Archipelago and Fjords | Langkawi

Among 1 of 99 island in Langkawi

Picture of the day. One among 99 islands of Langkawi. Great picture taken. Thanks to Alexander Zulkarnain for sharing. Refer his blog here for more & flikr for pictures.


Thanks for sharing bro..

Legend of Langkawi

The trouble began, as it often does, with a beautiful woman. Princess Mahsuri was a young woman of extraordinary beauty who lived on the island of Langkawi more than 200 years ago during the reign of Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah the Second.

She was falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to death by "piercing" but legend has it that during her execution she bled white blood, thus proving her innocence. As she lay dying, Mahsuri put a curse on the island: Langkawi would not be peaceful or prosperous for seven generations.
Looking down on the beachside resorts and yachts moored at the marina from the Langkawi Cable Car, I'm glad the seven generations have passed and Langkawi is flourishing again.
An archipelago of 99 tropical islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Straits of Malacca, Langkawi was once a hideaway for pirates; now it's best known for its unspoilt beaches, sumptuous resorts and mountain wilderness.

The ride to the top of Mt Mat Cincang, on the north-west corner of the main island, is not for the faint-hearted. With a vertical rise of 680m and a gradient of 42 degrees, it's one of the world's steepest cable cars.

I get off at the highest point and step on to the curved suspension bridge, which crosses a deep chasm between Mat Cincang and a neighbouring summit. In the distance I can see across the Andaman Sea to Thailand, while, 100m below, virgin jungle is draped over the landscape like a velvet shawl.

A fearless macaque in the mangroves. Picture: Aidi Abdullah

According to legend, Mat Cincang and neighbouring Gunung Raya, are the bodies of giants who were cast into stone after brawling over yet another beautiful maiden. A smaller hill, Mat Sawar, stands between the two. In 2007 this mountainous region, with its ancient forests, waterfalls and beaches, was recognised by UNESCO for its "outstanding geological landscape" and assigned Global Geopark status. More than 550 million years old, Langkawi is home to the most complete Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence in Malaysia.

An easy 30-minute drive to the north-east of the island brings me to the second key conservation area in the Geopark, the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. I've signed up for a mangrove forest excursion with Aidi Abdullah, resident naturalist at the Four Seasons Resort where I'm staying.
As we glide past sheer limestone cliffs and enter the mangroves, Aidi points out some of the swamp's strange inhabitants: fiddler crabs with pink claws, little amphibious fish that walk on mud and a brown-ringed kingfisher with a blood-red beak.

"Keep your eyes out for dusty-pink dolphins," he says. I assume he's pulling my leg but he explains they often see pods of up to 60 Indo-Pacific dolphins in the river.
Leaving the mangroves, we enter a section of the main river where boats gather to watch one of the daily eagle feedings. My heart sinks as dozens of Brahminy kites, Langkawi's official bird, dart and dive among the boats scooping up scraps of chicken. To see these magnificent creatures acting like a flock of greedy seagulls saddens me.

"The feeding was started to lure the eagles away from the airport," explains Aidi. "But it is now becoming a problem."
Tourism is a double-edged sword in the new, prosperous Langkawi.

"Development has come quickly to our paradise and we need stricter legislation to protect it," Aidi says.

Aidi is a champion for the cause and is lobbying the government to restrict boats in the mangroves, the speed at which they travel and also to educate the boat drivers in mangrove biology and eco-awareness.
As we turn our backs on the eagles, Aidi takes a detour through a series of limestone sea caves. Drifting through the luminous water, we stretch out and gaze up at the hundreds of bats hanging from the ceiling. The Cave of Bats (Gua Kelawar) is steeped in legend due to the twisted and tortured stalactites which look like otherworldly creatures. The smell of bat guano is overpowering and I'm soon glad to be in the sunlight, heading back to our resort.

Original Article
The Four Seasons is a Moorish-inspired retreat at the edge of the Geoforest Park. This private village offers luxurious villas and pavilions set on the white sands and emerald waters of Tanjung Rhu Cove. Being so close to the forest, I am constantly startled by macaques on my balcony, families of dusky-leaf monkeys on the lawn and hornbills in the trees.

