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NEW PHOTOS SHOW
THE LANGKAWI WAVES

Langkawi - 12 January 2005

New photos have come to light clearly showing how the December 26 Langkawi waves were changed by recent manmade coastal constructions.

The Langkawi waves, which arrived some hours after the tsunami waves hit Thailand, were cause by tsunami waves that passed well north of Malaysia.

The photos were taken by tourist Colin who was at the cablecar station on top of Mount Matchingchang at the time.

click here to see larger photos

Thanks to Mr Pishol of MATTA for providing the photos

FIRST WAVE OF MERCY
LEAVES LANGKAWI

Langkawi - 7 January 2005

The first two yachts participating in Waves of Mercy left Langkawi at noon today local time. Aboard were 27 medical staff and 26 crew members, and tons of rice, water, cooking equipment, cookers and gas.

The yachts are bound for the island of Pulau Weh where they will provide direct assistance and also provide transport from stricken areas as required.

The Langkawi Waves of Mercy has been organized by local businessman Paul Scholten of Simpson Marine together with visiting Captain Hugo Crawford.

The next Wave of Mercy to leave Langkawi will be the 32 meter motor yacht Newcastle Explorer scheduled to leave on Sunday with a further 4 tons of medical equipment and supplies.

Further information please call Paul 012 601 1705 or Hugo on 012 593 7335.

LANGKAWI PROVIDES
DIRECT HELP TO ACEH

Langkawi 5 January 2005 - A Wave of Mercy from Langkawi will help residents of Indonesia`s Aceh province devastated in the recent wave of destruction

Two large boats will leave Langkawi tomorrow on a mission of mercy to Bandah Aceh and Aceh province, Indonesia`s northernmost province - an area devastated by the tsunami and earthquake.

The boats will be carrying 25 medical staff including doctors and nurses and tons of food, clothes and water for the areas worst hit by the earthquake and tsunami. They will report back to Langkawi on local conditions and supply boats will start leaving Langkawi on Monday 10 January 2005 carrying additional supplies and staff.

The trip has been organized and sponsored by a group of Langkawi residents and businesses under the name "Langkawi Wave of Mercy".

Supply boats will be leaving from Monday with additional supplies and medical staff.

Best-of-Langkawi.com has set up a Wave of Mercy web page where updates to the progress of the project will be posted as well as updates on specific medical and other items required.

The following items are required. When the first boats arrive in Aceh they will provide more specific requirements which will be listed on this website.

INFORMATION OFFICE

A Wave of Mercy information office will operate from Simpson Marine from Friday afternoon. Please fax enquiries to  04 966 9188 or 04 966 5078.

Email address is wavesofmercy@best-of-langkawi.com.

Volunteers are required to help with communication and coordination, and an offer of larger office premises with furniture and phone lines would be extremely welcome

CLASSIC YACHTS

The boats leaving on Friday are the classic luxury yachts Silolona and Sean Paquitto II.

Silolona is a 49.8 meter (164 Ft) Bugis Phinisi built in timber using traditional techniques and is normally charted as a luxury charter.

Sean Paquitto II is a a modern version of a traditional ‘Grand Banks Schooner’.

      
Silolona                                                                                            Sean Paquito ll

LANGKAWI BOUNCES BACK

Island the Tsunami Missed is Open for Holidays

Malaysia`s eco-island of Langkawi is undamaged by the tsunami and offers a beautiful alternative for January and February holidays and honeymoons planned for other Asian destinations.

Langkawi,  January 6, 2005 -- The Boxing Day tsunami that devastated much of SE Asia missed the tropical island of Langkawi in Malaysia. Langkawi experienced a 3 meter (10 foot) high wave, but it was not the 500 mph tsunami that caused destruction elsewhere.

Langkawi’s upmarket resorts and beaches are virtually untouched with holidaymakers relaxing on uncrowded beaches and cruises and eco-tours operating normally.

