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local products
in langkawi
other than being a duty
free island, langkawi also have a lot of locally produced items to offer..
some of which are not available anywhere else..
some of the local products
worth looking at is this healing ointment called gamat.. it's actually
made of sea cucumber.. the story goes that a long time ago, a fisherman
stepped on one of these creatures and had his legs glued with the sitcky
white secretion from the sea cucumber.. in his frustration, he took an
axe and hacked up all the sea cucumber around him.. the next morning, he
found that all the hacked up sea cucumber are all healed and whole again..
that gave him the idea.. if the sea cucumber could heal itself, then it
should also be able to heal people’s wounds.. thus, the “minyak gamat”
industry began.. other than that, other items to consider buying is batik
sarong, t-shirt, crytal, marble, etc
Duty Free
Langkawi's designated Duty
Free Port status makes shopping here quite fun and very popular. It carries
the largest selection. Enjoying duty free status within Malaysia makes
Langkawi a great place to pick up some superb bargains during your holiday,
although it is neither as cheap, nor is there as much variety as you will
find in Kuala Lumpur. There is a large mall called Langkawi Fair, where
you can pick up the best bargains, and one of the best places to go shopping
for luxury goods is the Langkawi Parade, where you can browse the high-end
boutiques. For souvenir hunting, it's a good idea to wander through the
markets along the harbour front and pick up locally produced handicrafts
such as Langkawi Craft Complex..
Let's check out what is
on sale now!
Divers Beware! Great White..er
Orange Creatures!
More scary than the sharks
at Pulau Payar are the noisy orange flotsam at the house reef. Easily recognisable
in the ubiquitous orange vest, these gangly big creatures will not only
insist on throwing their lunch packets at the hapless fish but applaud
when the sharks go into a feeding frenzy. Stay away from these creatures
if you spot them, you might get a chicken wing thrown in your face if you
get too close to them. Bpacker's Langkawi Page
Gondwana Wall
Langkawi has always held
a mythical charm to its visitors but few know that geological orgions is
as fascinating as its legends. Throughout geological history the continents
have moved and fragmented as new oceans and coalesced with other continents
as old ocean closed. 500 million years ago a large continent known as Gondwana
occupied the southern polar region, Gondwana gradually fragmented into
smaller land areas existed around now in Africa, Australia, India and Langkawi.
langkawi craft complex (craft
& cultural centre): all the local crafts under on roof.
this place is a huge complex
housing all the local malaysian crafts under one roof.. they have everything
from metal artifacts, fabrics, ceramics, ethnic craftwork right up to items
from the forest.. there's also a demonstration area where handiwork such
as weaving, batik painting, wood carving and plaiting is done.. to top
it all, the prices of the items sold here are pretty reasonable as well..
this place opens daily from 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.. admission is free!
Langkawi Restaurants
Langkawi food is fantastic
- Warm beaches, gentle breeze, clear waters and magnificent seafood. As
an island surround by azure blue seas that hold a rich variety of marine
life, it’s no wonder that Langkawi has a buffet spread of culinary delights
from the sea. The popular eating destinations are Kuah Town, Pantai Cenang,
Pantai Tengah and Pantai Kok (the last three are beaches) but you can find
eateries all over the island that will satisfy your palette. And just as
Langkawi’s visitors are diverse in cultures, you’ll find the food on the
island carry influences from around the world; there’s shrimp on the barbie
to burgers and bratwurst to seafood platters. Plenty of upmarket hotels
stock contemporary international cuisine and you’ll find the resorts to
be excellent dining places for local food as well. But for that rustic
feeling, it can’t get better than eating out among the natives at their
regular hide-outs.
Langkawi is famous with seafood
and international cuisines. They also pride themselves of having a wide
array of local delights.
Thus, it comes as no surprise
that Langkawi has been hailed as a food paradise filled with appetite-inducing,
mouth-watering fare from the taste-bud curling seafood, sweet chendol to
the sinfully Italian pizza & pasta.
A visit to Langkawi will
not be complete without sampling the cheap and tasty roadside delicacies.
