Langkawi hotels vigilant over danger

HOTELS along the Pantai Cenang stretch in Pulau Langkawi have always taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their guests and visitors.
Casa Del Mar general manager Tom Blachere said the hotel makes it a must that all visitors are informed about  the jellyfish danger, when they check in during the mid-year season.

"At other times, we have it stated on our activity board in the lobby. As much as we need to keep them informed, at the same time, we do not want to alarm our guests."

He said the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) had provided adequate and updated information to all hotels. A spokesperson for another hotel on Pantai Cenang said several staff had undergone training on first aid and also on how to handle victims of jellyfish stings.

"We have qualified staff on standby at all times. For now, we have not put up any warning signage. However, we do inform our visitors during the jellyfish season."

She said the hotels and business operators along Pantai Cenang took part in gotong-royong exercises once a month to clean up the beach.

Malay Mail.

AL :-

Yes, i suggest all hotel visitors should be aware of the danger of jellyfish. What to do when sting &  who to turn to for follow up medical treatment.

Eagle Point in Kuah

Eagle Replica or Jentayu in Kuah

Picture of the day by Popsytwisty. The legend said that Langkawi was a place for a big bird called Garuda. Legend also said there's Garuda has attacked the convoy from Raja Merong Mahawangsa from its way to China. Raja Merong Mahawangsa using his magic fire a bow of arrow to Garuda which turn in Jentayu (a Legend bird) which fights with Garuda in the waters of Langkawi.

A the end the convoy was safe but the Jentayu bird die in the fight & Garuda left the scene from exhaustion.   

Comment by Popsytwisty about her trip :-

The trip wasn't really recent, it was about 2 years ago. But it was a good trip nonetheless. I enjoyed my stay at Helang Hotel and the food in Langkawi was fantastic especially the pisang goreng stall along the road!
More picture by her here.

Jellyfish phenomena seasonal

PETALING JAYA: The jellyfish phenomena in Pulau Langkawi has caused fears among the residents and tourists in recent years. Experts say the problem there is seasonal and there are many contributing factors for their presence near the islands on the western coast of the peninsula.

A Department of Fisheries spokesperson said the jellyfish phenomena was not confined to Langkawi but throughout the western coast, including Penang and Pulau Pangkor, off Perak.
"The massive swarms of jellyfish not only affects tourism at Langkawi, Penang and Pangkor but also the running of a power plant in Manjung, Perak," said the spokesperson.

"Since this is a natural phenomena and also seasonal, it is beyond our capability to deal with it. We do not have any special task force to deal with jellyfish like what we did to the harmful alga bloom."

He said the department advised those in the tourism industry, especially seaside hotels, to be alert at all times of the jellyfish danger.

"Putting up warning signs on jellyfish at beach areas is also our responsibility."

Recently, a Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, reported a 45-year-old Swedish tourist had died from being Jellyfish phenomena seasonal Box jellyfish is poisonous and the sting from this species can sometimes be fatal to humans or other marine life.

The bell or cube-shaped jellyfish has four distinct sides and swimmers would not know they are bitten until they feel excruciating pain, and sometimes can die from it. The box jellyfish is not edible and are known for their sting which is rarely detected until the venom is injected,  but also because they are almost transparent. It is also found in the tropical oceans around northern Australia, in the waters of the Indo-Pacific region near Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam. Vinegar is the only known treatment for jellyfish stings and most beach resorts and lifeguards around the Andaman region now keep vinegar at all times.

Box jellyfish is poisonous stung by a jellyfish while swimming in Langkawi.
In April 2008, it was reported that a young Swedish tourist died from box jellyfish stings off Koh Lanta in Krabi, Thailand.

University Malaysia Terengganu's Institute of Oceanography deputy director, Dr Zainuddin Bachok, said there was a need to know the route of the jellyfish phenomena. He said there were several possible factors that may cause this, including the water currents and physical factors.

"It can be a migration process, where the water current moves and the jellyfish go along with it. Physical factors such as the water temperature also play a role. When the water in a certain area turns colder, the jellyfish seek to migrate to warmer waters where they tend to get reproductive."

However, he also pointed out the migration process was a norm in marine life.
Zainuddin suggested that continuous data monitoring be conducted to analyse the pattern of the jellyfish phenomena and from that, perhaps the main causes of the phenomena can be known for certain.
Langkawi Development Authority's (LADA) tourism division principal assistant manager, Azmil Munif Bukhari, told The Malay Mail the jellyfish phenonmena was seasonal and the situation was back to normal.
He said July was the season of the jellyfish in Langkawi.
Azmil said there were frequent gotong-royong exercises involving the hotels and other business operators to clean up the beaches.

