LANGKAWI LINK V A C A T I O N G U I D E

September 2010 VOL.4 NO.2

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Driving Guide Boat tours eco tours waterfalls beaches eating districts best sunset walks tourist attractions a guide to kuah town Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

personality and budget. 5. Fitness Level Required. WELCOME TO We rate each activity according to a Make careful note of the last rating five-part ranking system on a 1 to 10 scale: regarding fitness. It is meant for those LANGKAWI 1. Educational or Culture Factor, for all who cannot perform too much strenuous The main goal of Langkawi Link is you culture buffs and knowledge seekers. activity, but it is also for you to plan your to help you maximise your vacation 2. Fun Factor, for those who either crave activities for each day. The Langkawi sun experience. What you’ll get within these or want to avoid high-octane excitement. is hot and the humidity at sauna levels pages are straightforward guides to 3. Romance Factor, for lovers. during certain times of year. If you jam- help you choose the activities that are 4. Older Kid Interest, for those travelling pack your entire day with outdoor activities most appropriate for your travel style, with children. listed at fitness level 6 and above, you risk getting heat-exhaustion and dehydration. That means you’ll be sleeping in your hotel room by sundown instead of dining on luscious seafood and going barhopping afterwards. The best way to vacation in Langkawi is schedule the strenuous activities followed by the relaxing ones, like having a nap by the pool or getting a massage. If all you do is frenzied activity, you are missing the whole point of being in Langkawi. We sincerely hope that this guide will help you experience a great vacation. Patrick Low Editor

A NOTE ABOUT PRICES AND ADDRESSES IN THIS GUIDE

Except for the tourist attractions, we have few prices listed here due to the fact that they fluctuate so much between high and low seasons. It is also complicated by the fact that local Malaysians get a discount on most entrance fees.

There are also very few addresses listed because they will not help you find these places. Roads are not marked at every intersection and shoplot numbers are often impossible to find. All local residents get by on landmarks, so that’s what we’ve provided as much as possible. It is always best to call ahead and ask the businesses for directions if you’re driving. See our Directory on pg 21 for phone numbers. HEMINGWAY SDN. BHD. T-SHIRT PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN We Print Photographs, Logo and Text On T-Shirts and Polo Shirts Any Design and Backgrounds Possible MINIMUM ORDER: 1 PIECE ONLY

Jalan Pantai Chenang, Landcons Square Shopping Lot 3/4, Langkawi Kedah www.hemingway-advertising .com www.hemingway-printshop .com HP: 017 571 2149 Email: [email protected] 2 HIGH QUALITY SHIRTS AND DTG PRINTS Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

Connecting You To The Good Life LANGKAWI LINK vacation guide Contents: AINI JANTAN Publisher & Art Director

5 Driving Tour Highlights PATRICK LOW Editor & Sales

9 Tourist Attractions Jasni Talib Administrative Assistant Cover Photo: the Float at the 11 Adventure Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa Langkawi Link is published by Blue Crystal Productions. 12 Oriental Village Current circulation: 10,000 copies Eco Tour No text or graphics from this guide may be re-printed 15 Selamat without permission from Blue Crystal Productions. 14 Boat Tours For advertising information, please call Patrick at Hari Raya 017 456 2669. For general enquiries, please call 04 966 0067 or drop by our office between 10am to 16 Best Sunset Walks 6pm at 40 Persiaran Bunga Raya in Langkawi Mall, Aidilfitri across from the Hindu temple. 18 Dining We are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Printed by Mr Print Sdn. Bhd. 20 Beaches & Waterfalls Lot 21 Jalan 4/32A Mukim Batu, Jalan Kepong 52100 Kuala Lumpur

Brought to you by 21 Directory If you have any comments, compliments,complaints or ideas for improvement, please write us at blue 22 How To Have Fun In Kuah [email protected] PRODUCTIONS

3 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link L a n g k a w i : More Than Just a Beach Island Resort A Message from the Langkawi Development Authority

On June 1st 2007, Langkawi was given World Geopark status by UNESCO, making it the first internationally-recognised geopark in Southeast Asia.

Being awarded World Geopark status was truly a landmark event, not just for Langkawi

but for the whole of . But to appreciate the significance of this award,

we need to look back 10 years ago when UNESCO first came up with the

concept of a Geopark. It was a hugely ambitious project that sought to

persuade communities worldwide to combine the science of geology with

environmental protection, eco-tourism and development of local economy.

Any country with geologically significant rock formations can designate

itself a geopark. But to gain official UNESCO Geopark status, it must meet certain criteria.

The land must be geologically interesting enough to attract both scientists and tourists.

.FHBU4IBISVM"[NBO#JO"CBT The local government must have measures in place to protect the environment 5PVSJTN.BOBHFS -BOHLBXJ%FWFMPQNFOU"VUIPSJUZ and the local culture from the effects of mass tourism. Development plans for tourism must not only be eco-friendly but also benefit and involve local businesses.

By meeting such stringent criteria, we are understandably very

proud to be on the list of UNESCO Geoparks.

Langkawi Geopark is an all-encompassing concept. It includes the 99 islands

of the archipelago plus the surrounding ocean and also the villages and fields.

There are few other tourist destinations where you can experience such

an amazing combination of education, adventure, traditional culture,

relaxation and sheer natural beauty.

Besides enjoying our lovely beaches, we heartily encourage all visitors to

explore the wonders of our rainforests and limestone formations.

But Nature is very sensitive to the effects of mass tourism and we

need your help to preserve Langkawi’s natural heritage for the

island’s inhabitants and future tourists.

Please keep the island clean by keeping your trash in a bag until you find a

proper garbage bin. Do not feed any wild animals or participate in

wildlife-feeding activities by irresponsible guides.

Use only the services of properly licensed and

environmentally-concerned tour operators.

If you visit our caves and other geological sites, please do not

take away any fossils, crystals or stalactites as souvenirs.

With that in mind, we here at LADA wish you all an unforgettable vacation.

4 www.lada.gov.my/tourism Langkawi Link Langkawi Link DRIVING TOURS

A DRIVING GUIDE TO LANGKAWI: Renting a car or scooter is simply the best way to get an all-round perspective of the island. Car or scooter rentals are cheap, and a self-drive tour of the island gives you a glimpse of authentic village life, the magnificent sight of mountains and padi fields, plus the commercial tourist attractions. Also fuel prices are low in Langkawi and the main roads are in great shape. For backpackers and budget travellers, renting a car or scooter is the most cost-effective way to maximize your vacation experience. You may come across car rentals as low as RM 60 per day but these are unlicensed rentals and there is no insurance or refund if the car gets confiscated at a police checkpoint. Legitimate car rental companies generally rent for no less than RM 90. Make sure there’s a licence sticker on your rental. Still A Best-Kept Secret After 20 Years Langkawi roads are usually not marked at an intersection. When there is a marker, it is at ground level. Even the residents here Beach Garden don’t go by street names; everyone uses lamarks to find places. The directions here reflect this. Bistro & SAFETY TIPS: Do not explore the side roads of Langkawi in a car, if possible. Beergarden The roads are far too narrow. Always be on the lookout for ani- mals crossing the roads. Avoid driving at night. If you come from a country that drives on the right, tape a big left-pointing arrow on top of the dashboard so you’ll always know which side of the road to drive (use masking tape or paper strips). Please do not Swiss Chef J.J. Graf and our staff serves European and rent a bike or scooter if you have no experience riding them. Bike riders should always stay as far left of the road as possible and Mediterranean delights with a touch of Asia in our always give way to cars. scenic restaurant on the beach. The following are some interesting out-of-the-way places to visit while driving around Langkawi: Come enjoy antipasti, salads, Australian steaks, JALAN AIR HANGAT Asian delights, seafood specialties, pastas, Wanararm Buddhist Temple and tantalizing . Starting from Kuah town, drive past the town limits and you’ll soon see the massive school grounds of the Mara Science College We also offer daily specials for lunch and dinner, as on your left. Look for the entrance to the science college but sig- well as a children menu. nal for a RIGHT turn. Directly across from the school gates, there is a side road marked by a picture of a monk. Take the side road Good fine wine selection and a wide choice to the temple. Also worth checking out is the organic dragonfruit farm near the temple. If they just had a harvest and there’s drag- of cocktails at moderate prices. onfruit for sale, buy some. Draft beers and imported German beers.

