Dev’s adventures picked us up at 9:45, the earliest we’ve been up since travelling half-way around the globe. We arrived at the mangroves for our 10:30 kayaking adventure. 35 degrees, sunny, 4-hour kayak before lunch through tropical rainforest. What could be better? We talked to Dev. Any chance that we could switch to the boat tour? We were going to bake in the heat and humidity. We agreed we would switch to the covered boat ride. Thank goodness. Plus we were going to link up with a couple that we had met the day earlier while snorkeling. The decision was a no-brainer
Our environmentalist guide, Ida, was phenomenal. At our first stop, the Langkawi bat caves, she quickly had us absorbed into the remarkable geologic history of the island and the magnificence of the mangroves and their life-saving root system (a major reason for the sparing of lives during the tragic tsunamis were these trees who roots protect the passage of debris and people with the rising and ebbing of the waters). We walked through the cave system where hundreds of bats hung eerily above. Ida interpreted the eco-system beautifully. We learned about fluorescent crabs, all kinds of different birds, and the cheeky monkeys monitoring us from overhead.
We headed back to our boat and puttered along when all of a sudden one of the girls screamed, “What the hell is that?!!!” Right beside our boat was a huge monitor lizard the size of a crocodile. None of knew that they could swim an we were all delighted to see it.
After this we found ourselves on an uninhabited section of the island with a secluded beach on the Adaman Sea and its calm 25 degree, clear waters. We all hid behind palm trees and changed into our bathing suits. We were surrounded by karsts (towering lime-stone hills of James-bond fame). The beach was sandy while and the water was aqua blue. It would have been perfect except for the fact that we were constantly getting nipped while in the water. When we swam for shore and asked Ida what they were, she replied, “Sea lice”. She assured us that we they wouldn’t do any harm and that we wouldn’t be left with any marks so we relaxed and enjoyed our half-hour swim despite the little guys. Before leaving we all did a check to make sure that we had everything. At our next stop, however, we discovered that Ryan had forgotten his bathing suit. We told him that the next time we returned there would be some monkey wearing sporting it!
We headed back into the mangrove and sped along until we came upon a restaurant seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It was also a fish farm and was a popular hangout with yachties. It was one of the most unique places we have ever eaten. We dined on tom-yum soup with squid, prawns, and vegetables along with a plate of yummy Malaysian rice. They prepared a special soup and some tasty chicken for Brendan.
The day was one of our favourites on the trip to date.
We spent of few hours chatting about our day while at the pool before leaving for the ‘Spice Trader’ for a buffet Malaysian/Indian dinner. Friday night was ‘cultural night’ and we were treated to elegant dancing by men and women dressed in traditional Malaysian attire. Ed and John, from England joined us as we sat on brightly coloured cushions on the floor. The atmosphere was intoxicating and everyone was in a great mood. When we were invited to get up and join the dancers we didn’t hesitate for a second. Ryan, Brendan, and John really got into it and joined us while we snaked around the restaurant inviting yet other diners to join us. It was the end to a perfect day.
Our environmentalist guide, Ida, was phenomenal. At our first stop, the Langkawi bat caves, she quickly had us absorbed into the remarkable geologic history of the island and the magnificence of the mangroves and their life-saving root system (a major reason for the sparing of lives during the tragic tsunamis were these trees who roots protect the passage of debris and people with the rising and ebbing of the waters). We walked through the cave system where hundreds of bats hung eerily above. Ida interpreted the eco-system beautifully. We learned about fluorescent crabs, all kinds of different birds, and the cheeky monkeys monitoring us from overhead.
We headed back to our boat and puttered along when all of a sudden one of the girls screamed, “What the hell is that?!!!” Right beside our boat was a huge monitor lizard the size of a crocodile. None of knew that they could swim an we were all delighted to see it.
After this we found ourselves on an uninhabited section of the island with a secluded beach on the Adaman Sea and its calm 25 degree, clear waters. We all hid behind palm trees and changed into our bathing suits. We were surrounded by karsts (towering lime-stone hills of James-bond fame). The beach was sandy while and the water was aqua blue. It would have been perfect except for the fact that we were constantly getting nipped while in the water. When we swam for shore and asked Ida what they were, she replied, “Sea lice”. She assured us that we they wouldn’t do any harm and that we wouldn’t be left with any marks so we relaxed and enjoyed our half-hour swim despite the little guys. Before leaving we all did a check to make sure that we had everything. At our next stop, however, we discovered that Ryan had forgotten his bathing suit. We told him that the next time we returned there would be some monkey wearing sporting it!
We headed back into the mangrove and sped along until we came upon a restaurant seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It was also a fish farm and was a popular hangout with yachties. It was one of the most unique places we have ever eaten. We dined on tom-yum soup with squid, prawns, and vegetables along with a plate of yummy Malaysian rice. They prepared a special soup and some tasty chicken for Brendan.
The day was one of our favourites on the trip to date.
We spent of few hours chatting about our day while at the pool before leaving for the ‘Spice Trader’ for a buffet Malaysian/Indian dinner. Friday night was ‘cultural night’ and we were treated to elegant dancing by men and women dressed in traditional Malaysian attire. Ed and John, from England joined us as we sat on brightly coloured cushions on the floor. The atmosphere was intoxicating and everyone was in a great mood. When we were invited to get up and join the dancers we didn’t hesitate for a second. Ryan, Brendan, and John really got into it and joined us while we snaked around the restaurant inviting yet other diners to join us. It was the end to a perfect day.
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