::15th November 2009::
It was already morning when i gradually wake myself up from slumber. SP and EJ whom slept as soon we reach hotel yesterday were the early birds today. The time is already 7.30am and the early birds are urging us sleepyheads to get up for the complimentary breakfast from Porto Malai. Everyone got up when we realized that there is not much time as the Island Hopping Tour van will be here on 9am to pick us up plus the morning call from Porto Malai which was requested by us earlier. Washed ourselves up and we went down to Seagulf Restaurant, where the breakfast coupons are used for a buffet style breakfast. Seagulf is situated very strategically directly facing the sea along the boardwalks, it is truly romantic and refreshing especially for lovebirds.
Seagull Restaurant
Breakfast Buffet^^
Back to the breakfast, Seagulf serves a fusion of diff styles for their buffet. We get the good old local specialties of Malay, Chinese and also Indian food with additional of Western breakfasts too. To our surprise, the foods served were quite tasty and appetite opening. There is also coffee, tea and also fresh juices to quench our thirsty throats after all the food. The time is just right after the buffet breakfast, it was nearing 9am and off we go to the entrance of Porto Malai waiting for the tour van.
Porto Malai Jetty
Jetty near Porto Malai
Passing thru Porto Malai during tour
We waited till 9.15am and Kim started calling the person in charge, apparently the driver forgot about us which is a major letdown. Thanks to the person in charge, another van came at about 9.30am to pick us over to the jetty. We realized that the said jetty was actually a few clicks away from Porto Malai ! We should have just drove there if we know that the jetty was that near. Reached the Jetty and were ushered to one of the speedboats, at least no more waiting is required lol
Aerial view of the Lake of Pregnant Maiden
The tour consists of touring 3 islands: Pulau Dayang Bunting (Isle Of The Pregnant Maiden), Pulau Singa Besar (Lion Island) and Pulau Beras Basah (The Island Of Wet Rice).
Pregnant Lady ^^
Pier reaching Dayang Bunting
First stop headed to Dayang Bunting Island to visit the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. On the way there, the speedboat stopped at in the open sea, showing tourists the mountain range which depicted a shape of a pregnant lady lying on her back which is probably the real reason for its name. Reaching the pier of the island, we were greeted by crowds of monkeys clinging on the mangrove trees and rocks.
A series of steep and uneven stairs hill path are awaiting to be hiked before reaching the lake but we finally managed to finish the path and reached the platforms on the lakeside. One can swim at the lake or there are paddleboats available for rental. For those that are lazy, solar powered paddleboats are also available. Around the inner corners, there is a catfish spa made free to any brave soul that are willing to dip their legs into the water. SP, EJ and Kim enjoyed the spa apparently. After an hour there, we headed back to the speedboat
Solar and Paddleboat for rent
Catfish Spa anyone !?
Apparently the speedboat driver asked if we would like a detour to a floating fish farm where we can feed huge fishes, crabs and also white shark but with added charges. Well since we are lready in the middle of the sea, everyone in the speedboat just agreed to pay the floating fish farm a visit. It’s a small floating platform with a white shark and tons of fishes, there were food and we were allowed to feed the fishes all we wanted. Resumed our tour after everyone was happy feeding the fishes.
Second stop was Singa Besar Island. We were told that we would not be getting off the speedboat instead the driver will throw pieces of raw meat onto the sea and swarms of eagles will fly and dive towards the meat. A great close up on how eagles feed plus we don’t get to see them in swarms out in the city.
Last stop would be Beras Basah Island which has white sandy beaches and also blue green water which imo which is not really clear. Finally we get to chill out on the beach, given an hour time limit here without delay all of us ran into the waters and started to splash around like kids. Did various 'stunts' which was hilarious but real fun!!! Time flies by when having fun, speedboat driver maneuver his boat near to us signaling us that times up. So back we go to the jetty, once again we sped pass Porto Malai xD How i wished the driver just drop us off at the Porto Malai jetty instead.
Another view of Porto Malai jetty
Reached jetty safe and sound, bid farewell and thanks to the friendly speedboat driver and off we go where the van driver dropped us. Seems like he was nowhere to be found and since Porto Malai were in walking distance from the jetty, we decided to just walk back. Finally a 10-15mins of walking, we reached Porto Malai and we tasted like salt. Immediately we decided to soak ourselves onto the swimming pool to wear off the excess sea salts and most prolly did not get enough from the beach earlier.
Retreated back to our rooms and got ourselves cleanup ready for lunch as all the touring earlier made us even more hungry. Remember Jalan Pantai Chenang which was mentioned in Day1? We drove over there and settled on a simple mamak style shop which serves fusion Malay and Western food. Lots of westerners there, should be acceptable so we just go for it.
Some photo taking sessions taken place while we wait for our lunch, all we ordered were some simple mamak fried and stir type of food. Everyone munched in like a hungry lion and practically wallop all the food served.
After the lunch, we decided to visit the Langkawi cable-car situated at Langkawi's second highest peak, Mat Cincang or Machincang Mountain. The Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok, is the entrance for the cable-car ride.
Parking lots are abundant there and it’s just 10mins drive from Cenang Beach. Entering the village we passed through the pleasantly layered oriental garden and a number of souvenir shops and cafes. Should have taken our lunch here if we knew that there are more varieties available here xD.