Look for this sign for the side road to The entrance to unnamed park near Wat Tham Kisap temple. Kompleks Kraf. See below. Temples Under the Stalactites Just 500 metres north from Wat Wanararm is another side road on the right marked by a huge yellow sign above the road. The road leads to a T-junction that is guarded by a large green Hindu statue. From that junction, the road to your left leads to the Wat Tham Kisap Buddhist temple while going right takes you to a newly-constructed Hindu temple. The Hindu and Bud- dhist temples are up against strikingly gorgeous limestone cliffs with overhanging stalactites. JALAN TELUK YU Look for a low yellow and red stone fence near Kompleks Happy Hours: 3pm - 6pm Kraf. The entrance, flanked by two concrete structures (see photo Everyday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner abve), leads to a tiny park. There is a great view of the boulders in the sea from a lookout point near the parking lot. If you walk to the other end of the park, you’ll find stairs leading down to the Pantai Cenang (next to Casa del Mar) on the beach beach. On a sunny day at medium tide, the beach here is quite Tel: 6 04 955 1363 beautiful (if they’ve picked up the trash). There is another entrance point to this stretch of beach directly Fax: 6 04 955 1221 across from the entrance to Kompleks Kraf. Park your vehicle at Email: [email protected] the unpaved parking lot and take the stone stairway down. This www.beachgardenresort.com is a lovely, secluded picnic spot that few people know about because there are no signs indicating a park. This beach is part of Teluk Yu (Shark Bay) beach. Most tourists 5 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link DRIVING TOURS DRIVING

W A T E R F R O N T R E S T A U R A N T ROYAL LANGKAWI YACHT CLUB 6 For Reservation Please Call 04-966 4078 www.langkawiyachtclub.com DRIVING TOURS 7

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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Galeria Perdana This beautiful museum houses political gifts given to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad plus some of his personal treasures. There is an enormous variety of items here from all over the world. The museum pieces range from cheesy We offer a kitsch to very elegant antiques. Besides the usual crafts, there are also automobiles, vintage weapons, musical instruments and wide array of antique books on display. The architecture of the building is stun- classic ning, especially the intricate ceilings. The collection might be a bit too eccentric for some but culture Japanese buffs and lovers of fine architecture will really enjoy this place. food, all There is an addition charge of RM 2 to bring in a camera and RM 5 for a video recorder. prepared with Adults: RM 10 Children: RM 4 love and Tel: 04 959 1498 Educational or Culture Factor: 10 careful Fun Factor: 2 Romance Factor: 7 attention to Older Kid Interest: 4 detail. Set Fitness Level Required: 3 meals and Underwater World Not as spectacular as some mega-budget super aquariums Teppanyaki around the world but it’s still great fun and well worth the admis- available sion fee. Some highlights: the split-level penguin exhibit with underwater view and the tunnel tank housing the giant groupers, rays and sharks. Also don’t miss the mesmerizing jellyfish and sea dragon exhibits. At 2.45 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is a heart-stopping traditional Malay snake-handling per- formance. Try to time your visits with the following feeding times, which are always lots of fun to watch: Freshwater Fishes 10.30am, African Perdana Quay, Telaga Harbour Penguins 11am & 3pm, Rockhopper Penguins 11.15am & 3.15pm, Tel/Fax : 604 959 2332 Email:[email protected] Otters 11.15am & 3.30pm, Sharks 3pm. Adults: RM 38 Children: RM 28 Chef Goh 012 476 3268 Tel: 04 955 6100 Educational or Culture Factor: 10 There are cultural performances on Fridays and Saturdays at Fun Factor: 8 3pm. Try to time your visit with these performances (call to con- Romance Factor: 7 firm). Recommended for those who like history and culture. Older Kid Interest: 10 Fitness Level Required: 3 Adults: RM 10 Children: RM 5 Tel: 04 955 6055 Langkawi Cable Car Educational or Culture Factor: 10 This is a cable car ride that few places in the world can rival. The Fun Factor: 3 incredible views of the mountain range are beyond description. Of Romance Factor: 5 all Langkawi’s tourist attractions and activities, this is the one you Older Kid Interest: 4 MUST experience before you leave—no if, ands or buts. Save it for Fitness Level Required: 2 a sunny day with few clouds. The Sky Bridge at the upper platform offers even more amazing Wildlife Park views. For safety reasons, this bridge is often shut down for main- Children and the young at heart will especially love this at- tenance, and security officers will chase everyone off if a big cloud traction, which is also called the Bird Park (Taman Burung). They comes in. If it’s open and you’re fit enough to climb the long flight can feed the virtually all the birds and animals, pet a snake and of stairs back up, don’t miss this! At press time, we were told the make friends with an assortment of large parrots. They will also cable car will reopen 6 Sep after a long renovation. Call to confirm. love the donkey rides and the rabbit pen. But it’s not all just for Adults: RM 30 Children: RM 20 kids. Couples will enjoy aviary, especially the serene and ro- Tel: 04 959 4225 mantic landscaped pond where all sorts of exotic waterfowl are Educational or Culture Factor: 3 roaming free. Look for the huge pelican up in the trees. Fun Factor: 10 Resist the urge to go through this wildlife centre at top speed. Romance Factor: 6 (8 at sunset) You’ll be missing out on a lot, especially at the aviary, where lots of Older Kid Interest: 10 amazing birds and butterflies are hiding out in the trees or bushes. Fitness Level Required: 4 (8 for Sky Bridge) Adults: RM 22 Children: RM 15 Tel: 04 966 5855 Kota Mahsuri Educational or Culture Factor: 10 A cultural centre and mausoleum honouring the memory of Fun Factor: 9 Mahsuri, a folk heroine who, 200 years ago, withstood brutal tor- Romance Factor: 7 ture after being falsely accused of adultery. Besides her bravery in Older Kid Interest: 10 the face of torture, Mahsuri is famous for the curse she laid on the Fitness Level Required: 3 family that killed her. Most Langkawi legends in the tourist brochures are half-baked Langkawi Craft Complex (Kompleks Kraf) PR gimmicks, but the Mahsuri legend has actual historical roots. We recommend that you book ahead for a one or two-hour Virtually all the locals regard it as true. Whether or not you believe guided tour of this interactive museum for Malay arts and the supernatural elements of the story, the islanders will tell you crafts. With the guided tour, you also get to participate in wood, that Lankgawi suffered incredibly bad luck for exactly the number ceramic, batik and traditional kite painting, and you get to keep of years Mahsuri stated in her curse. This very moving story is laid everything you’ve done at no charge (drop-in visitors have to out in the mini-museum at Makam Mahsuri. pay RM 15 just to do a batik painting). 9 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

Because they usually deal with big tour you still want to go, look for a big park- and the interesting wall murals. Admission groups, you might face some government ing lot across the public school in Padang is free and there are some shops selling bureaucracy when booking a guided tour. Matsirat. Squeeze through the narrow alley very cheap clothes and souvenirs. It’s better to get your concierge to make at the corner and you’ll come to the house. arrangements. They need one or two days’ You may have to ask for directions to the Laman Padi Rice Museum notice to arrange these interactive tours alley. and there is a two-person minimum. Educational or Culture Factor: 4 If you go without a pre-booked tour, Fun Factor: 0 don’t miss the mini-museums in the inte- Romance Factor: 0 rior and the workshops way at the back. Older Kid Interest: 0 The free glass-blowing demonstrations at Fitness Level Required: 1 the Faizy Crystal workshop is a great treat for both adults and children. You can try Laman Padi (Rice Museum) glassblowing yourself if you are on the Laman Padi gets frequently ridiculed in guided tour. The ratings below are for the travel forums for being boring but all you guided tour. need is a guided tour and things get more TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TOURIST Admission is free. interesting. A guide is usually on standby Mardi Agro Park Tel: 04 959 1913 but you have to ask for one. There is a lot Mardi Agro Park is a government fruit Educational or Culture Factor: 10 to interest culture buffs and nature lovers farm and research centre that’s open to Fun Factor: 7 too. tourists. For a small admission fee, you Romance Factor: 5 Admission is currently free, even at the get a 15 minute guided tour around the Older Kid Interest: 9 museum. There’s a RM 2 charge whenever orchards. They sell nice platters of exotic Fitness Level Required: 3 they have a rice planting demo (if you fruits at the cafe. There is also a forest path don’t mind being knee deep in muddy Snake Sanctuary here if you want to go jungle trekking. water, definitely give it a try). There’s a nice Closed Fridays. The big attraction here is the snake spa at the back with a great view of the rice Adults: RM 15 charming shows held at 11.30am and 3pm fields. Children: RM 8 daily. Unfortunately, there is no guide to Educational or Culture Factor: 10 Tel: 04 953 2550/2551 explain the interesting snake exhibits on Fun Factor: 3 Educational or Culture Factor: 10 the premises, so it’s not worth it if you miss Romance Factor: 8 Fun Factor: 2 the show. This place needs guides and a Older Kid Interest: 6 Romance Factor: 2 makeover badly. Fitness Level Required: 1 Older Kid Interest: 6 Adults: RM 15 Children: RM 6 The Ancient Tomb (Makam Purba) Fitness Level Required: 2 Tel: 04 955 7288 There are two tiny ancient tombstones Crocodile Farm Educational or Culture Factor: 3 next to the big mosque in Ulu Melaka so Like the Snake Sanctuary, it’s not worth Fun Factor: 1 (7 with the snake show) old that no one knows who is buried there. going unless you time your visit with their Romance Factor: 2 Frankly, this site should be designated shows. There is croc feeding at 11.15am Older Kid Interest: 4 (8 with the snake for historical research and not marked on and croc wrestling at 2.45pm, and both show) maps as a tourist attraction. There is noth- shows are pretty amazing sights. The ani- Fitness Level Required: 2 ing for tourists to see here anyway, just two mals here are bred for their pelts and the tiny gravestones between village houses. meat is sold to the exotic meats industry. The Field of Burnt Rice Out of respect for these two mysterious It’s not actually a charred field but a early visitors to Langkawi, we recommend Adults: RM 15 nice traditional house built on a historical that you skip this unless you are research- Children: RM 10 site where the villagers burned their entire ing SE Asian archeology. Tel: 04 959 2559 rice harvest in 1821 trying to starve out Educational or Culture Factor: 8 invading Siamese soldiers (Mahsuri’s Curse Air Hangat Village Hot Springs Fun Factor: 8 (with show) was in effect and it didn’t work). Not recommended at the moment be- Romance Factor: 0 This is a very low-key tourist attrac- cause it is under construction. It is open if Older Kid Interest: 10 (with show) tion and it won’t be tragic if you miss it. If you still want to check out the cultural stuff Fitness Level Required: 2

