do different beach activities like: snorkeling, banana boat, power shoot, … We could not see any coral or nice colorful fish here due I was almost killing myself for swimming to far far away for seeing something which I could not find. I really was about to give up when I was too far from the beach and not seeing any movement while I was trying very hard to swim fast…. Never mind I am still alive.
I forced Bakhtiar and Bayan to try the power shooting. I don't know whether they liked it or not since I did not see any reaction from them, they are too shy to say anything about their feeling or maybe they did not enjoyed at all, I really don’t know, but Nastaran, and her father and Bakhtiar and Bayan all together went to banana boat surfing while I hiddenly ask the driver to cap down them at the end which make it more joyfull for them, it was fun due I paid a lot for each of the trip, but I think still too chip 2x80RM for power shooting and 4x20RM for banana boat. Indeed Bakhtiar burned himself seriously (which is normal for first time swimmer in beaches ;) ) and after few days still has problem with his back, due it's not as bad as my situation when I went to my first beach and Pooya when he went here for his first beach.
o Eagle feeding: a chance to see the Langkawi eagles from near and take few photo shots. We saw mangrove’s jungle and surf by our boat inside. It was very beautiful. Eagles here are not very big but they are very beautiful and they even catch fish from the sea for eating. As you know Langkawi means eagle, maybe beacause there are so many eagle around.
2- Makam Mahsoury: The best known legend of Langkawi is of Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived some 200 years ago. She died under tragic circumstances for a crime she did not commit. She died a victim of a conspiracy plotted against her out of jealousy for her magnetic personality. She was accused of committing adultery and was sentenced to death by the Chief of Langkawi, Dato Karma Jaya, her own father-in-law. As the legend goes, Mahsuri was the object of envy, of the village headman's wife Wan Mahora. She accused Mahsuri of adultery with a handsome minstrel visiting the island while Mahsuri's husband, Wan Darus, was away. As proof of her innocence, some people say, white blood was seen gushing out of her wound during execution. Also during her execution none of the soldiers assigned as executioners could complete the task with their weapons. Her death was eventually brought about when the executioner plunged her own "kris" (dagger) into the princess. Others maintain there was the sudden appearance of white mist that enveloped the spot where she was executed, which it was believed was a sign of mourning of her innocence. Mahsuri is best remembered for her curse on Langkawi which was uttered before she died. She had said, "For this act of injustice Langkawi shall not prosper for seven generations to come." That’s why after her death for a long time the island was having a lot of fighting and never seeing peace for seven generation. But they say now that cursed finished and they can live happily ever after. By the way it seems that this story has really a big influence in all the island and in a lot of place you can see her name and a sign of her name. -
3- Cable car: a 700 meters cable car facility which you can see a lot of fantastic, unbelievable, scary scenes.
http://www.lada.gov.my/Langkawi/cablecar.htm
http://www.pbase.com/silverfox/langkawi_cable_car
4- 7 wells: good place for swimming the cold river water after 500 steps walking to top. We saw the conflict between different Hijab on top.
The situation was like this: Let's say you go all the way to top of a hill (500 steps) in a hot day. You may be an Arab, Malaysian, Persian, Western. When you reach to top full of swet and looking for some water to cool down yourself. Western people just jump in with their Bikini and enjoy the water and after sometime they find a corner to grab some sunshine for their skin and they may loose their bikini also for better sunshine absorption. Malysian wear their T-shirt (men and women) and enjoy the water but they just don't show their naked body to others and enjoy silently. Arabs men will do almost the same thing which Western are doing but poor Arab Women should suffer from the heat and the cool water attraction and just look around only using a small window of their Chador.
Persian/Iranian who are a little bit Moslem but not that much will jump inside the water push their friends and family inside the water, spalsh the water around and to each other shout and laugh all the time. They may wear bikini as well and T-short also (all varaiety is available).
After a lot of playing, watching, comparing, back biting and swimming we drunk hot tea, cofee, hot chocolate with Denmarki (Gol Mohamadi) sweet and Zoolbia which was completely unique among all the nations. Nobody is as thoughtful and equipped as us for eating. We always carry a lot of food and beverage for eating here and there, while the others just eat in a fancy restaurant or cafe.
5- Datai Beach: We did not know this is a private, high class beach resort mostly for rich couples. So we drive in all together cheering with a loud sound player. Nobody told us anything. We even ask for some information from the manager and the restaurant and they answered us while I was wondering what are those exclamation marks glowing from their faces while they are answering to me. It was a very beautiful nice silent beach. But I prefer a beach full of people. That was too romantic.
