Langkawi, Malaysia - Day IV

After a late, late night, decided to get up early-early to finally catch a sunrise. Still missed most of it cause silly us faced the wrong direction! Hehe. Enjoyed the beach-view for the very last time.

Checked out the lobby for a while, but tour-guide wasn't around, so returned to room to check that everything has been packed away and waited for the tour-guide to call. He didn't at the anticipated time. So decided to go down to the lobby. Nopes, still no sign of him. decided to give him a call. He said he had came at teh anticipated time but couldn't find us. Rights...Tour-guide was apologetic when we finally met. Said he should have reconfirmed plans with us night before. Whatever, bygones. Asked us where we'd like to go. Told him we've already covered most places on the itinerary but try as we might, could not locate Laman Padi the day before. As it turns out, we had passed by Laman Padi a few times the day before, but didn not connect that Laman Padi Cafe and Laman Padi were in one compound! *smacks forehead* Tour-guide was rather skeptical why in the world we'd wanna go in, LOL. Don't think he need's to know about K's obsession with green, green rice-fields.

The place was really nice. Rather contrived but still nice, Plots showing growing of rice at different stages (Geog! Geog! Geog! Nooo). Happily took some shots. Was especially smitten with the scarecrows. LOL, ok, I'm weird, I just find them so intriguingly fasinating.

Next asked the tour-guide to recommend us a place to gamat, the famous sea-cucumber traditional remedy the island is rather famous for. He brought us to small establishment, with the in-house production. Couldn't go in, the thick smoky smell was too much for my lungs and sinus to bear. Seriously couldn't breathe. Moved on to the commercial section, gosh, didn't realise they've come up with so many products: oil, drink, soap, gel, capsules. My head was reeling, have no idea what mummy wanted! So decided to just get the "classic" oil & drink form.

Then went to the Mahsuri Mausoleum, the famous, tragic heroine from the history books who had laid a curse lasting 7 generations for the island. Curiously enough, they were droves of Thai tourists. Well, actually not too curious considering the tragic heroine's hubby & son escape to Southern Thailand, plus their proximity does breeds close ties. Just was a bit of a surprise that 2 countries shared the same folk-tale. Another interesting discovery was that Thais, too bring along bananas and milk to such shrines, same as the Malay community do. The tour-guide however gave an interesting anecdote how at times tourists brought so much bananas that they know what to do with, and would finally donate it to the various road-side stalls that sold banana fritters!

We proceeded to Eagle square in uptown Kuah. We had given it a miss since it was too dark the day before. Another source of obsession for K due to some scene in soem Malay movie. LOL. The uni students were having some fair at the hall. BUT I'm outta money! *sob-sob* And they dun accept cards. Didn't realise the uni here is the arty farty type. Very cool stuff. And found that they have a graphics design faculty! *bites nails* I dun mind migrating here if Mummy wanna migrate back to Malaysia. hehe. Their programme sounds REALLY cool.

Next Stop, Galeri Perdana, the museum for ex-PM Dr M's memorabilia whilst he was still minister. At first wasn't too interesting in going here, but we've ran outta places to go whilst still having time to while away. Plus, seems a waste not to visit it when we have the chance. The architecture of the place is so fantastic! Plus all the gifts from the various heads of states.

Then went to Kompleks Kraftangan. Apparently a fair was going on. They accept cards here! Thank God, coz badly need to get stuff for Mummy. Lotsa interesting stuff, not too cheap, but not that ex either. Finally ended with some small vases and silk batik material for Mum & Sis.

We must have spent more time rounding around than we thought, tour-guide was rather in a hurry to get us to the airport. Thanked him for bringing us around and checked in. Apparently we were one of the last few. The customs-guy ticked me off for not removing the luggage tags from the last time. Hah. If I did, then he'd have no work to do. *bats eyelashes innocently* :P

Went to the canteen to get a drink. Badly needed one. But they sent me round in circles just for a miserable glass of drink. Complex queueing system!

Sat around, waiting to be called in. Sat around some more waiting to board. Noticed we are leaving mostly with people we arrived with.

Finally boarded. There was a mior hullabo with an ang-moh couple and their couple of young boys. Steward would not allow them to sit together due to some safety thing nobody seemed to understand. Haha. Finally the daddy sat with us with one boy while mummy and other boy sat across the aisle. The kids were so cute. And daddy so patiently reading from Mr McGee. So adorable. I admire parents who bring their young kids on vacation. It's not easy to handle.

The clouds were so cool. We are on our way back home. Darn.