Contact your Hotel or Agent

Fully licensed and insured

Hotline : 012 - 588 3274 www.tropicalcharters.com.my 10 Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd (855337-U) Langkawi Link Langkawi Link ADVENTURE

Jet Ski Island Hopping Company: Mega Water Sports Three Island Tour - 4 Hours Tel: Said Mokti 012 200 2155 Pregnant Maiden Island Tour - 4 Hours This high-adrenalin tour of the south- ern islands on a 4-stroke 1500cc jet ski is Lunch At Fishing Village Tour - 4 Hours one of the most inspired tours available in Scuba Diving at Pulau Payar Langkawi. Company: East Marine Holidays Private Tours On Request While regular island-hopping tours are Tel: 04 966 3966 limited to places accessible by boat, jet skis Whether you’re a certified diver or have no propellers so the guides on this a complete beginner diving for the tour can show you cliffs, caves or man- first time, East Marine are the people grove forests up close. They can also take to call. There’s no one else on the you snorkelling at clear beaches known island that can provide you with the only to the locals. In fact, none of the equipment, knowledge, training and places along their routes are the regular safety for diving around Langkawi. tourist areas, which means you’ll be expe- East Marine is one of the biggest riencing parts of the southern islands that dive operators in northern Malaysia, few tourists get to see. and over the years they’ve earned a The vessels used are Canadian-made solid reputation for excellent diving Reservations Sea-Doos, which are top of the line jet instruction and services. They even Said 012 200 2155 skis. They are much more environmentally- have their own fleet of specially- Hussein 012 389 0801 friendly than the 2-stroke jet skis. You don’t designed dive boats. They provide Qaty 019 316 1933 need a licence to ride a Sea-Doo (Austral- international open-water scuba diving Yaacob 019 334 4282 ians please take note) and children can ride certifications for SSI, PADI, BSAC and Huffy 019 316 4946 comfortably with an adult. NAUI, from basic open-water lessons Advance Booking: www.megawatersport.com The tour is fully licensed, insured and up to Instructor status. RM100 to confirm reservation. run with proper safety procedures. Snorkel- For beginners, their Open-Water ling equipment will be provided. They have Certification course takes four days Lot 31 Kompleks Pekan Rabu, Kuah Langkawi set tour packages but the company will to complete. If you don’t have four Tel: 04-966 6902 Fax: 04-966 6907 do customised tours on request. Advance days, you can just sign up for the Hp: 012 200 2155 bookings can be made online at www. Introductory Dive Programme. At the megawatersports.com. sparkling waters of Pulau Payar Marine the introductory course; you can only Park, you’ll be taken underwater for spend the rest of the day snorkelling. about half an hour with full scuba If you can spare four days, their equipment, accompanied at all times certification course will open up by an experienced dive master. But a whole new world of underwater you can’t scuba-dive on your own after adventure for you.

Quad Bike & Elephant Jungle Rides Location: Oriental Village Tel: 04 959 4959 or 012 512 9200 Oriental Village backs up against the forested foothills of Gunung Mat Cincang and you can explore this great jungle on quad bike or on elephant back. There is a short elephant ride around the garden or a 15-minute quad ride (RM 80) for the timid, but adventure seekers can go for the 20-minute elephant jungle ride or book the more challenging quad trails. The 5km quad bike trail is for beginning to intermediate riders and takes about a half hour to complete. The 10km Geopark Trail is more difficult and takes around an A NOTE TO ADVENTURE TRAVELLERS: hour to complete. This staircase in Lubuk Semilang Park pictured above goes almost to the top of Most challenging of all is the Mat Cin- Gunung Raya, our tallest mountain. It’s a great adventure tour you can do on your cang Trail, which takes 30-40 mins but is so own, but it is 4,287 steps to the top! It’s totally worth it if you are fit enough. Walk into risky that you have to prove your com- the park and follow the trail next to the stream until you come to the stairway marked petence during the Geopark Trail before by a red sign next to a blue sign. If you feel more secure accompanied by a nature you can sign up for it. All quad rides are guide, call Junglewalla or Dev’s Adventure Tours (see Eco Tours, pg 15). limited to those 16 and above. Please call for current prices. 11 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link ORIENTAL VILLAGE ORIENTAL

12 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link ORIENTAL VILLAGE

13 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

A GUIDE TO BOAT TOURS Fitness Level Required: 6 Island Hopping Yacht Cruises Island Hopping boat tours are cheap Yacht Cruises are available on a sharing boat tours that you can take of the scenic basis for around RM 270-400 per person. southern islands. For only around RM 35 to The Sunset Cruises are the most popular RM 50 per person (depending on season), and typically involve cruising to a secluded the standard tour usually includes the fol- beach for a swim, a barbecue buffet dinner

