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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Top 10 things to do / places to see in Langkawi


I recently spent three days in Langkawi and here are the details. Langkawi comes from two Malay words, Lang and Kawi. “Lang” means Eagle and “Kawi” means the colour reddish brown. The island was once famous for the reddish brown eagles that hover around the island. Known for its sandy white beaches, Langkawi has numerous picturesque coastlines with crystal clear waters and gentle sea. Langkawi is blessed with sunshine all year round.

Visit Dates: 29th Dec to 31st December 2010
Companion: My Soulmate/Wife Bhagyasri
Recommended Visit/Season: Any time, the winter months (Nov-Jan) is better/cooler
Getting Around in Langkawi: Taxi is available but relatively expensive. Renting a car (80-120 Ringgit a day) or motorbike (25-40 Ringgits a day) is a popular choice. We rented a bike for around 50 Ringgits (possibly that much because it was Peak Season)
Recommended Stay: Minimum 3 days (Good Hotels cost you around 150-200Ringgit a day with Breakfast)

Top 10 Attractions in Langkawi:
1.       Beaches - Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Pantai KokThe one we went to was pantai cenang. Supposed to be one of the beautiful beaches in Langkawi, Pantai Cenang’s beach is itself a popular attraction due to its beautiful sandy shores which face the crystalline waters and expansive horizon. Pantai Cenang Shopping is also good. You can also do a lot of water sports here including Paragliding, Jet-Skiing, Banana Boat and a host of other such games. This was fun!!! Like all other places, don’t hesitate to negotiate on the prices. You can typically bring down the prices 30-40% easily.

2.       Island HoppingThe four-hour Langkawi Island Hopping Tour included visits to multiple islands, mangrove trees, Bat Caves, Eagle Feeding Tour, Pregnant Maiden (Mountains in the shape of a pregnant lady) and a Freshwater lake (just off the sea). The name of both the island and lake is attributed to the legend of a lovely fairy princess Mambang Sari who married an earthly prince Mat Teja. 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.

3.       Underwater World - Lots of marine and fresh-water fish species, water animals like penguin and seals are available to see here. Bhagya loved the Sting Ray (the one that killed  the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin). We went in assuming that there would be Dolphin Show and were disappointed when we found out that there wasn’t.

4.       Langkawi Bird Paradise – Lots of different species of birds from all around the world are found here. You can hold a few of the birds and of course the Python J and get snaps taken.

5.       Durian Perangin Water Fall – A small waterfall that you could probably skip and not miss much. There was a Tender Coconut Vendor at the foot of the falls with really huge coconuts.

6.       Air Hangat (Hot water Spring) - After a tiring day late in the evening we spent sometime in the Hot spring dipping our legs inside the small well where there was a continuous stream of hot water.  It is supposed to be a natural healer for many ailments.

7.       Langkawi Skybridge Tour in Langkawi Cable CarLangkawi Cable Car is supposed to be very nice (gave it a miss since we’d been to the Genting Cable Car and of course time-constraints) and gives you the complete view of the island. It takes visitors all the way up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak.

8.       Langkawi Crocodile Farm - Watch over 3,000 crocodiles of various species feeding and basking in the sun. We missed this too due to time constraints.

9.       Pulau Payar Marine Park Excursion – The Pulau Payar Marine Park is a series of four gem-green islets strung together to form a marine park. Comprising Pulau Payar, Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Segantang, it spans across two nautical miles and is known as Langkawi's premier snorkelling and scuba diving spot. The park is dominated by a curving of smooth virgin-white sand beach and its tropical undersea action is spectacularly exotic and colourful. Besides its below-the-waters offerings, visitors can relax on the glittery white beach or swim in the teal-blue waters.

10.   Langkawi Snake Sanctuary - a wide variety of snakes. L Missed this too. But then, after holding onto a Python in the Bird Park, this wasn’t that bad a miss, I guess. J
If you are planning your trip to Langkawi and want more details on any of these places, feel free to reach out to me by posting a comment below or in FB or on Twitter (@rhebbar).

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