Langkawi, We're Leaving

12^th July 2007. Day 4 and the last day for 5 of us. We had so much fun, we weren’t ready to leave for home yet. Anyway, for this day, we had island hopping planned for us. We woke up as early as possible. Some managed to have breakfast. Everybody was somewhat hung over. At about 10, we started our Island Hopping. First stop, Tasik Dayang Bunting. Arriving at the starting point of this lake, we found ourselves having to walk quite a bit to get to it. This lake is pretty large and is supervised. Life jackets can be rented to swim at the lake. Paddle boats for 2 could be rented as well.

Fun as it was, we had to leave. There’s a time schedule to keep to. Next stop, Beras Basah Island or literally translates to Wet Rice Island. This beach seemed rather commercialized as there were lots of people on this beach. On this beach, those seeking fun and excitement can test and feel the adrenalin from the water sports offered on this island. There were activities like the banana boat ride and paragliding to choose from. Food and drinks could also be purchased from a small shack. Apart from being commercialized, I’m sure everyone would agree that this was the cleanest and clearest seas to swim in as compared to the other beaches we visited. Adhering to the time regulation, we headed back to the main island. Along the course of the island hopping, we were taken to see the eagles of Langkawi and the famous ‘Perempuan Mengandung’.

Back to our rooms, 5 of us started packing up. When we arrived back, we found Jamie already checked in to our rooms. The packet rice we had the previous day was so good that everyone agreed to have it again for lunch.

Next on the agenda…time to spend MOOLAH! Shopping for chocolate and liquor. We went all over town or all over the island rather, to buy our stuff. From Underwater World to Kuah Town, from Langkawi Parade to Teo Soon Huat, we spent the whole evening shopping. Earlier when we got back from island hopping, we were hailed with good news. This is the only time and place you would be pleased that your flight is delayed. Our flight was scheduled for departure at 8.45pm but delayed till 10.30pm. We were so glad we had some extra hours to spare. 5 of us had a hard time dealing with temptation but we had to put a limit to our shopping spree. Satisfied, we rushed back to Fat Mum’s again to have our last meal together as 13.

Before we knew it, we were at the airport saying our good byes as though we were leaving for another country. The remaining 8 people stayed on till the 14^th of July. Before 10.30, we boarded the plane and that marked the end of a very memorable trip for all of us. THANKS GUYS and Thank You Langkawi!!!

Langkawi, We're Still Here

Oh MAN!!! So fast it’s day 3. OK. So, the day goes like this. As many were feeling that they were losing out on their complimentary breakfast (whose asked them to be such sleepyheads!), they requested for my wake up call. Judging from what happened earlier in the morning, I wasn’t expecting too much but at least 5 people joined me for breakfast this time. Having had our breakfast, we headed back to the rooms. Some while later, everyone got up, washed up and got ready to go to Underwater World. So, we drove, drove, drove and we drove. We drove some more and we parked the car…(underwater world was only 2 mins drive from where we stayed…hehe…:p)

At underwater world, there was a lot to see and not a lot to see depending on how much you like to look at FISH! Entrance fee was RM 20 with student card. There were other animals as well like flamingoes, otters, snakes and penguins. Other than that, just fish, fish and more fish. After making our round through the place, we headed to a beach on the other end of the island, Tanjung Rhu. This was the day we had the most inexpensive but delicious lunch. Along the way to Tanjung Rhu, we passed by a stall selling packet rice, ayam percik and barbecued chicken gizard. Rice, RM 1. Ayam percik, RM 2. Total, RM 3. Cheap!!

Anyway, we took our lunch to Tanjung Rhu beach. This beach has one of the nicest sea level to play in. You could swim way out but still be standing straight with the water at waist to chest level. Unfortunately, someone had to spoil our fun telling us to come out of the water claiming that it was dangerous due to uneven seabed. Party Pooper!! But just as well. We ate our lunch and just as we finished, it began to rain on us. Nice timing actually. So we packed up and left to another destination.

On our trip to Langkawi the previous year, it was the dry season and the waterfall we were going to was trickling with water. It was so miserable. It was as good as a waterfall with NO water. But this time, lucky us. Air Terjun Temurun ADA air. Although it was a small area but the landscape was nice with the water flowing down a 30 foot tall cliff. However, the pool was not as clear as the previous two waterfalls we visited.

As soon as another group of people came, we left. We went back to the Best Star Hotel beach just to relax. Feeling relaxed just sitting on the beach, some of the girls found that there were small LaLa (no...not small ah bengs and ah liens) on the beach . Claiming that it could be eaten, they soon got most of us digging for this LaLa. How ‘Malaysian’ of us. Free food = Dig as much as you can. In the end, there was about 10 of us ‘menggali’ for the small shellfish as if we were digging for gold. “Dig more!!” “Dig faster!!” These were the words said repeatedly.

