langkawi magazine
Reviews SECTION
Langkawi Straight To The Point
INTRODUCTIONThe sun, the beach, the trees... this is what langkawi really is about. Do not be tricked by advertisements about its aquarium, it's crocodile farms and all sorts. The essentials of this mystical place is its natural nature beauty.
TRANSPORTATION
You can arrive there by plane or by a ferry from Penang or Kedah (states in Malaysia) and transportation in Langkawi relies on rented cars and taxis. There are no buses around but really there isn't much need for it because it's a duty free island, cars are extremely cheap, and petrol in malaysia is naturally cheap.
LEGEND
Langkawi has a legend behind it, the first part of its name, 'Lang' means the eagle (helang). Legend has it that there used to be a gigantic white eagle which rounds the island protecting it. As you arrive at the main jetty, you will see the big monument of the eagle. It's beautiful.
TOWN
The main town in Langkawi is Kuah town, there you can find all sorts of duty free items and souveniors. Important note to tourists is that make sure you bargain for the items. You really don't want to be ripped off in Langkawi. Compare prices before you buy because most shops sell the same things, and many shop owners own the same shops just few doors away, so be careful.
NIGHTLIFE
The nightlife in Langkawi is absolutely dead. Most ppl stay in their hotel and enjoy the beach if you are in a resort. My personal recommendation during the night would be to go to Pantai Cenang and enjoy the breeze, while enjoying a cheap pint of beer bought from one of the duty free shops in Kuah during the afternoon.
ACCOMODATIOM
Best and cheapest accomodation will be in Pantai Cenang. You can get chalets for about 10 pounds a night. Note that in Malaysia hotel rates are charged by rooms, not by person like in the UK.
ADVICE+TIPS
Things to be careful about: make sure you don't get cheated into packages. Do your own tour, it's good enough. Do not go to the aquarium, it's small, lack of fishes, and you will probably be the only one there. It's a safe city but like any other normal occasions, keep your belongings safe. If you are renting a car, make sure you have the appropriate documents from the car owner and that he is a certified car loaner. You will get caught if you are driving a rented car which is not registered. Don't get put off by this though, because a car in Langkawi is probably the best option for transportation.
RESORT
Make sure you visit some of the top resorts in Langkawi. Notibly Datai Bay Resort, Andaman Resort and Tanjung Rhu Resort. These are the top resorts which have to themselves the most beautiful beaches in langkawi. You simply have not seen the best of the beaches in Langkawi till you've visited these resorts. Staying there would be heaven, but not affordable to everyone. It will probably cost you about $500 a night to stay in one of those 6 star resorts. You will be impressed by them when you visit them.
Langkawi 28/05/04