The following day I drive to the southern part of the island, passing through small villages, coconut plantations and local markets before arriving at the tourist hub of Pantai Cenang Beach. This 2km stretch of beach is lined with stalls and restaurants and more places for a foot massage than I have toes. At a beachside bar with a frosty beer, my young travelling companion makes the cliched comparison "like Bali 30 years ago". I visited Kuta 30 years ago. I smile and nod in agreement.
But I'm after an experience that goes back further than 30 years; like about 100 years. A five-minute drive away, in a former coconut plantation, Australian expatriate Narelle McMurtrie has restored eight antique "Malay Kampung" (village) houses, sourced from all over Malaysia, to create an eclectic boutique property named Bon Ton Restaurant and Resort. Next door is the sister resort, Temple Tree, where a collection of antique Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian buildings form a 12-room, 13-suite, eight-villa property.

While Ms McMurtrie's goal is to conserve Malay heritage, these boutique properties fund her other passion - the rehabilitation of neglected and needy animals. Mainly cats and dogs through the Langkawi Animal Shelter and Sanctuary (LASSie), but they also treat wildlife which is returned to the wild once healthy.

The rescued dogs are kept in a nearby shelter; the cats, however are free to roam the resort. At lunch in the Nam restaurant I almost sit on a cat, another sits at my feet, while yet more sleep on daybeds by the pool.

I'm not a cat person but I take some comfort in knowing these well-fed felines are not roaming the rainforest causing further mischief. Furthermore, LASSie's main aim is to control the island's stray cat and dog population through sterilisation.

After a traditional Nyonya meal (a blend of Chinese and Malay) of chilli prawns, spicy and sour fish curry, lamb rendang and cashew nut rice I have one final detour before heading to the airport - Mahsuri's Mausoleum.

As I stand in front of the simple white tomb paying my respects, a group of schoolchildren enter the grounds, laughing and giggling, as children must.
Mahsuri might represent the past but in the echoes of these little voices I think I can hear the sound of a peaceful and prosperous future.

Kilim Cave Tour

Boat in the cave by Rashad

Picture of the day. One of the highlights of KILIM your. Make sure camera's ready.. Thanks to Rashad for sharing the picture. More pictures by him here.

Comment by him :-

I visited that island 3 times, i love it, i enjoy the silent and quite neighboorhoods there, i love beaches, island hopping, mountains there as well, my favorite is the mangroove trail trip. 

Lada issues list of fares for taxi drivers

LANGKAWI: The Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) has issued a list of fares for taxi drivers here, which must be complied by them.

Its chief executive, Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said the list covered fares for over 30 destinations.

 

"The list is important to ensure that tourists know the actual fare for each destination. This is an effort to improve the quality of public transport services in Langkawi," he told reporters after launching the sticker for rented cars and the list of fares today.    

 

Pulau Langkawi currently has more than 1,000 taxis.     "We hope all taxi drivers will comply with the fares listed for the convenience of tourists," he said.

 

Lada held a discussion with taxi drivers before the list was issued, he added. -- BERNAMA

Read more: Lada issues list of fares for taxi drivers - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/lada-issues-list-of-fares-for-taxi-drivers-1.56036#ixzz1p3nSPxAU

AL :-

This just mean one thing.. More transparent with regards to the fares for the tourist..

I support the motion..

Marriage ceremony in penguin tank enters Book of Records

LANGKAWI: Wedding bells rang inside an aquarium full of penguins for two couples who opted to make a difference by sitting on makeshift dais at the Underwater World Langkawi (UWL) during their marriage ceremony.
Mohd Fazli Abdul Rahman, 31, who wedded Nursalmah Tajuddin, 27, and Mohd Shodri Bahador, 25 who tied the knot with Nurul Naziemah Rahim, 22, were employees of UWL.
They performed the ceremony in two separate aquariums, namely, the tank housing African penguins and Rockhoppers, while feeding the penguins in the tanks.
The event, recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records, was also witnessed by Langkawi member of parliament Datuk Abu Bakar Taib.
The spectacle, in the two tanks which lasted for 15 minutes, was accompanied by those handling the penguins, who acted as bridesmaids to ensure everything went smoothly, especially in terms of security of the couples.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/12/marriage-ceremony-in-penguin-tank-enters-book-of-records/#ixzz1p3gav5Hl

AL :-

Waaa.. new way of wedding.. Quite unique.. Selamat Pengatin Baru! 

Kilim Fish Feeding

Picture of the day. Fish feeding at Kilim. Wow! Such a clear picture. A technique which eliminate the glare.. More by him here. Thanks for sharing..