With a choice of unique
restaurant, you never have to travel far to find food paradise. Here are
the best restaurant for your selection.
Boom Boom Corner: Pakistani
Food
At first, we thought it's
an expensive restaurant (open-air). Its setting gave us this feeling. Then
we read the menu. The prices of dishes varied, according to the type of
food you ordered (more expensive for seafood, of course), ranging from
RM2.5 to RM6 per dish. With the explanation of the patient watier, we ordered
several dishes. It's really a great dinner and the food was so yummy!!!
I really miss it!
We ordered: - fish masala
- chicken tandoori - beef masala - fried squid - mixed vegetables - cheese
naan - brown rice - mixed juice All tasted great!!!! esp. the fish, the
beef, the cheese naan and mixed juice! The whole table of food costed us
around RM35! What a great dinner!
Little India: Great Indian
Food
This small unassuming restaurant
in the Pantai Cenang area serves some of the best Indian food I have ever
tasted. There restaurant only has maybe half a dozen tables and you get
served on a first come forst served basis regardless of whether you have
booked for a specific time. We waited about three quarters of an hour after
ordering before our food came but it was worth the wait. They only serve
beer and soft drinks here so if you want wine you have to "bring your own".and
they will amke a small corkage charge of around 15 RM. We thought that
was per bottle but we opened 2 and did not get charged any extra.
The butter chicken and the
lamb rogan josh were my favourites.
Barn Thai: The restaurant
in the Mangrove
This is a totally unique
restaurant in the middle of a Mangrove swamp. We arrived at this restaurant
by boat but if you arrive by road you have to be prepared for the 400 metre
walk though the Mangrove swamp. On your way to the restaurant you can stop
to look at the mangrove wildlife and birds. Being in the mangrove swamp
you are likely to be plagued with the many mosquitos which buzz annoyingly
around, but a good mosi spray should help. The restaurant itself is lofty
and built mainly from teak wood so teaditionally Thai. If you visit in
the evenings you may be entertained with jazz music.
Although we had a set lunch
on our particular tour-we did have an additional Thai green chicken curry-wonderful!!
Set deep within the mangroves
of Langkawi, the restaurant is accessible only by a 450 metre wooden walkway
with gazebos and seats along the walkway for photo opps or to observe the
natural wonders and wildlife. You can also take a tour through the mangroves
by boat. Great ambience, very romantic and mysterious. At low tide, the
roots of the trees are exposed and sometimes they resemble those tree-like
Ent characters out of Lord of The Rings!
Admittedly, the food is
just okay, not brilliant. But the setting is great. I don't recommend the
Seafood & Glassnoodle Salad but I had some prawn rolls which were quite
nice.
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Pulau Langkawi -
Province : Kedah State - Country : Malaysia
- Latitude : 06 19 N - Longitude : 99 50
E |
Langkawi Island
is
located just off the coast of North Western Malaysia, about 30 km from
Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah and close to Thailand. The archipelago
of Langkawi contains 99 islands during high tide whereas during low tide,
the number of islands can be as many as 104. Sanctuary of some of the most
ancient rainforests in the world, they are teeming with exotic flora and
fauna. Langkawi Island itself is the largest among the archipelago, measuring
about 478.5 sq km, is the only one with any real settlement. It fringed
by lovely beaches scattered along its coast. The island is still very much
a rural landscape with villages and paddy fields. |
Hotels
n Kuah Town
Sheraton Perdana Resort
- 04-9662020
Located 3 km. from Kuah
town and 1 km. from the jetty, Sheraton Perdana Resort offers a magnificent
view looking over the splendour of Langkawi Bay. Situated in 104 acres
of lush greenery, with a long stretch of private beach, its guest can experience
an oasis of calm and luxury.
Pantai Cenang (Cenang beach)
Casa Del Mar - 04-9552388
One of the newest addition
to Langkawi, the Casa del Mar offers spacious rooms in a low-rise Mediterranean-styled
building. The hotel has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi for guest use, although
guests might prefer to jump into the sea from the sandy beach. A Mediterranean,
Continental, Asian and local cuisines.
Pelangi Beach Resort -
04-9551001
Pelangi Beach Resort is
situated on the west coast of Langkawi. This enchanting resort has been
designed as a luxurious Malaysian village with traditional architecture,
brimming with colour and local beauty.
Pantai Tengah (Tengah beach)
Federal Villa
The Federal Villa is located
adjacent to its sister hotel, Holiday Villa Langkawi fronting Pantai Tengah
which is one of the finest beaches in Langkawi island. The 3-star hotel
is sprawled on four acres of land with a breathtaking view of the sea.
It offers 88 well-appointed guest rooms.
Holiday Villa Langkawi
-
04-9551701
The Holiday Villa is a 258
room resort situated on 13 acres of land fronting one of Langkawi's finest
white sandy beaches. Located on Pantai Tengah, the resort offers sea facing
rooms, each with a private balcony. The resort has a variety of dining
options, including Italian and fusion cuisine.
Langkawi Village Resort -04-9551511
Set within a leisurely 15
minute drive from the Langkawi International Airport, all the traditional
locations of this culturally rich Duty-Free island are also within easy
access from the resort.
Other area
Andaman Datai Bay - 04-9591088
The Andaman at Datai Bay.
Situated between the majestic Mat Cincang Range and the deep blue Andaman
Sea, the resort has been built in the middle of a virgin tropical rainforest.
Go up
Awana Porto Malai - 04-9555111
Awana Porto Malai Langkawi
- Situated on the south-western tip of mythical Langkawi, an island famed
for her legends and duty-free status, the Mediterranean inspired-design
Awana Porto Malai Langkawi is a charming holiday resort.
Berjaya Langkawi Beach &
Spa - 04-9591888
The spectacular Berjaya
Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort is located in Burau Bay on the island of
Langkawi, approximately 15 minutes drive from the airport. Malaysian-style
chalets and suites are spread over 70 acres.
Datai Langkawi - 04-9592500
The Datai, situated on the
north-western tip of the pristine Malaysian island of Langkawi, provides
an idyllic natural retreat within the depths of a centuries-old virgin
rainforest.
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
- 04-9508888
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
stretches along a 1.5-kilometre (one-mile) expanse of fine white sand,
against a backdrop of towering granite cliffs and mountainous rainforest,
facing west to the Andaman Sea.
Hotel Helang - 04-9622020
Set on the southwestern
part of the beautiful island of Langkawi. Hotel Helang will give you a
warm and homely feeling every time you step into our world, either for
business or pleasure.
Kampung Tok Senik Resort
- 04-9557288
Natural vistas ... surrounded
by traditional Malay architecture ... a legacy endowed to the world ...
meant for sharing ... in a unique kampung environment. That's Kampung Tok
Senik, Langkawi, a resort that's only one of its kind. Where a different
kind of lifestyle beckons and the padi fields surround you.
Langkasuka Beach Resort -
04-9556888
Langkasuka Beach Resort
is located on the southwestern corner of the beautiful island of Langkawi.
Conveniently situated just 2 kms from the airport and 22 kms away from
Kuah town, Langkasuka Beach Resort offers a retreat away from it all, amidst
the magical pleasure of the island.
Langkawi Lagoon Resort -04-9558181
Paradise on the Andaman
Sea...Langkawi Lagoon Resort lies on the west coast of Langkawi Island,
the largest of an archipelago of 99 islands of exotic rainforests and sandy
beaches.
Mutiara Burau Bay Resort-
04-9591061
The Mutiara Burau Bay Beach
Resort is just a 15-mimute drive from Langkawi International Airport. It
is located close to the Anna & the King Summer Palace. The resort is
uniquely designed like a little village covered by a tropical forest.
Rebak Marina - 04-9665566
The resort's rustic chalets
were designed to bring you a step closer to the wonders of Nature. Willowy
palm trees and fragrant local herbs surround these delightful little havens.
Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort
-04-9551901
Sheraton Langkawi Beach
Resort is a charming resort with traditional chalets, located along an
idyllic stretch of small private beaches amidst lush tropical forests.
Tanjung Rhu Resort -04-9591033
Located on the north-east
of Langkawi, Tanjung Rhu Resort is a 25-minute drive from Langkawi International
Airport and between 25-30 minutes drive to all main attractions on the
island. It has a 35 km. stretch of white sandy beach fronting the aquamarine
waters of the Andaman Sea.
Pulau Dayang Bunting
This jungle-clad island,
lying just south of Langkawi, makes an interesting island-hopping stop.
Marble is quarried on the island and shipped to the mainland for processing.
In the interior is a small freshwater crater lake known as Tasik Dayang
Bunting or the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden.
A tranquil spot, the water
is excellent for a cool swim. Legend has it that a childless couple drank
the fresh waters of the lake and had a baby girl. The story is also told
of
a white crocodile or its spirit that is reputed to live in the lake
Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells)
The Seven Wells, or Telaga
Tujuh, are actually a series of seven pools connected by a series of waterfalls.
Legend has it that fairies delight in bathing in the cool waters which
are supposed to possess soothing healing properties. A mountain prince,
who once lived near the wells, tried to capture one of these fairy maidens,
but until today, they remain elusive.
It is believed that the
unique lime trees and the sintuk, a climbing plant which has large pods,
that grow around the pools were left behind by the fairies. Locals who
visit the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls often use them to wash their hair in
order to cleanse themselves of bad luck
Junggle Trekking
Langkawi's primeval and
largely unexplored rainforests offer intrepid trekkers endless opportunities
to observe exotic and rare tropical flora and fauna. Striding through the
forest, the lush vegetation parts before you offers glimpses of tapirs
grazing in the undergrowth. Crossing swaying hanging bridges will be a
feat of balance, and there is nothing an energizing dip in a crystal clear
rockpool next to a cascading Telaga Tujuh waterfall. Refreshed and re-inspired,
push onward through the steaming vibrant ecosystem that stretches out before
you, welcoming, embracing, and teaching you about nature at its most natural.Getting
There
Kilim River
For the adventurous, Langkawi
offers some truly unforgettable sights and experiences. A new tour that
is bound to provide plenty of thrills to those who are game is the boat
cruise to Kilim Nature Park. An adventure in the wonderland of the park's
marine ecosystem with flora and fauna in its natural habitats like the
overhanging Bogak Trees, Brown Eagles, Tree Crabs, Iguanas and Macaques.
Enjoy the scenic and spectacular
views of unique limestone rock formations emerging from the floor of the
mangrove swamps and the sea. These fascinating geological wonders have
been variously nicknamed the Temple of Borobodur, the Elephant Stone and
the Hanging Gardens.
Explore Gua Cerita (Cave
of Legends) and Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave) steeped in fabled tales of mystery
and romance. There are indeed many memories for you to bring back when
your journey ends
Gua Langsir
To the north of the lake
is Gua Langsir (Cave of the Banshee) which is reputedly haunted. The belief
may have come about because of the noises made by thousands of bats which
live in the interior of the 91m-high cave
Gunung Mat Cincang &
Gunung Mat Raya
Langkawi is truly alive
with references to legends. Without going into the colourful details of
these many legends, here is an indication of how legendary references still
suffuse life in Langkawi to this day:
Where the engagement ring
was flung became known as 'Tanjung Cincin' or Cape of the Ring; the broken
crockery became the village of 'Belanga Pecah' (Broken Crockery); the spilled
gravy became 'Kuah' or gravy; Kisap or 'to seep in' became the name of
the village where the gravy seeped through the land; and the Hot Springs
at Air Hangat is apparently the spot where the cauldron of hot water was
broken. Two giants who were turned into the mountain stone gave rise to
Gunung Mat Cincang and Gunung Mat Raya, and Mat Sawar who tried to mediate
between them was transformed into the hill which now separates the two
mountains |
