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Langkawi Island is located at the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Being the Jewel of Kedah, it is an archipelago of 99 islands and famous for being a duty-free island. Note that Malaysia is the country whereby implying the heavy sin taxes. Thus, being able to go to Langkawi will means cheaper booze and freaking cheap cigarettes.

Known as one of the tourism spot, Yatz and I were on our journey (or yat and only journey…) to Langkawi last week. Being my first time to Langkawi Island, there were plentiful of tourism spots for me to feast on. With Yatz previous experience of taking the bus which leads to winding road and long hours, we decided to Get the Deal from the national carrier – Malaysia Airlines. It is as low as RM69 one way. You need to sign up with for the updates from the Get-the-Deal packages. Tempting to go to K.Kinabalu or Tawau now. More seafood!!!!

Anyway, back to our trip that the two of us we giving our first time together. For me, it was my first time to Langkawi despite being a Malaysian whom never visited Langkawi for its cheap booze. Not even during my teen years. As for Yatz, it was his first time flying. Never been on a plane, I find myself as doing a documentary shooting for Yatz in our 3 Day 2 Night stay. *mental note to Yatz: you should give me chocolates that you bought from there… mana itu Ferrero Rocher?*

I took a cab from Gombak on the Friday morning to KL Sentral which cost me RM11.30. Not bad except the heavy traffic at the Jalan Tun Razak intersection near to the Flat Pekeliling. The taxi driver and I talked a lot which reminds me of the short film from 15Malaysia. Yatz was there when I reached KL Sentral. I almost couldn’t recognize Yatz with his new look. I was searching for a young tall white male with a long hair. Silly me.

First, we try to get the ERL ticket first followed by checking in. Realized that if we were to check in our luggage in KL Sentral, it has to be 2 hours before the flight. I told Yatz the night before whether he wanted to check in online or only when we were at KL Sentral. We choose the latter one. We took the ERL which was only 28 minutes trip and arrived in KLIA sooner that we estimated. The ticket only cost us RM35 each. Not bad for a 28 minutes ride.

We boarded the flight MH1446 – a Boeing 737-400 which can caters up to 144 seating with the wing spanning 28.90m. The maximum fuel capacity is 6200 US Gallons and can reach the cruising speed of Mach 0.74. That’s 797 km/h. MAS have about 37 unit of this aircraft.

Inside the flight, seated at the seat number 23E I told Yatz I wanted to pick the seat next to the aisle so I can meet up with Anges Soh again and snap some pictures of her sweet smile snap some photo of the cabin crew when they doing the demonstration how to put on the life jacket when emergency happens. With the spacing between the front and back seat, I was able to move around adjusting my position to shoot the cabin crew.

Contrary from what I imagine how long the flight might take based on my previous flight (back in 10 years old then) which took more than 30 min from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, we were doing touchdown around 2pm-ish. That was pretty fast and I was expecting they served muffins (like back in 15 years ago). Well, cannot complain about the meal when the flight ticket is now lower and affordable compared to last time. If were to compare to other airlines, this one comes free.

Since it was my first time being in Langkawi, I leave the planning to Yatz. First of all, we get a car. This is to enable the ease of moving from 1 place to another – since we will be running around the island. So, we approached or being approached by the car rental provider within the airport itself. Either way, I could not hinder myself from getting from this company. Yes, the sales girl was practically showing off her cleavage. Non-intentional because it only happens when she leaned forward to explain the cars available and the accommodation available in Pantai Cenang.

In the midst of the discussion, we opted for the brand new Proton Saga which was a couple month old compared to year old Sentra. The difference was only RM60 per day. Well, like they say.. “belilah barangan buatan Malaysia”. With the transportation settled, time to hunt for the accommodation. According to Yatz, the best place to stay is along the Cenang Beach. They have endless fine sandy beach that is stretch long. By the way, it is a happening place too.

We rented a room at Mali Perdana Resort. Our room was just right next to the beach. I could hear the waves from the sea hitting to the shores. In fact, on the second night there were some guys there were doing film shooting. It was a decent room with reasonable price tag on it. It comes with aircon, water heater, tv and wifi. *note : Langkawi got 3G Maxis coverage, don’t play play.*

By the time we settled both the car and the place to stay, it was around 5pm. Haste not, Yatz and I headed to Awana Porto Malai to take some photos. Time for me to try out Chua’s Sigma wide angle. It was a quiet place. Peaceful and calm. The majestic of the building give me the feeling of exquisite. Wonder how does the room interior looks like. Meantime, I was getting busy myself trying to catch some angle and a couple of nice shots.

