langkawi magazine

Reviews SECTION

Horse Riding in the Langkawi Jungle

Recently, I went to Pulau Langkawi, Kedah in search of a little down-time, and for what I'd been told was 'the most enjoyable way yet to explore the beautiful rainforests and beaches of Langkawi', or so the titillatingly vague invitation promised.Langkawi, as you know, is smack in the centre of what scientists believe to be the world's most powerful Lethargy Zone. It is extremely difficult to remain tense here.

The moment you arrive, lethargy waves start washing over you, seeping into your body, turning your skeletal system into tofu. Normally, I could spend happy, slack-jawed hours staring out at the ocean, my White Man's Tan slowly turning red along with the sunset. Little did my backside and I know that we would, instead, be spending the weekend exploring Langkawi's spectacular rainforests and beaches John Wayne-style from the back of a horse. I'm living proof that no previous riding experience is required, and my novice status only enhanced the amazing experience (although I'm walking a little funny now).

The rugged mountains of Langkawi, once a place of impenetrable wilderness, are slowly being opened to nature enthusiasts via a growing network of carefully carved horse trails. Since the beginning of 2004, when the Mutiara Burau Bay Equestrian Centre was established, visitors to Langkawi have been able to enjoy horse-riding through the jungles without all the sweat and effort normally associated with jungle trekking. Anwar, 7, has just begun riding, yet he already has a title.

Since its launch at the Mutiara Burau Bay Resort, the equestrian centre has developed some superb facilities as well as an impressive stable of horses. And, it must be said, these aren't the sort of ponies that sag in the middle, either. Most of the horses are ex-race horses that have been rehabilitated and retrained for jungle rides. One of the first things that is apparent to riders is that these are serious horses, tall, strong and responsive. But, importantly, there are ponies for kids, as well. This gives kids a chance to easily overcome the trepidation of riding for the first timeWith 19 horses and ponies in their brand new stables, and a staff of professional horse handlers on hand, the equestrian centre has been getting kudos from both local and international riding enthusiasts.

Recently, Malaysia's noted world champion endurance rider, Datuk Kamaruddin Awang rode along a new forest trail carefully constructed through the Gunung Raya Forest Reserve. Apparently, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a regular here, as well . . . And it's easy to understand the enthusiasm for anyone who knows what off-road gems Langkawi has to offer. Halim Samat, a 17-year-old student from Penang, went riding with his dad three days in a row - each day a different trail - and had this to say: 'I've never ridden a horse before. But riding and controlling a horse went from scary at first, to challenging, to fun.' Cassandra Beardsley, a 22-year-old Brit staying at Burau took a more philosophical slant. 'There is an amazing synergy when you and the horse work together. you become almost as one. And of course the setting, well, look around you.'

According to resort general manager, Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir, 'Langkawi has so much potential for this activity, with rides along sandy beaches, through small kampungs and into the untouched rainforests like those adjacent to Gunung Raya and Machinchang.'There is nothing else like this in South-East Asia and we feel that many of our guests will really appreciate the opportunity to see Langkawi like it's never been showcased before. And, as a bonus, this activity is very environmentally friendly, as the horses have a minimal impact on the rainforest. Razak is not the island's only horse-riding enthusiast. His seven-year-old son Anwar has been riding ponies for just a few months and recently won a national title at trials held in Penang! First-timers shouldn't feel intimidated, though, as Hamzah, the stable master, and his team are patient and won't send riders immediately into the wilds of the Langkawi forests without some basic training. Riders are all equipped with safety helmets too, just in case they come out of the saddle. The range of horse-riding activities is quite extensive.

Everything from pony rides for kids and adults around the resort grounds, to horse familiarisation courses, beach rides, to five hour jungle rides through the pristine forests adjacent to Gunung Machinchang. These dramatic mountains, with the spectacular cable-car attraction, provide the scenic backdrop to your horse-riding adventure.

Rides can be as short as 45 minutes for novices, or as long as a five-hour romp through the higher reaches of the rainforest where your destination is a cool, clear stream where you can go for a refreshing dip. If jungle riding isn't your thing, you can instead go on a leisurely ride along the wide, empty stretches of two of Langkawi's best beaches - Burau Bay and Pantai Kok. If your confidence is there, and the guide feels it's okay, you'll get to trot or even gallop these energetic former race-horses along the beach. But a word of advice: know what you're doing before you do it.

There is now a new 9km trail that is my personal favourite. It takes in a bit of jungle, some rubber plantation, a golf course, and a remote kampung. When you reach the kampung, tie up your steed and sashay John Wayne-like into the local saloon - the tarik shop, actually - to wet your whistle and talk to the other cowboys (and cowgirls) about the thrilling ride.

Speaking of cowgirls, it's interesting to note that at least half of all guests to the equestrian centre are of the feminine persuasion. In Europe, apparently, horse-riding remains a popular outdoor pursuit which puts women on an even footing with men. Razak is philosophical about it. 'More and more of our guests - especially families - are coming to us not just for the traditional resort experience but for something extra - that special experience. Teenagers, in particular, are thrilled by the real-life excitement of horse-riding that a computer game at home simply can't rival.'A glance at the guestbook reveals how recent riders have felt about the experience: 'dwarfed by the beauty of nature/ thrilling!/the kids loved it. Thank you . . .- was a theme often repeated. A trail is not necessarily the shortest way between two points, but it can be the most fun. We've done the research. The rest is up to you, your backside and your horse.

For information & booking visit www.langkawi-insider.com

Langkawi 14/08/2004