BOAT TOURS BOAT lowing: eagle feeding at Pulau Singa Basah, and then a slow sail back during the sunset get dropped off for a swim at Pulau Beras hours. Basah and then to Pulau Dayang Bunting The more expensive packages include for swimming or paddleboating at the free flow of quality wines and spirits and a freshwater lake. The whole excursion takes much longer tour of the southern islands. Romance Factor: 3 about 3½ hrs. Sunset cruises can be anything from 3 to Older Kid Interest: 9 Pulau Beras Basah has some of the 6 hrs long depending on the company. Fitness Level Required: 5 clearest waters around southern Langkawi. The morning cruises are usually cheaper, Although not a top diving spot, you can but couples should definitely pay extra Pulau Payar Excursion still have fun snorkelling here and see to experience those fabulously romantic Pulau Payar is a tiny coral island 30km shoals of small fish. Langkawi sunsets on a yacht. south of Langkawi and not a part of the Pulau Dayang Bunting has the famous Day-long or overnight private yacht Langkawi archipelago. However, it is one of Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, which is a cruises can be booked from just under the most popular day trips available from very unusual geological feature of Lang- RM 3,000 for a standard yacht to a king’s Langkawi. The super-clear waters, marine kawi. It is a deep freshwater lake separated ransom for big luxury yachts. For honey- life and coral reefs make for great scuba from the seawater by a very narrow wall of mooning couples, it doesn’t get any more diving and snorkelling. Prices have been rock. There are solar-powered paddleboats romantic than a half-day private sunset known to fluctuate wildly between sea- you can rent to explore the beautiful lake cruise, which can be had for around RM sons, from RM 100-200 per person just for without exhausting yourself. The swimming 2,500 or less if you shop around. transport. Expect to pay extra for diving or area is extremely deep and is for experi- Educational or Culture Factor: 2 snorkelling packages. Going to Pulau Payar enced swimmers only. Fun Factor: 8 is an all-day affair so you need to schedule Eat a hearty meal before you go. There’s Romance Factor: 10 an entire day for this. no food available at these islands. Bringing Older Kid Interest: 5 Currently, 3 of the most popular diving sites are closed until around November to your own food is not a good idea because Fitness Level Required: 2 of the monkey problem. allow the ecosystem to recover from mass Kilim Geopark Tour tourism. In the meantime, there are other Educational or Culture Factor: 3 dive sites being used by the tour compa- Fun Factor: 8 The Kilim Geopark Reserve in the north- east of Langkawi is one of the most unique nies, while East Marine Holidays is using Romance Factor: 5 the neighbouring Pulau Lembu Island, Older Kid Interest: 9 natural regions in the world. The cheapest way to see it if you have a group of people which is just as good for diving but without together is to hire a boatman for about the crowds. 3 hours. Prices for 3 hours if arranged Educational or Culture Factor: 2 through tour agents are generally between Fun Factor: 9 RM 160 to RM 180 per boat, but at these Romance Factor: 3 prices the tour is probably uninsured and Older Kid Interest: 10 unlicensed (the official boat rental price Fitness Level Required: 6 at Kilim Jetty for a licensed tour without Fishing Trips guide is around RM 100 per hour per boat). Three Island Tour - 4 Hours The mangrove tour includes a visit to Boat operators can take you to the best spots around Langkawi for fishing. A Pregnant Maiden Island Tour - 4 Hours the Fish Farm, an incredible eagle-feeding frenzy, a cruise around the limestone is- speedboat can be hired for a 4 to 5 hour Lunch At Fishing Village Tour - 4 Hours lands of the northeast and then a visit to a fishing trip for around RM 350-450. Check bat cave. The fish farm is truly fun, espe- with the tour agents at Jetty Point or at Private Tours On Request cially the stingray feeding and archer fish your hotel. demonstrations. The eagle feeding may be an awesome sight but the birds are fed chicken skin, which is extremely unhealthy for them. We encourage you to avoid this terrible practice if possible. Kilim boat tours that include a guide and pickup from your hotel go for around RM 120-160 per person. But if you are a die-hard nature lover, we recommend taking a tour with the companies listed in our Eco-Tours section. For RM 180-200 per person, you will learn everything about the Reservations unique ecology of Kilim with expert nature guides specially trained to spot wildlife. Said 012 200 2155 Jet Ski Island Hopping Hussein 012 389 0801 There are many beautiful limestone Qaty 019 316 1933 caves at Kilim. The Kilim boat tours can be Company: Mega Water Sports Yaacob 019 334 4282 customised for cave tours or a special trip Tel: Said Mokti 012 200 2155 Huffy 019 316 4946 to Pulau Dangli, which has waters clear Email: [email protected] enough for snorkelling. Negotiate with the Advance Booking: If island-hopping with a boatload of www.megawatersport.com boat operators at Tanjung Rhu beach for camera-toting tourists is not your RM100 to confirm reservation . these special tours. cup of tea, how about cruising the Lot 31 Kompleks Pekan Rabu, Kuah Langkawi Educational or Culture Factor: 10 (with southern islands on a powerful Tel: 04-966 6902 Fax: 04-966 6907 a guide) 4-stroke jet ski? With this Jet Ski Island 14 Hp: 012 200 2155 Fun Factor: 9 Hopping Tour, you’ll get to see a side Langkawi Link Langkawi Link ECO TOURS

of Langkawi that few tourists get to ECO TOURS see and go snorkelling on secluded +6/(-&8"--"50634 beaches. For more information, see the Junglewalla and Dev’s Adventure Tours review of this tour in our Adventure are like the Rolls Royce of nature tour com- Section on pg 11. panies in Langkawi and they are staffed by actual nature guides, rather than all-round tour guides who also do nature tours. What you get with these two companies are thoroughly knowledgeable guides trained to spot wildlife and give you a Junglewalla Tours scholarly lowdown on forest ecology and Tel: 019 225 2300 geological formations in the area. All their Email: [email protected] tours are conducted with absolute respect JungleWalla is headed by Irshad for the natural environment. They will not Mobarak, who many consider the engage in any gimmicky animal feeding godfather of nature guides in Langkawi activities and will probably leave you with because he mentored all the top guides lots of tips on how to take care of your operating today. He is also the leader of planet. East Marine Pulau Payar Tours the conservation movement that fights Their prices are a bit higher than regular against environmentally-destructive Tel: 04 966 3966 nature tours but you will get more value activities on the island. Email: [email protected] for money. And you are helping to con- Junglewalla’s passionate team of For those especially interested in serve Langkawi’s natural habitats by sup- guides developed the benchmark when it diving or snorkelling at Pulau Payar, porting such tour companies. If you love comes to interpreting nature in an easy, East Marine would be your best nature, we can’t recommend them enough. informative and fun way. All their tours bet whether you’re expert or rank are conducted in an eco-sensitive manner beginner. They are Langkawi’s only with minimum negative impact to the diving specialists and will take you to environment. For their mangrove tours, the best spots around the island for Junglewalla is the only nature company underwater exploration. See article on operating a quiet solar-powered boat that East Marine in our Adventure Section. does not scare away the wildlife, pollute Their 3 hour sunset cruises tour the the waterways or erode the mangroves. very scenic islands in front of Awana You can also go on a kayaking tour Porto Malai. of the mangroves, which they conduct Dev’s Adventure Tours at Kubang Badak in the north, where Tel: 019 494 9193 the mangroves are healthier and the Email: [email protected] environment more serene compared to Dev’s Adventure Tours is a team of the mangrove forest at the busy Kilim top-notch nature guides handpicked and Jetty. The tour ends with a picnic lunch at a rigourously trained by Dev (pronounced secluded jungle stream, a perfect ending to “Dave”). Living in Langkawi for more than this unique tour. 20 years, Dev is a passionate and articulate Bird watchers should note that environmentalist who has gained legen- Junglewalla is a leader in bird-watching dary status on the island. But if The Man tours in Malaysia. This is their specialty, himself is not available for a tour, you’ll see and their vast experience in this field will the same love and fire in the eyes of all ensure a successful birdwatching outing each time. Blue Water Star Sailing their guides. Rest assured you’ll still be in very good hands. They also offer morning nature walks, Tel: Gerd 013 407 3166 Their signature tour is a five-hour kayak- evening/night nature walks, Kilim Geopark Email : info@bluewaterstarsail- ing expedition through the Kilim man- cruises, escorted nature and wildlife ing.com groves. It’s not as physically demanding as photography tours, jungle trekking, island Their sunset cruises may cost a it sounds and is one of the most amazing hopping, bicycling nature tours, student little more but they’re almost twice as nature tours you’ll ever experience. The and corporate team-building programmes. long and you get an extended tour of kayak allows you to go right into the man- These tours are suitable for adventure the southern islands. They also serve grove forest, where you’ll learn that these tourists at well as families with children. higher quality meals, wines and spirits plants are much, much more than just trees than most on the standard sunset with funny roots. cruise, so you’re getting real value for Less well known but equally satisfying money. is their 3 hour Evening Jungle Trek through BWSS’s extra touch of luxury works the magical Mat Chinchang jungle behind best on their private cruises. If you’re Berjaya resort. The rainforest is a different on a honeymoon or planning a surprise world at nightfall and you’ll be astounded proposal, they will do anything they at the wildlife that emerges after dark. Your can to accommodate special requests. chances of seeing those fabulous flying le- Owner Eva Zimmermann also has a murs and squirrels are almost guaranteed. dozen neat tricks up her sleeve for DA Tours also offers the usual range of SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: private romantic and family cruises so nature tours: jungle treks, morning and Please Do Not Feed The Monkeys be sure to ask her for suggestions. evening walks, nature cycling tours, bird- Their flagship yacht is a vintage, watching tours and a regular boat tour of While you are in Langkawi, please solid teak boat called Damai Indah. It Kilim Geopark. do not feed the wildlife, especially the belongs to a class of Indonesian cargo monkeys. It is bad for their health and over boat known locally as perahu lambo time they will lose their ability to forage for and is distinctly different from the food in the wild. It is dangerous for you modern yachts used for cruises. For as well. Wild macaque monkeys can get one thing it is steered not by wheel but very aggressive with humans, especially by a five-foot wooden tiller! You can humans carrying lots of food. ask the captain to let you steer for a We also recommend that you do not bit, too. participate in tours that conduct eagle feeding shows. 15 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

