Captivatingly Beautiful Langkawi

Sense of Adventure

My curiosity spurs me to get off my bed, look to the farthest that my naked eyes can possibly see, and wonder what is in there, what is it look like, what does it have. So there sparks the sense of adventure. Travel is never a thing that I'm good at. Curious and impulsive by nature I am, most of the time it is unplanned, because I hate turning it out stiff and bookish. The feeling of being lost is fascinating because it means chance to talk to local folks and see some strangely beautiful corners of the country that might bump at you... and just you discover it first.

I have been based in Penang for almost a year now. Malaysia is as captivatingly beautiful as my country the Philippines, abundantly rich in culture and natural resources. Penang has been my new safe haven, a refuge to what myself call now as "mid-life-sudden-pause" kind of attitude. Contemplating a bit, for what is the next adventure to come.

At the Bucket List

Langkawi has always been on my bucket list. Islands and islets are keys to entice my sense of adventure. I love travelling by boats and hop from the nearest to the farthest one. Hari Raya celebration gave me a long week-end to escape, and explore Langkawi.

A thirty-minute by plane from Penang, I arrived at its international airport close to 1 o'clock pm. A perfect timing for the resort could only check me in by 2. I just loved to chat with my fellow south-east asians. I just felt the outright connection as human beings. Zul, his name and a local, fetched me up and rode for about twenty minutes to the Port Langkasuka where water taxi of this exclusive resort the Vivanta by Taj situated at an islet called Rebak Island waiting for the guests to arrive and enjoy a seven-minute boat ride to the resort.

Rebak Island

This islet had an interesting and narrow gulf where the port was situated and there, as well, docked a great number of yatchs that were so secured against strong waves. Vivanta by Taj, a close to five-star accommodation. But honestly I could hardly afford it, luckily I got the best promo of my life. I arrived, as always I am, wearing my most convenient shorts and all-time favorite hooded sleeveless shirt. The staff were so nice and friendly. Rode in a golf cart, on my way to the front desk.

So I started my day, letting my self indulged to this type of accommodation that won't happen everyday. Indulgence it was, big time. The last area of the room I went to, was the veranda. And there, my eyes were teased by the long white beach front of Pantai Chenang at the main island of Langkawi. At my left, another islet greened by thick trees and shrubs. Sunny sky with cumulus clouds, boats passing by. It was a stunning composition.

Rebak Island is measured approximately 390 acres. A very small piece of land but abundantly covered with thick trees and shrubs. Branches were as if they embraced the resort houses and brought interesting views to the eyes. I consumed my afternoon just walked around greeted the fellow guests, checked the spa and gym, talked to activity team to plan for my itinerary the following day. And then suddenly a group gathered together with their musical instruments and started playing my favourite song 'Hotel California'. The bar at the beachfront just opened and there came more guests to join the crowd. It was a fine evening meeting new friends. The water was so inviting that after few glasses of red wine, I jumped off the beach and stayed there for an hour. All the time we tend to forget that giving ourselves enough time to relax gives back productivity. Our minds can answer the questions if we allow ourselves to relax.

NAAM was so much considerate and fitted-in my wishes for an energizing trip itinerary, an agency that provides wide variety of both in-land and water activities. Cherry, my fellow Filipino from the Bicol region arranged my itinerary. Paradise 101 a man-made islet bought by this agency, housed all their activities there. Situated in Padang Masirata, NAAM fetched me up at the Port Langkasuka and rode a van for twenty minutes; then a boat ride from the mainland for five minutes. Langkawi has 99 islands and with the two man-made Paradise 100 which is just right beside Paradise 101, all make Langkawi an exciting tourist destination. At RM250 entrance fee, I had a jetride of my life passing yatchs and fellow guests having fun at the water too. At the beach with restaurant, kids enjoyed very much. Then I heared Filipino music played on - Parokya ni Edgar, Neocolors, Side A. More Filipinos greeted me... and it was home!

The following day I felt that the weather was starting to be a bit gloomy and drizzling but hope crept in as the sun shone gradually past 10 am. My energy went wild as I hopped into a jetski and drove off the Andaman sea. A fellow Filipino worked at Naam agency, served as my guide through out the excursion. Herbert was so accommodating to lead me to the most astonishing places. 99 beautiful islands all over, patiently waiting to be discovered. As I was hopping from one island to another, I short listed four of the must-see :

The Sea Eagles

A great flock of reddish brown sea eagles hovering the sky at Pula Singa Besar island. History as told, that Langkawi was derived from two words; Malay means Eagle and Kawi means Reddish Brown Color. I enjoyed the scene so much. It was a different kind of triumph. For the very first time I saw large number of eagles circling the sky and beautifully swooping down to catch the chicken skins floating onto the water by their powerful claws. The guests came feeding the eagles and enjoyed the spectacular sight so much. I stared so vigorously in order to catch their best moments to my camera as they moved and flew around. When I had the chance to come close, I noticed that there was another color. White bellied were also at large number and later on I found out that these were another breed of sea eagles migrated from Australia. Population had been steadily in the rise and continued to dominate the sky.