Langkawi – The Island That Took Me by Surprise

I have to admit that if my friend hadn’t won a holiday in a raffle, I would probably still know almost nothing about Langkawi. However, not only did she win – she immediately asked me if I wanted to join her in Malaysia. Is it even possible to say NO to a question like that? 🙂

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 lush tropical islands, as well as the name of the largest one. It may sound hard to believe, but back in the 1950s, there was only a single hotel on the island. Things changed dramatically in 1987 when Langkawi was granted duty-free status. Since then, tourism has continued to grow, with many new hotels being built, yet the island has managed to retain its peaceful atmosphere.

Many visitors come here simply to relax on the island’s stunning beaches, and it’s easy to see why. We stayed at the Holiday Villa Resort & Beach Club Langkawi, which has a lovely swimming pool and a beautiful tropical garden with a reflexology footpath.

The white sandy beach seemed endless. Shells – or at least fragments of them – were scattered across the sand. However, keep in mind that it is forbidden to take shells or even stones out of Malaysia.

I was fascinated by the tiny, almost transparent crabs that darted across the sand at incredible speed. They were impossible to photograph because they disappeared into their little burrows the moment anyone came close.
We visited Langkawi at the turn of October and November. The rainy season usually lasts from May to November, although the weather is said to be quite unpredictable.

We experienced several heavy tropical downpours, mostly during our excursions; fortunately they never lasted very long.

Apart from that, the weather was perfect for swimming and enjoying the warm sea.

The breakfast buffet at our hotel offered a delicious mix of Malaysian, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisine, including plenty of hot dishes. During our stay, I had the chance to try:
“National dish” nasi lemak, mentioned in old cookbooks, is often served as a typical Malaysian breakfast. It consists of fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, and the sweet-and-spicy sambal bilis sauce (a rich mixture of chili peppers, garlic, onions, tamarind and sugar). It is served with rice cooked in coconut milk and a pandan leaf (a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia), which gives the rice its characteristic flavor.

Ayam Berlada – chicken cooked with turmeric, shallots, garlic, chillies and tomatoes.

Ayam Rendang – chicken slowly simmered in coconut milk and an aromatic blend of spices until it develops a rich, thick and intensely flavoured sauce.

During the day, we explored different parts of the island and usually returned to the hotel in the late afternoon. I have to say that Langkawi rewarded us with some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

What else should you know?
Langkawi is home to around 65,000 people. Most are Malays, alongside Thai, Chinese and Indian communities. Islam is the predominant religion. The island’s most important house of prayer is Al-Hana Mosque in the capital town of Kuah. Built in 1959, its architecture combines Islamic influences from Uzbekistan with traditional Malaysian design. It is easy to recognize thanks to its gilded central dome and smaller golden domes.

We got around the island by taxi, and the most commonly used app is Grab.
The official currency throughout Malaysia, including Langkawi, is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR/RM).
Before travelling to Malaysia, don’t forget to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). No additional registration is required specifically for Langkawi.

A holiday in Langkawi is wonderfully relaxing. Of course, you should enjoy its long, beautiful beaches, but don’t stop there. In 2007, UNESCO designated Langkawi as a Global Geopark, making it well worth exploring the island beyond the coastline. I also recommend discovering some of the island’s traditional crafts, especially batik. You can either join a workshop or visit one of the local craft centres, where you’re sure to find a beautiful souvenir.

If my friend hadn’t won that holiday in a raffle, I might never have discovered Langkawi. Now I know what a shame that would have been. This island offers so much more than spectacular beaches – and that’s exactly what my other articles are about:
1. Rice Fields and the Capital Town
2. Batik and Other Traditional Crafts
3. Geoparks

Text: © Copyright Ingrid, Travelpotpourri
Fotos: © Copyright Ingrid, Travelpotpourri