Malaysia Continued: Langkawi Highs

Langkawi Highs

A unique blend of sun, sand and greenery, Langkawi isn’t the typical beach destination. Don’t get me wrong, the white sandy beaches here offer everything a beach bum can dream of, but add to this rainforests, waterfalls and caves, and you have a place that has plenty to offer to people who are not there just for the tan. Here is my list of top 3 things to do when visiting this island in Malaysia.

1. Sun Bathe

There are beautiful white sand beaches in Langkawi, and while you can rent a beach chair for around 10 MYR (roughly 1USD=3MYR) at the popular Cenang beach, several resorts have their own stretches of sand where the tourists are few and the beaches all the more inviting.

2. Oriental Village & Cable Car ride

The Oriental Village is a shopping complex designed to showcase Malaysian and Oriental architecture. Though the main attraction here is the cable car ride, which I promise will be an experience you will cherish for years to come. Once inside the gondola, you will be swiftly taken up to the top of the Gunung Mat Cincang; and a panoramic view of the rainforests, Seven Wells waterfalls and the sea will stretch beneath you. The ride is breathtaking to say the least, for not just the beauty but the sheer distance between your feet and the ground below will make your heart skip a couple of beats at least! The viewing platforms allow one to enjoy the magnificent and rather dramatic views from 700 metres above sea level. The platforms themselves are quite marvellous especially the curve hanging bridge above the deep, deep chasm. 

Cost – about 30 MYR per person

3. Mangrove Cruise

The mangrove forests play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance, and Malaysians were reminded of this after the Tsunami hit the nation. Ever since, the government has put in special efforts into conserving its mangrove forests. We hired a boat for a guided tour around Langkawi’s mangroves and were first taken to see Langkawi’s eagles. As the guide unloaded chunks of chicken into the water and moved away, kite eagles and white eagles swooped in to grab those pieces of chicken, providing a splendid sight and a brilliant opportunity for nature photographers.

Then we went on to go the crocodile cave, where we didn’t see any crocodiles but there were bats happily asleep on its roof! The bats here were a hint of what lay ahead – the bat caves. While the prospect of being in a cave full of bats frightened me to say the least, I managed to muster the courage to follow the other dozen odd tourists marching in without the slightest of hesitation. A wooden platform leads one directly into the caves where stalactites and stalagmites of gigantic proportions await you, and yes the ceilings are indeed lined by snoozing bats.

Finally, we were taken to a fish farm, where we were invited to hold a star fish in our hand and feed sting rays and other fascinating inhabitants of the water world.

The ride back can be quite thrilling, for you’re allowed to either return by the peaceful river you’ve been on through the entire trip or instead opt to go by the choppy waters of the Arabian Sea. We decided to test the waters of the Sea and the ride had me screaming and laughing almost simultaneously!

Cost – We hired a boat for 250 MYR, and we were accompanied by a guide who also steered the motor boat. We found the experience to be well worth the money spent.