The perfect opportunity for an exotic getaway!
When your on vacation, you should always be ready for the little surprises a foreign country has to throw at you, which is why I rarely shocked by anything in my frequent travels. However, I was completely unprepared for the wonders I witnessed as I made my way through Langkawi, an island just off the northern coast of Malaysia.
The jungles were rich and lush, covered with untouched plants and trees, and filled with the local wildlife living happily in their hidden depths. I felt so out of place, as though I were disturbing a sacred land that had been given to the animals centuries ago.
From there I moved on to the remote beach of Patai Kok, revelling in the crisp ocean air, and the sand sparkling in the sunlight. It was almost as if I had entered another world, not merely travelled to another part of the same island, and that impression would continue on with me as I made my way further across the beach, towards the mooing golden spires and peaked roof of a grand temple in the distance.
Even with my limited knowledge of Asian architecture, I was confused. The design had nothing to do with the local religion of the residents, and I couldn't understand why it was there, why someone had taken the time to build such an amazing building in an area where it would never be used for worship.
But as I got closer I realized that it was not a real building, that the entire structure was two dimensional, had no depth. It was a facade, and a breathtaking realistic one.
As one of the main filming location for the Hollywood production of 'Anna and the King', it would seem that Hollywood has certainly caught on to the potential of the Langkawi Islands, even if the majority of American tourists have not.
A veritable gem of Southeast Asia, Langkawi is a location that is still widely unknown by many, making it a remote and beautiful location for those who are looking for a tropical vacation without the crowds, or the overdeveloped tourist traps that so many other hot spots have become over the years. Made of up 99 islands during most of it's seasons (and 104 on the rest), the majority of the archipelago is made up of forests, jungles, beaches, and lakes, many untouched and all but deserted, others populated by the 60,000 residents that span across the area.
The most developed part of Langkawi is the city of Kuah, an area that was named as a duty free area in order to generate tourism and a more stable economy. This has resulted in some amazing shopping opportunities, from local trade items such as batik garments and art, to designer fashion and antiques in the various shops located around the downtown sector.
As far as activities go, there are many to choose from. Snorkelling, scuba diving, golf, jungle tours, river trips, and several high class hotels and resorts will ensure that you enjoy your stay in comfort and style, no matter what you choose to do with your time.
So if you are looking for an exotic getaway in a land of untouched beauty, on an island rich with culture that can also provide an amazing experience of comfort and entertainment, then come to Langkawi. It is a trip you will never forget.