Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Things to do in Langkawi

We are now in Langkawi and planning on what to do on our 5-day break in Langkawi. We went to the reception area to check some information on what to do in Langkawi. Here are our options:

1. Snorkeling Tours (8 hours)

A 45-minute ferry ride with high speed catamaran will take you to Payar Marine Park. On arrival, drop off at PP Island Marine Park, where you can swim and snorkel at your leisure. Also explore the island shark feeding before lunch.

2. Langkawi Coral

Tour package includes Hotel-Jetty-PP Island return transfers, Snorkeling gears, International Buffet Lunch, Snorkel platform, underwater observatory and glass bottom boats (adult – 240; child – 160)

3. Coral Island

Tour package includes Hotel-Jetty-PP island return transfers, snorkeling gear, shark feeding, life jackets, shower facility (adult – 200; child – 150)

4. Sunset Cruise (2.5 hours)

A 2.5 hour sunset cruise to the island formations of Langkawi. Watch the sunset as you sip wine, cocktails and canapés. Food and drinks included (cocktail – 200RM, dinner 240)

5. Mangrove and Cave Tour

Visit the Bat Cave, set amidst the Mangrove Jungle. We journey there by boat through the mysterious jungle crocodile cave and to the mouth of the river where you will have opportunity to see wildlife of the area, which includes majestic eagles swooping down to the water to feed. Afterwards, continue to a fish farm to see the monstrous size of fish bred in captivity. Last stop will be at the waterfalls for a swim. (adult 140; child 90)

6. Island Ecstasy (6 hours)

We sail to the islands by explorer boat through the dense mangrove jungles, gorges and rock formations to the mouth of the river. Explore the caves and surrounding Mangrove Swamps. AT noon, we visit an uninhabited island with fine sandy beaches to swim, or just lay on the beaches toi suntan. Then we proceed for lunch we will cruise and explore the island formation, before returning to hotel. Refreshment and lunch are inclusive. (adult RM 185; child – 115) note: voted as the number one tour in Langkawi.

7. Island Discovery A

Visit: Atma Alam Batik Centre; Eagle Square; Mahsuri’s Tomb, Kuah Town Shopping and underwater world (entrance fee not included)

8. Island Discovery B

Visit: Cable Car, Craft complex, Black sand beach and bird park (entrance fee not included). (adult – 55; child – 30) (4 hours)

9. Langkawi Highlights with Limousine Tour (8 hours)

Enjoy the sights of Langkawi with your own private Limousine and Driver/Guide at your own pace and leisure. Visit the field of Burnt rice, Atma Alam Batik, Mahsuri’s Tomb where the legendary princess was enshrined. Continue to Tanjung Rhu with its famous white beach, the beach of black sand, handicraft center and the wildlife park. Drop by the Prime Minister’s Museum, with interesting array of objects on display. A Chinese Lunch awaits you in Kuah town. Drop by at the famous crocodile farm and the seven wells waterfall. Next drop at the Eagle Square in Kuah Town where you will be given ample time for shopping. (adult – 185, child – 100)

10. Golfing Tours (4 hours)

Play a round of Golf at three of the challenging golf clubs
- 18 hole- course, includes green fees
- Golf buggy
- Golf set rental
- Return hotel-golf course transfers and
- Golf buddy

11. Half Day Fishing (5 hours)

A fishing adventure on the high seas with the Barracuda, snappers, groupers and sting rays with rods and reels, bait, refreshments and snacks are provided. (adult – 160; child – 90)

12. Island Hopping (4 hours)

Discover the fabled island of Langkawi, by speedboat to watch the eagle feeding. We go to the Dayang Bunting Island and visit the lake of Pregnant Maiden, where you can swim and foot massage by “cat fish” in the magical fresh water. From here we continue to Beras Basah Island for swimming on white sandy beach before returning to the hotel. (adult – 60; child – 30)

13. Night Tour (3.5 hours)

Visit the eagle square, after that a one-hour stop for dinner, and shopping at Langkawi Fair. Then visit the night market before returning to the hotel (adult – 85; child – 45).

We'll probably choose the cheap ones... and rent a car to do sightseeing on our own.

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The Legend of Mahsuri

Mahsuri

According to Malay legend, Mahsuri (full name Mahsuri bte Pandak Mayah) (?-1819) was a young woman from the island of Langkawi in Malaysia who was accused of adultery and executed by stabbing. Her tomb, Makam Mahsuri, in Langkawi, has become a tourist attraction on the island.

The Story of Mahsuri

During the time of the powerful Sultanates of the Malay archipelago there lived a young woman named Mahsuri. She was the most beautiful woman in all of Langkawi, and the wife of Wan Darus, a brave warrior. As was required of him, her husband had to go to war, leaving Mahsuri behind to fend for herself. It was during this time that Mahsuri befriended a young man named Deraman.

Their close friendship lead others in her village to believe that their relationship was sexual in nature. Some versions of the legend claim that the parties who perpetuated the gossip were those who were envious of Mahsuri's beauty. Eventually the rumours grew strong enough that the villagers openly accused her of adultery. Mahsuri pleaded her innocence, but no one believed her.

Mahsuri was to be tied to a tree (or pole) and stabbed to death. When they stabbed her, white blood flowed from her wound, signifying her innocence. With her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck.

Impact

Many locals of Langkawi believe the legend to be true, citing the Siamese invasion of 1821 and decades of failed crops that followed Mahsuri's death. It is only at the end of the 20th century, after the seven generations have supposedly come to pass, that Langkawi began to prosper as a tourist destination.

The descendants of Mahsuri continue to live in Phuket, Thailand, and have on occasion returned to Langkawi to visit her tomb. Among them was Sirintra Yayee, also known by her Muslim name Wan Aishah Wan Nawawi, came into the spotlight during her visit to Kedah in 2000.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

...please where can I buy a unicorn?

Anonymous said...

I have a breeding pair... PM me for details

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