Bro & Sis and K's Dad were awaiting. Sis whispered how she thought he looked familiar, but she didn't think it was K's Dad. LOL. Me and my bestest bid adieu. We came back just in time for her birthday tomorrow. Advanced happy birthday dearie. Was fun gallivanting with you.

Langkawi, Malaysia - Day III

After breakfast, walked around the beach, becoming a custom while here. Enjoyed the fresh morning air. Decided to explore the other end of the beach. I climbed up onto the rocks (Suddenly reminisced of hiking up Bako National Park @ Sarawak. Miss climbing!), and I think cut my hand on some rocks. Oh well. K was rather leery. The rocks were rather slippery, but in the end, joined me after all.

We had highlighted the places we wanted to go to today. Then went down to reception to ask what's the best route to take to best make use of the cab we intend to rent the whole day. She instead suggested we rent a car instead, it's more economical, the roads are simple, and we shouldn't get lost. Sounds good. K still not too sure. Told her it's up to her since she's the one with the license. Was mulling it over, got called over by the guy who arranged our island-hopping trip the day before. He asked us our plans. Asked if we were sure we wanted to drive around. Told us JPJ (the transport ministry) was doing some operation, we'd be in trouble if we had taken illegally licensed car. I think he creeped K out. But we decided to try our luck at the shop across from the hotel anyways. It seems reputable enuough. Unfortunately, they were all out of cars, at least til latest 1pm. We had 3 more hours. Decided to walk along the road and try out the many shops which dotted it.

Not much luck. Day was getting hotter. Found yet another shops, but no small manual car to rent. Didn't think the car they have available to be worth it. But one of the guys nicely offered to drive us to the airport where there were more rental shops. However, thought we'd be stuck if tehre was still no car there. So politely declined but asked him for the number of the car rental at the airport.

Walked some more til the intersection. Decided to give it one last try. Otherwise, we'd walk back. But by stroke of luck, the shop had one car that was being returned at 12pm. Decided to take it. Guy there told us it'd be delivered to our hotel when it gets back.

Made our way back to the hotel. Apparently we walked quite a distance. Got more drinks to cool ourselves down. Waited and waited and car didn't appear. Belatedly realised we should have gotten the number to the shop. Waited til 1.30pm then decided to call the shop across the hotel again. Gal who served us earlier said a car was just returned. Yays.

Made our way down. Got the proton wira. But eh, no fuel? Oh, don't worry, they said. Th fuel gauge is defective. The car's already half-full. Hmmm. Backing out, K found the steer to be tight. Told her to test it and be totally comfortable 1st, we dun really NEED to take the car.

But she said she'd manage and off we went. Me the navigator also thought it'd be wise anyhows to totally fill up the tank since we won't be sure where else we'd find a petrol station. The enarest from us was already quite a distance away, since it was on the way, decided to go to Laman Padi, a rice planting visitor's centre 1st. It looked so obvious on the map, but after a few rounds, still couldn't locate it, thus decided to just go on our way.

The petrol station was so darn far. But easy enough to find. then made an enlightening discovery. Our dearest driver had never ever filled up a tank on her own before. LOL. That the comforts and convenience of Singapore has left us with. K wanted to wait for someone to help us, but nobody seemed to think we'd need help. LOL. I've never done it either, but well, seen dad doing it often enough. Shouldn't be too tough. Was tricky though trying to decide whether we've filled up enough. since the tip of the nozzle was still dry when i brought it up, figured it wasn't enough. Filled up some more and prayed it was enough.

Went on our way again. Missed a turn and ended up on a dead-end that seems to be a viewing spot for the airport hangar. Ha. Otherwise, navigating was easy enough. They sure have a lot of intersections and forks in roads though.

Was a looooong drive. But the view was fantastic. 1st stop was Telaga Tujuh. Simply being in the car winded us enough to not be too excited ont he prospect of climbing the steep road up before trekking further in to see the wells. Do we REALLY wanna see wells? Err, not really.

So back on the road, next to the Oriental Village, which also houses the cable-car station to go up Gunung Matchinchang, one of the tallest point on the island. Was a very very hot day. Bought an "ezlink card" each to get up the station. The cars dun stop. We had to hop in when we felt to be an opportune moment. As the doors to our car was closing, some guy jumped in and plopped down beside me. Climbed up, up and away. Was a rather steep climb, but cool. Started snapping away. The guy broke our silence and made small talk. Used him a a tou-guide. Hehe. He pointed out that we could actually see the island where one of the past Survivor series was help, and showed us the point where our hotel was. We've travelled a huge distance!

