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Jewels of the East Coast Discover the many cultural treasures of Terengganu. freedom

Island Hilltop Adventures Romance Revel in all that a Bask in the glow mountain has to of golden sunsets offer in 48 hours, at Langkawi. Genting Highlands. www.awana.com.my 3 Run away to the hills From lush rainforests to the country’s premier integrated resort, explore all that Awana Genting ContentsHighlands has to offer in only 48 hours.

13 Escape to the East Coast Slow down, and live life to the speed of this little town by the sea. At Awana Kijal, Terengganu, a treasure trove of culture, tradition and heritage beckons.

22 Retreat to a magical island Be at the heart of an island paradise where legends and romance come alive, with Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi.

freedom 2 Run away

Perched 3,000 feet above sea level amidst ’s largest, longest and oldest mountain range is Awana Genting Highlands Golf & to the Countryhills Resort. Just a short 45-minute drive away from , the resort is highly accessible and has quickly become a popular holiday destination for many. Offering salubrious mountain air, breathtaking views and a myriad of exciting activities – Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort easily tops the list as an excellent getaway for those who seek a quick and breezy escape from the buzzing city.

Here’s how you can go about it.

An aerial view of the luciously green surroundings at the resort. freedom 3 Be greeted by cool and salubrious mountain air.

12.00pm Arrival 1.10pm Natural lights come streaming Gohtong into Awana’s nature-themedDay 1 lobby as you drop your bags Memorial Park off at the counter. Revel in As you make your way up it, as this will be your first to Gohtong Jaya, do stop taste of the many amazing by the Gohtong Memorial things that you are about to Park. Adorned with a experience during the trip. beautiful array of flowers, Check-in starts at 3.00PM. this memorial is dedicated to the late founder of Genting 1.00pm Highlands, Tan Sri - an enigmatic Depart for man who successfully transformed a remote Gohtong Jaya mountain into one of the It’s time for some sightseeing Gohtong Memorial Park. world’s most happening outside the resort. The first destinations. place you should head for is a quaint little town called Gohtong Jaya. Shop lots and a variety of interesting tourist Awana <-> attractions inhabit this place. Gohtong Jaya / Built around the Skyway Skyway Station Station, Gohtong Jaya is only Take the Shuttle Bus that 10 minutes away from the departs every 30 minutes. resort, and is easily accessible (F.O.C; Earliest: 8:30am, Latest: 11.45pm and via shuttle bus or cab. inform the bus driver to stop at Gohtong Jaya) See the shop lots? They are a great Commuting Tips Alternatively, you can indication that you have arrived at flag down a cab Gohtong Jaya! (approx. RM40). freedom 4 2.10pm Lunch at Yik Kee Restaurant Located somewhere among the shop lots of Gohtong Jaya is Yik Kee Restaurant, a delicious eatery that serves up tantalising dishes to tourists and locals alike. Their secret? A self-concocted special sauce. Seafood lovers will certainly take delight in their Steamed Upstream Wild Patin with Homemade Sauce – fresh out of the tank and served with a drizzle of ginger and soy. Other must-try dishes include the extremely Steamed Upstream Wild Patin. crunchy Deep-Fried Cripsy Belly Pork with Honey Sauce, Deep-Fried Crispy Bean Curd and last but not least, the Durian Tarts. For halal alternatives, we recommend eating up at the resort before departing to Gohtong Jaya. Lunch is always great at Flavours Café, where everyone can get together and enjoy western favourites in a relaxed setting. The Golf Terrace, on the other hand, is the place to go for local hawker signature dishes such as Banana Leaf Rice, Prawn Mee and other local delicacies.

Pick yourself some juicy red strawberries!

