Pulau Langkawi Things to Do Tips by catkin

Explore the islands

We wanted to have a day sailing round the islands so as we were staying near the Royal Langkawi Yacht club we stopped to enquire about sailing trips from there.
A company called Sunsail operate from there and you can hire a sailing boat to sail yourself or like us you can hire a sailing boat with a skipper.
For 1200 RM we had the 35 foot sail boat to ourselves (4 of us) for the whole day, a skipper, lunch, soft drinks and beer. To make it a bit more special we took our own sparkling wine.
We had a wonderful day lazing on the deck in the gloroius sunshine taking in the scenery. We saw some flying fish but the dolphins eluded us.

Langkawi cable car

This cable car is not for the faint hearted! I have never in all my life seen a cable car rise so steeply!
The cable car leaves the Oriental village and rises steeply up Mount Machinchang. The views, if its clear are spectacular and worth the ride. I am not really keen on heights but it had to be done. As you rise up there is a feeling of complete quiet and motionlessness-it might have had something to do with the fact I daren't move.
Whilst we were up at the first station I decided I couldn't go across to the second station as it looked way too scary!. The wind was getting stronger too and I could see the cars swaying more!
The cable car operates daily from 10.00am, but it is dependant on the weather so it is usually best to ring before you set off especially if you have to travel a way.

Address: Langkawi cable car, Oriental Village, Burau Bay

Phone: 04-959 4225

Fish farm

Our first stop on the mangrove tour was the "Hole in the wall" fish farm. Here we were shown how to feed a sting ray by hand.
We were also shown a horseshoe crab and some other fish called trivali feeding. They were so quick and voracious it was amazing!

Address: Sungai Kilim

Eagle feeding

Watching the many sea eagles feed was the highlight of the Mangrove tour.

Address: Sungai Kilim

Mangrove tour

The mangrove tour was quite an unforgettable experience. We chanced to arrange this trip through a taxi driver we had one day and it proved to be successful.
We were picked up at our hotel and taken to the Sungai Kilim mangrove reserve where we boarded our own boat. After putting on our life jackets we set off on our adventure stopping first at a fish farm where we were shown how to feed a sting ray by hand. After this stop we headed off through the mangroves and to other points of interest along on the way. The boat passed through what they called the crocodile cave-there are no crocs here though but there were a few bats!
From here we went on to the highlight of the trip-the Eagle feeding. It was amazing to see these beautiful birds swoop down to get their fish. There were so many of them too!
Next port of call was a visit to the bat cave! I must admit I am not fond of bats and the thought of walking through this cave got the better of me and I chickened out!
The trip ended shortly after this with a set lunch at the restaurant in the Mangrove-the Barn Thai.
It was a great morning out!

Hornbills

Each day at low tide the rocky outcrop on the beach by our hotel became the focus of our attention to watch the many hornbills feeding from the rock pools.
Having only ever seen hornbills in zoos I found them fascinating. They are quite comical birds and rather ungainly when they walk about.
They did not seem to mind my presence and I managed to get quite a few photographs of them during my stay on Langkawi.
Hornbills are very common in this area and there are several species of them-the ones I saw most of were the Oriental Pied Hornbill.

Address: around Langkawi

Fishing villages

You will see many of these colourful fishing villages around Langkawi. This one was just on the edge of Kuah town.

Underwater world

If its raining then Under water world at Pantai Cenang is a great way to spend an hour or so. There is a walk through tunnel with large fish, small sharks and stingray as well as many tanks of beautifully coloured tropical fish.
In a small garden outside you will find a pool of koi carp and some short clawed otters.

Address: Pantai Cenang

Website: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2888108-underwater_world_langkawi_langkawi-i

Summer Palace

The summer palace at Pantai Kok was built as a film set by 20th Century Fox for the film Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat.
It as a representation of a Thai palace. Here you will find props which were used in the film and you can even have your picture taking wearing one of the costumes.

Directions: Pantai Kok

Landscaped lakes

As you appraoch Eagle quare you will pass some landscaped parkland with small lakes and bridges. This particular day we were here was very calm and still so the reflections on the water were quite picturesque.