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Explore the
islands Langkawi
We wanted to have a day
sailing round the islands so as we were staying near the Royal Langkawi
Yacht club we stopped to enquire about sailing trips from there. A company
called Sunsail operate from there and you can hire a sailing boat to sail
yourself or like us you can hire a sailing boat with a skipper. For 1200
RM we had the 35 foot sail boat to ourselves (4 of us) for the whole day,
a skipper, lunch, soft drinks and beer. To make it a bit more special we
took our own sparkling wine. We had a wonderful day lazing on the deck
in the gloroius sunshine taking in the scenery. We saw some flying fish
but the dolphins eluded us.
Nature Tourism Langkawi
Telaga Tujuh
Located in the north-western
corner of Pulau Langkawi, Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) is a geological marvel.
The waterfall is so named because its cascading water is broken by a series
of seven natural pools. The lush green forest that surrounds the waterfall
adds a mystical touch to the natural splendor. Legend has it that fairies
used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic.
Tanjung Rhu
Tanjung Rhu lies on the
northern cape of Pulau Langkawi. Aptly named for its abundance of casuarinas,
its enchanting beach affords magnificent views of nearby islands which
can be reached at low tide on foot, an experience that is not to be missed. |
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A short journey by boat from
Tanjung Rhu brings you to the doorstep of Gua Cherita (Cave of Legends).
As its name implies, the cave is steeped in a fabled tale of mystery and
romance. On the walls of the cave can be seen ancient writing which has
yet to be deciphered.
Beaches Langkawi
Pantai Kok, Pantai Cenang,
Pantai Tengah, Datai and Burau Bay
Idyllic beaches such as
Pantai Kok, Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Datai and Burau Bay offer carefree
sun-filled days and quiet evening strolls. First-class accommodation in
modern hotels or captivating chalets is available. A wide range of exciting
water-sports provides fun and thrills for the energetic. Restaurant outlets
in the hotels and outdoors serve a variety of appetizing cuisine.
Tasik Dayang Bunting
Nestled amidst lush forested
hill on an island south of Pulau Langkawi is Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake
of the Pregnant Maiden), the largest lake in Langkawi. The outline of hills
and rocky outcrops on one side of the lake resembles the shape of a pregnant
maiden lying on her back. However, the name of both the island and lake
is attributed to the legend of a lovely fairy princess who married an earthly
prince. Her first child died shortly after birth. She was so sad and depressed
that she buried the child in the crystal clear waters of the lake. Before
she returned to her celestial abode, she blessed the waters so that any
childless maiden who bathed in the lake would conceive thereafter.
Legend of Tasik Dayang Bunting
- The favorite bathing pool of a celestial princess named Mambang Sari
was said to be Tasik Dayang Bunting (lake of the pregnant maiden). A prince,
Mat Teja, fell madly in love with her and tricked her into marrying him.
It did not take her long to reciprocate his love and so could not bear
to return to her celestial home. Sadly, their child died from a mysterious
illness at the age of seven days. Distraught, the grieving Mambang Sari
left the child's body in the lake and returned to her heavenly abode. Today,
some believe barren women who bathe in this lake will be endowed with a
child. Many have claimed to be successful.
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Bars & Nightspots
Langkawi
Charlie's Place - Kuah -
Charlie's Place Restaurant and Bar provides a casual but elegant venue
for meeting friends and enjoying great meals. Cuisine is a mix of Malaysian
and international favorites served dockside by our friendly team. It is
a favorite place for yachties and locals to meet and party.
Sea Shell cafe - Pantai
Kok - Recognised by Malaysian Tatler as one of the country's leading restaurants
and Hospitality Asia as 'Malaysia's Best Entertainment Outlet', guests
are guaranteed a fun night in a unique setting. When the setting is so
perfect it is hard to improve upon nature so the resort staff haven't even
tried. What it offers is the most ideal settings, great food, attentive
service, the coolest drinks and the most wonderful sunsets imaginable. |
Sampan Bar - Pantai Kok - This
innovative bar was constructed from an old local fishing boat that was
marooned on a nearby beach. Relocated to the resort it has been restored
to serve as a peaceful retreat for those looking for a quiet place to relax
with nothing but the soothing sounds of the forests and the beach.
Bayside Cellars - Pantai
Kok - Bayside Cellars; Langkawi's only walk-in wine cellar features over
120 different wine labels from the world's leading wine regions including
France, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California.