Three resorts reported seawater in their pools, one hotel had damage to air conditioners of their front bungalows, and a few beachbars had to replace some tables and chairs. Now all is tidy and working with the island as clean and beautiful as ever.

Flights and ferries operated normally throughout the period and many people only heard about the wave that evening in bars and restaurants. Langkawi tourism workers phoned friends in Penang to warn of the approaching wave, giving tourism areas in Penang warning to clear beaches and helping to avert a bigger disaster.

The Langkawi wave caused some damage, especially to boats in harbor. Half a dozen yachts in two marinas sank and a number of traditional fishing boats were damaged. In one fishing village homes were flooded and one eighty year old drowned, with four people hospitalized.

Langkawi Open for Holidays
Almost no tourists departed Langkawi because of the wave, but local hotels have experienced some cancellations, mainly from Asian tourists.

That means that for the first time in years, leading Langkawi hotels have rooms available during January and February. Luxury beachfront hotels that are normally booked months ahead report cancellations of up to 15 percent, good news for people whose destinations have been damaged like Phuket and PhiPhi.

Travel to Langkawi is easy from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and other Asian centers, with direct flights from Singapore, London, Russia, Poland and Hong Kong. The large international airport is now being used as a staging post for international relief efforts to the region.

Langkawi offers excellent 3 to 5 star hotels with stunning beaches and ancient rainforest teeming with exotic birds and animals. Tax-free status means great duty free shopping and very low prices for wine, alcohol and tobacco. Local restaurants and hotels offer an excellent selection of affordable refreshments to complement their wide variety of cuisine with Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants mingling with international and other Asian eateries.

Asian Eco-Paradise
First time visitors to Langkawi are amazed to see monkeys, flying squirrels, colorful hornbills, eagles, dolphins, otters and long monitor lizards that are commonly sighted. The 500 million year old rain forest makes for stunning jungle walks and horse rides, and trained naturalists guide short walks every morning and evening.

Yachts provide daytrips though the 104 islands making up the Langkawi Archipelago, of which 98 are uninhabited and feature beautiful beaches, ancient caves, hidden lagoons, jungle and unforgettable memories.

Langkawi’s myriad mangrove forest is the breeding ground for the rich sea life of the Andaman Sea. A trip by speedboat or sea kayak provides an insight into this timeless ecosystem with many surprising animals that still exist here after hundreds of millions of years.

A cable car trip to the top of one of the two highest mountains provides stunning views of the archipelago including nearby Thai islands, and the opportunity to enjoy cool breezes in this paradise where the temperature is always 30 degrees C.

For a list of Langkawi hotels with rooms available during January and February and direct contact details, visit www.best-of-langkawi.com.

Hotels with rooms available for January & February 2005 are listed on
the tsunami page at www.best-of-langkawi.com

▪The Datai - www.ghmhotels.com/thedatai
▪Tanjung Rhu Resort - http://www.tanjungrhu.com.my/
▪Sheraton Perdana Resort - www.sheraton.com/perdana
▪Sheraton Langkawi Resort - www.sheraton.com/langkawi
▪Sunset Beach Resort - www.sunsetbeachresort.com.my
▪Langkawi Holiday Villa - www.holidayvilla.com.my
▪Tanjung Sanctuary Beach Resort – www.langkawisanctuary.com
▪Eagle Bay Hotel - www.eaglebay.com.my
▪Casa del Mar - www.casadelmar-langkawi.com
▪Pelangi Beach resort - http://hotels.meritus-hotels.com/meritus/pbl/index.html
▪Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort - www.berjayaresorts.com/langkawi-beach/info.html
▪The Andaman Langkawi - www.ghmhotels.com/theandaman/index.asp


Book EcoTours and birdwatching in Langkawi with Irshad Mobarak - wildwala@tm.net.my

For more information about the beautiful eco-island of Langkawi:
▪visit www.best-of-langkawi.com with more than 400 pages of info & listings
▪Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) - lvr@pd.jaring.my
▪Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) - chairman.kedah@matta.org.my
▪contact the Langkawi Tourism Action Council - ltac@tourismlangkawi.gov.my
▪contact Malaysia Airlines Langkawi - salias@mas.com.my

For story information contact Bill Gee – www.best-of-langkawi.com

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Tsunami Missed Langkawi

Langkawi, 29 Dec 2004

The wave that hit Langkawi was not a tsunami, but a 'shadow wave' - a normal wave caused by the tsunami that passed to the north and hit the cost of Thailand hundreds of kilometers away.