THE BEST SUNSET WALKS Holiday Villa to the T-junction is lined with IN LANGKAWI shady casuarinas and makes for a nice Langkawi has beautiful sunsets all year walk. If you turn left at the T-junction, you round. The sun sets around 7.30 pm, so will reach the public entrance to the beach. the best time to start your stroll would be Stroll along the beach and get back to around 6.45 or 7 pm. Bring a flashlight in your car by cutting through either Frangi- case you have to make your way back in pani or Holiday Villa resort. Pantai Tengah the dark. Note: the walks listed below are is one of our most scenic beaches. just very pleasant strolls to take during the sunset hours. You will not be able to Lebuk Semilang glimpse the setting sun for a few of them. This is a beautiful park with a nice cascading stream running through it. Lo- Telaga Harbour Boardwalk & Pantai cated at Jalan Padang Gaong, this is a very Kok popular picnic park for the locals so it gets A great view of the marina and the crowded during school holidays or long sunset. Park at the petrol station or immi- weekends. There is a nice walking trail if gration office and follow the stone path all you keep following the stream. THE BEST SUNSET WALK SUNSET BEST THE There is an alternate trail going through Farmer’s Choice the way around to Tapaz restaurant. If you want to continue, go straight past Tapaz the long-abandoned Book Village. Just and follow the road until you reach the look for the cement walkway going lighthouse. Or you could start at the light- through the empty houses across from house and walk along Pantai Kok beach, the parking lot. This path goes through which is fairly deserted and gorgeous at beautiful rainforest trees and you might sundown, especially by the big boulders see great hornbills and the shy dusky-leaf at the west side. Unfortunately, massive monkeys before sunset. A great place for a construction has started by the Danna late-afternoon walk or picnic. hotel and that area is not too romantic at Teluk Yu Promenade Salmon Benedict the moment. Located at the north of the island very R E D T O M A T O Boardwalk at Awana Porto Malai close to Kompleks Kraf. Look for a restau- This is a very short walk but Awana rant next to a very short public walkway G A R D E N CA F E Porto Malai overlooks one of the most with coconut trees and parking spaces in beautiful bays in Langkawi. Park at the front of it. Avoid this place when it is very huge empty parking lot before the resort low or high tide. When it is medium tide, and walk your way down to the boardwalk. it makes for a nice walk. When you reach There is also a lovely lighthouse at the end the beach, turn right and walk towards the of the boardwalk. giant boulders. If you turn left, you’ll be walking towards Langkawi’s only industrial Tanjung Rhu Beach nightmare, the Lafarge Cement Factory. There are two beaches here that make But if that doesn’t bother you, there’s a for great evening walks. The inner one rustic fishing village and jetty next to the past Tanjung Rhu resort is probably the factory you can check out. most beautiful beach on the main island, but the one closer to the traffic circle is Lagenda Park also very scenic. This popular jogging park in Kuah was recently re-opened after being closed for Pantai Cenang Langkawi A walk along the casuarina-lined road between the Four Seasons and Tanjung two years. It looks great except the grass Tanja 012 513 6046 isn’t laid down yet. There is a gorgeous [email protected] Rhu resorts is also magical at sunset. Pick a section of the road where you can get tree-lined path next to the canal if you a nice view of the mangroves on the river enter from Eagle Square. If you enter from (it’s actually a lagoon). Pekan Rabu next to al-Hana Mosque, it’s a short walk to the magnificent arched Pantai Cenang stairway decorated with Islamic motifs. There are lots of people here at sunset, The view at the top is quite nice. There’s a especially volleyball players, so it may scenic beachside trail from the Pekan Rabu not be your idea of a romantic walk. Still side as well. Don’t get this park mixed up there’s something very special about with Chogm Park, which is the park along Mediterranean Pasta Cenang’s atmosphere at this time. Leave the main road. See map below. your car at the parking lot next to Casa del Mar and turn right. Keep walking along Kilim Jetty the beach around Pelangi resort until you There is a nice walkway with wooden almost hit the end of the beach. Put down handrails at the jetty where you book boat a blanket and watch the sun set. tours. About a hundred metres before you reach the jetty, stop at the restaurant Pantai Tengah on the left and you’ll find the bridge The street flanking Tengah beach from to the walking path right next to the Bacon Sandwich restaurant. This area is surrounded by beautiful limestone hills.

16 Nicoise Salad Langkawi Link Langkawi Link Diving At Pulau Payar Marine Park

Lagenda Park. Left: Walking path from Eagle Square entrance. Above: Beachside trail from Pekan Rabu entrance.

The Charity Club Langkawi NGO 1556-10-KDH The CCL is a small group of island residents committed to improving the day-to-day lives of underprivileged families in Langkawi through the following activities: •Distributing donated food, clothing, linen and toys to villages. •Helping families apply for welfare benefits. Intro Diver Rm 340 per person •Arranging and funding medical appointments. Same as Snorkelling Tour plus one Introducing Dive with full equipment and Dive Master •Conducting Adopt-A-Family and Schoolchild Sponsorship Licenced Diver Rm 340 per person programmes. Same as Snorkelling plus 2 Dives with full equipment and Dive Master •Constructing or repairing houses.

Contact Lyn 016 458 9234, Sheila 016 687 6600 or Hani (Malay speaking) 016 458 9606. More info on our website www.langkawicharity.com or email us langkawicharity@gmail. com.

Note: Donations of food, clothing and toys (but NOT monetary East Marine Holidays Sdn. Bhd. donations) may be dropped off at the Langkawi Link Vacation Royal Langkawi Yacht Club Guide office at 40 Persiaran Bunga Raya, Langkawi Mall, Jalan Datok Syed Omar, Langkawi located across from the Hindu Temple. Please call Patrick 017 Tel: 04 966 3966 / 966 5805 Fax: 04 966 4966 / 966 4842 456 2669 or Aini 017 508 4213 beforehand. Email: [email protected] www.eastmarine.com.my

17 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

EATING DISTRICTS seafood, European meat dishes, Indian according to dishes (), IN LANGKAWI food and Italian-style pasta and . dishes and possibly a section on There are great restaurants right on the Indian fried flatbreads (roti). The noodle Perdana Quay (Telaga Harbour) beach where you can dine and booze while dishes come in your choice of yellow DINING Perdana Quay is without doubt the most watching the surf, which for some is what instant (mee), flat elegant dining district in Langkawi. This vacationing in Langkawi is all about. (kuey teow) and vermicelli (bee hoon). The is THE place to come if you want a huge The same continues over at Pantai Tengah, Malays here like their noodle sauces sweet. variety of great food accompanied by posh but everything there is much more spread Be careful: many cheap restaurants in surroundings and fabulous scenery. Here out and the atmosphere less frenzied. Langkawi serve these dishes insanely hot. If you don’t want it hot, say, “Tak mau chilli, you can get classy Italian, Chinese, Middle- Trimula (Kuah) Eastern, Japanese or Russian food. One boleh?” popular restaurant serves Spanish tapas. This is the nickname for row of restau- Put together, it’s like an ongoing interna- rants along Jalan Persiaran Mutiara, which Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) tional food fest. The Japanese bakery and is the road across the canal from the cas- Cina (pronounced chinner): Usually peas, bistro, The Loaf, is owned by our ex-prime tle-like Bella Vista hotel. There is a Malay- carrots and some chicken breast chunks. minister Tun Dr Mahatir. style burger place and a Chinese vegetar- Kampung/Ikan Bilis: Chopped greens and Perdana Quay was originally constructed ian restaurant serving mock meats, but the anchovies. to resemble a Mediterranean coastal town main attraction here is cheap seafood and Ikan Masin: Chopped greens and salted so the architecture here has a European cheap beer (available everywhere except fish. look not seen anywhere else on the island. at the Muslim restaurants at the east end). Ayam: Fried or grilled chicken. Most people come here at night, when it There are many Thai restaurants on the Udang: Shrimp comes alive with a laid-back party atmos- west side and a couple of Chinese places Paprik: Comes with a separate plate of phere. But it’s also a great place to stop for across the street that serve exotic dishes cauliflower, carrot, broccoli and chicken lunch. Since the restaurants are all alfresco, like wild boar curry. Tourists generally head breast in salty/sweet dark sauce. you’ll get a great view of the harbour and for Wonderland while the locals go to Ka Pattaya: Like nasi goreng cina but with the surrounding mountains during the Kee Lang Seafood and Steamboat. everything wrapped in a tissue-paper thin omelette and topped with sweet chilli sauce. daylight hours. Pekan Rabu (Kuah) With the upscale hotel The Danna open- Daging Merah: /chilli beef. In another year, the Pekan Rabu area ing right next door, Perdana Quay looks set will probably become one of Langkawi’s Mee/Kuey Teow/Bee Hoon/ to become Langkawi’s premier food and biggest after-hours hangout for both tour- Instant Noodles/Flat Rice Noodles/ entertainment centre. ists and local residents. Located next to Vermicelli) Pantai Cenang/Tengah al-Hana Mosque, the new buildings here Noodle dishes usually come with green Cenang is the most well-known eat- currently house an uneasy mix of western- vegetables, seafood and chicken. ing district in Langkawi with dozens of style cafés and restaurants with low-brow Hong Kong: noodles in thick Chinese style restaurants, bars and cafes jammed tightly clothing stores, gamat (folk medicines) sauce. together. There is a huge variety of food shops and cheap local eateries. Less than Hailam: Sauce is a mixture of very sweet available here but your best bet is for Asian half the lots have been rented out so it’s soy sauce, oyster sauce and chilli sauce. hard to tell right now which ambience will Goreng: Flash-fried in lots of oil and win out in the end. spices. There are two good Malay restaurants Sup: at the jetty administrative building at the : Similar to Hailam but sauce is back of Pekan Rabu. The one called Aji much more tomato-flavoured. serves surprisingly good Western food, although some dishes have been modified Roti (Fried Flatbread) to suit local tastebuds. There is also a food The accompanying curries served in court in the blue building but mostly locals Malay restaurants are usually very sweet. If eat there. this is too strange for your taste buds, or- At the other end of the blue building der rotis from Indian restaurants. The plain facing the road is Amanda’s Coffee and flatbread is called (pronounced Tea, a popular hangout with the locals, char-nai). These flatbreads can be ordered ex-pats and yachties. A few doors down in stuffed with egg (telur), bananas (pisang), the next building is Artisans Pizza, a new (bawang) cheese or sardines (sar- branch of Cenang Beach’s most popular din). Then there are these variations: pizza restaurant. The new D’Baron hotel Planta/Boom: Smaller but thicker roti with also offers some evening dining. tons of margarine inside. Crispy outside, chewy inside. Tisu: The dough is stretched tissue-paper thin and then moulded into a huge cone A Warning about Ordering as it cooks. It is sprinkled with sugar when Tiger Prawns done and looks spectacular when served. In case you didn’t know, tiger prawns Buttery, sweet and salty all at once, it is are giant shrimps that can grow to the highly addictive. size of small lobsters. They are also as expensive as lobster. Some waiters may not tell you the size of prawns they have in stock or ask how many you want. They’ll simply bring one to each person at your table and stick you with a HUGE bill at the end. Always ask to see the prawns and determine the price with the waiter before they cook it.