For transportation to Strawberry Leisure Farm, call Mr. KC Chung at +019 318 3831 Commuting Tips

Mushroom Farm & Bee Museum 3.30pm These attractions are part and parcel of the Strawberry Strawberry Leisure Farm experience. In the Mushroom Farm, rows and rows of mushrooms Leisure Farm are harvested on wooden racks in a dim and damp A walk across the shop lots will alley. The Bee Museum, on the other hand, is where take you to the Strawberry Leisure you can discover a display of bee-related artifacts Farm, where you can enjoy picking and buy honey produce. your own hydroponically-grown strawberries or buy them straight off the shelves. Further down the Orchid Farm farm is a café where you can enjoy Also known as Waltex Biotec – World of a cup of steaming hot Strawberry Phalaenopsis, this attraction houses an interesting Milk Tea or an ice cold Strawberry assemblage of orchids that will surely have you Popsicle. If you’re a fan of all things reaching for your cameras. With over 398 varieties of strawberry – don’t forget to drop by orchids in various colours, and at reasonable prices their souvenir store, which stocks you may find it hard to resist buying home a pot or a comprehensive list of strawberry two to start off a new hobby! merchandises! freedom 5 Tee off at Awana’s Ronald Fream designed championship golf course! Chill out at the swimming pool. 5.00pm Free & Easy This would be a good time to head back to the resort and rest up. If you are still feeling restless, take a languorous stroll around the golf course. Breathe in the cool mountain air as you cast your eyes on the tall regal pine trees and rows of flaming red Hibiscus bushes that line the resort. If you’d like something less strenuous, you can always take a nice long dip in the temperature- controlled swimming pools, or rejuvenate your frazzled body at the adjacent Jacuzzi.

7.00pm Dinner at Bee Won Restaurant or Rajawali Here’s your chance to taste the many tantalising fares that Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort has to offer. For something exotic, try out the Bee Won Korean Restaurant, which serves BBQ delicacies as well as authentic Korean dishes such as the Bi Bim Bap. Alternatively, there’s Rajawali Coffee House, most famous for its scrumptious dinner spread! The delicious Asam Laksa. 8.30pm Shopping at First World Plaza Cap off your day with a fix of retail therapy. Take the shuttle bus up to Resorts World Genting, and shop to your heart’s content at the many retail outlets. Alternatively, you can go thrift at the flea market in First World Plaza.

Countless brands and labels line the sides of the shopping plaza.

Don’t forget to take in the sights and sounds of the First World Plaza!

freedom 6 Enjoy amazing views from the Skyway!

Skyway Station <-> Resorts World Genting 7.00Am The Skyway will ferry you back and forth Sunrise Programme from Resorts World Genting. DayThere’s only one way2 to kick-start a day of action and adventure – exercise! Take part in the Sunrise Awana <-> Programme, where you will do a series of morning Resorts World Genting stretches, followed by a light and easy jog with Board the hourly bus. (F.O.C; For more information, an instructor. Commuting Tips refer to the Bell Hop Counter or the Concierge) Or take a cab. 9.00Am (approx. RM40 one way, price may double past midnight) Breakfast at Rajawali Best known for its extensive buffet spread, Rajawali Coffee House offers everything from sizzling hot omelets to Roti Phratas, spicy Chicken Rendang to Cucur Ikan Bilis, as well as tummy-warming congee to well-loved cereals. Breakfast here also comes an unobstructed view of the highlands, making it a great way to start off your day. 10.30Am Skyway to Resorts World Genting A scenic 15-minute ride on the Genting Skyway will take you up to Resorts World Genting. Designed to ferry approximately 2,000 visitors per hour up to the Resort, this cable car ride is the world’s fastest mono cable car system, travelling at 21.6km per hour, and is also South East Asia’s longest at 3.4km! 12.30pm Lunch at Imperial Rama If you would like to make this trip one of total epicurean delights, have lunch at Imperial Rama. An award-winning Thai-Chinese fine dining restaurant, Imperial Rama’s specialty dishes include the thick and menacing King Prawn Tom Yam; the Green Curry Dine in Chicken, a light yet highly appetising curry dish; and elegance at Imperial Rama. the infamous Durian Tempura - a must try dessert!

freedom 7 Space Shot.

1.30pm Outdoor Theme Park A trip to Resorts World Genting is never complete without a visit to the Genting Outdoor Theme Park. A view of the lake. Home to over 40 rides and attractions, it’s your chance Spinner. to get a dose of adrenaline- pumping action!

