Langkawi

Langkawi

Weds 10th Sept '14

After spending 5 nights in Georgetown, Penang, I take the 8.30am ferry to Langkawi on Weds morning. I am able to leave my main backpack at 'House of Journey', so just pack enough for my short trip.

I have booked up 3 nights stay in a dorm at The Cottage, Langkawi nearby to the main beach Cenang (only 20RM a night!). September... I am now finding out.. is the start of the rainy season! The ferry is the equivalent of a large speedboat, and takes 3 hrs to reach the port at Langkawi. The journey at times is very bumpy due to the stormy weather at sea.. sick bags needed for some!

Ferry Crossing

On arrival to Langkawi I take a taxi to my hostel and spend the afternoon walking along the beach, eating lunch and chilling on the beach.

In the evening I meet two German brothers staying in the same dorm, we head for dinner along  with a Korean traveller. The beers and alcohol is a lot cheaper here due to the duty free shops.

Thurs 11th Sept '14

This morning I walk to a nearby restaurant toeat a cooked breakfast (toast, fried eggs, beans and a chicken sausage). My stomach has finally settled and it's good to eat a filling breakfast.

After breakfast I head back and chill out in the dorm, the weather is again overcast and it rains briefly. For lunch I eat at a nearby 24hr (!) Indian restaurant,  I finish reading my first book (Fight Club).

On my return from lunch I speak with one of my dorm mates Wei, a Taiwanese traveller. This morning he has been on the island hopping tour, which I have booked to go on tomorrow. I ask whether Wei has been on the cable cars in the hope that we can split the cost of a taxi there and back. Wei is renting a scooter so instead I get on the back and we head to the cable cars (30 min journey from the hostel).

The weather is cloudy, and on arrival to the base of the cable car you cannot see the ending point at the top of the mountains, the cable cars peacefully appear and disappear from/into the clouds.

After a brief experience in 'The Dome', a screen projected across the domed ceiling creates the feeling of riding a roller coaster.  Next we make our way up the first cable car route.

It's very steep and high! At the first stop, our view is blocked 360° by clouds. We quickly continue on the second route across to a slightly higher point. After waiting at the viewing platform, the wind picks up and we briefly are able to see the view across the island. On a clear day this would have been an impressive sight! We return down to the bottom and head back to the hostel.

Fri 12th Sept '14

 This morning I have booked the island hopping tour, so I get up at 8am and go to the hotel (chalets) opposite for breakfast. Bianca has told me about this place, and the friendly lady who provides the service. It is a simply breskfast of toast, jam, fruits and various pastries. Here I meet Moses, (another German), who will also be going on the island trip.

Our first stop is Pulau Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Woman), after a short walk from the pier we reach the lake and encounter many wild monkeys. There is a viewing point at the far side of the lake where you can see out to the sea.

Next we stop by the side of another island and see many wild eagles. Each boat that turns up stops and throws food into the water to entice the eagles closer, I am not so keen on this part of the trip! I have read about wildlife concerns regarding this routine,  due to the quality of the food bring used (most chickens are pumped with antibiotics which have no affect on our bodies however for the eagles this could impact upon the quality of their breading).

The final stop is Pulau Beras Basah, which has a nice beach and views.  We stop here for an hour, so I swim and relax.

When we return to Langkawi I have lunch with Moses and two other girls from the trip Lizzie and Nina. We get McFlurrys after..

Nina, Lizzie, Me and Moses

 Me and Moses then head to the beach and chill out on the pebbly beach. We return back to our accommodation just before the rain pours down. In the evening me, Moses and Lizzie go for food and a drink. Lizzie grew up in South West London (Clapham) and has just graduated from Bristol with a 1st. I am interested in her experience growing up in a secondary state school in South London!