CHEAP EATS: How to Order from Above: Burger Goreng. You haven’t lived until you’ve a Local Malay Food Menu tried a whole hamburger deep-fried in egg batter. There’s only one man in Lankgawi with the guts to A typical menu in a cheap Malay make something so unhealthy. You can find him at the 18 restaurant in Langkawi would be divided night markets in Kuah and Air Hangat. Langkawi Link Langkawi Link DINING

hangout for the yachting community, Farms to hold demonstrations on making this a great place to meet new making buffalo-milk mozzarella. friends if you’re the social type. In case you didn’t know, tapas are small, -sized dishes served both cold and warm. Just like Chinese dim sum, you order lots of different dishes so that you end up sampling Beach Garden Restaurant a wide variety of food in one sitting. Location: Pantai Cenang They have wonderful seafood tapas Tel: 04 955 1363 but their marinated raw tuna tapas are Beach Garden has been around for especially heavenly—if you have a taste two decades and is still hugely popular Artisans Pizza for raw fish, that is. Their chicken liver for one simple reason: it’s the only Locations: Kuah and Pantai Cenang pate is also highly recommended. CBQ restaurant in Langkawi where you get Kuah Tel: 04 967 1232/012 523 1232 will also be serving Italian-style pizzas. served gourmet Asian and Western Cenang: 04 955 1232/012 477 1232 favourites right on the beach. In fact, Artisans is the most successful it is one of the very few casual dining pizza company in Langkawi. While they restaurants on the island that has a do make good pizzas, they also make trained European chef. excellent sandwiches, pastas, fish and They are also known for being one chips and omelets. You don’t have to of the best breakfast places in Langka- have a craving for pizza to go there. wi. Their home-baked European breads They also bake their own multi- are especially tasty. Their breakfast grain bread. They have a breakfast menu is à la carte only—no buffet— menu that is served until 6pm. And and runs from 8am to 1pm. they have blintzes, and Hamachi Japanese Restaurant Note to lovers of good German beer: crêpes on their menu—a real Location: Perdana Quay, Telaga they have Paulaner and other great rarity in Langkawi. Plus they have Harbour brews. incredibly good fruit smoothies for Tel: 04 959 2332 just RM 4 a glass. Their new branch at Hamachi is a new restaurant at Pekan Rabu in Kuah also serves rib-eye Telaga Harbour that’s steadily gaining steak, lamb steak, mutton shish ke- local attention with the high quality bab, grilled chicken chop and chicken and consistency of their dishes. wings. Perceptive diners will notice there’s fine attention to detail in virtually everything, from their presentation to their salad dressings, and even the way their green tea ice-cream is perfectly Red Tomato Café matched with a dollop of red Location: Pantai Cenang sauce. Tel: 012 513 6046 In the evenings, the teppanyaki Red Tomato well-known for owner chef steals the show with his utensil Tanya’s pastas, breads and her famous juggling act and fire show. We’ve salads. Their portions are also huge and no been slowing eating our way through one goes away hungry. Mangoes their huge menu and still can't find Don’t miss this place for breakfast either. Location: Kuala Teriang anything to complain about. Currently Along with the usual breakfast favourites, Tel: Michelle 017 589 8117 or Lutz our favourite is their fried salmon skin you must try Tanya’s Eggs Benedict, which 012 564 0307 temaki (cone) , a head-spinning should keep you well-fueled the rest of the Mangoes Bar and Grill is located blast of taste and texture. They serve day. They also serve the thickest, fruitiest on the edge of the Andaman Sea, RM 3 beers from 3-7 daily. we’ve ever seen in Langkawi. surrounded by lush foliage. The serene waterfront setting makes it the perfect spot for a relaxing dining experience or simply a with friends. With a unique Western/European menu and daily specials, there is something for everyone. Everything is prepared from fresh ingredients and that dedication, has made Mangoes a favourite among residents as well as Amanda Coffee & Tea Charlie’s Place visitors for many years. Location: 37 Pekan Rabu, Kuah Location: Langkawi Royal Yacht Club, Tel: 04 966 0037 Kuah A favourite evening hangout with Tel: 04 966 4078 the locals and yacht community, AC&T If you’re in Kuah, there are a few has the largest non-alcoholic nice places for elegant casual dining, menu on the island. Gourmet coffee, but you’re not going to find a better teas, amazingly good hot chocolate, combination of food and waterfront ice-blended drinks and dozens of view than Charlie’s Place. Westin is premier Monin soda syrups from fine dining at twice the price while the Chenang Boat Quay France—and it seems like every week other waterfront hotels can’t match Location: Pantai Cenang owner Amanda Zulkifli is coming up the food quality or the serene harbour Tel: 012 329 4094 with more drink recipes. Some of us ambience of this restaurant. CBQ is a branch of the popular have stopped ordering; we just tell Located smack in-between the Tapaz restaurant at Telaga Harbour. Amanda to surprise us. Westin and Jetty Point, Charlie’s Place They serve great Spanish tapas They have sandwiches and home- serves both Malaysian and Western dishes at one of the most spectacular made desserts too. AC&T is a bit hard cuisines in a great al fresco setting waterfront views in Langkawi. They to find. It’s in the blue building on the where you can see the lovely marina have also teamed up with local side facing the road. Look out for a from every table. The bar is a popular gourmet cheese producers Friendly place with red walls. 19 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

The Beaches of Langkawi No one swims here; it just looks plain these swirling pools overlooking the pano- uninviting. A few hundred metres to the ramic view of the valley is an unforgettable Pantai Cenang right of the designated tourist area is a experience. During dry spells, the pools be- This is a great beach for a swim. Lots rustic pier built out of coconut tree trunks come stagnant and black, but you can still of beachside restaurants, spas and water- and wooden planks. The atmosphere at come up here for a nice nature hike and for sports operators everywhere so you don’t this side of the beach is much more cheer- the staggering view of the valley. There is a have to walk far to get anything. There’s ful. There are colourful fishing boats all good hiking trail at the back of the wells. a very special atmosphere here at sunset around. During high tide, it’s great fun to Those who can’t make the climb up with people playing volleyball and lovers watch the village children dive off the pier. to the top can visit the lower falls, which strolling everywhere. Cenang beach is the If you must have a swim here, do it on this is less geologically unique but still offers liveliest and most sociable place on the side of the beach. great swimming. You still have to climb a whole island, but at high season it might short but very steep road. Then follow the be too frenzied for some people. Pantai Pasir Tengkorak (Skull Sand marked footpath on the left. Beach) Pantai Tengah Educational or Culture Factor: 2 Tengkorak beach is a hugely popular Fun Factor: 10 At certain times of the year, Pantai Tengah picnic and camping spot for the locals. It Romance Factor: 8 has big waves and strong currents on the is actually a very short stretch of beach, Older Kid Interest: 10

