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Honeymoon Island Gets New Marine Playground

Langkawi island is a secret paradise getaway for movie stars and Formula 1 racing drivers and one of Asia"s premiere honeymoon destinations. This jungle covered island was the first part of SE Asia to rise from the sea 550 million years ago and has remained an unspoiled natural playground for travel insiders.
The island is known for its rampant nature with million year old rain forest and jungles housing exotic animals such as the slow loris, colugo and beautiful dusky leaf monkey as well as a huge selection of tropical birds including hornbills, eagles, exotic kingfishers and a huge variety of butterflies.
In recent years Langkawi's tourism facilities have expanded to include thoroughbred horse riding on beach and jungle paths, jungle trekking on foot, quad buggy trekking, air trekking by cable through the jungle canopy, mangrove tours, butterfly tours and much more.
A huge aquarium called Underwater World allows visitors to experience ocean life without getting wet, the Bird Paradise allows close inspection of hundreds of exotic species, and the modern cable car takes you to the top of ancient Mount Matchinchang with more than 100 islands to see.
Langkawi golf courses are stunning, the sailing excellent, flowers, wild orchids, gardens and traditional wooden architecture picturesque.
Langkawi has been chosen to host exclusive sporting events such as the Tour de Langkawi, Asia"s premiere bicycle race, the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta, the Iron Man and more. The international airport with direct flights from London makes Langkawi easy to access from anywhere.
Langkawi was chosen by Four Seasons group as the ideal venue for their new flagship resort the Four Seasons Langkawi which opened recently to international acclaim. The island has a good selection of excellent beach resorts and spas with The Datai, The Andaman, Tanjung Rhu and two Sheraton properties.
TARUTAO NATIONAL PARK
The nearby Tarutao National Park includes 55 small islands with some of the world"s best coral and diving, but for centuries has been isolated from Langkawi across the Thailand border.
The governments of Thailand and Malaysia agreed recently to open up cross border tourism, making the long-isolated Tarutao National park available to Langkawi honeymooners and tourists.
Tarutao National Park is one of the world"s best marine playgrounds, with kilometers of colorful corals, dozens of world class dive sites and more than 50 unspoiled islands. It is very difficult to reach from Thailand with access for just 6 months each year, but from Langkawi it is one hour"s comfortable ride by aircon ferry.
The ferry service is already operating every Saturday, with daily service starting in September 2005.
Daytrips include island hopping by luxury speedboat, snorkeling, visits to beaches and nature islands and a buffet lunch. Special trips for divers, birdwatchers and ecotours are offered, all with an emphasis on eco responsible tourism to keep the pristine islands in good shape for future generations.
For latest information, photos and trip booking please visit www.langkawi-insider.com.

Langkawi 2005-08-12