3.00pm Short Break Squeeze in a little break to get your energy levels up again. We recommend a short walk to Hou Mei at the First World Plaza for some local favourites such as the Chicken Hor Fun and Assam Laksa, or something much lighter at Hainan Express, Theme Park Hotel. 4.00pm Indoor Flying Coaster Theme Park Corkscrew. If all that outdoor action isn’t The biggest and baddest enough to fulfill your need ride of them all, this hang- for thrills, take on the First gliding roller coaster will have World Indoor Theme Park, you spiraling and spinning around where another 30 rides and at a maximum speed of 25.7mph, attractions await you! horizontally on your belly! Constant change of acceleration aside, you will also be experiencing zero gravity as you fly through the air!

Flying Coaster. freedom 8 Space Shot.

Must Snow World Space Shot This attraction is a favourite Not for the faint-hearted, among those who have never a slow ascend on this ride experienced winter. At temperatures will bring you 185 feet up in as low as 5ºc, this winter wonderland the air before plunging you back features highlights such as the wooden down at 67km/hour! If you’re cottage with a fully functional slide, brave enough to open your snowmen, igloos and an ice bar. Ice eyes, try sneaking a peek at sculptures of world famous landmarks the stunning mountainside such as the Eiffel Tower, Sphinx and view from the top! Try Leaning Tower of Pisa line the walls, making it a picturesque setting for photographic memories.

The Water Park. Snow World. Sky Venture The Sky Venture is where you can get a taste of skydiving in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. A highly professional instructor will take you through a short briefing session before gearing you up for winds that go up to 193km/hr! You will even be rewarded with a certificate at the end of the flight.

Sky Venture. freedom 9 7.00pm 9.00pm 10.00pm

Buffet dinner at GLITZ Free & Easy Coffee Terrace At only an hour long, GLITZ is Take some time off and do All that screaming and an action-packed show that things at a pace you are walking will definitely work features a whole lot of music, comfortable with. It may be up quite an appetite, which lights and showbiz dazzle. late, but there are still plenty makes this the perfect time Enjoy acts by the fantastic of places you can visit at the for a buffet dinner! Head on GLITZ dancers; the PuYang Resort. If you’re tired and over to Coffee Terrace, where HuaChen acrobatic group, in need of a massage, pop you can fill your plate from whose gravity-defying acts by Healing Touch or Pedas a generous spread of six will leave you awestruck; Springs to get your stress different cuisines. Take your Charles Bach, magician, knots eased out. For a little pick from Local Favourites, illusionist and escape artist; more action, you can always Chinese, Nyonya, Western, and Daria Pushankina, the get your game on at the Japanese, and also Western mistress of sand art who action-packed Vision City Asian. You will even get to pays tribute to the King of Video Game Park! watch the chef cook away Pop through a captivating as you dine! combination of art and music.

Other Highlights Chin Swee Tranquil, peaceful and serene, time slows down immensely at this temple. It was here at this very site that in 1966, the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong got an inspiration from the Chin Swee Deity to proceed with the development of the Resort. Intricate carvings decorate the temple walls, lined with many statues of Temple Awana <-> various Buddhist deities. A pagoda stands tall, offering Chin Swee Temple visitors a bird’s eye view of the mountains. Other areas To get there on of particular interests at the Temple would be the Nine- weekdays, take the shuttle bus to Genting Colour Dragon Wall of Luck and the Chambers of Hell. Skyway, ride the If you would like to do a spot of praying, take a walk cable car to Highlands down to the cave temple itself, where friendly temple Hotel, and take the assistants are more than happy to guide you through shuttle bus to Chin Swee Temple. On the process. It is also an ideal place to enjoy a nice weekends, drive or vegetarian meal, available at their restaurant. take the shuttle bus to

Commuting Tips Awana Skyway to get there directly. freedom 10 List of Vendors & Attractions

