Travelogue - Langkawi

2010 August 6, 2000 hrs:

Amidst the bustling streets of Little India me and my friend kapil converted 500 SGD to 1160 RM (Malaysian Ringgits) and headed our way to the beach bay looking for bus tickets to Kuala Lampur (KL, Malaysia). Our dreams of Langkawi almost crashed when we found that there are no more tickets available.

Later, we decided to reach Johor Bahru (JB) and find a bus to KL. In the pursuit of happiness, we found a bus and eventually we ended up stepping ourselves in JB and further to Larpin. well, wait a sec… Have I said we need to board bus from JB… well I was wrong. We gotta board a bus from Larpin to KL. This is our first trip to Malaysia and loads more to learn.

The next step in our life is what I call “Awesome… Amazing…” We took a bus to KL from Larpin @ 0000 hrs and within 5 mins a police car stopped the bus :) They escorted our bus royally back to the same Larpin bus stand where we started. Well, the next 30 mins passed with no improvement and there was a sudden change of driver. The passengers are unaware of what’s going on. We started our journey afresh @ 0030 hrs.

We dozed off thinking that it will take only 4 hrs from Larpin to KL. But, we were very wrong. The bus driver covered only half the distance @ 0330 hrs. We are f*****!!!!

Remember, we have a flight to catch in KL LCCT @ 0730 hrs and the bus can go till KL central. The usual distance by any means from KL Central to KL LCCT will take about 1.5 hrs. Then, a guardian angel disguised as a passenger in the bus saved us by instilling the thought of taking a cab from serampan which en routes KL Central.

We got down from the fastest bus and took a cab to KL LCCT @ 0530 hrs. The cab driver was very friendly and took us in a jungle route where he claimed that wild bores are often seen. We didn’t get a chance to encounter that either :P

He reached a top speed of 120 kms which is enough to get ourselves parked in KL LCCT 2 hrs before the journey. We made it at last and the trip is alive!!! We got the boarding pass and started our way towards Marrybrown, which is one of my favourites back in India to much some breakfast.

First camera click @ MarryBrown

2010 August 7, 0800 hrs:

Before the Touch down, I peeped outside the window to find tiny islands scattered along the bay. I felt like watching Jurassic park scene in reality. Awesome!!!

The most interesting part of the journey was that we hired a proton sedan type car for 150 RM (3 days) As you guys know I am a car fanatic, I actually wanted to try the car firsthand when its delivered. But, kapil grabbed the key and took it first. I was a little upset but yea no problem :) A friend in need is a friend in deed.

We had a map and traced our route to  Zackry Guest house where we booked a room online for just 11 SGD. We had difficulty in finding it But, its worth the wait.

Its lame if I don’t mention about the guest house. Its warm, homely and great. They have a communal area where you can watch TV, cook, drink blah blah. The best thing about Zackry’s is their “Honesty system Billing” where you gotta fill the items you used before you check-out. You will be billed accordingly for what you have filled :) I just love it. It gives you a home-like feeling especially when you make your own coffee or breakfast and clean things up for others to use. The price of a two bed room is just 210 RM for 3 days. They do provide wi-fi for free with a decent download speed of 100 KBps… what more i can ask for in a holiday. I am in the Zackry’s communal area when I am typing this. I could see many Europeans having their breakfast @ 1200 hrs and planning for a BBQ on Sunday. We are having plans of going to Snorkelling, Jet skiing, mangrove forest ride, canoy ride, breathtaking 133 feet sea bungee… phew!!! the list is never-ending.

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Part-2

2010 August 7, 1300 hrs:

Fortunately, the time was not moving fast. We had a sense of one whole day passed-by but the clock just ticked 1300. Pretty good!!! We refuelled ourselves in “The Mumbai Palace” apparently run by Pakistanis. It is this time I understood why kasab was closely related to mumbai attacks :P May be, may be not!!!???? whatever, we had great food there especially their north indian delights. Yummmm…

Also I tried my hands in DSLR manual mode for the first time.

 

A wrong turn from the palace took straight to Beach Garden Resort and to the beach behind.

 

We saw tourists involved in paragliding and jet skiing. Kapil negotiated with the person in-charge and finally decided to strap the buckle @ 320 RM for two persons (paragliding and water skiing)

Below are some of the pictures taken in the beach:

Paragliding:

Negotiation – Fair deal

 

Kapil with the gears on…

 

There he goes!!!

A perfect Take off….

But, a bad landing. There are so many parts in the body and he chose this one to land. Ouchh… this would have hurt him.

 

This is my turn to feel the adrenalin pump and excitement.

 

Ready…

I later realized that I had my slippers on :P

Actually believe me I was singing “My dream is to fly over the rainbow so high…” song.

 

 

This is called a “Perfect landing”. Nothing special, Unlike my friend,  I chose my legs to land :p

JET SKIING:

We then decided to jet ski with a whooping 1500 CC engine. This was more exciting and thrilling when you go against the waves and the jet jumps in air and water gets splashed all over you when you touch down. Waaaaooo…

This is our monster.

We are then back to our homely guest house. I had my hair cut done kudos to the hair dresser who spent nearly an hour to turn me back to a human being :)

Its 1900 hrs and kapil is still sleeping and also started snoring :(

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This trip to Langkawi was a special and a memorable one!!! With this I’m ending this travelogue…