Travel - Langkawi Island

The Land of Mystery, Legend and Wonder
Located at the north of Malaysia Peninsular, Langkawi Island, part of Kedah state is the first south-east Asia geopark officially approved by UNESCO. The island almost bordering Thailand and Indonesia by the Andaman Sea with Kotarutao just 10 miles ahead and 190 miles beside Sumatra. The island is form by 99 islands ranging from limestone, caves, mountain and forest geophysical that take back as early 542 million years ago during Palaeozoic era to Permian period.

Langkawi Island is beautiful and rich with its legend, charm and mystery that still can’t be answer by time. In Siamese invasion of 1821, the history recorded that the island become unstable as the crop fail to be produced. It is believe from the local myth that it is related to Mahsuri, a beautiful and innocent kampong girl who being executed to death. She was tied to a tree; white blood flowed from her wound signifying her innocence, by that time she said “There Shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a period of seven generation” before she takes her last breath and died, leaving repentant to everyone for a long time. By the end of 20th century, Langkawi again start to rise back and today the island attracts thousand of tourist all around the world every year by its ancient natural beauty and the land diversity itself.

The contrast of the island is so special where activity such as scuba diving, jungle trekking, and cave exploration to cycling around the island is a must. The beach is stretch in many areas that produce friendly environment for visitor to relax, or exercise near the sea. Moreover, for shopping lovers, the island is proud to serve as it is part of duty free zone. Often can be seen visitor enter the island with one bag at the gate but return with three to four bag of goods from food to dressing item. When travelling around the island there are several ways but the most common are by car and motorcycle however bicycle also relevant here as the road is quite good. This transportation can be hired in many locations around the island.

For walk in traveller and backpackers, there is nothing to be worry about the accommodation, the island provides wide categories of Inn, hotel and resort that can suit budget. The food is magnificent. If can, spent some time to have a look at local stall locate outside the accommodation. Visitor will find huge food choice as the island also one of food paradise in Malaysia.

Getting There
Langkawi Island can be reach by all type of transportation. The easiest way is by plane which takes 45 minute from KLIA to Langkawi International Airport. If travel by car from Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 7 hour to arrive. Use the PLUS South-North Highway and make a way out at Kedah or Perlis state. From there, take Jetty to Langkawi - note that several ferry companies provide car and motorcycle transfer to the island. Other way by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train however, it takes 12 hour to arrive. Train can be taken from Kuala Lumpur Sentral station. When reach Arau station in Perlis, get off the train and take taxi from there to Kuala Perlis jetty. It is recommended to take sleepers if travel by train which expectation to arrive in Arau station on morning. Sleepers depart around 9pm and arrive 9 am the next day.

Away & Away rating:
Location Interest - ☻☻☻☻☺
Transportation - ☻☻☻½☺☺
Value for Money - ☻☻☻☻☺