Langkawi

I had a great holiday in Langkawi (a tropical paradise situated in the northwestern tip of Peninsular Malaysia) last week. I stayed at the Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort, which was a charming resort with traditional chalets, located along an idyllic stretch of small private beaches amidst lush tropical forests. Believe it or not, monkeys were just everywhere around the chalets.

We rented a spacewagon and drove around the island. Driving was fairly laid back on the island because of the scarce traffic, with the main hazards being muddy roads and the occasional water buffaloes crossing.

One of the most prominent landmark in Langkawi which I visited was the Eagle Square. Situated near the Kuah jetty, the main attraction of the Square was the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight.

I also took an exhilarating ride on the Langkawi Cable Car up the escarpment on Mount Matcincang and over ancient rainforests. On the way uphill, I enjoyed a good view of the Seven Wells Waterfalls (where fairies bathed!). The top of the mountain was simply breathtaking. It was about 2,100 feet (700 meters) above sea level. I was awestruck by the wonderful panoramic view of Langkawi up at the top, including many islands and beaches. I must say my faith in technology was truly tested during the ride on the cable car. It was one of the most exciting ride I have ever experienced.

The weather was not too brilliant with thunderstorms and lightning at times. Fortunately, the sky cleared up on our last day there, and I did soak up quite a bit of ultra violet rays before I left for HK.