He somehow wove in that he's working with a band at the highest point of the cable-car station. Hmmm. we hoped out at the mid-point to... er... look around.

We had to wait a little longer to get back on a cable car as apparently not a lot of pple got off the mid-point. Finally shared a car with 2 guys, one of whom was very extremely nervous. Was rather amused. The ride can be bumpy at times, and the incline is so steep, but how could he not appreciate the fantastic view from way up??

Finally reached the highest point. Really incredible view. was too busy admiring the view that I didn't realise I was all by my lonesone self. Oh well. The wind was rather strong, felt a bit nervous about my camera, but snapped away anyways. Went down the steps of the platform and found K. Told her she should climb up. LOL. She politely declined. Proceeded along the horizontal walkway to the other vertical tower. Rights... there's the band. Had a refreshing drink and got some sandwiches. Got approached by guy-who-had-jumped-into-our-car-earlier. He tried to chat some more. Just responded discouragingly with a smile. Haha. Decided to make our way down.

Shopped a bit at the souvenir shop. Got stuff for bro & sis, as well as the JB nephews. while waiting for K to pray, called Mummy up. Daddy's around and was suggesting some very exotic dishes I should try whilst here.

Drove out. Thought we were going the wrong direction, but K seemed so confident, I kept quiet. LOL. Yet another dead end. Haha. Lucky it wasn't too far off.

Decided we were getting to sunset too fast to try any of the other places, so would venture to Kuah Town instead. Was a very looooong ride. But discovered midway that the fuel gauge had decided to show that we were 1/2 full. Rights... if it COULD be trusted. Filled up another 1/4 tank at the next petrol station we found.

Headed to a shopping Centre at Kuah. Parking was pretty packed. K was getting stressed trying to park suitably. Hehe. The shopping centre didn't have a Kenny Rodgers as advertised in our guidebook. Or any other suitable eating establishments. Decided to eat at soem cafe, then found it to be such a charmingly rustic arty-farty nook. Our cutleries were all unmatched to create the homey feeling! Food and drinks were great. The music, we found out, was brooding Natalie Merchant. And the art pretty ex. But appreciating it didn't take much. Was rather tempting to get something.

Walked around the shoppong centre but found nothing much intriguing. Found a CD-shop but they didn't have the Reshmonu CD I've been looking for... :/ Decided to amke our way back since it was getting dark.

K was pretty quiet. Stopped kidding around myself cause I sensed her nervousness. At one point, a road-sign had collapsed. wasn't quite sure which way was which but chose one and announced it confidently. Haha.

Uneventfully, we reached the car-renta. K breathed a huge sigh of relief and admitted she was so totally freaking out and imagining all kind of weird scenarios while we were driving through the dark, lonely, winding roads. LOL.

We got back to the hotel and refreshed. At midnight, found ourselves pretty hungry and decided to check out the 24-hr restaurant. Then proceeded to check out the beach at night. I think the waiters were thinking why the hell are these girls roaming about on a Thursday evening... *cue in scary music* haha

Langkawi, Malaysia - Day II

Woke up to a glorious morning. Chatted while dressing and figured we’d do the island-hopping thing that the bellhop had told us about the night before. And some other tour for the other half of the day.

Breakfasted at the hotel restaurant. They have FANTASTIC coffee.. definitely much better than on the plane. Yucks. The breakfast spread itself was nothing too inspiring, but the great coffee have made me happy enough.

Thought we’d explore the inviting beach right before our eyes. Discovered a playground! Played around at the swings. Simply enjoyed the fantastic view. Was so calm since most people are either not awake yet or still b’fasting I guess.

After a while, decided not to while away more time idly and proceeded to the lobby. Asked the guys at the frontdesk and they sad we couldn’t book a tour with them as the bellhop had said, we had o book it with the tour company. So went there, the guy was grumbling and grousing about the bellhop, but short of the story is we managed to get a place for ourselves on the next island-hopping group which was going off thens.

A van brought us to ? Bay. Waiting for our boat, saw the nice rumah panggung on the hills. Almost as fantastic as our chalet by the beach. But thinks they would have a much better view of the ocean. A couple of the Aussie gals who rode in the van with us got “picked-up” by a couple of Aussie guys. Kinda cute seeing how easy it all seems. :) Apparently we’d be boat-mates, together with another Malay couple probably in their 30s.

