.::LANGKAWI ISLAND::.

Low Season in Langkawi - MAY

2009-05-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

May seems to be the worst month ever. Everything is so quiet over here. Less tourists means less income to many resorts and shops. There are a few who came from Switzerland. They say the weather in their country is negative degrees so they come here to feel the sun of Langkawi and burn their skin under the hot sun of 40 degrees Celcius. I could only see a few Arabics lingering around Pantai Chenang at night. They disappeared during day time and I'm sure they must be resting in their rooms avoiding hot sun.

I met one beautiful Arab's lady who came here for honeymoon with her husband. They are currently living in Holland. She doesn't look like an Arab since she doesn't wear hijab but when she speaks I can detect her Arabic slang. Her husband was feeling sick since he ate something in KL restaurant and she was sad that their honeymoon turned out to be not what they expected to be. She had to go out alone to make her hair done and a little bit of shopping. I felt sorry for them.

This month I also met a Cambodian. When she introduced herself , I was like "It's great to meet a Cambodian. This is my first time really." She laughed then continued " Cambodia is not like what you heard on tv" Hahahaha how on earth did she knows what I was thinking. So I just laughed. She was hoping to eat Laksa Power. It's the must have food when you're in Langkawi. But she was a bit too late. She was leaving Langkawi already. Anyway, she reminded me of Michelle Yeoh.

While every mother was celebrating Mother's Day, I posted a comment on Blog Catalog 'Hope to be a Mother someday". After awhile, one cute, tiny, spontaneous boy came up to me and asked "Do you have short pants?" I smiled. It was cute for a 5-year-old boy to speak in English. He was local. I looked around but couldn't see any adults accompany him. We had a mother-son talk. Ahem.. At least I think I was.

I'm hoping to meet a lot of tourists this month. Checking on the resorts reservation, I'll just have to wait until end of this month for Langkawi to be flooded with tourists.

No Bus in Langkawi

2009-05-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

There are no buses over here in Langkawi. So don't think you can tour around the island cheap fares. The first time I was here, I was also shocked. I can see a lot of bus stop stands and bus stop signs but suprisingly, when my friend told me that there are only school buses !

I thought there need to have buses since there are many tourists and local people who don't have cars or motorbike, but she told me once there used to have a lot but then the bus company went bankrupt. I just laughed when hearing the story. But it's kind of sad to minority local people who travel so far from their home and work in Langkawi but find that it's not easy to move to one place to another. I once found myself so difficult at first and I had to borrow from my company's extra bicycle to move around.

There are a lot of taxis with such an expensive fares. I could walk from my workplace to Pantai Chenang for only 15 minutes but the taxi driver will charge you for RM 7.

It is true if you're staying around Pantai Tengah and Pantai Chenang you don't need a taxi to take you around the place. You can just walk and exercise. But you might want to go to other interesting places like Cable Car, Mahsuri Tomb, Eagle Square and so on, you may need want to hire a car.

Usually travel agents will include a half day tour if you come to Langkawi in a package. But, honestly it's really cost you a lot of money. My suggestion? Why not rent a car. The smallest car and cheapest car you can get is Kancil for RM50/ day. Of course you need to top up the fuel by the end of the day but Kancil saves a lot of fuel.

Alternatively, you may want to rent a scooter for only RM 20/day. It's much cheaper and it's a good transport for sightseeing. You may want to see the kampong (village) scenery, the water buffalos, cows, goats, paddy field and beautiful mountains of Mat Cinchang and Gunung Raya. Plus, you can explore Malay villages with scooter.

There are also bicycle rental for RM10/ day.

Frangipani aka Plumeria

2009-04-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

I never have time to explore Langkawi just yet, though I'm already here for like two years, but there are a lot of Plumeria sp. growing beautifully here. The Frangipani Resort & Spa is a four star hotel and it has been named after the flowers. Plumeria sp. can be found at Holliday Villa. There are many interesting colors of frangipani. The common one are the whites. In Peninsular Malaysia, these flowers are not so well-known for they usually grow on the graveyard.

My mother used to scare me when I was little saying, that the flower is a symbol of death and that is why there are a lot of frangipani flowers scattering on graveyards. I was so scared that the fragrance of the flowers lead me to nightmares several times.

In medication, frangipani tea is said to have a cooling effect. It also helps your mind and body to calm, and neutralize your body.

How to Make Frangipani Tea ?

Pluck the flowers.
Let them dry.
Put in a cup and pour hot water onto it.
Let it for 2 minutes and you can just drink the water from it.

No sugar needed. Hot Frangipani Tea is much better than cold one.

Langkawi Maps

2009-01-13T02:29:00.000-08:00

SONGKET

2008-07-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

Here's the fact. The songket industry is facing a slow death as there's no new blood to take over the trade.It appears the number of weavers in the state (and elsewhere like Kelantan) are dwindling. The songket industry also depends on other specialised participants-pattern makers, the loom (and its components) constructors and even those that dye the yarn-that are also dwindling in numbers.

If you ever watched an artisan at work weaving songket, it surely always a mesmerising and magical experience. Nimble hands, moving in tandem with agile feet together with fine eye coordination, produced an intricate pattern on the draw loom. Clicks and thumps accompanied the endeavour - the songket weaver's song as it were. People say, you could always tell if someone was an expert from the sounds made during the weaving process.

If you turn the clock back three centuries, you'll probably see weavers doing the same thing. There is a certain comfort in knowing that some things have remained constant.

It is a painstaking art, one requires an uncommon skill, and lots of time and patience. So, for those who complain about about the price of songket being too exorbitant, I assure you it's hardly so considering the effort put into it.

WHAT IS SONGKET ?

Songket is normally a base fabric of silk and silk gold (sometimes silver) thread for the overlay, other fabrics like cotton is also used these days.Crystal thread is 'rainbow' thread ofthen seen on a finished piece shimmering like a rainbow. Most weavers learn the art in their mid-teens and traditional patterns are no longer as prevalent as before given the changing trends. When before it was spun on a blck or white base (on rare occasions red) with gold thread, now songket pieces come in multiple hues (for both the base and the pattern).

A piece of songket is normally about 2m or 2.5m in length. It is usually used as kain sampin ( a cloth tied around the midriff by men wearing the Baju Melayu ). A full traditional suit (including head dress) for both men and women can also be made of songket, and this is normally used by bridal couple or for special functions.

How to cheer up my kids ?

2008-06-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

These 10 colourful pencils are wrapped up into one set and are sold with good price. Get them for your kids so they will enjoy drawing even more and the best part is that....

They even LOVE you more !

Island of Mysterious Legends

2008-06-13T00:56:00.000-07:00

Reveal the mystery of Mahsuri island from this book.

Map of Langkawi

2008-06-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

Get the latest map of Langkawi.

Batik Shirt

2008-06-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sustainable T-shirt

2008-06-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

If you would like to order please email me. Price for each is RM 35.

Langkawi Geopark T-shirt

2008-06-12T04:36:00.000-07:00

Langkawi Geopark is designed by the local.

You can only get this kind of shirt exclusive from Langkawi Island.

There are 4 colours-Black, Dark Blue, Grey and Red

Please email me to order. Price Rm35

Langkawi Island T-shirt

2008-06-12T02:13:00.000-07:00

Comes in different sizes.

Available for adults and children.

Two colours are available : Dark Blue & White

My Boo

2008-06-12T01:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing to do with Alicia Key or Chris Brown's song..

Hye..we are good cats.meow...

Pat me..purr...

Magical Island

2008-06-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Getting to know Langkawi?

Features interesting places you can visit including one of the 99 most popular islands of Langkawi, The Pregnant Maiden Island.

My Kid's Birthday is Coming Up

2008-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

Then, why not giving something benefit to him?

Start saving money !

(Coconut handmade by the locals)

Okay, if she/he doesn't like buffalo then what about cat? Cat is cute..

Oh wait..you have a lot of options here..Yippiee..

Sup? Pick me...

No ! Pick me ! I'm the smarter one... ;)

Will you guys shut up! I'm trying to have my lunch peace and quiet...yummy..

Frangipani Collections

2008-06-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

Fine handcrafted creations borne out of love for the Plumeria.

The shop where I work located in The Frangipani Resort & Spa. The 4 star resort was named after the Plumeria tree which grow wildly (but beautifully) inside the resort.

These collections are including necklaces, hairbands, earings, and hair pins. Wonderful isn't it?

Wrap these beautiful creations of frangipani to your love ones. Show your love now!!!

If you would like to order please email me. Thanks.

Mangrove and Geopark Tour

2007-09-12T23:36:00.000-07:00

Explore the amazing mangrove forest by boat, with an introduction to the limestone forests on the slopes of stunning limestone outcrops of north east Langkawi.

Travel by boat with an English speaking naturalist through the twists and turns of the Kilim river through the maze created by aerial roots and thick fleshy leaves of the mangrove trees.

Wildlife is abundant, we observe the bizarre land walking fish, vividly colored kingfishers, eagles and often otters and dolphins.

We often see other mangrove animals that make their home in this delicately balanced ecosystem which is responsible for the health and wide variety of species in the Andaman Sea.

We also explore how the mangrove area is a perfect environment for cottage industries such as processing charcoal and fish farms. The kayak journey lasts about two and a half hours, followed by a short drive and easy 500 meter hike to a secluded jungle stream for a picnic lunch and swimming in a cool jungle stream.

As we venture out of the mangroves youll see majestic limestone rock formations and sea stacks that rise dramatically from the ocean. This ancient coral thrust into the sky millions of years ago is home to a unique and ancient group of plants found no where else on earth.

This trip is highly recommended for all visitors to Langkawi.

Trip includes return hotel transfer, boat ride, naturalist guide & mineral water. Minimum 2 maximum 8 people

We recommend a hat, tee shirt, shorts, swimwear, sun protection, towel and sandals or sport shoes.

MALAYSIA WILDLIFE is a small high quality eco-tour operator that offers National Geographic style nature experiences to small groups.

Explore the twists and turns of Kilim river through the maze created by mangrove trees. Observe the bizarre land walking fish, vividly colored kingfishers, eagles and often otters and dolphins. Out of the mangroves limestone formations and sea stacks rise dramatically from the ocean --- ancient coral thrust into the sky millions of years ago & home to unique and ancient plants found no where else on earth.

Enjoy the scenic and spectacular view of unique limestone rock formations emerging from the floor of the mangrove swamps and the sea. It will take you to the Cave of Bats and Crocodile Cave. A brief stop at the hole in the wall fish farm fell give your hand a try at feeding the tame stingrays. Before the boat docks at the isolated beach to give you a chance of private swimming, you will see the eagles wait silently to swoop down on the feed thrown into the water by the boatman.

Le Tour de Langkawi

2007-06-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

The Tour de Langkawi is an annual cycling race which is held in Malaysia since 1996. The name of the event comes from the starting point of the first few editions, in Langkawi, Kedah, although some later editions did not include Langkawi in the race at all. The race is part of the UCI Asia Tour.

Four jerseys are contested during the race, although in history the jersey colours changed all the time to suit the sponsor, they are general leader; sprint winner; king of the mountains and best Asian rider. In addition, they are two team titles to honour the best team and also the best Asian team.

The tour is the biggest cycling event in Asia, and it is the only one in Asia to have granted two hors-category.^[1] However, the latest edition of the tour was influenced by the failure to pay the prize money from organiser, lack of management and also some financial difficulties.

About Langkawi

2007-05-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

The island of Langkawi is an exotic holiday destination that offers world-class accommodation and amenities sitting side by side with idyllic beaches, ancient rainforests and quaint villages. Langkawi, part of the State of Kedah, was named after the eagle (helang in the Malay,language - pronounced 'Lang'), hence the imposing eagle statue at Dataran Lang (Eagle Square), welcoming visitors who arrive on the island through the Kuah Jetty.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 tropical islands off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30km from Kuala Perlis on the mainland. The main island is Pulau Langkawi. The archipelago has some of the world's most pristine rainforests, limestone and karst formations, caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and among the world's most beautiful beaches washed by clear emerald waters teeming with marine life.