3 days on Langkawi experience

The Langkawi island probably differs from the rest of the Malaysia. There are nice beaches here and a green rainforest. But it's also a "tourist paradise" full of tourist traps and "attractions". And, as it is an island, it is duty free.

We have chosen to go here for two reasons. Simple border crossing from Thailand and easier first insight into the culture and style.

After arriving to our accomodation (separate post to cover it) we had been heading to the near nigh market (later been acknowledged this one is taking place on Thursdays only). As we all had been already tired, kids hungry, crowds dense and ques for food taking time, this resulted in mid-serious circus crisis (lasting something between 24-48 hours). First on the road submarine sickness and storm to clean the air. Let us diplomatically skip the details. But as we believe this happens within every "circus" we wanted to mention it just not to play a false and idylic family (couple).

Next morning. After the breakfast in a nearby place we were heading to the Pantai Cenang beach. Ordinary large sandy beach with turists, overpriced attractions (water scooters in fashion) and hotel property deckchairs (always empty, but dare you to try to use them). Had a swim and builded a sand castle. Than went for a lunch. Girls relaxing after while boys went to check the main street and organise what needed to be done. Laundry (3RM/kg), ice-cream (2 RM), sunglasses (40 RM) and cash withdrawal for the stay. Chilling for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner at an ordinary street restaurant. Testing new tastes, but this was nothing special worth mentioning. (/Apart one unlucky chew.

The following morning. Breakfast at the same place like the previous day. And... first plotline and a challenge to deal with. Remember those great advices on dentist and prevention? So, even those might not be enough if a hard chicken bone is well hidden in a small piece of meat (the past nigh supper). A broken teeth and the whole jacket gone (for Lukas). Dealing with our insurance company at a time we wanted to Grab* a taxi to take us to the nerby airport to pickup our pre-ordered car to rent. Both in a situation with low running WiFi. Grrrrr. Stressful. At the end we all had to hit the main street and take a standard taxi (4km,25 RM; compared to 11 RM if by Grab).

Searching for the Green Matrix car rental office within the airport terminal. Not successful. It is not there. The pickup has been done outside by a three guys in a green t-shirts. We took a photo of the car (small Perodua Mivi) from all angles. (As we have some negative experience from our previous travels we consider it wise to make precautions.) Signed papers (rather not to go over 70km/h in bold big letters) and gave them 300 RM deposit. And here we go. On the left side. So, slowly and at full vigilance first.

Going to the Langkawi Cable Car. Just a quick check to make sure we can buy tickets online and do not need to print them. Done, possible. Buing tickets through Travelog.com which saved some paper and 5% of the price. (53 RM adult and 39 RM kids (between 2-12 years))

Then to the nearby Seven Wells waterfall. Steep stairs climb was worth it as it is really a great and nice place to have a swim. And both Tad and Olive loved it there and were enjoying natural water slides.

Back to the car. Driving further round the island. Many monkeys along the road Waiting for tourists to feed them?!? Being also hungry we have discovered the Scarborough Fish and Chips place for a lunch (first decent and actually open place we came across). Good one, on a beach and with a tasty food. (Midrange)

Hunger-beaten followed than the road further on to the Tanjung Rhu beach. It looked quite nice, but the kids were rather tired and it made and impression of a tourist place. (Boats for a mangrove and small islands nerby leave from here.) So we have rather decided to go to the Kuah town, where, as we knew since our ride from the ferry, there's a large playground.

While the kids were happily enjoing there with Kaczulka (inclding renting a buble blower; 7 RM) their father had a nice self drive roadtrip through the winding rainforest road up to the top of Gunung Raya. **

On a way back to our guesthouse we had stopped at the thai-malay street/road restaurant. Good food for a budget price. (around 40RM for all). Tadeas had first managed to break an iron chair under him there and after, rather than eating, occupied the owners TV and observed some toddler movies.

Following short shopping had to be done by Lukas as the kids apparently started to have toys abstinence symptoms and decided to properly use the corresponding section of the shop.

The 3rd day morning we had returned the car back at the airport. No problem. (One day rental including 2 child seats 112 RM). And have used our presence there to already print out our boarding passes for the next day flight.

Than Grab a car to the Langkawi Gondola (17 RM). This experience will be covered in a separate post.

Later on, going back, we Grabbed a car to the Sunday night market. And though it was still late afternoon we have managed to do some essential shopping there. "Lego" superheroes for the Tad and a nice little colorful dress for the Oliv. And before grabbing a car further back to our guesthouse we have picked a decent menu selection to feed our circus (for a supper and breakfast). Peanut pancake (3 RM), Mango sticky rice (5 RM), Mango fresh (4RM), 2 Chicken grill legs (10 RM), Nasi Goreng portion (3 RM), 4 samosas (2 RM) exotic fruits (5RM) and 3 small sweets with a pineapple (1 RM).

PS: We're just at the airport. Taxi offer to get here = 50 RM (double the standard price for the 00-06 rides) vs 11 RM by the Grab ride we used. Must be said, to the honour of the taxi driver, that he has first asked whether we are aware of the pricing and then had no problem when we got out, unloaded our backpacks and moved to the just coming Grab car.

*Grab = local version of Uber. Had a four rides here on Langkawi and all were done within 5 minutes, with nice drivers and great price. So consider installing the app before coming here.

**But I have also managed to buy some duty-free beer and cider (to excuse taking it 2hrs). And a local SIM card; 5gb data for 30 days for 35RM).