"Recently, a team from Universiti Sains Malaysia conducted research on the matter and we are working closely with them."

Local media reports said the improper dumping of sewage and the disappearance of turtles caused an explosion in the jellyfish population last year. In first 21 days of July, there were 185 recorded cases of jellyfish attacks on tourists and residents, including fishermen. It was stated that best way to curb the number of jellyfish would be to prevent marine pollution. However, it was also mentioned there are problems in increasing the number of turtles, which feed on jellyfish, because of pollution along the beaches.


The Malay Mail
To be Continue.

AL: - 

If its really seasonal then the expert should advise us when will be the peak season. Then we can alert the public on that period to be more cautious. Having said that is the Medical expert in Langkawi can handle such situation especially when it comes to box jellyfish.

Crystal Clear Water Beach

Crystal Clear

Picture of the day. Picture by Tomaizon. I wonder where is this. With the right lighting & great day you'll get this amazing picture. More picture by Tomaizon here.

Comment by Tomaizon : "Langkawi island is very beautiful place, and I think there are many places to photograph."

Atop A Waterfall B&W

Atop A Waterfall

Picture of the day. A picture of a waterfall in Langkawi. I think this is Telaga Tujuh Waterfall during low raining season. Its not a good time to swim or having fun. Anyway thanks to Ollie for the great picture. More picture by him here.

Comment by Ollie :-

"I loved my trip to Langkawi, it is a naturally beautiful island and the people were very friendly to my friends and I. It was great to be able to discover new places and new food for ourselves but it would have been handy to have a cheap method of transport, like a public bus that regularly went around the island because the taxis could be expensive."

AL :- Agree with Ollie. Should have a shuttle bus from Kuah to certain tourist spot. Lada should think about this suggestion.

Langkawi's Caves Of Mystery And Intrigue

Bat Cave, Crocodile and Legend Cave. The names spark the imagination. Carved by water out of the soft limestone over millennia, the caves have only recently come to light.
Located at the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, one of Langkawi's main conservation areas on the northeast tip of the island, the limestone mountains here also boast one of the world's oldest cave passage and natural rock formation.

To explore the caves, I joined a group of visitors from Korea and we took a motorboat upstream along the Kilim River to Bat Cave.
From a small jetty, a boardwalk leads right through Bat Cave and emerges at the other side, round the base of the limestone hill to rejoin the jetty.

The wooden planks thumped softly beneath our feet, expectations high on the wonders that we would see. Panoramic view of Gua Cerita. As we walked in the eternal twilight, the chirps of bats echoed in the gloom.

There are thousands of bats living in this cave. Using their sonar skills, they flutter about, looking for mosquitoes to eat before dangling upside down on their perches.

Between the flying rodents, the bat droppings and the drizzling rainwater, I was happy to be wearing a protective helmet. Ancient seashells stuck to the roof and walls reveals that this cave was originally the sandy bottom of an ancient river millions of years ago.
"Look at this column," our guide, Hassan said. "The stalactite formed from water droplets from the ceiling has joined at the bottom, becoming one big column. It takes millions or years to achieve this and only a few seconds to destroy it. We should do all we can to preserve these natural wonders," he added.
It was indeed beautiful. And so were the other intriguing cave formations found all around. Pointing my torchlight at the rock face, I noticed that one outcrop looked like a mother carrying her child and another looked like a tall, elegant lady

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

AL :-

I have a book which tells about Cave's of Langkawi. Interesting book. I will use the book as a reference & tell about it bit by bit in this blog. So for those who are interesting with Caves of Langkawi Stay TUNE!

Nightly Cultural Show At Langkawi Cable Car During School Holidays

ALOR SETAR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Visitors to Langkawi during the ongoing school holidays can experience Malaysian culture on show nightly at Langkawi Cable Car.

The special cultural shows began yesterday and would go on until March 19, said Ebi Azly Abdullah, chief operating officer of Panorama Langkawi, the operator of Langkawi Cable Car wholly owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd.

He said in a statement that various types of Malaysian ethnic dance would be showcased throughout the week.

Since the start of the night cable car service during weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays, the response has been very encouraging, he said.

"We will continue to aggressively promote Langkawi Cable Car through our normal channels as well as through the social media," Ebi Azly said.

The cable car ride takes visitors up to 708 metres above sea level, with the journey covering a distance of 2.2km linking the station at the foot of Mt Machinchang to the station at the top of the mountain.

Bernama

AL :-

Applause effort by Prasarana Berhad to held such activity till night. This is in line with opening of the cable car till 10:00pm. In a way, the shop's there will benefit by this school holiday.. 