I will put some photos in Flicker for this trip soon. I used my beloved 9 mega pixcels digital camera and took some wonderful shots there.
This was my second trip to this beautiful island located in the northest part of Malaysia. We drived about 500 km from Kuala Lumpur to a port called Kuala Perlis.
Before reaching to the main entrance of this small city, few motor cycles start to wave their hands for us and escort us to the city. Last time we were too surprised that what they are going to do with us! But this time I knew that they are looking for customer for their parking. We parked the car in their parking for 4 days, buy ferry ticket, island package and car rental through them (good deal for them). They just ask for about 10% of the package value and gave us the voucher (a piece of paper). You don’t believe everything can be this much simple and straight forward. Who needs internet booking, credit card, agent, research…? Just ask which is one better? They tell you the most economical offer and interesting places to go. We got a new Renault eSpace, 7 seats MPV (Multi Purpose Van) for 100 RM per day. Internet price is at least 180 RM per day. The key element here of course is TRUST, But after few years living in Malaysia now I know that we can trust almost all the dealers and agent here especifically the Moslems. Interestingly they say for example that don’t buy this package it’s too expensive while they should know that for foreigner who are coming for holiday and want to spend money 130RM is nothing but since the package does not have the value of the money the reject the package for you and sometime they even do not tell you about it. I forgot to tell you that over here being a Moslem is a privilege and they will give you better service and help by a Salumon-Alaikom keyword. So Moslems are not always treated as terorist ;) another interesting thing is that they know Iran, our president and they LOVE him !! They treated us very well and help us for the best available deal.
Another interesting thing about Langkawi is that whatever package and trip you buy all will go to the same place so it’s not the matter of quality or service, the final place that you are going to go for all (those we know till now) is same trip, same boats and same port. So don't worry about anything just drop by Langkawi and ask from any agent where to go and how much is chipest and best deal.
After about one hour journey by boat which was as cold as a refrigerator and all of us were freezing all the time, we reached to Langkawi the Eagle Island, an unbelievably beautiful island.
We got our MPV and drived to our apartment on the other side of the island called Perdana Beach Resort. Helia called this car the Big Car (Mashin Bozorg) compare to our Proton Wira car and it was really big. We got this apartment for 160 RM per day for 3 nights 4 days. An apartment with 1 master room with queen bed, another room with a single and queen bed, and kitchen and TV, microwave, dinning table, sofa and d TV, dishes … and a very interesting bonus, the room was next to swimming pool. Just walk 5 steps from the main room you are inside the swimming pool. Bakhtiar and Helia were always inside the swimming pool playing and splashing water.
Our main problem over there was feeding few choosy persons from Sanandaj (my in-laws!!). So they would not be able to enjoy some of the local food like: Nasi Lemak, Satay, fried rice, noodles, ... and always keep asking for expensive, low quality food from KFC and McDonald and since we could not find them over here everywhere we were keep eating different kind of egg's flavours with tomato, potato and ... a lot.
We visited the following interesting places :
1- Three island tour package: We paid 250 RM for island tour package with a personal boat. The driver was a Malay, nice guy who could not speak English at all but try to share some of his information about islands. It's a shame after 3 years living here still I can not understand Malay language.
o Pregnant Maiden Island (Pulau Dayang Bunting Island): This island has the largest lake in the area in top of its hill and is famous for the legend of the fairy that was captured here and tricked into marriage by a human prince. She later gave birth to a child, which died within a week. In her anger, she flung the corpse in the lake and fled for her former home.
Your visit doesn't have to be as tragic, however, as you can enjoy rent water bikes, or bask in the surrounding majestic beauty. The side point of view of this island is similar to a lying down pregnant lady. There are some hungry fishes in the lake also which if you put your foot inside they start to eat them. Don’t worry it’s not painful just a little bit ticklish, I am wondering how the people are saying if you want to have a baby better to swim in this lake!! I think within few minutes you will fate and die since all the fish will try to eat all of your body.
o Snorkeling Island: They dropped us in a white sandy beach which I don't remember the name for few hours to do different beach activities like: snorkeling, banana boat, power shoot, … We could not see any coral or nice colorful fish here due I was almost killing myself for swimming to far far away for seeing something which I could not find. I really was about to give up when I was too far from the beach and not seeing any movement while I was trying very hard to swim fast…. Never mind I am still alive.