Gohtong Memorial Park Genting Skyway Coffee Terrace – Genting Transport Reservations Operation Hours: Genting Highlands Highway Centre BUFFET Tel: (603) 6251 8393 Breakfast: 5.30am - 10.30am Yik Kee Restaurant or (603) 6253 1815 Lunch: 12.00pm - 2.30pm 22 & 23, Jalan Jati 1, Operation Hours: Dinner: 5.00pm - 9.30pm Gohtong Jaya, Monday - Thursday ALA-CARTE 69000, Genting Highlands 7.30am - 11.00pm 24 hours Friday - Sunday GLITZ at The Pavilion Tel: (603) 6100 3240 7.30am - 12.00am Time: 9.00pm Saturday, Sunday & The Pavilion, Strawberry Leisure Farm Malaysia Public Holidays First World Plaza No.1, Lot 3707, Jalan Jati 2, 10.00am - 7.00pm Bandar Gohtong Jaya Tel: (603) 2718 1118 Tel: (603) 6100 1121 Imperial Rama Operation Hours: Healing Touch Level 2, Operation Hours: 8.00am – 6.15pm Highlands Hotel 10.00am - 10.00pm Operation Hours: Tel: (603) 6436 0898 Orchid Farm Lunch (Daily) Lot 100, 12.00pm - 2.30pm Pedas Springs Gohtong Jaya Dinner (Daily) Lot No.1.17, First World Plaza, Tel: (603) 6075 1133 6.00pm - 9.30pm Genting Highlands Resort Operation Hours: Tel: (603) 6101 1385 7 days a week Hou Mei Spa Treatment Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm Level 2, Mon-Thu & Sun: First World Plaza 9.00am - 3.00am Bee Won Restaurant Operation Hours: (Last Call at 2.00am) Open Daily Lunch & Dinner Friday, Saturday, Fri, Sat & Public Holidays Eve: 7.00am – 10.00pm Eve of Public Holiday 24 hours & Public Holiday Rajawali 8.00am - 2.00am Vision City Video Game Park Open Daily Sunday to Thursday Level T2B, First World Indoor 6.30am – 1.00am 8.00am - 12.00am Theme Park Take-Away 12.00am – 1.00am Hainan Express Remember to pick up your copy Theme Park Hotel Lobby of a shuttle bus schedule at Chin Swee Temple Operation Hours: the concierge to know the bus Operation Hours: schedules. 8.00am - 10.00pm Friday, Saturday, & Eve of Public Holiday (Mondays to Saturdays) To arrange for transportation in 9.00am - 7.00pm 7.00am - 2.00am advance, you can log on to (Sundays & Public Holidays) Sunday to Thursday, www.skybus.com.my or call Tel: (603) 2718 1113 & Public Holiday (603) 6201 2742 to book a SkyVan 7.00am - 12.00am to ferry you to and fro from the resort to LCCT airport. Adult: RM95 per pax Child: RM40 per pax

* All rates quoted in the guide book are subject to change without prior notice. freedom 11 freedom 12 Where peace and tranquility is usurped.

Escape to the

Situated along one of the longest coastlines in Malaysia is Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort. It’s a rare destination where everyone can have their own little private seaside enclave, away from the hustle and bustle of the commercial and industrial hotspots. The beach is immaculate and unblemished, the water crystalline, the culture and heritage still evident in every rustic village that surrounds its environs. Largely unsullied by the excesses Eastof modernity, Coast there is a calmness and serenity about the people and the resort. Always graceful, and ever obliging, you will be grateful for the sense of freedom this holiday destination endows. freedom 13 Day1

10am Arrival Step into the big and spacious lobby of Awana Kijal, where wood and space reign supreme in this traditional Malay architecture- inspired resort. Leave your bags at the counter, as check-in only starts at 3PM. Note that you will need a car to get around Kijal, so don’t forget to rent one from the car rental service at the resort, or from the and airports!

11.30am Kampung Tour To soak in the nuances of Terengganu’s culture and heritage, embark on the Kampung Tour. A resort shuttle will bring you to the surrounding Delicious Nasi Dagang! > villages, where you will get to admire the hidden gems that Terengganu proffers - from the art of mengkuang weaving at the Woven Craft Centre, to the unique wax-resist dyeing technique of batik-printing at Noor Arfa Batik.

One of the many forms of batik printing.

The intricate craft of Experience a sense of freedom at the resort. mengkuang weaving. freedom 14 The marvellous Malay-inspired architecture of the lobby.