Makam Mahsuri Traditional Music

Traditional music performance in Makam Mahsuri

Picture of the day. Picture was taken at Makam Mahsuri. Traditional music played by the local ladies. If you like cultural type of tourist attraction this is the place. Thanks alex for sharing. More picture by alex here.

Air Terjun Telaga Tujuh Waterfall

Cascading waterfall.

Picture of the day. Picture taken by Alex of Telaga Tujuh Waterfall. They are common areas you can go either the upper part of the waterfall or the lower part (as per picture). Anyway, please be carefull when going to the upper part of the waterfall because there's been several case already people slip & fall. Some fatality also noted at the area. Beware of the monkeys as well.

Please check more great pictures by Alex here.

Langkawi Link Vacation Guide - 2011 March Issue

Langkawi Link is a free travel magazine which offer great guideline & travel info to Langkawi Tourist monthly.
Get yours today in Airport, Kuah Jetty or selected places. Please email me at anaklangkawi@gmail.com for a pdf copy..

Asean Countries Invited To International Padi Festival 2011

LANGKAWI, March 9 (Bernama) -- Padi cultivation equipment and technology from Thailand and Indonesia will be among the items to be exhibited during the two-day Langkawi International Padi Festival 2011 here beginning July 23.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) public relations officer Ramizi Hassan said besides Thailand and Indonesia, participants from Singapore would also be present.

"The involvement by several Asean countries will enable them to exchange information and experience in field cultivation," he said here Wednesday.

The exhibition is organised jointly by the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture, Kedah Culture and Arts Department, Lada and the Agriculture Department.

-- BERNAMA

Bat Cave / Gua Kelawar

Picture of the day by Haziqis. This Bat Cave situated at Kilim Geo-Park forest areas. But if dont stand stinking bat dropping better not go there. To check more pictures by Haziqis please refer here.

Fama Carnival In Langkawi During School Holidays

LANGKAWI, March 8 (Bernama) -- Fresh fruits, handicraft and an assortment of products of small and medium industries will be on sale at the week-long Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) carnival here beginning on Saturday and coinciding with the school holidays.

Kedah Fama Director Wan Abdullah Wan Chik said entrepreneurs would display their wares at 100 stalls at the "Karnival Kota Tani Langkawi 2011."

Fama, with the collaboration of Tourism Kedah, would hold a demonstration to promote Kedah cuisine during the carnival, to be held at Kota Tani Padang Matsirat here, he said.

Wan Abdullah said arrangements had been made to bring tourists to the carnival where products would be sold at "reasonable prices" and Fama expected to chalk up sales of between RM150,000 and RM200,000.

-- BERNAMA 

AL :-

For fellow tourist. This event shall not be missed. Try out those lovely food & fruit.  

Langkawi Cable Car Video

Cable car video by krabbedouli.
For those who wonder what's up there better watch the video. Great video. 
This might explain those with hearth problem not recommended to ride the cable car.

Bread takes on the gourmet feel

The Loaf

A lifestyle bakery/bistro, The Loaf is very famous because it is co-owned by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Its first main outlet was opened in 2006 at the picturesque setting of Telaga Harbour, Langkawi, and has since added four more outlets, one each at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Empire Shopping Gallery (Subang Jaya), IOI Boulevard (Puchong) and Bangsar Village 2. Nonetheless, the making of the bread and pastry products is still mainly in the hands of award-winning Grand Chef Yukichi Matsubara from Japan.

When visiting Langkawi, be sure to drop by The Loaf for breakfast to have some of their freshly-baked croissants. With the delicious aroma of butter lingering through the place, it can be a therapeutic experience for the soul as well.

“Some of our special ingredients include flour imported from Japan and butter from Belgium. We also use several baking techniques, including the Louvain Method with natural yeasts obtained from dry raisins and fresh lemons,” says Matsubara, who has written a book titled The Latest Style of Boulanger Desserts – Unity of Bread and Dessert.

“Making a croissant, for example, is a long and tedious process. But we make sure we have the best ingredients to start with,” he adds.

The Loaf’s bestsellers (available at all outlets) include croissants, hard breads such as Campagne Fromage and Magazine, sweet breads like Cranberry Cheese and Red Bean Walnut, and the Chicken Onion Loaf.
The Loaf also has something that no other bakery has, the Cube 60°. This is their signature brewed coffee comprising espresso frozen to -60°C. The frozen coffee will slowly dissolve as warm milk is poured over it, resulting in a rich and velvety beverage.

The Star

 

AL : A must visit place for bread lovers.