01/12/2009

Finally reaching Malaysia and the Island of Langkawi after a days travelling on buses and boats we docked at the main port and got our passports stamped. It immediately felt different from Thailand, more western. We were greeted by a massive Starbucks and KFC and a calm taxi rank - no screaming tuk tuk drivers insight! We managed to share our taxi with a German girl we met on the boat ride over so that saved us a few pence and headed to the beach resort of Pantai Cenang.

Unfortunately, unknown to us, we had arrived at a very busy period and there were very few rooms left available. The cheap dorm hostels were all full and we just managed to grab a room in a motel for 15 a night. Later we found out that this was all due to the LIMA festival, The Langkawi International Marine and Aerospace festival. A bizarre event where nations from around the globe gather to show off their boats and fight jets, putting on arial displays. After having dinner and crashing out the first evening the next day was spent relaxing on the beach and in the internet cafe trying to sort out our Christmas accommodation in Australia - nightmare. The beach was lovely though and the sea was warm despite being full of jellyfish.

Sunkissed and relaxed we met up with our German friend after dinner for some drinks in the Bablyon Mat Lounge, a chilled reggae bar right on the beach, which was great fun. We got talking with a few more people there including a guy from Kuala Lumpur who was now working here on Lagkawi and he told us about a few things to see and do when we get there.

The next day, wanting to explore more of the island we intended to rent a car or motorbike but the cars were too expensive and unlike in Vietnam, you needed a full motorbike license to rent a bike here so we resorted to a taxi ride to the south west of the island and a small town at the foot of the Langkawi Cable car experience. Apparently the world's longest cable car but we didn't believe it. It was great fun. It took us high up the mountain to the highest point on the Island with 360 degree views of the whole island. We spent a couple of hours up there soaking it all in and taking lots of photos. With the fighter jets still showing off in the sky it was the best place to be.

After feeding some deers and rabbits at an odd 'farm' in the town below we headed back to our hostel to book our onward travel, deciding on Penang as our next destination. That night we ate at a local restaurant - not entirely sure what it was we were eating but it tasted good and was cheap!!

The next day we boarded another ferry that was to take us directly to the Island of Penang, almost due south, and Malaysia's second largest city - Georgetown.