1.00pm Hai Peng Kopitiam After that, drive through Cukai - a major town in the . Make it a point to stop over at the infamous Hai Peng Kopitiam for lunch. It is a fascinating place to be, as Hai Peng Kopitiam is almost always crowded with multi-ethnic customers wolfing down plates upon plates of Hai Peng Roti Bakar and Nasi Dagang. Don’t forget to sample their very own brand of coffee! It’s all in a hard day’s work for the fishermen at Kuala Kemaman. 3.00pm Mesra Mall Just a short 10-minute drive away from Awana Kijal is Mesra Mall, where eager locals come to enjoy some Big City trappings. Currently the Locals hanging out at Mesra Mall. biggest mall on the east coast of Malaysia, it is well appointed with a One of the many forms of batik printing. cinema, a supermarket, a departmental store, as well as the many familiar shoes, cosmetics, fashion Earn some strikes at the and accessory brand bowling centre! Care to catch a flick or two? name stores.

freedom 15 Enjoy a reinvigorating Javanese massage at the spa.

4.30pm Free & Easy at the Resort

To reinvigorate you frazzled body, head back to the resort for a good massage at Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa. The spa prides itself in hiring only professional and qualified masseurs from Java, and will be Take a thrilling ride on a jet ski! able to suggest the best traditional Javanese treatments to cater for your personal needs.

Alternatively, sporting activities right at your doorstep at Awana Kijal’s 7.6km beachfront should make a vigorous end to the last few hours of daylight. Boats, jet skis and yachts are available for the seafaring sorts, but if you really want to stay on land, take a ride A beachside haven for all. on one of the ATVs and hit throttle as you careen up and over the many undulating dunes along the shoreline!

The resort also comes with a 22,000sf swimming pool that is perfect for a long and luxurious wade. Cool off in the waters, or lie back on the sundeck chairs with a good book as company. The 22,000sf swimming pool!

This boiling broth comes in two different flavours >

freedom 16 Let the fireflies light up the night >

6.30pm Dinner at Waterfall Café Have dinner at Awana’s Waterfall Café, where a steamboat dinner by the swimming pool should sate you for the night. Pick from a wide selection of meat, seafood and vegetables, and then cook them in the boiling chicken and tom yum broths, fondue-style.

Enjoy cooking your own dinner in a pot!

8.00pm Watch in awe as thousands of Firefly Watching fireflies flicker in unison. The highlight of the day, if not the entire trip, would be a slow and languorous boat ride into the Yak Yah River, just half an hour away from the resort, An experienced guide will bring you to Teluk VIP, where the mangroves grow dense and tiny flickers of lights from thousands upon thousands of fireflies light up the unremitting darkness of the night.

freedom 17 Day2 8.30am Breakfast at Restoran Kampong Kick-start your morning with a delicious buffet breakfast at Restoran Kampong, located at the resort. The food comes with a few local touches, like the Malaysian standard-bearer of morning drinks, Teh Tarik, and the creamy fragrance of Nasi Dagang, a Terengganu specialty.

9.30am Depart to Marang Jetty Once you’re well fed, take a Sail away to the beautiful Pulau Kapas! 90-minute shuttle ride from the resort to the jetty in Marang. (Be sure to make your bookings at the front counter before the trip itself!) A 15-minute boat ride from the jetty will bring you to Pulau Kapas, a tiny yet pristine island just over 2km long and 1km at its widest point.

A pure snorkeling sanctuary for all. 11.15am 12.00pm Pulau Kapas Lunch on One of the must-sees of the East Coast, Pulau Kapas is a Pulau Kapas beautiful island made of tantalisingly soft, near-white sand There are only a few eating beaches lapped by ultra clear waters. Besides the usual spots available at the small activities of snorkeling, sunbathing and deep-sea diving, there is island, so its advisable to also a trek cutting a swathe through the jungle, where you can stock up on rations! meet quite a few monkeys and the occasional lizard. Climb the high-beam lookout light tower, and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular panorama of the inland-facing half of the island.

freedom 18 6.00pm Pasar Malam Everyday except Friday, there is a Pasar Malam in one of the towns near Awana Kijal - the closest being the one in Kerteh, which occurs only on Tuesday nights. It’s where you can mingle with the locals and taste an unbelievable range of foods, from Roti Akok to Ayam Percik. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch the “medicine man” putting on a show to sell his goods!

Mingle with the locals at the Pasar Malam.

8.00pm Dinner at Tong Juan Restaurant Back down south in Cukai, where Hai Peng is the lunchtime go-to place, at night Tong Juan Restaurant takes prominence. A multi-ethnic clientele flocks to this restaurant to sample its signature Stuffed Crab and other seafoods, even on weekdays!