Coco Jam - Pantai Tengah
- Located within the grounds of Langkawi Village Resort, this is the place
to be if you want to dance the night away. It gets crowded, especially
on weekends. Watch for the theme parties organised occasionally. There
is live entertainment during peak season. The clientele includes locals
and tourists, both young and old. Only beverages are served, but if you
crave food, you can order it from the resort's restaurants.
Craft Cultural Complex
The Craft Cultural Complex
is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island in the vicinity
of Teluk Yu, about 30 minutes drive from the airport or 45 minutes from
Kuah town. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, this magnificent
complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as delicate hand
painted batik and intricately carved silverware. Opening hours: Daily,
9 am - 6 pm.
Faizy Crystal
Located at Craft Cultural
Complex Faizy Crystal offers an attractive and exquisite range of glass
products. Visitors will find a wide choice of skillfully crafted crystal
items to suit every occasion. There are also special collections for those
who demand exclusiveness.
At Faizy Crystaal you will
be mesmerized by the extraordinary glass blowing skills of craftsmen dedicated
to producing glassware of the highest standards and quality. Take the opportunity
to test your glass blowing skills here.
Opening hours: Daily, 9
am - 5 pm
Kampung Buku Malaysia
Kampung Buku Malaysia in
Langkawi is the first and only book village in South East Asia. It is part
of the International Book Villages and Book Towns Movement.
It is located just 20 minutes
from the Langkawi International Airport and 15 minutes from the Ferry Terminal.
Situated amidst a lush green forest at the foot of Gunung Raya, the highest
peak on the island, the book village provides book lovers a tranquil setting
to indulge in their hobby.
The various houses in the
village are stocked with a great variety of new books on numerous topics
and languages as well as second-hand, rare and antiquarian books.
A great way to see Pulau Langkawi\'s
many attractions is to rent a car and drive from place to place at one\'s
own leisure. Car hire is reasonably priced and the island is linked by
a network of pleasant roads with ample signages.
A great place to start your
sightseeing tour is to begin at Kuah town itself, where the tourist information
centre is based (next to the town\'s mosque). Grab all the brochures and
maps which you may need and you\'re ready to go.
Within the vicinity of the
jetty and the tourist information center is the harbourside\'s parklands
which houses the Dataran Lang and Lagenda Park - the former a landscaped
square with a concrete statue of the Langkawi eagle and the latter a 20-hectare
park commemorating the island\'s legends in sculptural form.
Heading west from Kuah town
will take you to the rural countryside surrounded by paddy fields. Let
the road signs lead you to Makam Mahsuri, the grave of the island\'s legendary
heroine. Being the island\'s most popular legend, this tomb/shrine is to
Langkawi what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.
Going back to the main road
will lead you to Pantai Cenang, the island\'s longest stretch of beach
with the most happening nightlife. This beach houses the highest concentration
of accommodation providers, ranging from budget chalets to five-star resorts,
and is therefore the liveliest spot.
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Laman Padi, a \"rice museum\"
is also located at Pantai Cenang for those interested in all aspects of
rice farming. The Underwater World, a colossal aquarium with a fascinating
collection of freshwater and marine life is further down the same road.
From Pantai Cenang, take
the route to the airport. A go-cart racing centre is situated along the
way for those who are game to participate. Past the airport is the small
town of Padang Matsirat where the very disappointing Beras Terbakar or
\"Field of Burnt Rice\" is located. Legend has it burnt rice still appear,
the remnants of an 18th-century crop which was put to torch by local villagers
to prevent invading Siamese troops from taking it. At the most, you will
see a pitiful bowl of burnt rice in a plastic casing flanked by a signage.
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From the Padang Matsirat junction,
follow the signage to Pantai Kok, a picturesque stretch of beach which
some say is the finest in Langkawi. You will come across a red Thai-style
structure along this road which was actually a Hollywood prop for the film
Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yuen Fatt. Built as the
Summer Palace for the Siamese monarch in the story, the structure has since
been \"recycled\" as a tourist attraction. The admission charge is a bit
steep but the place itself is well maintained and worth a visit. Cultural
performances also are carried out at regular intervals here.
Beyond Pantai Kok is Burau
Bay, the other contender for accolade of the island\'s most beautiful beach.
Burau Bay is actually a delightful cove flanked by the mysterious peaks
of Gunung Mat Cincang. Two resorts sit on both ends of this cove: the Burau
Bay Resort and the Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort, both built to blend with
the surrounding environment. |