Malaysia Things to Do Tips by Salinas

Pulau Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden)

This island located to the south of Langkawi is a fresh water lake. Its name arised from a local tale that a couple who had remained childless for nineteen years, drank the water from the lake and subsequently bore a baby girl. Thereafter this place has been frequented by many a childless couple. The picture of this island I took from across (on Langkawi island) resembles someone lying flat .. perhaps a pregnant woman, don't you think so? I find this 'tale' amazing.

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Kuah Town

If you arrive Langkawi by ferry from Kuala Perlis, you will have to disembark at Kuah, the 'capital' of Langkawi - located on the south eastern of the island. Langkawi's main shopping area is located in Kuah. All kinds of kitchenware, foods, interior decor items, batik, handicrafts, traditional herbs/medicine can be found at small shops and supermarket here. The name 'Kuah' is a Malay word meaning 'gravy' and involves an old legend of two battling giants who overturned a gigantic pot of curry at the spot where the town now stands.

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Makam Mahsuri (Tomb of Mahsuri)

This is a legend which the people of Langkawi will carry on telling its visitors here. For the last seven generations Langkawi did not prosper as it is now (could it be that the curse of Mahsuri is lifted up by now?).
People from all over the world flocks to Langkawi for its pearly white sandy beaches (yes, this is especially true in Tanjung Rhu located at the tip of this island).

From the story being told by people of this island - it is believed that Langkawi's pure white beaches have been originated from the seepage of white blood that flowed from the body of an innocent beautiful princess named Mahsuri. She was acussed of adultery and was sentenced to death. None of the soldiers at that time could kill her with their weapons until she was stabbed with her very own 'knife'. White blood flowed seeping into the ground, proving her purity and innocence. Upon her death, she placed a curse on Langkawi that this island would not prosper for seven generations.

You can find the spot where she died - now a tomb to mark it which is called 'Makam Mahsuri'. A visit to the house where Mahsuri grew up will make one learn lil bit about her while she was young. After Mahsuri's death, all her family members were too sad to live here, so they have migrated to Thailand. It is believed that Mahsuri's great great generation is now living in one of Thailand's island.

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Padang Matsirat (Field of Burnt Rice)

Padang Matsirat is the legend of burnt rice. Soon after Mahsuri's death the villagers burnt their padi instead of leaving them when they were invaded by the Siam. It is said that blackened rice can still be seen in the sand especially after heavy downpour (and all my three visits fall on sunny days ;) Per my last visit here I found that there are not much burnt rice to be seen (you have to try hard to find them).. It could also due to visitors' habit of collecting them for personal memorabilia.

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Telaga Air Panas (Hot Springs)

Another interesting legend here. The hot springs is told to be a result of a harsh quarrel between two families over a rejected offer of marriage. Households items like pots, plates, saucers flung about during the quarrel. A jugful of hot water was smashed to the ground and where it split, is the Hot Springs now. Yeah, the water in the wells are still as hot, rather luke warm now. Walk around this area, cultural shows are performed at certain time and look around for the lil souvenir stalls.

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Tanjung Rhu (Casuarina Beach)

This is a splendid beach here in Langkawi. During my first visit here many moons ago, we stayed at the Mutiara Beach Resort located on this sandy beach. At low tide you can walk to the secluded lil islands nearby, but we were told that the tide rise quickly before you realised you may be caught unaware, so we hesitated a lot and we are not good swimmers :( I was pretty contented to just walking on the beach and encountered many beach inhabitants -
lil crabs, mud fish?, starfish, collecting seashells and enjoying the windy seabreeze....

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Pantai Pasir Hitam (Beach of Black Sand)

Amazing, but the beach here is covered with black sands and the myth behind it is still a mystery...

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Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells)

This is a spot where a freshwater stream cascades 91m down through a series of seven pools. I managed somehow to climbed up till the fourth pool only .. A good walking shoe with good sole is recommended as the higher pool step you go, the steeper the climb is and at some areas the rocks gets sandy and lil hard to grasp the ground ...

The rich green forest that surrounds the waterfall adds a mystical touch to the splendour. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic.
This picture is borrowed off the web

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