The infamous Stuffed Crab!

9.30pm City of Lights About 30 minutes from the resort is what locals call the City of Lights, also known as the Petroleum Industry Complex, a massive oil and gas refinery plant consisting of 41 installations. Watch in awe as the entire horizon lights up with flames from vats, spikes, pipes, tanks and towers while you zoom down the highway. It is truly unlike anything else you’ll come across in Terengganu.

freedom 19 List of Vendors & Attractions Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa, Awana Kijal Operation Hours: Sunday – Friday 10.00am - 9.00pm Saturday 10.00am - 10.00pm

Restoran Kampong Breakfast: 6.30am – 10.30am Lunch: 12.00pm – 2.30pm Dinner: 6.90pm – 10.30pm

Tee off by the beach! Waterfall Café Operating Hours: 7.00am – 12.00am Beachside Golfing The marquee attraction at Awana Kijal is its par-72 18-hole Tong Juan Restaurant championship golf course, spectacularly set beside the beach. K-117 Jalan Sulaiman, 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu Do keep an eye out for the signature hole number 14, which Tel: (609) 859 1346‎ sits atop what look like a perfectly manicured island of green surrounded by sand that overlooks the South Sea. Hai Peng Kopitiam 3753, Jalan Sulaimani, , 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu. Tel: (609) 859 7810 Operating Hours: 6.45am – 6.00pm

Kampung Tour* RM60 (adult) RM30 (children)

Turtle Sanctuary Firefly Tour* A visit to the Turtle Sanctuary at Pantai would reveal RM50 (adult) RM25 (children) to you the fragile existence of one of nature’s most intriguing sea creatures. This sanctuary offers sea turtles protection Pulau Kapas day-trip* Otherby ensuring the survival Highlights of endangered species such as the RM190 (adult) RM100 (children) Leatherback Turtle, who would occasionally come to this Diving (1 dive, RM95; 2 dives, beach to lay its eggs. Both informative and experiential, it’s RM180; own equipment, also where you can learn more about the centre’s hatchery RM65 per dive) programme and how these little hatchlings are released back into the sea. Pasar Malam* RM30 per adult

City of Lights & Mesra Mall* RM30 per person

*Bookings for selected tours and limousine rental services can be made by contacting the resort’s front desk at (609) 864 1188. All activities are subject to change & availability.

*All rates quoted in the guide book are subject to change Get up close and personal with the turtles! without prior notice. freedom 20 freedom 21 Retreat to a

Explore the island paradise where myths and legends come alive with Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi. Located at the heart of a jeweled cluster of 99 islands, this holiday destination is Magicalfamed for its epic folklore, romantic preludes, as well as its status as a duty-free port. It takes about 50 minutes of flight time to get to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur, 35 minutes from and 1.5 Islandhours if you’re departing from Singapore. Offering a myriad of delights for both the intrepid and indolent traveler, curious travelers can now explore the famous legend of the Princess Mahsuri while sun-lovers take the opportunity to bask on pristine sandy beaches overlooking breathtaking ocean sunsets. A visit to Langkawi is truly the perfect escapade to arouse and soothe the jaded soul.

Enjoy romantic preludes at the Boardwalk. freedom 22 Day1

The yachts and boats docked at the Marina. 9.30am Arrival First things first, rent a car at the Langkawi airport, as you will need one to get around the island. Upon arrival at the resort, leave your bags at the counter and book your slots for the tours and the spa. Check-in only starts at 3pm. 10.30am Island-Hopping Tour Walk over to the Awana Porto Malai jetty, where a high-speed motorboat ride will bring you on an enchanting 3-hour island-hopping tour. First stop, Pulau Dayang Bunting, famed for its legends of pregnant maidens and guardian spirits. Then, a short visit to Tasik Dayang Beranak, a popular spot for barren women to come sip the lake’s waters in the belief that mystical powers will help them bear children. The last leg of the tour is to Pulau Beras Basah, where you can have fun and frolic in clear waters and soft sand in privacy.