I forced Bakhtiar and Bayan to try the power shooting. I don't know whether they liked it or not since I did not see any reaction from them, they are too shy to say anything about their feeling or maybe they did not enjoyed at all, I really don’t know, but Nastaran, and her father and Bakhtiar and Bayan all together went to banana boat surfing while I hiddenly ask the driver to cap down them at the end which make it more joyfull for them, it was fun due I paid a lot for each of the trip, but I think still too chip 2x80RM for power shooting and 4x20RM for banana boat. Indeed Bakhtiar burned himself seriously (which is normal for first time swimmer in beaches ;) ) and after few days still has problem with his back, due it's not as bad as my situation when I went to my first beach and Pooya when he went here for his first beach.
o Eagle feeding: a chance to see the Langkawi eagles from near and take few photo shots. We saw mangrove’s jungle and surf by our boat inside. It was very beautiful. Eagles here are not very big but they are very beautiful and they even catch fish from the sea for eating. As you know Langkawi means eagle, maybe beacause there are so many eagle around.
2- Makam Mahsoury: The best known legend of Langkawi is of Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived some 200 years ago. She died under tragic circumstances for a crime she did not commit. She died a victim of a conspiracy plotted against her out of jealousy for her magnetic personality. She was accused of committing adultery and was sentenced to death by the Chief of Langkawi, Dato Karma Jaya, her own father-in-law. As the legend goes, Mahsuri was the object of envy, of the village headman's wife Wan Mahora. She accused Mahsuri of adultery with a handsome minstrel visiting the island while Mahsuri's husband, Wan Darus, was away. As proof of her innocence, some people say, white blood was seen gushing out of her wound during execution. Also during her execution none of the soldiers assigned as executioners could complete the task with their weapons. Her death was eventually brought about when the executioner plunged her own "kris" (dagger) into the princess. Others maintain there was the sudden appearance of white mist that enveloped the spot where she was executed, which it was believed was a sign of mourning of her innocence. Mahsuri is best remembered for her curse on Langkawi which was uttered before she died. She had said, "For this act of injustice Langkawi shall not prosper for seven generations to come." That’s why after her death for a long time the island was having a lot of fighting and never seeing peace for seven generation. But they say now that cursed finished and they can live happily ever after. By the way it seems that this story has really a big influence in all the island and in a lot of place you can see her name and a sign of her name. -
3- Cable car: a 700 meters cable car facility which you can see a lot of fantastic, unbelievable, scary scenes.
http://www.lada.gov.my/Langkawi/cablecar.htm
http://www.pbase.com/silverfox/langkawi_cable_car
4- 7 wells: good place for swimming the cold river water after 500 steps walking to top. We saw the conflict between different Hijab on top.
The situation was like this: Let's say you go all the way to top of a hill (500 steps) in a hot day. You may be an Arab, Malaysian, Persian, Western. When you reach to top full of swet and looking for some water to cool down yourself. Western people just jump in with their Bikini and enjoy the water and after sometime they find a corner to grab some sunshine for their skin and they may loose their bikini also for better sunshine absorption. Malysian wear their T-shirt (men and women) and enjoy the water but they just don't show their naked body to others and enjoy silently. Arabs men will do almost the same thing which Western are doing but poor Arab Women should suffer from the heat and the cool water attraction and just look around only using a small window of their Chador.
Persian/Iranian who are a little bit Moslem but not that much will jump inside the water push their friends and family inside the water, spalsh the water around and to each other shout and laugh all the time. They may wear bikini as well and T-short also (all varaiety is available).
After a lot of playing, watching, comparing, back biting and swimming we drunk hot tea, cofee, hot chocolate with Denmarki (Gol Mohamadi) sweet and Zoolbia which was completely unique among all the nations. Nobody is as thoughtful and equipped as us for eating. We always carry a lot of food and beverage for eating here and there, while the others just eat in a fancy restaurant or cafe.
5- Datai Beach: We did not know this is a private, high class beach resort mostly for rich couples. So we drive in all together cheering with a loud sound player. Nobody told us anything. We even ask for some information from the manager and the restaurant and they answered us while I was wondering what are those exclamation marks glowing from their faces while they are answering to me. It was a very beautiful nice silent beach. But I prefer a beach full of people. That was too romantic.
I will put some photos in Flicker for this trip soon. I used my beloved 9 mega pixcels digital camera and took some wonderful shots there.
posted by Hassan Mansouri at Tuesday, August 01, 2006
1 comments
