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TOP-STORIES: LANGKAWI NATURE
The Magnificent Hornbills
Peering through my monocular, I can see its eyes are red a sure indicator that it's a male and on
the branch above it his mate for life the female with her yellow eyes and slighter built.
For this is the only way one can tell the difference between the male and female Great Hornbill. If there is any bird that deserves the oos! and the aars! on the island it must be these magnificent hornbills.
Langkawi is a birders paradise, with lush rainforest covering more than 50 percent of the island and another 30 percent with rice paddy's, it is home to over 180 species of birds. To name but a few, there are 3 species of Hornbills, the Wreathed Hornbill and the Oriental Pied make for the other two, of the 12 species of Kingfishers in Malaysia we have 8!,of which the Brown winged Kingfisher can only be see in Langkawi, 19 species of birds of prey, 8 species of wild pigeons (very unlike the Trafalgar Square types!), 3 species of Bee-eaters, many water-birds and others.
For this is the only way one can tell the difference between the male and female Great Hornbill. If there is any bird that deserves the oos! and the aars! on the island it must be these magnificent hornbills.
Langkawi is a birders paradise, with lush rainforest covering more than 50 percent of the island and another 30 percent with rice paddy's, it is home to over 180 species of birds. To name but a few, there are 3 species of Hornbills, the Wreathed Hornbill and the Oriental Pied make for the other two, of the 12 species of Kingfishers in Malaysia we have 8!,of which the Brown winged Kingfisher can only be see in Langkawi, 19 species of birds of prey, 8 species of wild pigeons (very unlike the Trafalgar Square types!), 3 species of Bee-eaters, many water-birds and others.
An Ocean Liner Called Earth
Imagine if you will, a very large ocean liner, carrying a large number of passengers and cargo, and proceeding on a long voyage.
Imagine also, that the voyage has been well underway for a considerable period of time, without serious mishap, and a certain nonchalance has lulled all on board into a false sense of security. Everyone is having far too good of a time to notice certain little signs. Water is leaking through hair line cracks in the hull; tiny wisp of smoke are beginning to come through the vents, and some of the cargo has begun to shift dangerously to starboard.
Imagine also, that the voyage has been well underway for a considerable period of time, without serious mishap, and a certain nonchalance has lulled all on board into a false sense of security. Everyone is having far too good of a time to notice certain little signs. Water is leaking through hair line cracks in the hull; tiny wisp of smoke are beginning to come through the vents, and some of the cargo has begun to shift dangerously to starboard.
Untold Langkawi - Jewel of the North
English man Andrew Drummond grew up in Malaysia before he returned to England to England to study hotel Management,
and then had a 13 year year's stint in Australia before he moved to Langkawi last November.
It was his first time on the Island, and he loved what he saw immediately. Development is inevitable anywhere, but Langkawi still has the hearth of Malaysia which is still agriculture.
After tourism, agriculture and fishing are major sources of income for the locals in Langkawi. Kodak moment worthy rice fields the type Drummond is enamoured, of are omnipresent here, just like in Bali.
It was his first time on the Island, and he loved what he saw immediately. Development is inevitable anywhere, but Langkawi still has the hearth of Malaysia which is still agriculture.
After tourism, agriculture and fishing are major sources of income for the locals in Langkawi. Kodak moment worthy rice fields the type Drummond is enamoured, of are omnipresent here, just like in Bali.
A Cornucopia of Biological Treasures
The Scientific Expedition in Langkawi, Kedah (SEUK) only lasted ten days, but reaped a vast harvest of flora and
fauna, with several possibly new species reported.
It's a trove that will keep Expedition scientists busy for months classifying, analysing and interpreting their significance to the island's complex and diverse natural heritage.
Organised and funded the Scientific Expedition of the Langkawi Islands, Kedah (SELIK),it brought some 37 scientific teams comprising over 150 scientists from local universities.
It's a trove that will keep Expedition scientists busy for months classifying, analysing and interpreting their significance to the island's complex and diverse natural heritage.
Organised and funded the Scientific Expedition of the Langkawi Islands, Kedah (SELIK),it brought some 37 scientific teams comprising over 150 scientists from local universities.
In Full Feathered Splendor
In the 90s, a remarkable change began taking place in the international tourism industry. More and more travellers
were looking for destinations of natural splendour.
The environmentally-conscious and nature-loving tourists were born. A new term was coined in an attempt to classify this new genre of mass travel - eco-tourism.
Whatever the definition, it is acknowledged that eco-tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global travel industry. More and more people are travelling to enjoy nature, and among them are millions of birdwatchers.
In fact, some eco-tourism experts say that birdwatchers are the most significant niche within the entire eco-tourism industry. In Malaysia, there are many birdwatching destinations, some famous ones and some lesser known.
The environmentally-conscious and nature-loving tourists were born. A new term was coined in an attempt to classify this new genre of mass travel - eco-tourism.
Whatever the definition, it is acknowledged that eco-tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global travel industry. More and more people are travelling to enjoy nature, and among them are millions of birdwatchers.
In fact, some eco-tourism experts say that birdwatchers are the most significant niche within the entire eco-tourism industry. In Malaysia, there are many birdwatching destinations, some famous ones and some lesser known.
Eco-Tourism & Fine Cuisine
During our travels, a friend warned that Langkawi was 'pretty, but boring as hell'. Likewise, the tour operator in KL
advised we should only go to Langkawi for a day trip because there wasn't much to see there. Both of these opinions were
way off base, as we found out for ourselves.
Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won't see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island's businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.
Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won't see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island's businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.
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