Comment by Him 

- Langkawi - an interesting place!

Sunset by Azamnoor

Sunset at Pantai Pasir Hitam

Picture of the day. Sunset taken at Pantai Pasir Hitam. 

Where Is The Bridge?

ISO 100, exposure 16s, f/22, focal 18mm, nd8

This moment occured after a long sunny day. The "bridge" actually heading to Langkawi Island, the most famous island in Malaysia. Even though there are no sandy beach at the area, the view that I could captured was so amazing! With some minimal saturation editing, I represent this photo to you. Enjoy it!

Please refer here for more pictures by him.. Thanks bro.

Pantai Kok Sunset by Zhariff

Picture of the day. Amazing picture taken at Pantai Kok. Great combination of sunset, matchincang mountain & boats..

Thanks bro for sharing.. I wish i can learn how to take this kind of pictures.. :)
More from him here

Jellyfish Sighting in Langkawi Beach

Picture of the day. Sighting of jellyfish on Langkawi beach. Thanks to Chris for sharing.
More pictures from him here.

Comment :

The jelly was just washed up on shore a little after sundown, and you can't tell the scale by the picture but it was about a half meter accross. I didn't have any problems with them while I was swimming (was there almost a week) so maybe this one died at sea and got carried by the current, but who knows.

Chris

First Integrated Fish Farming Project In Langkawi Soon

LANGKAWI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) is paving the way for the development of commercial fish farming and aqua tourism by leasing its land as the first fish processing plant in the island.

Its chief executive officer, Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said Lada and a company specialising in marine fish farming, Aquagrow Corporation Sdn Bhd, had signed two agreements to develop the industry.

"In the first agreement, Lada leases three plots of land in the Ikan Bilis (anchovies) industrial area, Taman Nilam to Aquagrow to develop the first fish processing plant in Langkawi.

"The beach wil also be developed in Taman Nilam for its offshore cage operation near Pulau Langgun," he said at an agreement signing ceremony between Lada and Aquagrow, here Thursday.

He said for the second agreement, Lada would lease 30 units of unoccupied houses in Taman Nilam to Aquagrow as staff quarters for about 120 people.

-- BERNAMA
 

 AL :-

Fish processing plant. Well, good idea. Its about demand & supply. Not sure whether the anchovies enough to cater the plant's need. Hopefully it will not be another White Elephant project... I pray for the succes..

Langkawi poachers 'a threat to leaf monkeys'

Illegal hunting rampant

A troop of dusky leaf monkeys perched atop tree branches in Langkawi. (Inset) a bullet-riddled carcass of a dusky leaf monkey hanging head down with its tail wrapped around a branch. MSN Langkawi pix 

 THE heart-wrenching picture tells it all. It shows the lifeless bullet-riddled body of a dusky leaf monkey (langur) hanging head down with its stiffened tail wrapped around a tree branch.
 The female primate was allegedly shot dead by local villagers at the foot of a hillside at Pantai Tengah here as it was foraging for food, with its babies in tow.

 An expatriate, who has made Langkawi his home for many years, related how he had been been hearing gunshots almost daily and finally decided to check it out one evening in late January.

 The foreigner, who wished to be known only as Mike, said he was shocked when he stumbled upon three men, one of whom was armed with a new 16-gauge shotgun, dragging two injured baby langur with tree roots tied around their neck.

 "The baby langur were screaming and the men were shocked to see me.

 "I grabbed the baby langur after they told me that the animals were pests and caused damage to their  newly-planted rubber sapplings."

 Mike said the men allowed him to take the babies which he later sent to a veterinary clinic on the island.

 One of the babies died on the same day while the second one is now being cared for by an animal lover.

 The killing of the langur, also known as "spectacled leaf monkey" for the unmistakable white patches around their eyes, has sparked concern that hunting the species, which is totally banned in Langkawi, is becoming rampant on the island.

Residents claimed to have heard gunshots  in areas like Pantai Tengah and Pantai Kok, despite a hunting  ban on the island, which has been declared  a national eco-park.

 Local conservationist Irshad Mubarak, also  known as Junglewalla, said the authorities could easily track down the culprits as there were only a handful licensed  firearms  holders on the island.

 "They are either private licence holders or Rela members so I don't see why they  cannot be tracked down.

