Falling in love with Langkawi

Langkawi couldn’t have been more of a contrast to Penang. This little archipelago of islands was the Malaysia of my dreams – a chilled out tropical paradise, with breathtaking scenery, fabulous beaches and great wildlife spotting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My highlights included taking a thrilling motor boat trip in the Kilim national park, where we saw actual eagles flying over the mangroves – it was amazing watching them circle and then dive for fish right in front of us…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…the Geopark, which is absolutely incredible – these limestone rocks date back an astonishing 500million years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…meeting some very unfazed and fascinating macaque monkeys (though you do have to watch those little critters, they can turn very suddenly if they don’t like the look of you, particularly if you’re male)…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…isn’t this baby macaque adorable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…walking through a bat cave, with actual bats – I LOVE bats, so cute. Everyone goes on about the smell of the guano but honestly, if you don’t breathe in you don’t smell a thing and they’re just so cool to look at…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and having a barbecue on a spectacular, pristine beach where the water (the Andaman sea, part of the Indian Ocean) was clear turquoise and bath warm. It was insanely hot (you’ll definitely need a lot of sunscreen) but it was completely blissful.

People I’ve spoken to since I returned from Malaysia say Langkawi was fantastic 5 or 10 years ago. Meh. To me it seemed pretty wonderful now. Langkawi’s official name is actually Langkawi Jewel of the Kedah, and as far as I’m concerned Langkawi is a little jewel, and I’d definitely like to return some day.