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