Wet and Wild
Wet and Wild
by Robin Gillow
by Robin Gillow
Boom-netting, cave exploring, island hopping, sailing, swimming, snorkelling and fishing were on the agenda for our first day's holiday on Langkawi Island …or in this case, off it. We had managed to get our three troopers, Liam, Shane and Jemma, dressed in no time at all. In fact, for once, the kids were ready for the day's adventures before we were.
A comical sight they looked too, dripping with fishing tackle, flippers, snorkels, buckets, spades, towels and sun hats. Liam, with his shoes on the wrong feet as always, grinned at us from behind his yellow zinc-covered lips, nose and, by the looks of it, clothes. Yes, they were ready alright and after a quick check that they hadn't forgotten anything, we left the hotel and made our way down to the dock.
“Oh wow! A pirate ship” was Shane's comment as we boarded the black-hulled Dynamo Hum for our day's jaunt. Sails hoisted, the yacht drifted away from the harbour and we sailed down the channel and out into the waters of the Andaman Sea and towards some of the 100 island's that surround Langkawi. The children soon had their fishing lines dangling off the back of the boat. One of the crew seemed to have taken control of them and we relaxed and enjoyed the passing scenery.
Brahmany kites (better known in Langkawi as the Langkawi Eagle) and fish eagles filled the air at this early hour. Like the already lofty frigate birds, they were riding the early morning thermals getting ready for their morning hunt. The islands spilled green, into the shimmering sun-flecked waters we were sailing on. Cavernous eyes stared down at us from hooded jungle brows; a fish jumped, its scales glittering silver as it plopped back into the water, then another and another. A monkey chattered at us as we passed.
So absorbed in all the natural beauty around us, I barely noticed that we had slowed and the anchor was being thrown over the side. The kids had already downed their rods, unperturbed by the fact that they hadn't caught anything. Liam, now with shoes on the correct feet, was waiting to be lowered into the dinghy, I noticed was bobbing alongside the yacht.
We followed suit and were taken on a short but interesting jungle trek. Our walk took us to the mouth of a cave, dark and forboding; we entered. Torches in hand, we were led for about 30 mins a long a level sandy path to the inner sanctums of the cavern. Here swallows, (perhaps the bird nest variety) as well as bats, lived in harmony and fluttered past on our arrival.
Amazingly, nobody screamed. The kids, of course thought it was wonderful and were determined to find real pirate treasure. Jemma found an upturned coconut shell on our way back, with a small orange reef fish inside, which she took back to the beach and let go in a rock pool. More interested in her fishy treasure, she guarded the pool, while the rest of us went snorkelling around the rocks nearby. There wasn't much coral to speak of but the fish were plentiful.
We spent at least an hour paddling about, before being called back to the boat for lunch. A true banquet greeted us. The fresh fish, prawns and other seafood delights including a carved watermelon, were soon mere left overs and we weighed anchor and continued our voyage.
Stomachs settled and cat naps taken, our captain obviously decided we were getting far too lazy on deck and announced that it was ‘boom-netting time'. Boom-netting? My curiosity was soon answered as the boat's boom, net attached, was lowered over the water and everyone that wanted to, jumped in. Dragged as the boat sailed, they were bounced, dunked and splashed along, in a giggling mass, till we neared the home port.
What a day! We almost forgot we had children; we hadn't heard a single: “I'm bored” or “I'm hungry; thirsty; tired”. It had been a day of “oohs, ahs and wows” instead; a real treat for us and a true holiday experience. With only a week on the island and an active bunch to entertain, Langkawi certainly came to our rescue.
As our first day had been action-filled, we stepped out from our hotel onto Pantai Tengah the next morning for a session of sunbathing, sandcastle building and other less strenuous beach activities. We lunched next to the hotel pool, took an afternoon nap and rose again at 3pm to stroll down to Underwater World, in Pantai Cenang, featuring both fresh and salt water fish and other forms of marine life. The kids loved it, and although we had been told a trip here would take an hour, we were enthralled by the place for at least double that time.
Day three offered perfect weather and found us driving to the northern reaches of the island, for a ride in the cable car and promised ‘spectacular views' of the surrounding islands and Langkawi itself. A totally new experience for our kids, the bubble shaped cable car was almost as fascinating to them as the ride itself was. Taking a 2.2km ride up the mountainside at a 42 degree incline to the top of mountain, Gunung Macincang. At 708 metres it really does offer incredible views.
There are two viewing stations and it is possible to get off and rejoin the cable car at either one. This idea suited us and we had a refreshing walk through the forest to the lower station on our return trip. Butterflies and wildflowers greeted us as we ambled and made for a perfect day.
The following days; in order, found us, gawking at feathered friends at the Langkawi Bird Paradise as we strolled through tropical gardens. Here the Macaw's Courtyard and Flamingo Pond are just a few marvellous sights we experienced. Day five found us beaching it again, day six we learned all about rice farming at Laman Padi Langkawi in the morning and stared down on crocodiles in the afternoon at the Langkawi Crocodile Farm.
Day seven, our last day had us on the beach again in the morning and splashing each other in the waterfalls at Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) in the afternoon. This last adventure added a truly magical ending to our trip…and no we didn't get to see the fairies, but they certainly cast their spell and we will return for another, fairy-dust-filled, holiday here as soon as we are able.
If you would like to partake in any of these adventures while holidaying on Langkawi Island the folk to contact for the activies are listed below:
Dynamite Cruises (on the sailing yacht, Dynamo Hum) telephone: 60-4-955 4021 or 012-488 6933 or 012-476 1411 or get in touch with them via their web page: http://www.dynamitecruises.com/ or e-mail them at geperry@netscape.net Costs around RM95.00 (or US$50) per head, meals, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, torch use, dinghy use, boom-netting etc all included in the price.
Underwater World Langkawi is open from 10.00am - 6.00pm daily and costs RM15.00 for an adult and Rm10.00 per child to enter. For more details on the aquarium, call: 60-4-955 6100
Langkawi Bird Paradise can be contacted on: 60-4-966 5855 or via fax: 60-4-966 1855 It is open from 9.00am - 6.00pm daily and costs RM12.00 for adults and RM6.00 per child.
Laman Padi Langkawi showcases the history, heritage and development of the nation's rice growing industry and you can try your hand at -padi plan ting using both traditional as well as modern methods of cultivation. Open from 10.00am - 6.00pm its free for children (below 12 year's old) and a mere RM2.00 for adults. Call: 60-4-955 4312 for more information.
Langkawi Crocodile Farm ( Taman Buaya Langkawi) covers 20 acres that houses more than 1000 crocodiles. The place is open from 9.00am - 6.00pm and costs RM8.00 per adult and RM6.00 per child. For details call the place on: 60-4-959 2559
Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) Located in the north-western corner of Pulau Langkawi, Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) is a geological marvel. The waterfall is so named because its cascading waters is broken by a series of seven natural pools. The lush green forest that surrounds the waterfall adds a mystical touch to the natural splendour. This activity is free. Tip : Don't forget to tell your daughters to look for fairies here as legend has it that they come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic.
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