"I hope there will be more enforcement as the fruiting season has started in Langkawi. More langur may be killed when they start raiding the fruit orchards,"  said Irshad.

 Malaysian Nature Society Langkawi chairman Eric Sinnaya said they had recently teamed up with relevant departments including the Langkawi Development Authority, the district council and the Wildlife and National Parks Department to form a conservation team.

  "By next month, the team can help identify and nab the culprits."

 Meanwhile, Kedah Wildlife and National Parks department director Rahim Ahmad  said they were investigating the allegation but had yet to detain any suspects.

 "We have stepped up surveillance and enforcement in  areas where the hunting activity is said to be taking place."

FAST FACTS — DUSKY LEAF MONKEYS
 THE dusky leaf monkey, which is also known as the spectacled langur or spectacled leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus), is a species of primate found mainly in Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.
 IT is a shy, interesting-looking creature with large white circles around each eye,  giving these little primates the appearance of sporting eyeglasses.
 IN addition to white circles around each eye, the it also has white skin surrounding its mouth and a creamy white colour around  its stomach.
 ALTHOUGH the adult dusky leaf monkey is typically grey,  or brown in colour, the babies are born bright orange.

 DUSKY leaf monkeys typically live in troops  that have an average of 10 to 17 animals.
 DURING the day, the troop will splinter into smaller groups to forage through the trees.
 DUSKY leaf monkeys prefer to feed on young leaves, although it will also eat fruits, preferably unripe, and flowers.

 AT night, the monkeys will regroup,   and then bed down for the evening in the trees.
 PREDATORS of this species  include snakes and large birds of prey.
 HUMANS also hunt these monkeys and loss of habitat has become a problem for the dusky leaf monkey.
 CURRENTLY, these monkeys are listed as “Near Threatened”  on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Read more: Langkawi poachers 'a threat to leaf monkeys' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/langkawi-poachers-a-threat-to-leaf-monkeys-1.49739#ixzz1n5tOmM5P

AL :-

At last it come out in the papers.. I've highlighted the article here & so does my friend here. 

Ducks at Langkawi Bird Paradise

Taken at Langkawi Bird Paradise

 Picture of the day by zhishan. Amazing close up picture of ducks at Bird Sactuary Langkawi. Love every detail of it. Thanks bro for sharing.

More from his pictures here.. Please check his blog as well.. zhishan90.blogspot.com

Please email me if you need any info with regards to your travel to Langkawi & also if you need any advertising enquiry. ( anaklangkawi@gmail.com ) 

Politik Langkawi.

PRu-13 semakin hampir. PR mahupun BN telah mula memasang pasak. Mula lebih rancak dlm merancanakan agenda masing2. Masing2 akan memberikan yg terbaik.

Kemungkinan seperti biasa adalah calon satu lawan satu. Seperti biasa BN akan diwakili UMNO. PKR pula di Parlimen manakala ADun oleh PAs. Persoalan skrg siapa bakal menjadi calon bg kedua-dua pihak. Adakah kekal calon yg sedia ada @ sebaliknya.

Apa-apa pun dlm kerancakan kita berpolitik yg dilupa bersatu dr segi sesama anak langkawi dlm agenda ekonomi langkawi. Bersatu padulah dr segenap segi. Agar anak cucu langkawi terpelihara. Berpolitik ada batas. Jgn terbawak2 sehingga yg kawan jd lawan. Yg adik beradik putus saudara. Mmg tak berbaloi..

Kita tiada lain selain bumi bertuah ini. Pulau yg kecik ni tmpat kita mencari rezeki & beradu...

Pantai Chenang Master Plan..

I've been waiting patiently for the Pantai Chenang master plan to kick off. I've studied the masterplan which can be access from 'unit perancangan bandar' website. The masterplan consist some of current solution of problem existance in Pantai Chenang.

Some of the problem are:
- pollution from hotel's seawage system
- e coli rate increases
- jellyfish rate increases
- accident from water sport.
- limited space for picnic areas
- beach acces block by hotels (legally used land or unlegal)
- many more

As of now, discussion been made with various party with regards with the master plan. There're pro's and con's feedbck. Some object totally some waiting for the transformation plan with joy.

Among my input & suggestions are:
- involve local SME with regards to development of new areas & hotels
- smart partnership for boutique hotel with local land owner with private company, Not merely take over land or purchase from locals.
- allocation of 50% of shop or properties at chenang by local langkawian. With rebates & business oppurtunity..
- extend the masterplan to area untill near the airport in nxt future plan.
- target of working oppurtunity to local up to 60% on the planned areas. The plan/ manpower training shall start frm now in order to ready the locals.

Anyway my concern is more towards benefits of the locals. The locals shall not be sideline. Local state govermmt need to inforce strict land procedure to avoid land changes hnd to outsiders. Balance of economic pie are crucial in langkawi. In order for the langkawi transformation a succes..

Let's keep Langkawi magical

Last week’s brutal attack on a German couple must be the last

Hubert Heiler and his wife Mariah Hease vowed this would be their last visit to Langkawi after a terrifying assault.

1 / 1

 

DURING my first visit to Langkawi more than 15 years ago, I met several Europeans who were "returning visitors" to the island. Some were even conversant in Bahasa Malaysia.
There were others already speaking in the northern dialect.

I understood why they chose to stay, or to make regular visits to Langkawi. The island, despite the fast-paced development, has retained much of its pristine quality. Besides, the locals are friendly.

All this must have been why Hubert Heiler, 70, and his wife Mariah Hease, 66, kept returning to Langkawi every year for the past 18 years to spend two months away from the cold winter of their native Germany. But this will be their last visit. They are not coming back. Neither would you if you were brutally attacked by machete-wielding men.

Last weekend, the couple was having an after-dinner stroll when they were set upon by three men along the main road to their hotel in Pantai Tengah.

Heiler and Hease were slashed on their arms and all five of Hease's fingers on her left hand were almost severed. Heiler also suffered similar injuries on three of his fingers.

The injured couple were rushed to hospital by passers-by.

Heiler said they would fly home to their hometown in Bielefeld, Germany once they were discharged.

Langkawi police chief Superintendent Harrith Kam Abdullah said they had arrested a suspect -- a local youth who is a drug addict -- in connection with the case.

I'm not sure whether or not the attack-cum-robbery was the first such incident in Langkawi.

 If it was, then it is the responsibility of the police to prevent a recurrence.

I'm sure the couple's story is big news among the residents, in particular visitors -- in the island. They must be worried because if the robbers are not caught, then a similar incident could occur, perhaps with a worse outcome. Anyone could be a victim.

Langkawi is internationally known, not just as a tourist attraction but a favourite venue for international conferences.

Although Langkawi is not unfamiliar to people the world over, if you're a prospective visitor, you'd still want to know more.

You'll find a website  describing the scenery of "magical Langkawi".

You'll be told it's "relatively a very safe place to visit" with "problems that come with being a developing area".

Also that the only major crimes are petty thefts "because there is a great contrast of wealthy tourists and poor locals".

Visitors should not avoid a trip, but take certain precautions "to ensure a safe visit" like not carrying large amounts of money, not wearing expensive jewellery or not looking flashy.

They also should not draw "un-needed attention" to themselves and try to blend in with the crowd.

Other complaints mentioned were car break-ins, rental car "scams" and cheeky monkeys that "regularly mug tourists for fruit, ice cream, etc".

At press time, I've not confirmed whether the Heilers have left Langkawi.

 They might have promised to not return but who knows, after they've got over their ordeal, they may remember the good things about the mystical isles in the sun. For now, I'd like to think that the Langkawi police would have intensified their search for the three men. Round up suspects if they must.

The Heilers have a horrific tale to tell when they get home. Let's hope it is not the only tale people will remember of Langkawi.

The authorities, including the police as well as the community, in Langkawi, should subscribe to the maxim -- a sensible response to a senseless crime.

Act swiftly to send a message that no one tolerates such brutality before Langkawi begins to assume a different reputation.

If what happened to the Heilers is consigned to the cold files, even loyal visitors from the Britain, Germany and elsewhere as well as Malaysians themselves may avoid the island like the plague.  Not even the friendly locals can beckon them back.

Read more: Let's keep Langkawi magical - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/let-s-keep-langkawi-magical-1.41741#ixzz1mXviDJwA

AL :-

A sad but true event. Its a shame event for Langkawi tourist have to get thru this incident. Eventhough the event happen last month. But for a local langkawian i need to give it a highlight. Not good for tourist but to aware the authourities, tourist & locals on what can happen to this magical island. Hopefully the culprit captured already & but them in bars..