Day 3. We continue our excursion around Langkawi Island.

Morning at our chalet.

Our first visit of the day. Apart from being a shopping haven, Langkawi is also famous for its cottage industry, especially on the production of healing ointments. Locally known as Gamat oil, the ointment, is made of sea cucumber which is found in abundance here. (A snapshot of sea cucumber that I encountered at Pantai Aceh, Klang. See HERE).

Gamat oil cooking process. The sea cucumber is cooked in a barrel called ‘rojam’ for three days under slow burning fire. Coconut oil and other herbs are added from time to time until the oily concoction turns black.

Dried gamat.

Gambir Sarawak is also available, a herbal product that is said can improve one’s libido.

We continue our journey to the second mountain in the Island, Gunung Raya. Most of the places in Langkawi are associated with some myth, and Gunung Raya is part of it. It is said that long ago two giants, Mat Cincang and Mat Raya was about to marry their kids when suddenly they broke into heated arguments. In the rage, pots and pans were thrown towards each other. A sudden struck of lightning change the two giants into mountains and the spot where a broken pot with spilled gravy is nowadays known as Kuah (gravy). The other places where the gravy seeps into the earth is now known as Kisap (seep) while the spilled of hot water is where Air Hangat is.

A winding road to the mountain top, some 800m above sea level.

Along the way we come across this spot with a catchy name, Tangga Helang Seribu Kenangan (which literally means, ‘The Eagle Stairway with Thousand Memory’). Wondering what it means, we stop by to find out.

It is actually a flight of stairs to the foot of the mountain. Sure hell of a ‘memory’!

Estimate time of travel via the stairway: 2 hours 15 mins. Err.. no thanks!

DH at the peak of Mount Raya. Lies below you could see a plateau, a result of a meteor impact some 10 million years ago.

We linger a while enjoying the panorama and then made our way down. There’s nothing much up here actually, the peak is privately owned and no trespassing is allowed. A naked tree branch caught my attention though.

We arrived some half an hour later to this spot, the Black Sand Beach. Black, due to some mineral composites such as granite and other oxides.

Fishing boats at the beach.

Late afternoon, we found ourselves strolling the shores of Kuah Jetty, killing some time before dinner. On the way to the loo, I manage to snap this significant landmark of Langkawi amidst the sunset.

Dinner time! Our hefty and mouth watering thai-style dinner, thanks to ma’am financier!

Next day at the airport, departing for KL. Our bags seem to have given birth to octuplets!

The End.

We wake up early the next day for the second activity – Island hopping.

A group photo at the jetty.

The view of the jetty.

All aboard!

It is too late for us to discover that the ride will be a rough one, and such bloodcurdling too. Going at full speed, the boat bumps every now and then especially when it tries to cut the waves.  I found myself gripping furiously the side of the boat (and it was such a shallow one!) while Ahnaf and Acha cling desperately to me. There is no bar that will prevent us from falling into the open sea. But the splendid view somehow calms us.  Scattered limestone formations protruding amidst the jade-green water under the deep blue sky is such a sight to behold. It is a shame that I didn’t manage to shoot anything.

 The boat suddenly stop in the middle of the sea. Curious, we glance at our boat driver, in case he’s encountering any problem with the engine. To our relief, instead he pointed out to the mountains in front of us. In the silhouette, a shape of a pregnant lady resting on her back becomes apparent.

The island of the Pregnant Maiden.

We continue our journey for another few minutes before we reach the Island’s southern shore. A few tourist boats are already ahead of us.

Some word of advice on the way up to the Lake of Pregnant Maiden.

The island’s dwellers. Very mischievous, these critters are. They will grab and steal if they smell any food, or see any plastic bag containing one.

The breathtaking sight of the Pregnant Maiden Lake, a fresh water lake that sits on top of the hill, a mere 15 minutes way up from the jetty. Legend has it that an ethereal princess, who’s married to an earthly prince, lost his newborn son and laid the body to rest in the deep lake. In intense sorrow she vows that any barren women will be healed if they drink the water of the lake.

A view of the lake.

We linger around, relaxing on the Pontoons while dipping our sore feet into the cool water. As usual, my kids would not be able to resist the temptation for a splash.

We leave the lake and head for Singa Besar Island to observe the eagles, Langkawi’s prominent bird and namesake. As the king of the sky, they soar majestically and dive with such an ultimate precision to catch their prey.

Precise diving and catching. I was only given a split second window to catch them in action.

Watching them is really something.

Our last destination, the Beras Basah Island. Nothing much to do here except to relax and soak up the hot sun and the pristine sea.

It is so hot I’m contemplating whether or not to go and wet myself. The water is tempting though. Oh well, what the heck.

Not before I manage a shot or two.

Frangipani is everywhere.

Later that afternoon. We continue our day at Kuah town. The first place that we visit is this shop, which is famous for its affordable kitchenware and other items. Being declared a duty free island, the price for most imported goods (e.g. kitchenware, chocolates, liquor and cigarettes) are slash by the halves.

The grins of the satisfied customers!

A ‘fake smile’ of the funder!

>>End of Day 2.

It is almost dawn by the time we leave the Oriental Village. On the way back, we stop at the Telaga Harbour Park, the one and only harbor town in the region, manage by none other than the reputable Datuk Azhar Mansor, the first Malaysian and Asian that sail solo around the world. Instead of photographing the posh yachts and marina, I’m more interested in Langkawi’s natural beauty. The following are some snapshots of the mesmerizing sunset.

>>End of Day 1.

Since we seldom have family get-together on my husband-side, we were delighted when my mother in-law asked us to arrange a family trip to Langkawi. Deemed as the shopping paradise among the ladies, the plan seems to inflict the interest of my mother and aunties as well. That’s how we found ourselves et al on the island on the third week of February.

Saturday morning, 12 Feb 2011. We wait anxiously at the departure lounge.

Calling for passengers flight AK5322 to Langkawi at Gate P11.

On board the plane. Spotted some techies still doing the overhauling.

Soon we are above Sepang.

And 45 minutes later we found ourselves in Langkawi air. Down below; rows of yachts berthing at the Telaga Harbour Park.

A smooth landing at Langkawi airport 5 minutes passed 11.

After renting cars from the agent at the airport, being lunchtime; we straight ahead to Padang Mat Sirat for refueling (the car and also ourselves).

The view from our chalet at Chenang Beach.  Chenang is the touristiest and the most happening place in Langkawi. It somehow reminded me of Kuta, Bali.

After a short nap, we are fully recharge and ready to go. The first agenda of the itinerary is to visit the cable car, which is in the compound of the Oriental Village.

We spotted this ‘dude’ scavenging the leftovers.

Inside the Oriental Village.

The cable car ride to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang.

The complex mechanism (and I hope strong enough!) that pulls the cable cars.

Our ride has arrived! One need to immediately hop on whiles it still moving.

On the way up.

The view of Langkawi shores from the above.

My mum and auntie enjoying the panorama.

The view of the middle station from the top.

On the way to the sky bridge.

Suspended mid air at 700m above sea level, a sudden rush of acrophobia is too overwhelming.

The path to the hanging platform.

I gingerly walk to the edge to have a look down below.

The sky bridge taken from the inside of the cable car.

Going down. The recent draught has left the Seven Wells Fall nearly dried up.

(*note: a famous local phrase to describe group travelling especially lead by ladies, taken from a famous local tv drama title).