BEACHES & WATERFALLS BEACHES north side of the beach from Underwater but it is still a good swimming beach with Fitness Level Required: 9 (6 for lower World to around Frangipani resort. There shady trees close to the water and, best level) are very beautiful islands offshore, making of all, toilets and changing rooms. Teng- this one of our most scenic beaches. It’s korak is also the only beach with a regular Temurun Falls much less crowded and noisy than Cenang. clean-up crew so the beach is usually quite Temurun used to rival Seven Wells Avoid the part of the beach between Holi- clean. Children will enjoy playing at the as Langkawi’s most beautiful cascading day Inn and Federal Villa. There is no beach thick vines hanging from the trees near the waterfall, until three ugly concrete dams maintenance there. bathrooms. The rope bridge is in disrepair; were built along the stream in March. The dams do create good swimming pools dur- Pantai Kok Beach watch the kids if they are playing on it. There’s a mildly-interesting look-out point ing a heavy downpour, but they back up Because there are no restaurants or on the rock formations at the east end. garbage and stagnant water the rest of the changing rooms here, Pantai Kok (pro- There are TONS of aggressive monkeys time. Still, the pool at the top level might nounced like Coke) is usually fairly desert- here; do not bring food. be the best natural swimming pool on the ed, even during high season. This makes it island. It is surely one of the most scenic, one of the best public beaches in Langkawi Datai Bay especially with that 100-foot waterfall to chill out if you crave seclusion. The This beach is drop-dead gorgeous and coming over an unusual wall of black rock. scenery here is gorgeous, especially at the spotlessly clean, but it is only for guests of It is quite deep in parts of the pool and is huge boulders on the west side. Occasion- the Datai and Andaman. There is no way to not recommended for non-swimmers. ally, there’s a herd of buffalo that roams get to the beach except throughthe resorts Resist the urge to have a picnic at this this beach. In another year, half of Pantai and security there is very tight. lovely spot. The monkeys will steal food Kok next to The Danna might become a right out of your hand. There’s a very good site for luxury chalets, in which case the Burau Bay restaurant (Tiga) across the road if you beach would likely become private and the The beach is maintained by Berjaya and need to eat. The lower pools are a bit rocky buffalo will be kicked out. Enjoy this beach Mutiara Burau Bay resorts so it is a private but that’s what makes the water so much while you can. beach. The bay is very beautiful and you clearer here than at the other waterfalls. can get access to it by booking watersports Teluk Yu Beach Educational or Culture Factor: 2 from the resorts. With that mountain Fun Factor: 7 No one ever swims here. It could be be- backdrop behind the hotels, this is one of cause Teluk Yu means Shark Bay in Malay, Romance Factor: 7 the most scenic beaches for kayaking or Older Kid Interest: 10 or because there is no shade or changing jet-skiing. They may turn down outside Fitness Level Required: 6 rooms. It’s a good place for a snack or a visitors for watersports during peak tourist nice sunset walk, though. It looks terrible seasons. at low tide so go at medium or high tide. Durian Perangin Falls Durian Perangin has the least appealing Tanjung Rhu Beach Waterfalls natural swimming pools but the There are two public beaches at Tanjung Langkawi features several cascading surrounding jungle is more majestic Rhu in the northwest of the main island. waterfalls that are spectacularly beautiful than at Seven Wells or Temurun. This is Coming off the Jalan Air Hangat circle, the during the rainy season between August to a great place to come for a quick hike first beach you will see is a very pretty cove October. We feature the three main ones to appreciate the rock formations and that is usually deserted until the sunset here. the rainforest, although the landscape is hours, when the locals come here with Warning: all the waterfalls are potentially somewhat marred by mysterious black their children for a relaxing picnic before dangerous for very small children or the rubber tubes running everywhere. The dinner. elderly. Also, because of the monkey prob- main pool at the top provides a nice swim The true jewel here is the beach at the lem, do not bring food to the waterfalls. but the rocky slope leading to the pool is Tanjung Rhu Resort. As you drive through Eat at the food stalls below the falls. at a scary angle. Be extra careful walking lovely the casuarina-lined road next to the Unless you just want to go for an uphill down to the main pool. It is a bit of a climb mangroves, you will eventually come to a hike through a scenic jungle, skip the falls to the top but it gets more scenic the row of bargain clothing stores. Beyond this altogether during the dry season from further up you go. is the fabulous crescent shaped beach that January to March, or when there has been Educational or Culture Factor: 2 is arguably the most beautiful on the main no rain for several weeks. The ratings be- Fun Factor: 6 island. low are for when the waterfalls are gushing Romance Factor: 8 Parked right in front of the beach is a after some heavy rainfall. Older Kid Interest: 7 gorgeous trio of limestone islands. At low tide you can walk over to the islands, but Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh) Fitness Level Required: 6 you must know what time the tide comes Our most spectacular waterfall, Seven back in or you will be stranded on the Wells is a must-see for those who have island. The area in front of the Tanjung Rhu the stamina to climb those exhausting 600 Resort is private. Do not use their facilities steps to the top. At the top are natural or you will be ejected by security. jacuzzi-like pools made out of smooth rocks. Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand Beach) 20 During the rainy season, soaking in Temurun Falls, top pool Langkawi Link Langkawi Link The following businesses would love to tell you more about their products and services. Give them a call today! DIRECTORY

RESTAURANTS Cuisine: Sushi, Sashimi, Teppanyaki and snorkelling trips other Japanese favourites. KUAH Junglewalla Amanda Coffee & Tea Mare Blu Tel; 019 225 2300 Location: 37 Pekan Rabu Complex Location: B5-6 Perdana Quay Email: [email protected] Tel: 04 966 0037 Tel: 04 959 3830 Nature walks, treks, cycling, kayaking, bird Cuisine: Bistro food, , gourmet Cuisine: Italian watching. coffee, ice-blended drinks and sodas Tapaz Mega Water Sports Artisans Pizza Location: A1-2 Perdana Quay Tel: Said Mokti 012 200 2155 Location: Pekan Rabu Complex, facing Tel: 012 329 4094 Email bookings: [email protected] the main road Cuisine: Spanish Tapas Island-hopping tours on jet ski Tel: 04 967 1232 Cuisine: Pizza and Western USSR Restaurant Tropical Charters Open for breakfast daily Tel: 04 956 1022/3 Tel: 04 955 3407 or 012 588 3274 Location: KUALA TERIANG Cuisine: Russian Email: [email protected] Private and sharing yacht cruises Mangoes TOURS OPERATORS Their flagship boat, Seasation, is a very Location: Turn left at T-junction north of Blue Water Star Sailing spacious 55ft catamaran that’s one of the Langkawi Lagoon. Turn left again and look Tel: Gerd 013 407 3166 best party boats around. They’ve recently for sign at end of street. Email : [email protected] added a 32ft luxury speedboat to their Tel: Michelle 017 589 8117 or Private and sharing yacht cruises fleet, in case you prefer a thrill-ride around Lutz 012 564 0307 Crystal Yacht Holidays the island instead of a relaxing cruise Cuisine: European favourites Tel: 04 955 6545 or 012 408 7866 Signature Dish: Lambshanks Email: [email protected] SPAS Private and sharing yacht cruises Bellis PANTAI CENANG & TENGAH 41 Jalan Kelibang Beach Garden Resort Dev’s Adventure Tours Tel: 04 966 0089 Location: Across from Rice Museum Tel: 019 494 9193 Herbal spa therapy, aromatherapy massage, Tel: 04 955 1363 Email: [email protected] facial treatments, organic health products Cuisine: Western and Asian Nature walks, treks, cycling, kayaking, bird Open for breakfast daily watching SOUVENIRS Artisans Pizza Faizy Crystal East Marine Holidays Langkawi Craft Complex Location: Across from Rasa Tel: 04 966 3966 Tel: 04 959 4885 Tel: 04 955 1232 Email: [email protected] Web: glasscrystal-kamarulfaizy.blogspot.com Cuisine: Pizza and Western Pulau Payar excursions, scuba and Original hand-blown glass art. Red Tomato Garden Café Location: Mid-Cenang, near AB Motel Tel: 012 513 6046 Cuisine: Western Chenang Boat Quay Location: Between Pelangi and Bon Ton Tel: 012 329 4094 Cuisine: Spanish Tapas and Pizza

Sheela’s Restaurant Location: Between Frangipani and Holiday Villa resorts Tel: Willi 017 551 6535 Cuisine: Western and Malay Signature Dishes: Pan-fried Chicken Breast, Malay Prawn Curry Established in 1996, Sheela’s FAIZY CRYSTAL GLASS BLOWING SDN BHD Restaurant serves tasty Western Langkawi Craft Complex and Malay dishes in a serene Tel: 04-959 4885 Faizy: 012 402 2650 Email: [email protected] kampung (village) setting. First drink Website: glasscrystal-kamarulfaizy.blogspot.com on the house if you bring this guide.

