travel: 2007

Monday, August 20, 2007

Langkawi Fish Farm Restaurant

This novel themed restaurant caters to tourists visiting Langkawi who can select their own live seafood from the restaurant's tanks or even catch them with rods and reels provided in the adjoining fish farm.

Mountain Raya

Rising to a height of 881 metres, Gunung Raya is the tallest natural feature on Langkawi. The mountain is believed to be the cursed form of a giant, known as Mat Raya, who once lived on the island. Untouched and covered with dense jungle, it has become the favourite destination for the adventurous. Trekking from a recreational site such as Lubuk Sembilang to the peak is simply magnificent but taking a guide along is advisable. A telecommunications station is accessible via a small road leading to the top.

Telaga Harbour Park

Welcome to Telaga Harbour - a brand new gateway and destination for the many yachts plying the region. This safe and sheltered harbour that has evolved from a small fishing village, feature a self-contained township accessible both by road and sea. The facilities and services available also make it an ideal destination for transient, and home base to yachts of various sizes including mega yachts. The on water activity and yachts berthed at the harbour will provide picturesque background to the harbour, creating a lifestyle and attracting tourism. Telaga Harbour Park is the one and only such harbour town within the region.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Lake of Pregnant Maiden

Located about 17km from Kuah town, this large freshwater lake carries yet another legend. The story is that once a barren maiden drank from the waters of this lake, and soon after was blessed with a child. Today, the lake attracts hopeful couples from all over the world, both for its mythical powers as well as the untouched beauty of this lake. The lake is about 17km from Kuah town and separated from the sea by a thin, limestone ridge. Some climbing is required to reach this spot.

Air Hangat Village

Popular for its hot springs, this village is being upgraded with a long-term masterplan that will eventually see it featuring a health spa and an elephant sanctuary. The village is well-known for its legend about its very own David and Goliath battle. An 18-metre-long handcarved, limestone mural depicts the earth-shattering battle between two giants - Mat Cincang and Mat Raya - after which two hills on the island are named.

Cave of Porcupine

Cave of Porcupine or Gua Landak is just a few minutes' drive from Kuah and is the most accessible cave on the island. You'll find that its fairly large chamber contains an exquisite variety of stalactites and stalagmites with fascinating formations.

Cave of Legends

The Gua Cerita is one of the many fascinating limestone caves situated in the north-east of Langkawi.
It comprises two limestone caves, one above the other and faces the sea.
There are a number of legends associated with the Gua Cerita. Here we provide one of which was related to Merong Maha Wangsa in the episode involving the Roman and the Chinese Emperors. The other is one concerns a strange creature called Gedembai.

Cave of Birds

Our very own batcave! About 30 minutes from Kuah town, this cave of bats is a rare opportunity to see bats in their natural habitat. A wooden jetty with a platform running through the cave allows visitors to view at leisure and up close this untouched batcave. Here too, visitors get a chance to see closeup the mangrove which is an integral identity of this island.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Black Sand Beach

You can also check out whether tha remains from the great battle between Grauda and Jentayu still existed (as some still believe), at Pantai Pasir Hitam Langkawi.

The peaceful Langkawi beach is stained with black sand - you'll find that not the whole beach is black but it's more like a mixture of black sand and normal sand. Unlike other black-sand beaches, this sand isn't volcanic in nature - iron oxide is believed to be the cause of this phenomenon. While you are walking at Pantai Pasir Hitam, don't forget to take some snaps at the ancient fishing jetty with its sense of history nearby. You can also check out whether the remains from the great battle between Grauda and Jentayu still existed (as some still believe), at Pantai Pasir Hitam Langkawi.

Some people also believe that the black sand beach is caused by the the burnt soil from the rice fields that were burnt during the Siamese war. The burnt soil flowed to the sea got washed up on to this beach creating the black sand beach.

Driving to Pantai Pasir Hitam is really easy since there's only one road leading to it. It is just down the road from the Craft Cultural Complex.

While you are walking at Pantai Pasir Hitam, don't forget to take some snaps at the ancient fishing jetty with its sense of history nearby.

Tanjung Rhu Beach

Tanjung Rhu lies in the northernmost tip of the island. It's a quiet and pretty enclave, shaded by whispering casuarina trees and fringed by centuries-old limestone caves and uninhabited islands. Scenic and untouched, Tanjung Rhu is home to one of Malaysia's most unusual ecosystems. Mangroves, waterways, limestone crags and sandy beaches make it a nature lover's paradise.

Seven Wells Waterfall

The Seven Wells Waterfall is locally known as Telaga tujuh and is indeed a geological marvel.

It is a spot where freshwater streams plunges from seven pools into this majestic waterfall creating an awe-inspiring sight. Although the uphill trek to the top is less than a mile, the trip is quite strenuous, and you'd be well advised to take water with you.

Visiting the pools, especially the top one, will definitely bring excitement besides seeing greenery and enjoying cooling surroundings. Adding a mystical touch to the natural splendor is the lush green forest that surrounds it. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to frolic and bathe.

Durian Perangin Waterfall

"Durian Perangin River's attractive 14-tier waterfall and unique rock formation are the main attractions at this picnic spot next to Gunung Raya."

The main attraction of Durian Perangin river is the attractive 14-tier waterfall that cascades down from the slopes of nearby Gunung Raya. The unique rock formation found around this area makes the place suitable for picnics and relaxing dips in the cool, clear water. Every tier of the waterfall has its own natural attributes which makes these natural pools unique.

The Durian Perangin area houses a wide variety of flora and fauna in the surrounding lowland dipterocarp forest. The main plant species are rengas, merapoh, periang, melunak, meranti temak, meranti jerit, rattans and palms. A 5km track leads to Gunung Raya Peak which, incidentally, is the highest spot in Langkawi. Another 5km of continuous track will take you to nearby Malaysia Book Village in Lubuk Semilang.

Temurun Waterfall

Located at the north-western part of the island, on the way to Datai Bay, Temurun Waterfall is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The spectacular waterfall is normally at its best from June till December, when rainfall is most frequent and reliable. To reach the peak, you will need to endure an eight-minute climb up the stairs provided. Although a bit strenuous, it is worth the effort to behold the breathtaking view from the top.