Joanna James
A scenic island in the Andaman Sea, "Langkawi" of Malaysia beckons travellers from all over the world to uncover the multi-faceted treasures beheld by the cluster of nearly 100 islands around it. Get enchanted by the abundance of nature's gifts in different forms, sizes and colour; keep reading on.
A beautiful island inhabited; yet remote from the world, just 5kms southwest of Kuah Jetty. Tuba's traditional fishing village offers homestays to visitors who want to discover the traditional village life. Be one of them as the villagers venture into the forest-covered hills to gather herbs, fruits and honey when they are not fishing. For nature lovers there is ample opportunity to do bird watching, cave exploring, jungle trekking, walking through paddy fields or merely relaxing at the pristine beach while savouring the home-cooked food.
This gigantic wildlife sanctuary 17 km off the Langkawi coast, is filled with unusual rock formations, mangroves and calm and tranquil beaches. Despite its name, no lions are ever found, however making up for that, other species such as peacocks, mousedeer, eagles, monkeys, hornbills and monitor lizards are found aplenty roaming freely. For wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, this island is indeed a haven!
Resembling the silhouette of a reclining expectant lady, thus carrying this name, Pulau Dayang Bunting can be easily accessed through a 15-minute boat ride from "Kuah Jetty" not far from your Cenang Beach Hotel. Surrounded by mangroves and limestone formation, this island beholds an unusual freshwater lake, "Lake Guillemard" which is divided from the sea by just a few rocks in between. Great for swimming, locals also believe that infertile women will become fertile by swimming in these waters.
Payara Island is spectacular in its rich and diverse marine life and lush vegetation, therefore holding "Marine Park" status. In addition, Payara Island is also a snorkelling, swimming and diving site. The famous "Coral Garden", an area covered with a bright explosion of colours due to soft coral formations adds to the richness of natures' bounty on this island. Easily reached by catamaran or speedboat from "Kuah Jetty", "Payara Island" is a must-visit location for most tourists from hotels such as Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa.
A super beach location for picnics, Lembu is sought after by tourists as well as locals to have fun, relax, play around and generally enjoy the sun and sand. Ideal for families with children, the island which is bull shaped is where one must call over for kite flying, building sandcastles or just lazing around enjoying the clear water. Why Langkawi and most of these islands continue to be beautiful and unspoilt is due to the close monitoring by the authorities. For instance, fishing is prohibited around Lembu for approximately 2.7 to 3km. Due to the great devotion towards nature, the locals obey these laws. In spite of the large numbers that gather year-round at these islands, the essence remains intact.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