TELAGA HARBOUR The Loaf Bakery & Bistro Location: C9 Perdana Quay Tel: 04 959 4866 Free entrance. Cuisine: Breads and Bistro food. Open everyday except Fridays and selected public holidays. Hamachi Japanese Restaurant 9.30am - 5.00pm Tel: 04 959 2332 Lunch break: 1-2pm 21 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

WHERE TO HAVE FUN nice café or two at these shopping centres. the Malay, Chinese, Thai and Indian IN KUAH The Banking District restaurants—and there are a lot of them Admittedly, Kuah does not appeal Although most banking districts are very here, some mid-priced but mostly very to everyone. It has the atmosphere of a upscale places, the one in Kuah does not cheap. The famous Wan Thai Restaurant is sleepy Malaysian town back in the 1970s, fit that description. Come here if you enjoy located here. something which some people find third-world urban charm or if you want to The Malay restaurants are buffet-style charming but others find dead boring. score some good discounts on the items nasi-champur restaurants and that open Almost everything is cheaper in Kuah like chocolates, suitcases, cigarettes, booze, during the day for breakfast and lunch. The than the rest of the island. In fact, we cheap tableware, cashew nuts and dried fish Chinese restaurants are mostly at the front recommend that you shop in Kuah first and . Other popular items include local facing the main road and are open till late. then shop elsewhere on the island later. If textiles, electronics and folk medicines. The The Kamdar department store at the east you saved the trip to Kuah at the end, you souvenir shops here generally have cheaper end of the cobblestone street (the interior may find the exact same items you bought prices than the rest of the island. part of Langkawi Mall) has a great selection selling for up to 20% cheaper. Plaza Langkawi is the shopping mall next of Indian-style clothing at bargain prices. Kuah is also a fabulous place to eat, to the banking district. From the outside it especially in the evenings, with lots of looks enormous but there are only about Jalan Persiaran Mutiara excellent seafood restaurants that are three floors of shops selling mostly textiles This road running in front of the Bella cheaper than the ones at Cenang and and folk medicine. The rest of the building is Vista Hotel (across the canal) is flanked Tengah. For non-Muslims, Kuah is the office space. Don’t come here unless you’re by a string of popular seafood restau- KUAH GUIDE KUAH only place in Langkawi where you can find looking specifically for Thai or Malay clothing rants that open only at night. What they Chinese restaurants everywhere serving pork. and folk medicine. If you need a miracle lack in décor they make up for in good Beers here go for as low as RM 2.50. tonic for an ailment, you’ve come to the right food and low prices. If you don’t mind Besides shopping and dining, Kuah can place. Also there’s a big selection of Thai and the flimsy tables and plastic chairs, this is be quite a fun experience if you are curious Malay-style shirts, blouses and caftans at the place to go for a cheap seafood din- about local culture and don’t mind some pretty much the lowest prices on the island. ner to be washed down by lots of cheap low-key excitement like talking a walk at There are a few popular non-halal beer. This eating Eagle Square or Lagenda Park (see Evening Chinese food courts (pork and booze galore) district is called Trimula. Walks section) in the late afternoon. around the intersection before the bridge at Pekan Rabu See Kuah Map next page for the Langkawi Baron hotel. One is called Water Located next to al-Hana mosque, following: Garden (it turns into Rootian restaurant at Langkawi Parade/Langkawi Fair/Jetty night) and the other is Langkawi Sunrise. Pekan Rabu is an up-and-coming shop- Point: ping and dining district. Less than half These malls don’t have the glamour Langkawi Mall the stores are rented at present but there of big-city malls but take your time and This is mainly a business, clothing and are still some nice restaurants and cafes. you’ll find some very good discounts for dining area for the locals. Unless you’re The west entrance to the lovely Legenda clothes, shoes, jewellery and souvenirs. interested in how the locals live, there’s not Park is by the parking lot next to the You’ll also find fast food franchises and a much to interest tourists except perhaps marina.

Bellis Relaxing Therapy Sea Salt Foot Bath Full Back Aroma Oil Massage Foot Reflexology We have a HUGE selection of 100% Relaxing Spa Facial Organic Products Organic Jasmine Green Tea and Health Food 2hr 15 min RM 148 Supplements . Bragg Apple Cider Aroma Rose Therapy Vinegar Sea Salt Foot Bath . Virgin Coconut and Full Body Aroma Rose Scrub Grapeseed oils Aroma Rose Body Mask & Wrap . Organic Molasses Full Body Aroma Oil Massage . Psyllium Husk Aroma Eye Pillow Treatment . Organic Grains and Rose Lotus Leaves Tea . Organic Dried Noodles 2 hr RM 148 . Shaklee Nutritional supplements . Black, White and September Promotion Brown Tahini .....and many more!

*Free pick up/transfer within Kuah Town area Reservation Please call Tel: 04-966 0089 22 Langkawi Link Langkawi Link

SHOPPING H

Bellis Located in Kuah on the main road Pekan Rabu near Langkawi Parade shopping centre, Bellis may not be that well-known to tourists but they have loyal local following. On the ground floor, they Chinese teas, some very hard to find, cotton. Promote your business, your even have Langkawi’s only organic like green pu-erh tea. They’re packed club or your own unique personality health food store. in brick pellets, too, like all fine aged with a quality customised t-shirt from In keeping with their natural health Chinese tea. Owner Jenny also sells a Hemingway. theme, their signature services are great range of Chinese tea ceremony Herbal Detox Massage, Herbal Steam- accessories. If it’s not too busy, she’ll bath and Aromatherapy Massage, all serve you tea samples and give you a going for rock-bottom rates because rundown of all their medicinal proper- of the price war going on between ties. Don’t miss this fabulous store! Kuah massage centres. Both the Herbal Detox and Aromatherapy Massages are only RM 88. These rates are amazing considering Bellis may have the most spacious and luxurious massage room in Kuah (not counting the one at Westin).

Faizy Crystal Location: Kompleks Kraf, Jalan Teluk Yu Tel: 04 959 4885 Faizy Crystal is run by Kamarul Faizy, who trained in glass art in New Zealand. It is the only place to get genuine Langkawi- made glass art (glass art sold elsewhere Hemingway T Shirt are imports). In fact, it is the only glass-art Location: Pantai Cenang, studio in Malaysia that’s owned and oper- Mountain Scents Landcons Square Lot 3/4 ated by all-Malay glass artisans. Location: Kuah, Langkawi Parade, 3rd Tel: 017 571 2149 Faizy tries to please as many people Floor. Tel: 012 302 2564 If you’ve always wanted to stand out as possible with a wide variety of designs. This store selling luxurious spa with a customised t-shirt, this is the They have great perfume bottles and glass products and high-end teas is the only place for you. Any design you have in pendants for western tastes. Muslim visi- one of its kind in Langkawi. Everything mind, Hemingway can print it for you tors will love their vases with Islamic motifs. here is 100% natural and of fantastic on a cotton shirt. And they’ll do it for They have a stand in the main Kompleks quality: hand-made soaps, aroma- you using DTG, or direct-to-garment, Kraf building but it’s better to go to their therapy essential oils, massage oils, the highest-quality fabric printing workshop at the back of the complex potpourri and incense. method available today. where you can see glassblowing demos They have a good range of quality All their shirts are 100% 200-gram- and a bigger variety of items for sale.

23 D a m a i I n d a h

Exclusive Private & Shared Yacht Charter We offer Day Charters and Sunset Cruises for Birthdays, Honeymoons, Weddings, Corporate Events, Business Meetings, Kayaking, Mangrove Tours, Beach BBQs, Family Picnics, Private Island Drops, Fishing and Driving, Visits to Dayang Bunting Lake For Reservation and Information Please Call Eva 017 584 9353 019 447 0745 Gerd 013 407 3166 Office 04 966 4868 www.damaiindah.com www.bluewaterstarsailing.com [email protected] Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Kuah

CRUISES Morning: 10am - 2pm MYR 320 Sunset-Dinner: 5pm - 8pm MYR 360 Afternoon -Sunset-Dinner: 2pm -8pm MYR 450 Food and beverages included Private Charter MYR 3,500/Day + MYR 250/per person Sharing Cruise max. 12 guests, Private Charter max. 25 guests

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST - CHECK OUT THESE 4 WEBSITES For Maps: www.maps-of-langkawi.com Pop-Up Maps with 69 Attractions and Places of Interest - with pictures and short descriptions For Eating Out: www.langkawi-restaurant-guide.com With Restaurant Picker: click type of food, budget and location and get a proposal out of more than 180 restaurants For Night-Life: www.langkawi-nightlife.com With about 2 Dozen Places, ca, 18 Places with Live Music, and some real Hot Spots For Local News of Langkawi: www.langkawi-gazette.com With several News Updates every week