“Our token of appreciation goes to AirAsia, Best Low-Cost Airline in the world, and I do agree to that! Go AirAsia!” – SarenRaj
The 3D2N(19th-21st August ‘09) vacation was booked in prior, somewhere like a month before. I’ll tell you the rate for per head at the end. You decide whether it was worth the bucks or not.
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 0715hours on the 19th morning. I still remember bargaining the rates with the taxi driver on the phone the night before. There are 5 of us, and all of the taxi drivers were reluctant to take more than 4, due to the possibilities of a road block. But surprisingly one guy said ok, and it obviously it came with its own price tag. I’d say it was ok since at that early hours in the morning, 9 out 10 taxi drivers are going to charge you RM50 from INTI College to LCCT. Plus, this guy agreed with 5 passengers with an extra RM20. He’s a reliable one. I asked him to come at 5.20am in the morning. Guess what…he even gave me a wake-up call at 4! And he arrived at our block at 5.10am. Not bad huh? Just in case it might come in handy, here's his number 012-9254674(Kumar).
We arrived at the airport, checked-in and had MaryBrown! There was nothing more to choose from, besides McD. Most of the time we end up at McD as if we’re just destined to be there! We wanted to try something different this time, other than egg and muffin.
Fifteen minutes before flying time, we made a move from MaryBrown. And I wouldn’t like to elaborate what happened between that time till we got ourselves buckled up for take off. My only quote for that moment is…“Don’t bother knocking on the aeroplane door once it’s closed.” I guess you got a picture what happen. And for your info, we didn’t miss the flight.
It was a short 50 minutes flight. If you’re flying in the morning, get a window seat on the left if you facing the cockpit. You’ll have a good view of the Pregnant Maiden Lake and the Langkawi Cable Car at the top of he hill, in good weather.
“ Love this pic!”
Photographer: Jaison.T.Thomas:)
The best way to get around is in a car, of your own. And don’t forget to grab a map for free at the car rental booths. Those maps are more than enough and better than the ones you buy at nearby petrol bunk. Taxi rates will kill you over there if you’re planning to catch one. Upon arrival at the luggage collection, there will be agents ready to give you a wide range of cars to select for rent. It’s pretty reasonable, somewhere between RM50-80 for a whole day. You can negotiate with them. But don’t expect the same rates if you’re going on school holidays. They tend to hike up the price due to the increasing demand during peak time. All you have to do is pay a small amount of deposit e.g. RM 40 and present you driving license. And make sure you keep the receipt they issue to you because with only that you can claim you deposit when you return the car. Attention to all Probation(P) License holders, if possible just buy a pair of P stickers from the place you coming from. If you don’t, try your best to look around for a mechanic hut or a small mini market. And most of them only open at 10am. The best is…just buy one before you come! Traffic police and JPJ officers will be having road blocks in places you wouldn’t imagine. You might even end up in trouble on the way to buy a sticker. So pray hard or be ready with RM50 [for you know what].
Our first destination was the Langkawi Cable Car. Some people say, the first place isn’t the best place most of the times. Probably they should have it for the day you go. More likely the first day is ain’t the best day most of the times. We didn’t have a clue they close every Wednesday till we got there. Disappointment was in the air for the first hours after landing. And that certainly didn’t keep up for the rest of the days.
To excite our taste buds with so called exotic taste of Langkawi, we decided to have some dairy stuff…from buffalo milk!
Buffalo Park
For those who have not drank buffalo milk before, don’t feel disgusted due to the animal itself. It taste not more different than cow’s milk. Just thicker
Buffalo cheese…yumm, yumm! It was not bad after all. With a few salad leaves, a pinch of salt, dashes of black pepper and slices of tomatoes
Seven Wells Waterfall
Close to the cable car location, there is another tourist spot that’s hard to miss! It’s called ‘Telaga Tujuh’ or Seven Wells Waterfall. I don’t really know the exact story behind it but the locals say there is a myth hidden in time. Due certain health shortcomings:) we were unable to complete the hike to the top of the hill. Beware..the path is pretty steep! Even the short hike brings us to a spectacular view of the falls.
This is definitely one view that you shouldn’t miss!
My daring dare devil buddies
At the foot of the falls
Are We Destined To...?
It just happens most of the time, ending up at a fast food outlet for lunch, dinner & probably even breakfast if we start the day early. Following the norm, we dragged our starving stomachs to KFC. To honest, that was only the proper and reasonable meal that we could find to fit into the tight budget. The only McD we found just in time for lunch was near Billion.
Jaison(right) paused & Basil(left)...still on the go! :)
Yatch Club next to the KFC
Hotel Helang
We got a pretty good deal out of the Go Holiday Package from AirAsia. I’m not exactly sure how many it is...but I can assure you its worth every penny you spend. Two deluxe rooms, 5 guys & 3D2Ns. Check it out!