Cool off at Tasik Dayang Beranak! The beautiful island beaches. freedom 23 Discover how rice is planted at Laman Padi Langkawi! 2.00pm Laman Padi Langkawi A further 15-minute drive will take you to Laman Padi Langkawi, a showcase paddy field that pays homage to the grain that is a staple to every Southeast Asian diet. Prepare to get a little bit dirty as you wade through the muddy waters and learn how rice is planted!

3.00pm Field of Burnt Rice The infamous Field of Burnt Rice. Away from the coast and into the heartland of Padang Matsirat is a nexus of cultural spots that offer insights into the Malay society, each a couple of minutes away. The Field of Burnt Rice, for one, marks the spot where villagers had burnt their entire rice harvest to deny the Siamese forces from looting and further fueling their invasion.

Beautiful batik paintings hung to dry. 3.40pm Atma Alam Batik Art Village Past the local shops selling vials of medicinal remedies is Atma Alam Batik Art Village. This is where you can explore more about batik painting, with the help of some highly skilled in-house artisans. Remember to buy home a piece or two as souvenirs!

freedom 24 A painting of the legendary Mahsuri.

Kota Mahsuri Even deeper into the heartland is the Kota Mahsuri cultural centre and mausoleum. They are built in memory of Mahsuri, a folk heroine who endured torture 200 years ago after being falsely accused of adultery. Her story dominates the Langkawi as her curse on seven generations of bad luck is widely believed locally. 5.30pm Sunset at Pantai Cenang No visit to Langkawi is ever complete without taking in the glorious length of the Pantai Cenang coastline. A beautiful place to enjoy the sun and the sea, this beach is where you can enjoy hair- rising rides on the banana boat, skim the seas on jet skis or glide high above on a parasail! A longer The breathtaking coastline of Pantai Cenang. stay on the beach will reward you with a beautiful view of the sunset.

Enjoy a scrumptious dinner at Villa Rossi. 8.00pm Dinner at Villa Rossi For dinner, pick from a host of cuisines back at the resort. Zest, located at The Boardwalk, prides itself on its sizzling specialties while Villa Rossi serves up a delectable Italian and Continental cuisine. Meat lovers should not miss out on their Grilled Beef Tenderloin, while health-aware epicureans can opt for the prawn and avocado salad, or the seared fillet of cod with Ebiko, a signature dish.

freedom 25 View of the beautiful islands amidst a scenic sunrise. Day2

The breakfast spread at the Seagull Coffee House. 8.30am Breakfast at Seagull Coffee House Start your day with a hearty range of Asian and international delicacies at Seagull Coffee House. Overlooking the Straits of , this restaurant is the definitely the best place to enjoy a good breakfast at the resort!

An untouched paradise of flora and fauna. 10.00am Mangrove Tour A 45-minute drive across the island to the Kilim River jetty will get you started on a slow boat ride along Sungai Kilim, also known as the Mangrove Tour. This tour includes a tight crawl through Gua Kelawar, and rare up-close encounters with monkeys, snakes, the rare brown-headed Eagle and of course, the mangrove treas.

Where the freshest catch lands on your plate. 12.30pm Lunch with the Freshest Catch Situated at the Kilim estuary is the floating fish farm. Here, you’ll find the Hole In The Wall restaurant, where many tourists come to enjoy fresh seafood for lunch. Fact: This restaurant is named after a little opening in the limestone hills where it was built!

freedom 26 3.00pm Seven Wells Waterfall After lunch, drive northwest to the Seven Wells Waterfall. An uphill hike of 638 steps will bring you to the most spectacular waterfall on the island, which offers you scenic views of Buray Bay and Pantai Kok from the top. For something less tiring, you can always soak in the naturally formed pools at the lower falls.

Breathtaking natural waterfalls.

Get up close and personal with this majestic animal! 4.30pm Oriental Village Other less strenuous options include a visit to the Oriental Village. The Oriental Village is a theme park with a lake that offers gentle paddleboat rides, elephant rides and even a spin around the park on a Segway!

5.00pm Underwater World Langkawi If you seek shelter from the heat, but don’t want to waste the afternoon holed up in your hotel, head on down to the Underwater World Langkawi at Pantai Cenang. It’s a family-friendly attraction where you can see all manners of small and giant sea creatures in a cool and air-conditioned environment!