Wow, luckily we are here a week earlier ^^
Plenty of signs that leads us to the ticket counter for the Langkawi Cable Car. Got our tickets from the counter and proceed to an escalator that takes us to the upper level or Base Station where gondolas of cable cars are avail to be boarded. There are discounted price as long you are a Malaysian with a MyKad presented to the counter ^^
Got some time to pose b4 doors close xD
All three so excited^^
The gondola actually doesn’t stop but slows down on the boarding area and we need to get onboard as soon the doors are opened. Once the doors are closed, the cable-car ascends gradually with panoramic views of nature's surrounding.
Leaving the Base Station
wow all amused while EJ taking chocosticks ^^
Halfway thru to Middle Station ><
The cable car climbs to the first station or Middle Station after the lush rainforest. We disembark and explored the area where an elevation of 652.5m above sea level was stated on the viewing platforms.
Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls can be seen^^
The long stretch of hang ropes before Middle Station
Even further view to Base Station
The seven wells waterfall can actually be sighted during the first stretch of the cable car climbing. So as the lovely bays of Pantai Kok which is just pure beauty.
Yes! Reached Middle Station ^^
There is actually the option of trekking up to the Top Station or simply hop back on another cable car. Since the trekking paths are on maintenance, we took some pictures and got back up the cable car heading towards the top station.
This part onwards, it’s a foggy ride and fog clouds over the view making the ride even more exciting as we can’t look far ahead. After the fogs cleared, we are nearing the top station.
Heavy fog ahead to Top Station
Ready to the fogs
wow like in Genting Highlands ^^
A short walk up the stairs from the Top Station has two circular viewing platforms at the top of Machincang which provides a 360degrees viewing point. From there the height is 710m above sea-level which the views there are just breathtaking.
Details of the age old sandstones holding the Mountain
view from circular platform to another circular
Both circular platforms has diff routines, one has some snacks and drink available for any hungry tourist whom needed some lite food to accomodate the beautiful scenes while the other has scheduled leg massage available on the platform.
Latest addition is a 125m unique curve platform, pedestrian bridge across a deep chasm linking Top Station with Machincang mountain range.
Middle Station view from Top Station
woots org asli spotted while walking up the bridge^^
We hiked a series of stairs up and down and finally reached the stunning platform. The views from the platform certainly doesn’t disappoints and we clanged there resulted in taking even more photos thanks to our cameraman SP. xD
After spending some quality time there, the skies seems to 'signal' to us that it is time to go with breeze raindrops. The time was already nearing 6pm were the cable-car were actually scheduled to close.
another two org asli =_=
Hello! report nampak org asli
Come join the crowd
Aiyo...no line xD
We ushered ourselves over the ranging stairs back to the Top Station boarding area and down we go to the base station again.
Heading back ^^
The visit was a worthwhile one and beside the counter there is a mini zoo with some animals there. Took some shots and we retreated to a nearby cafe to chill down and catch our breath.
We noticed most shops in the Oriental Village started to pack up and call it a day. So we decided to hit the roads back to our Resort. Halfway along the road, the mesmerizing Pantai Kok caught our attention and we decided to stop by and wander along the beaches of Pantai Kok.
Jellyfish corpse everywhere
Clearly that this is not a place you would like to soak in the sea waters as we can see much jellyfish being washed ashore which concludes there could be more down under the seawater.
treasure hunting !? xD
Taa Daa, Langkawi Ranger
But the pleasant view did make up for the no going down the water part, little crabs running around the sand shores and the whole scene was so quiet and peaceful.
Enough of Beaching ^^
Woots, what is Kim doing ?!
Our hungry stomachs finally alarmed, time to resume our journey. This time around, we passed by Jalan Pantai Chenang once again. The restaurants there was so lively at this hour, we just parked at the shoulder of the road and walked into a chinese restaurant for dinner. Ordered a mix of seafood, meat and vege and dined in like hungry lions. It was a fulfilling portion and once again no pictures are taken as our stomach did the thinking again xD
Given an after dinner dessert coupled with guitarist singing their hearts out, it was an ultimate enjoyment. We stayed abit longer, chit chatting our way like we used to do during TT sessions. Some great sharing there and we decided to return to Porto Malai for some drunk session. grins^^
We were caught surprised by a long yellow carpet at the entrance of Porto Malai, a nearer inspection tells us that the Sultan of Kedah was here! We even took some pictures of Sultan's ride.
HUGE sea fishes O_o
After some understanding from the resort staffs, the Sultan was here to officiate the sea fishing competition held. There were huge fishes hanging at the lobby ballroom. Sultan was already inside the ballroom which is prohibited to us lol.
Drunk session begins as soon as everyone settled bathing lol. Snacks, chocolates, beers, hard liquor and champagne. It is like a heaven for alcoholics here!!!
Cheers!!!
First off, some champagne to celebrate our success in the trip. MOET & CHANDON Champagne for starters followed by a drunk fest with some hard liquor and beers xD. Guest everyone would know how Day2 ended again, drunk and also some heart to heart talk. Of course, no one else is there to snap photos as all are drunk-ed xD
That ended another great day.
DRUNK-burp O_o