I absolutely love the view during the boat-ride!! All the coastal formations and stacks and stumps. Physical Geography’s much more fun when you dun have to study it! Hehe. Snapped away on me T1. I think K was a bit scared of my apparent offhandness about it. Hehe.

The boat slowed down in front of Pulau Dayang Bunting, and the boat-guy showed how from far the island looked like a pregnant lady. Related the folk-tale about the princess and the genie. Sorry, I can’t recall how the story went! But there’s a lake on the island, where couples or the wifey is supposed to swim in to heighten fertility. Hmmm. We had to climb up and then trek down to get to the lake.

So many monkeys monkeying around! Decided to try the paddle-thingies. Navigation is by a stick. I can’t connect left centre right to top, down, downer. LOL. So K took over the controlling. The lake looked so big but we can go pretty far on the thing. Lucky we didn’t try the banana-boat coz it seemed a sure-fire way to get thoroughly wet! We found that cycling so earnestly have no effect except for ripples in the water. LOL. We seemed to travel more when we cycled less enthusiastically.

Next stop was Eagle’s Island. There were so so many eagles! One of the Aussie guys wondered allowed what type of eagles they were, and I helped to translate to the boat guy. He was stumped. LOL. Said it was the “typical eagle” We all shared a private grin. LOL. Wished I hadn’t been too lazy to bring my Pentax SLR. Would have loved to focus in on at least one eagle.

Third and final stop – Pulau Bras Basah. We’ve long figured the boat-guy’s only good for… er… boating…? Don’t see any beras(rice) around. Basah (wet) or otherwise. LOL.

There was a dock! Like Dawson’s Creek’s dock…? Ok, only I would get excited. LOL. At one part, the water was so clear and the fishes so colourful! Suddenly thought of how everyone related as toddlers, me & AP had scooped out Daddy’s beloved goldfish and held them in our hands until they dieded. LOL. Lucky for the fishes AP wasn’t around. LOL. Plus that we’ve grown way way up. LOL.

Rested at one of the huts. Got chatted up. SIGH. The guys suggested we try parasailing. Didn’t expect K to agree! How could I not?? But by the time we signed up, quite a few had joined on the bandwagon. Waiting around, the guys chatted up somemore. They thought K and I were sisters. Did not correct them. Told them we were holidaying with family who were too tired to do island-hopping. That didn’t deter them to ask us out for dinner. OMG. Managed to talk ourselves out.

K went up first. Screaming as she went. LOL. Took a video of her takeoff and subsequent landing. Then decided to gamble and bring my T1 up with me. The view was amazing! Masyallah! So this was what they call a bird’s eye view. Hesitantly took pulled my T1 out of my vest and took some video. I wished again I had my Pentax… but I sure wouldn’t have brought it up with me, thens. LOL. It ended way too soon.

Made our way back to our room and showered down. Felt so sticky with seawater. Then the bed looked so inviting. Decided not to go out in the afternoon after all. Ordered room service. Lazed around, watched MTV and decided to go out to town after Maghrib.

We toob a cab to town. “Cab” anywhere around here was still a van. Felt wasted to have just the two of us in it but that was the only transportation. We are not that near near town after all. The roads were rather winding, but traffic pretty smooth. When we stopped at a junction had the curious sight of many 20pairs of eyes looking back at us from the van in front. Imagine at least 20 people sardined in the same van we were in, with five persons at the back of the passenger van. As in where you usually put things…??? FIVE persons. Kinda creepy. Wondered if they were illegal immigrants. Wondered if suddenly some police cars would come wailing down the road and swooping down on them!

We got dropped off near some night market. Went into one of the shophouses and got clothes for ourselves instead of souvenirs for others! LOL! But got a rather baggy babydoll top that Sis might find useful sometime soon. Hehe.

Town was rather boring. Lotsa shops to eat at but didn’t feel like it. Most shops had about the same stuff. Does shops in all Asian countries get their “souvenirs” from the same supplier? It seemed like that to me! I’ve ran out of things to get that I have not gotten from elsewhere!

Walked around. Went to the night bazaar at what was the main part of town. So many people. So so hot. Wanted to get some water which was safely sealed up in some bottle or can but couldn’t find any. Was so parched I broke my usual holiday rule and drank some drink from some roadside stall and hoped for the best. Lotsa stalls selling satay and grilled chicken and stuff, but K’s having a sore throat and shouldn’t touch grilled/fried/oily food. Wouldn’t be fun eating it by myself

Made our way back to the hotel around 11. K ordered room service again. Was feeling rather tired and sleepy. I think I dozed off in the midst of chatting with her………