Discover the ocean’s little treasures!

freedom 27 A pampering session at the spa. 7.00pm Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa All that walking and trekking will certainly take a toll on your body. Rejuvenate with a Javanese massage back at the resort’s Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa. Combining both ancient and contemporary relaxation techniques, the spa offers a wide selection of treatments that range from herbal baths to stone massages, tapel, lulur and even more intimate packages specifically designed for couples. 8.30pm Dinner & Shopping at Kuah Town Take a 20-minute drive down to Kuah Town for a delicious Thai food dinner at Green Elephant Restaurant, and get ready for a shopping spree like no other. Duty-free shops line the whole of Kuah Town, allowing you to indulge in cheap alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates and even perfumes. Goods are said to be marginally cheaper here than at Pantai Cenang, so don’t hold back! 10.00pm Eagle Rock If you still feel the need for more action, there’s always Eagle Rock, a pub-club-disco right next to Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi that only starts rocking from 10pm onwards. Get your dance on, drink or simply kick back and relax as the live band serenades the night away.

Get into the groove at Eagle Rock! freedom 28 Other

Sunset Cruise Often filled with honeymooning couples and lovers, the cruise sets offHighlight from the Awana Porto Malai jetty, going in search of an unfettered view of the setting sun. Sunbathe on mats at the front deck, or just chill out at the covered top deck as friendly staff offers you a free flow of soft drinks and cocktails. For something more exciting, hook yourself to the net cast at the back of the yacht and settle into the gentle massage of the Saltwater Jacuzzi. A barbecue dinner is also served on-board, making this a fitting end to a romantic escapade at Langkawi.

freedom 29 List of Vendors & Attractions

Villa Rossi Underwater World Langkawi Seven Wells Waterfall Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi Zon Pantai Cenang Gunung Mat Cincang Operation Hours: Kedawang Kuah 07000 Langkawi 6.00pm – 11.00pm 07000 Langkawi Tel: (604) 966 7789 Closed on Wednesdays Operation Hours: Monday – Thursday Island-Hopping Tour* Seagull Coffee House 9.30am – 6.30pm Starts at RM45 per pax (adult) Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi Friday - Sunday, Public Operation Hours: Holidays Sunset Cruise* 7.00am – 11.00pm 9.30am – 10.30pm Included in the Awana Porto Tel: (604) 955 6100 Malai Resort Packages Eagle Rock Café RM38 (adult); RM25 (child) Individual bookings start from Block 5, Ground Floor RM250 per pax Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi Atma Alam Batik Village Tel: (604) 955 3181 Padang Matsirat Junglewalla Mangrove Tour* RM20 per person 07000 Langkawi RM180 (adult) Free for resort guests Operation Hours: RM90 (children) 9.00am – 6.00pm Hole In The Wall Restaurant Tel: (604) 955 2615 Taman Sari Royal Heritage Jeti Sungai Kilim, Mukim Ayer Spa* Hangat Laman Padi Langkawi Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi 07000 Langkawi Pantai Cenang Tanjung Malai Operation Hours: 07000 Langkawi 07000 Langkawi 8.00am - 11.00pm Tel: (604) 955 4312 Operation Hours: Tel: (604) 967 5301 Field of Burnt Rice 12.00pm – 11.00pm Green Elephant Padang Matsirat Tel: (604) 955 5111 RULEOUT CAFE 07000 Langkawi 53,Bandar Baru Baron, Operation Hours: To get around the island, you Jalan Persiaran Putera, 9.00am - 6.00pm can either rent a car at the Pusat Bandar Baru, airport or call Awana Porto 07000 Kuah Langkawi Kota Mahsuri Malai Langkawi’s tour desk to Tel: (604) 966 0490 Kampung Mawat arrange for transportation at Mukim Ulu Melaka (604) 955 5111. Oriental Village 07000 Langkawi LADA Eco-Tourism Sdn Bhd Operation Hours: *Bookings for selected tours Teluk Burau 9.00am - 5.00pm can be made at the resort. 07100 Langkawi Tel: (604) 955 6055 All activities are subject to Tel: (604) 959 3099 change & availability.

The Saltwater*All rates Jacuzzi quoted gives in the guide book are subject to change without prior notice. passenger a natural massage like no other. > freedom 30 freedom 31 freedom 32