Back to our rooms again WITH the LaLa in hand, we were all fired up for a hearty meal. We cleaned up and soon found ourselves at a table at Fat Mum’s Restaurant, once again, on Middle Beach…Pantai Tengah.

The amount of food we had for dinner was really like having a feast. No, no, not a feast…more like a Banquet! As always, we ordered a soup, Tom Yam Soup which was more on the sour, tangy side. The notable dishes of the place was the Steamed Red Snapper, Fragrant Tomato Chicken, Homecooked Tofu, Sambal Sotong and Butter Cream Chicken. Other dishes were quite normal. At Fat Mum’s, all the dishes were very satisfying. We even asked them to cook the LaLa we collected. At the end of the day, they couldn’t be eaten as the shellfish still contained a lot of sand. Haih!! After picking them like hooligans, cannot eat 'pulak!' But on the bright side, we had loads of fun picking them.

What was in store for the night? Needless to say, with all the alcohol, beer and liquor, it was Party Time!! Ever heard of the expression of ‘Drink and Be Merry’? Well, let’s just say as the last night for some of us, we drank and got VERY merry. This was till the point that even the wake up call guy couldn’t fulfill his duty. That’s how the night went.

Langkawi, We're Here

GOOD MORNING LANGKAWI!! Aww…the smell of the sea, the sun rising over the horizon and the……nah!! Who am I kidding. From where we were staying, you couldn’t smell or see nuts! Anyhow, my morning started off quite funny when I look back at it. Quite embarrassing actually. When on holiday, I’m usually one of the first to wake up. Now, our room rates came with complimentary breakfast and I decided not to waste it. Breakfast here is served from 7am till 10.30am. So, as everyone else were still comfortably sleeping, I went ahead to take my ‘petit dejeuner’.

A : Selamat pagi, Kak!

B : Selamat pagi. Nak Tiket ya? Nak ambil sendiri atau ambil semua?

A : Erm…Saya ambil semua lah.

B : Okay. Nah. Ambil.

A : Terima Kasih.

Thinking that I could save the hassle for the others to ask for the breakfast ticket, I took all 12. ‘Mana tahu’ when I finished my breakfast and went back, NO one except Roslyn woke up before 10.30. Out of 12 tickets, used 1. WTH!!

By the time all the sleepyheads woke up, it was raining. So we waited for the rain to somewhat abate and we headed to the Boat Restaurant along Pantai Tengah for lunch.

For lunch, we ordered 6 dishes. We ordered a Chicken Corn Soup which was perfect for a cold and wet afternoon. There was nothing special about the Claypot Beancurd, Fried Kailan and Sweet & Sour Chicken. However, the Lemon Steamed Grouper was quite nice with no fishy smell and plump meat. The Deep Fried Calamari was rather interesting. You would expect that it would be the normal squid and batter. But this restaurant adds lemon leaves to the batter. A wonderful touch.

With everyone’s hunger put at bay, We headed for our fun-filled destination. On the way, we stopped by Petronas Quay to have a look. This is where people with boats and yachts park. Quite a nice atmosphere.

Alors, we move on. We made our way to one of the best waterfalls on the island. Air Terjun Telaga Tujuh otherwise known as the Seven Wells Waterfall. Apparently, there are a total of 7 wells on higher points of the mountain and hence the name. We had loads of fun and the waterfall was better than everyone expected. However, before reaching this spectacular site, we had to do some hiking up a very, very, very, very, very steep hill which exhausted those who were…erm…let’s just say, have not done such strenuous exercise in a long time. Nonetheless, it was worth it! Some notable experiences; Kantha’s ‘sliding onto his ass’, and Shawn’s highly dangerous and unstoppable run DOWN the steep hill. :P After everyone got grandmother and grandfather fingers, we proceeded to the cable car at the Langkawi Geopark. For those of you planning on a vacation to Langkawi, this is a must-visit attraction. Although you have to pay RM 25 to ride the cable car, but you won’t complain once you’ve reached the top. (psst…for those still complaining about RM 25, MyKad holders only pay RM 15) Now, the cable car stops at 2 levels. The first level is to the Sky Bridge. To get to the bridge, getting down to it was not tiring but on the way back up…..go figure. Anyway, it was really beautiful and an amazing feeling to be standing so many meters above the ground. While taking in the scenery, we kind of lost track of time till the point that we were chased down by the security personnel. They were closing . Moments later, I’m sure some of us were glad to back on solid ground.