The beautiful island of Langkawi is counting its blessings today as one of the few places in SE Asia that was not damaged by the Indonesian tsunami. Recent analysis shows that the epicenter of the earthquake was west of Indonesia, so the Indonesian mainland stood between the quake center and Langkawi, effectively providing shelter from the huge waves that caused havoc in Thailand and other countries. The wave that reached Langkawi was very weak - just a shadow of the main tsunami force caused by the powerful tsunami passing north of us. Tsunami waves travel at 500 miles per hour and can circle the globe without much loss of power, causing immense devastation when they hit land. The wave that hit Langkawi traveled much slower and arrived some time after the tsunami hit north of Phuket.

This animation of the tsunami shows how Indonesia sheltered Langkawi from the wave. Graphics by NOAA

For a more in-depth explanation see this New York Times interactive presentation (takes some time to load but worth the wait). The excellent graphics show clearly that the tsunami passed well north of Langkawi, causing some large waves that struck Malaysia.

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Langkawi takes stock after the Tsunami

Langkawi, 28 Dec 2004

Langkawi island in Malaysia miraculously escaped heavy damage in the tsunami that battered much of the region. Worst hit were two marinas where half a dozen yachts sank in shallow water, two fishing ports where boats were damaged, and a fishing village where beachfront homes were flooded.  Four people are hospitalized.

All Langkawi tourism facilities are operating normally, with most hotels full and with no significant damage from the Indonesian Tidal wave. Langkawi was extremely lucky in that most of the wave's power was diminished by our outer islands. The wave hit Langkawi's coastline with diminished force and very little damage was reported.

Three resorts reported seawater ingress to their freshwater pools and minor damage to beachfront restaurants or beach bars. One hotel had damage to the air conditioning units of a few beachfront rooms. Technical teams are working round the clock and it is expected that these problems will be rectified within a day or two.

Transport to and from Langkawi has operated normally throughout the holiday period. Ferry service to and from Penang, the mainland and Satun in Thailand has operated normally without disruption. Langkawi's international airport was not affected with local and international flights taking off and landing normally.

Infrastructure has not been interrupted with electricity and water supplies continuing normally. No damage has been reported to Langkawi's roads or bridges.

Two of Langkawi's marinas reported significant damage, with half a dozen yachts sunk in shallow water and some yachts damaged. Engineers have flown in to assess damages and plan repair works. Sunken yachts will be raised soon. Marinas are having difficulty contacting some foreign boat owners and have appealed for owners to contact them please.

Two local fishing harbors were also hit with a number of boats damaged. Seafront homes in the fishing village of Kuala Teriang were flooded and the Langkawi fire department is working with local government to clean the homes and surrounding area of dirt and debris. One 80 year old woman in a wheelchair drowned when her home was flooded.

Local residents and businesses have been generous in their support of the fishing community and many donations of labor and funds for repairs are reported.

Top tourism executives and officials met today in Langkawi to review the tourism situation in the island that is fast becoming known as Malaysia's eco-paradise.

Local government is in talks with the local radio station and internet site to set up a warning and information system to ensure that greater advance warning is provided in future in case of any similar events.

For reasons we in Langkawi do not fully understand, our beautiful island has been spared the terrible damage that has occurred in other Asian destinations.

CLEANUP

The Langkawi Tourism Association, in association with other groups and local government, have organised a large beach cleanup tomorrow 29 December. Visitors to Langkawi are invited to join locals in cleaning the beach and surrounding areas in Pantai Cenang.

Meet at 0930 at Laman Padi - plastic bags will be provide for all participants.

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UPDATE 27 DEC 1500 Langkawi Time

All Langkawi hotels are operating normally with all rooms working, except Pelangi Beach & Spa Resort at which a few rooms are without air conditioning. Three resorts had saltwater inundation to their swimming pools but these are being cleaned and expected to be back to normal in a day or two.

A few resorts have reduced restaurant service today to free up staff for cleaning debris and silt washed up by the waves.

One local woman is reported drowned, and the general manager of one luxury hotel narrowly escaped being swept to sea by the second wave while cleaning the beach after the first wave. He managed to grab hold of the branches of an almond tree and save himself.

It appears that Langkawi was spared much of the intensity of the tsunami as much of the force was absorbed by our ring of outer islands that are part of the 104 island Langkawi archipelago. Also, the epicenter of the quake was 160 miles the other side of the northern-Indonesia province of Aceh, so Aceh province stands between Langkawi and the quake center.

The greatest damage here was to yachts and fishing boats with 7 yachts reported lost at Telaga Park Marina and one at Rebak Marina. Many other yachts were damaged and the marina walkways at both marinas are destroyed.

The greatest damage occurred in fishing harbours where many traditional fishing boats were smashed being sucked or pushed into bridges and breakwaters by the force of the waves.

The lack of damage is a tribute to the high standards of construction generally applied in Langkawi and the excellent planning and safety measures designed into local resorts.

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LANGKAWI & THE ASIAN TIDAL WAVE

Langkawi, Malaysia 27 Dec 01.00h

The Malaysian island of Langkawi emerged from today's tidal wave with relatively little damage as most visitors slept peacefully through the minor tremor this morning.

The wave hit some four hours later, with only three resorts reporting more than minor damage. No loss of life has been confirmed at this time.

The two worst hit resorts are the Pelangi Beach Resort where the first row of beach-facing rooms sustained minor damage and flooding. Guests have been relocated to rooms further back or moved to other hotels and are continuing to enjoy their holiday.

The popular Casa del Mar Resort next door suffered damage to their outdoor dining area and swimming pool.

Other resorts were protected by Langkawi's many small offshore islands that sheltered the island from the worst of the wave.

DAMAGE AT MARINAS

Serious damage has been reported at the Telaga Park Harbor Marina where many yachts were damaged and a few sunk. The wave entered the harbor mouth directly and the sudden influx of water and raise of water level ripped the marina quays apart and smashed some yachts against each other and against the concrete seawalls.

Local government officers and marina staff worked valiantly to save the yachts, most of which belong to non-resident owners. Shops and restaurants around the harbor were unaffected by the wave.

News from Rebak Marina indicates substantial damage to the marina and yachts.

The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club faces away from the wave and survived with little damage to yachts and the marina intact.

The fishing boat fleets at Pantai Cenang, Kuala Teriang. and Kuah all sustained very heavy damage as many fishing boats were smashed by the wave.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Many visitors to Langkawi were unaware of the wave. The road behind the Pantai Cenang fishing harbor was under six inches of water for an hour, and the small bridge at Kuala Teriang was briefly closed to traffic to allow clearing of the fishing boats from the river.

Restaurants throughout the island reported business as usual with holiday crowds enjoying their Christmas celebrations.

There were no interruptions in any services and the international airport operated normally.

TRAVEL ADVICE

Holidaymakers with trips booked to Langkawi will find the island operating normally, with the possible exception of the resorts mentioned above.

Holidaymakers from Thailand considering coming to Langkawi are advised that most Langkawi resorts are fully booked for the next weeks and that they will have difficulty finding accommodation.

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This page will be updated if information of further damage becomes available.

Absent boat owners are urged to contact their marinas for news.