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.