Basil Markose giving you an insight tour of the hotel rooms! Ignore the occupants and the mess.
First, lets look at the bathroom shall we...
Hot bubbly bath
For some reason Vivek ended up the room with Josh and Basil
Again...don’t mind the mess. Look at the 2 huge double beds they have! We got 4 of them since we booked two rooms.
Hallway
Room entrance over looking the other room of ours
Boat Ride To The Lake Of Pregnant Maiden
Our tour was arranged overnight by the hotel management themselves upon request at a rate of RM50 per person, including to and fro jetty transfer. Probably you could get a better deal with the boat owners if you get to the jetty by yourself. We didn’t mind paying because it was a bit more systematic and a headache taken care of.
Josh(front) and Jaison(the other white shirt dude at the back)
Vivek(left) and Basil(right) all buckled up and ready to go!
Cave formation underneath an isalnd
Cluster of islands
The secret of this place is hidden within the forest:)
Fresh water lake within the island
The amazing fact here is that the lake formed is a fresh water lake although its surrounded by sea. The secret is the rock barrier at a corner of the lake which keeps the salt water out of the lake. Fascinating... isn’t it!
Catfish Spa
This is something that one shouldn’t miss to try. A piece of advice from me...just put your legs in. Check it out!
Vivek and I getting a dip in the fishy pool
Up close
From left: Vivek, Basil, Josh, Jaison and ME
Duty Free :)
I don’t really remember the prices...but a can of beer e.g. Carlsberg, Skol, Heineken or Tuborg are all less than RM1.80! Cheaper than a can of Coke in Langkawi. Absolute Vodka ranges somewhere between RM40-45 bucks. If I’ve not mistaken a small bottle of Corona is only RM4.30. The last time I checked in a normal shopping mall in KL...it was somewhere between RM11-12.
One of the duty free shops in Langkawi
Note: Photographs are strictly not allowed to be taken is most shops. Ask permission first or just be smart...:)
Most expensive bottle displayed in one of the shops. According to the shopkeeper... the bottle cap is made out of crystal!
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!
Cable Car
This is a well-known tourist attraction in Langkawi that no one should miss. You’ll have a spectacular view of the whole island. For your info, the one in Genting Highlands comes second to this.
View of the bottom
Jaison and Vivek overlooking the top
View of the top
On the deck
Jungle walk...
...at 652.5m above sea level
Jaison just can’t resist posing
On The Way To Tanjung Rhu
This place is famous for its sunset beach. About half an hour drive from Kuah town assuming you don’t get lost on the way. Be there by 5.30, latest 6pm if you’re planning to have some fun on the low-tide beach. You could probably cross over to a small island which is close to the beach by foot on a path that ‘magical’ appears due to the low tide. Keep in mind, water starts to rise by 7pm which is also the best time to get a view of the sunset. We left by 7.30pm because we weren’t pretty sure of the roads in the dark, plus that side don’t have properly lighted roads.
Drive through a conifer forest. It was only about 5.30pm and it’s in such condition. Imagine 8pm with lamp post a kilometer apart from one another.
Salt water swamps on the left, and right side of the road. Since the chances of leaving early more likely never happens, so just be sure of the roads.
Watch your steps! The bottom is full of every possible species of shellfish
Basil’s best shot
Mr. Sea Urchin
Miss Starfish
This is a famous shot which many come from distant places to enjoy live
Seafood Dinner
The trip to Langkawi wouldn’t be complete without a seafood feast. On the last night over there we decided to give it a shot. To be frank, although the place is surrounded by sea(an island); prices for seafood aren’t really cheap. A whole lobster would take you somewhere up to RM100 or more...cooked of course! Same goes for others like crayfish and prawns. Since we were on a moderate budget line, our menu consisted of fried soft shell crabs(recommend), grilled sting ray, deep fried squid and ‘kangkung belacan’- a local vegetable fried with shrimp paste. Spare RM20-25 bucks per person in your wallets...its sufficient to have a good meal.
Jaison and Josh digging into ‘kangkung belacan’
Vivek with his looks of uncertainty...Basil more than definite!
It was a good meal! Guess what we did next...we ‘tapau’-ed KFC ;)
Landmark Of Langkawi...The Eagle!!!
I spared this surprise for last for the guys. I guess they were quite amazed to see it. This is another thing that you shouldn’t miss if you come to Langkawi. From where do you think the name ‘Langkawi’ was derived from.
Statue of the eagle in background. Thanks to the Japanese dude for taking our picture
Last Video Before...Adios Langkawi!
Blogger Labels: Island,Go Holiday,AirAsia,Malaysia,Travel,Langkawi