Next stop. Cactus Restaurant. Also along Pantai Tengah. Can’t blame us. There’s just too many restaurants to choose from on this stretch of road. This restaurant serves a variety of local and western dishes. Honestly, there’s nothing to shout about at this restaurant except maybe for their Tom Yam Noodles. It’s really spicy and full of flavour that even people who can’t eat spicy will feel the ‘syokness’. One of the main attractions of this restaurant is that tourists are allowed to mark down their visits on their ceiling and anywhere which has a free space to write on.

We then decided to chill out and have some drinks and desserts at Sun Café also on P.T. Sun Café was really a nice small restaurant that had a really nice feel to it. Desserts + Cocktails & Wine + Cozy Restaurant = Relaxation. From Pina Coladas to Long Island Tea. From Crème Brulée to Crèpe Suzette and from Cabernet Sauvignon to Shiraz, this café provided quite a variety for us to choose from. And Langkawi being Langkawi, the place was not pricy at all. Would recommend this place for evening relaxation. Before the day wound to a close, we bought beer and took to the beach at Best Star Hotel. We relaxed, took in the cool air, made sand ‘sculptures’ and threw sand at each other. After having our sand ball fights and bathing in the sea…at night!!, we headed to our rooms and some turned in while others proceeded to drink some more.

Langkawi, Here We Come!!

On the 9th of July 2007, 12 of us gathered at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal to take AirAsia. The people who made it for this trip includes, ladies first, Nicole, Annie, Cheeka, Roslyn, Joan, Apple, Mimi and Kimmy. Guys, Zen, Kantha, Shawn and Gan. Jaime joined us on the 12th.

Lucky thing we managed to take advantage of the Mother's Day promotion to fly with AirAsia at a cheap rate which only takes an hour to reach Langkawi. Otherwise we would have taken the dreaded bus which takes about 7 hours to reach Kuala Perlis and 1 hour ferry ride to the main island. San Fu man!!

As we arrived at Langkawi airport and collected our luggage, we waited for our 'voiture' for the trip. Presenting our driver and Langkawi expert... Mr Gan Chong How.

By the time we arrived, it was about time for high tea (our lunch actually...). We had something simple at the malay stalls near the Langkawi Parade. Having satisfied our tummies, we proceeded to check-in to our hotel. Pantai Cenang!! We stayed at Best Star Resort as it is really value for money. We rented 3 rooms. After we setteled into our rooms, we prepped up into our swimming attire. Our first destination, Durian Perangin Waterfall. Located on the North East side of the island, it took us some time to get to the waterfall but it was worth the ride. After all the travelling, it was so refreshing to dip ourselves in the water and cool off. Refreshing as it was after all the splashing about, we headed back to our hotel just before the day began to darken. We got some rest and got ready for one of the best dinners in town. Where else but in Briyani House along Pantai Tengah. Although the place looks like and old shack, they serve fantastic food. First up, as the name indicates, the Nasi Briyani is very fragrant and is served either with beef or chicken. The Nasi Briyani comes together with a bowl of broth, pickled vegetables and curry. Next, their Bihun Goreng and other fried noodles are excellent. Slightly on the spicy side but has just enough kick to make it enjoyable. The Nasi Goreng Ayam is also a wonderful combination. The chicken is some sort like a chicken chop style but is especially flavourful. The last specialty of the place is the Soto Ayam. Add some of their homemade sambal to this Nasi Ketupat dish to make all the better. For those who do not want this dish to be so heavy, the rice can be substituted with noodles or bihun. Everytime you're in Langkawi, you'll definitely have a craving to eat at Briyani House. It's that good! Feeling satisfied, we left and went opposite to the Holiday Villa Resort. The night was cool and breezy and was considerably calming. This was were Gan and Kimmy conducted their first industrial training. That's the reason they know Langkawi well. We then headed back to our rooms. Earlier in the day, we bought liquor. So, how do you make drinking fun? Play the '7' game!! Those who have played this game will know how much fun this game can turn out to be. By the end of the night (or early morning), a few people had the chance to experience what it's like to constantly lose at the '7' game. With liquor on the table, you can imagine the 'perks' of losing such a game. Needless to say, we all turned in when someone became.....too high and wasted.

Long Absence

Hey people!! I know it has been a long time since the last post. Due to each and everyone's own commitments, we weren't really able to get together over the past few months for our food expeditions. But after this long period of time, I assure you that that the next few posts will make up for lost time. I know that this is originally a food blog but this time I'll make an exception. Our recent trip to the Tax Free island of Langkawi just has to be documented. It was especially fun as the people from Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan Part 1 and 2 came together for this memorable experience. So, heads up people! There's a lot to come.