Langkawi Reviews for all of you!
One thing I have always been a little surprised about when it comes to travel guide reviews is how the Langkawi Islands have always gotten such a bad reputation. It's been cited as an uneventful, boring place with nothing to offer, which is not only unfair, but also very untrue.
In fact, one of the more popular travel guides published back in 1994, "Lonely Planet on a Shoestring South-East Asia", had this to say, "It is quite a pleasant place to visit but Langkawi doesn't have the atmosphere (or the beaches) of the islands on the east coast...There is not a great deal to see apart from waterfalls, a rather pathetic hot spring, a legendary tomb and a fresh water lake."
But anyone who has ever been there will tell you that Langkawi is not only beautiful, but an extremely interesting place to visit, and from the second you land at the Langkawi International Airport, you will be hooked.
The accommodations are always impressive, with plenty of beach side resorts, 4 star hotels, and smaller hotels that are great on a smaller budget. One of my personal favourites is the Berjaya Beach and Spa Resort. Spanning across a 90 acre landscape of jungle, the Berjaya is a collection of chalets, housing basic, but comfortable, rooms attached to small balconies that give a breathtaking view of the local scenery. There is eve a 24 hour shuttle to take you across the grounds for those of you who end up in rooms far from the main buildings.
The four restaurants on the premises are affordable (about $15 US for two people), and vary in their genre of cuisine, so you can get a nice sample of the island's local dishes during your stay, without getting bored with the same place every night.
There is also a lounge with live music, performed by a group of four girls that call themselves 'Nyt Lyf' who seem to know hundreds of covers, and sing them quite well. It's an unexpected bonus that made the trip even more exciting, and sitting in the lobby, listening to them perform was a wonderful way of ending the day.
During the day there are dozens of activities and attractions to see, so many that it's doubtful you will be able to see them all, and they are spread all over the island, giving you the chance to explore away from the resort.
Hikers will love a visit to the Telaga Tujuh, as gorgeous waterfall that is reached by climbing the nearly 1,000 steps to the top, where you will enjoy the amazing view of the clear water and skyline. It truly gives you an appreciation of the natural beauty of the environment.
If you are an animal lover, as I myself am, you will also love the number of places you can witness the local wildlife, in both caged and free settings. Monkeys, water buffalo, and wild eagles litter the island, and if you are interested in the more dangerous side of the jungle, you can make a visit to the Crocodile Farm and Snake Sanctuary.
These are just a few of the possibilities when visiting Langkawi and I think we can all agree that there is nothing boring about this island. Looking back at my own experiences in this magical hidden wonderland of Malaysia, I have to wonder whether the author of "Lonely Planet on a Shoestring South-East Asia" spent his time locked in a box still left in the cargo hold of the plane.