KLCC Travel n Shopping Paradise

Travel to Langkawi Island, an archipelago of 99 islands located in the north-west of Malaysia belonging to the Kedah state. I have heard so much about it but have never been there. I knew there is a legend of a Ledang Princess and the International Maritime Show held annually in Langkawi, that much I know. Travel and shopping in Langkawi is often a common reason for locals to visit this beautiful island. Moreover, it is "tax free" as well. What sort of shopping would one expect out of Langkawi? And how shall we get to travel there?

We decided the best way is to travel is by air. And the airline obviously has to be Air Asia, a new and young "No Frills" airline much like "Ryan Air" of the United Kingdom. In the short span of just a few years, this small airline, salvaged from a local airline gone into liquidation, has emerged to be the most popular of all air travel to local destinations. Pricing is only a fraction of other domestic airlines.

The CEO of Air Asia, Dato' Seri Tony Fernandez (left of pic)

The flight from Sepang International Airport to Langkawi was just over 2 hours. The minute we got on the Air Asia's Airbus A300 plane, we hurriedly occupied the window seats, for it was a free seating arrangement. I was surprised to noticed a young gentleman who looked like the airlines CEO at the far end of the aisle. The air stewardess standing beside me confirmed that it was the "Boss" himself when I pose the question to her. When our "V.I.P" approached nearer, I asked if I could take a photo of him. Not only did he obliged but insisted we have a photo together! So Dato' Seri Tony Fernandez took the camera from me and gave it to the air stewardess. Such a nice and kind gentleman and a definite contribution to his airlines in my eyes for having excellent PR skills towards his passengers.

The sight from the side window of the plane was breathtaking as we approach the landing strip. I could see countless numbers of islands of different shapes and sizes. Which is the main island of Langkawi? I didn't realise until much later that Langkawi was actually made up of 99 islands!

On arrival at the airport, we were greeted by a man from a taxi service outlet located at the main terminal. To travel around and doing some serious sight seeing, you must rent a car to optimise your experience in Langkawi. We chose an MPV which cost us $23.00 a day which was cheap. For a party of 6, it works out to be less than $4.00 each. The petrol in Langkawi is cheap anyway, being a tax free holiday resort.

We had earlier booked 3 Superior/Double beds chalets at Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort before our departure from Sepang International Airport. The rates were $120.00 a night for these lovely chalets. Some of these chalets are at the sea front, with a gorgeous view of the open sea. Others like the ones we had are built on stilts resembling much like ancient village homes.

A typical village style chalet in a tropical rain forest setting.

What we discovered in Langkawi is the cleanliness of its beaches. It somehow reminded me of the beaches in California when I was there, minus the Californian holiday makers of course. I still give it the thumbs up for Venice Beach. None the less, the beaches here is clean and the waters are crystal clear. Our kids just could not wait to take a dip in the waters. Its a pleasant surprise not to see a big crowd of holiday makers here, a big contrast to other beaches I have seen else where. One would describe it as peaceful and serene.

Sea front chalets at Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort.