Info on Box JellyFish

Box jellyfish is poisonous

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 keepvinegar at all times.

Malay Mail. 

AL :-

Such a beautiful creature yet dangerous. 

Pantai Chenang Beach

Chenang Beach by Mario Gala

Picture of the day. If anyone wonder how Chenang Beach look like please to this picture. This is the most famous place for beach activity as well as relaxing place at night. The calmness might varies dependent on the
season. For fellow tourist need to plan ahead so that you trip might be enjoyable. Please check here for weather forecast. 
 
Anyway, i've ask Mario to comment about his trip to Langkawi. So here goes.

Comment from Mario (more great picture from Mario here) :-
One bad thing that I found was the lack of public transportation, no public bus to go anywhere... Since there are public buses everywhere else in rural towns in Malaysia, you would expect Langkawi to have some too, at least for the main routes, and not just expensive taxis. Also, just having one or two ferries a day (from Penang) sounds a bit too little.

About taxis, at least something could be done to make it easier to find taxis to share (e.g. some specific taxi stand for a few common destinations), rather than just having taxis for individual hire. I had to walk around the Kuah Jetty for quite a while looking for tourists with large backpacks before I was able to find someone to share a taxi with...

Apart from that, I visited the beaches of Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah, and I found them very nice, and they were extremely quiet and uncrowded compared to what I was expecting. There were only a few people here and there, not a mass tourist destination as you might expect from its popularity.

Timbermad :-

I totally agree with Mario. Normally we travel by car in Langkawi. But that does not mean that public transportation like bus cannot be introduce in Langkawi. Not all tourist have huge budget to travel. Sometime its more exciting to travel by bus around Langkawi. Perhaps this should be a new areas that LADA or Local authorities can improve.

Farm Supervisor / Assistant Supervisor - Opening

Requirements:

• Male preferred.
• Minimum age of 25 years old and above.
• At least 3 years experience in leading and supervising farm workers.
• A mature personality and independent.
• To FIRMLY LEAD farm workers to complete farm works on time.
• To plan and schedule farm works. -More info here-

Langkawi: Thumbs up from tourists

THIRTY-five year-old Swiss national Annia Titus holds a special place in her heart for Malaysia because her father is a Malaysian and she tries to come "home" at least once a year to catch up with family and see more of the country.

After not visiting Langkawi for more than five years, Titus returned early this year with a friend and stayed for three nights.

"I always prefer small islands like those on the east coast like Perhentian, Redang and even Tioman, where I can snorkel," said the decoration painter who has visited Langkawi six times.

"Apart from the cable car rides, which I have been enjoying in Langkawi, I only use the island these days as a hopping point for the ferry from the island to neighbouring Koh Lipe in Thailand," she added.

First-time Langkawi visitors Henry Wong and his wife Sandra Fong from Sydney, Australia, have had generally good things to say about the island, with a few suggestions for improvement.

"We rented a car from the airport and found the signages very clear and helpful to get to our hotel Berjaya Langkawi Resort," said Malaysian-born Wong, who has lived in Australia for 40 years and returns to hometown Sibu in Sarawak once every two years.

The couple, who did a lot of research on the Internet about Langkawi before deciding to hop over from Penang where they were also on vacation, gave the thumbs up for the hotel they were staying, which they said gave good value for money.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the cable-car ride and good exercise provided by walking the sky bridge," said accountant Sandra, who was born in Australia.

"Our Japanese lunch at the Oriental Village was a bit of a letdown, although we enjoyed the beautiful view of the hills," she added.

For Wong, who is a computer network engineer, the rusty railings on the Langkawi sky-bridge - which is suspended 700m above sea-level - can be given a new coat of paint or a clean up.

"We really enjoyed the walk on the curved pedestrian bridge from where we could take in the spectacular view of the Andaman Sea, but when one wants to grip the rails for better support, they tend to get put off when it is coated with rust," he added.

Read more: Langkawi: Thumbs up from tourists http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/spott2/Article/#ixzz1GUvQhvAB

AL :

Keep it up Langkawi

Mangroves and mangrove dwellers, Langkawi, Malaysia

Pic & post by Dasmanul

The first couple of days of my recent visit to Malaysia were spent on Langkawi, and on our first day we did a guided tour of the mangroves, a strange and fascinating eco system of its own. As we were told, very important for Earth's CO2 balance and, sadly but not surprisingly, highly endangered by human activities. I thought I'd share a few pictures with you. Not all of them came out as well as I would have liked from a technical point of few, but I still find them enjoyable. 

This eagle was sitting far overhead - I think the pic came out not too bad for being shot handheld from a boat.

More here.

AL :- Interesting post & story from dasmanul. Its from a dpreview forum which members can share experience & lovely pictures.. Great & honest review.

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..