Ten countries in less than two months… Our recent cruise was turning into a trip, literally, around the world. We disembarked the cruise ship that brought us this way, in Singapore. And since Singapore is only a one hour, $40.-, flight away from one of our favourite places in the world: Langkawi Island in northern Malaysia, we might as well tag it on. How could we not go there if we were this close?

After a couple of days in Singapore, we flew directly to Langkawi, took a taxi and arrived in paradise. We have stayed at Labu Labi, a low key hotel on the beach, for several years in a row now and love it there. It’s the perfect place to relax and do… well, absolutely nothing.

Langkawi is a tax free zone and an island on the very northern shore of Malaysia. The view across the Andaman Sea is of hills in Thailand. And the entire island has been declared a UNESCO geopark because of its 550 million years old rock formations. This Geopark designation includes several protected forests.

In the past, we have explored the island’s mangroves by boat. This time we decided to embark on a twilight adventure and booked an evening ride up the island’s highest point: Gunung Raya - a rain forest covered mountain of 881 meters (2,890 feet). We booked with Jungle Walla, a well known local guiding business. And, while not spectacular, the drive was pleasant. In an open safari vehicle, the driver and our very pleasant guide Francis, drove us slowly up the mountain during the sun set. Toucans found branches to roost on, drongo’s rested on powerlines, dusky leaf monkeys swung from branch to branch as the forest slowly changed from daytime to a nocturnal world.

It wasn’t the hike we had pictured but Kees had a night time hike later when Francis took him along for an evening walk through the jungle and they spotted flying lemurs.

The rest of our time on Langkawi was basically spend doing nothing. It was Ramadan and many of our regular eateries were closed. We walked along the beach to find Malay or Thai food, or drove to a nearby resort for a salad.

Kees walked on the beach every morning. We do see an increase in tourists and can only hope that, in the future, Langkawi will stay the little slice of paradise that it is.

Gunung Raya towers over the town of Kuah on Langkawi Island.

RESOURCES:

• Langkawi Geopark: https://www.langkawigeopark.com.my/

• Jungle Walla: https://junglewalla.com/

• Gunung Raya: https://www.langkawi-insight.com/langkawi_00006e.htm

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