Soon, the day is getting dark and it seems like the sun is settling down. We headed to Cenang Beach to take some sunset shots. The Lighthouse Restaurant at the end of Cenang Beach claimed that it has the best sunset view. Most of the patrons are the foreigners that visiting Langkawi Island. I couldn’t resist but to take some photos of it.

When we were on the move, Yatz notice the signboard “Fat Mum Seafood Restaurant” which he told me that this place must come and eat. It was recommended by his friend for Fat Mum’s famous “Noodle on Fire”. Little that we know that the Fat Mum famous not just for her specialty noodle on fire but her tofu, homemade noodles and more.

Yes, more detail about Fat Mum later on. She even got Facebook.

For the rest of the photos, check out my facebook albums:-

1. Sunset at Langkawi’s Cenang Beach
2. Langkawi Island Day 1

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After checking into the hotel, we waste no time but to go around for places to shoot.

Lotion – checked
Sun block – checked
Cap – checked
Camera – checked
Money – checked
Passport – checked

and off we go. We got ferried by the free joy ride from the Courtyard Tuktuk service to the Ratchadamri BTS station. From there we headed to the nearest station to look for the Grand Palace as our first destination. From Ratchadamri station we took the train from to alight at Saphan Taksin station.

We got on to the deck waiting for our ride to come. We looked a the modern high rise building in Bangkok while knowing that we will be heading towards the other side of the city full of historical buildings.

The city was quite deserted due to the upcoming Songkran festival as well as the recent turmoil in the Bangkok and Pattaya. A lot of them have left the city as welcoming the Songkran holiday. That’s why it was not that traffic congestion after all. Look at the quiet station at Ratchadamri.

and then comes our ride to the designated rendezvous.

We reached the destination. Looking at the option, we decided to opt for getting a guided tour. Choosing the LS&H Travel Co. Ltd. which parade the booth at the station. We left our tour consultant to decide and negotiate with the operator.

As we begin the guided tour, we came across the stall selling street food. Again, the temptation of not trying the huge ass hot dog like food again is irresistible.

Thomas bought the food and he tasted it. He says its very good and everyone should try it. If you never had those, it means you never been to Bangkok. Wingz and I were like WTF?! Wtf?!

The real journey embarks here. We reached the ‘shitty’ as mentioned by the local. It is the jetty at the river side awaiting for our next ride.

Come up next – Discovery of Thai – Chao Phraya River

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At the age of 27, being the first time traveling oversea is really something I not sure whether I should be proud of or not. In fact, I would not have the opportunity until the other day when one of the Ah Beng decided that we should go for Bangkok. I thought they were just joking when suddenly I was being informed that the flight and hotel arrangement was done.

I was taken aback and due to the earlier commitment, I eventually had to go to get my passport up in order to travel to Thailand. Thomas told me that all of us will be traveling via Malaysia Airlines. Being excited with the travel, I was over packed for the trip. Thus, it actually clogging the luggage bag from getting more stuff back from Bangkok. On top of that, I also regret bringing small luggage which I should be able to fit 20kg check-in luggage. Otherwise I could bring the entire Bangkok back.

On the final round before we meet up for the departure, we were instant messaging each other while I was trying to confirm the stuff need to bring. What to do, it was my first time traveling this far. Anyway, been an eager beaver I checked in earlier than Wingz and Thomas. I tried out the web-based check-in. It was easy piece of cake to get myself check-in. Apparently I need to check in in between 24 to 1 hours before the check-in time. If there is less than 1 hour before check-in time, one is required to use the counter check-in. The rojaks ended up queuing up.

Our flight to Bangkok was on the 737 at G6. It was an enjoyable ride as we mess around with the stewardesses for items such as blankets and pillows. As we take off, the cabin crew run a demo on how to put on safety belt and stuff like that. I did not paying attention as I was busy taking photos.

Not to forget the constant smile from the sweet Agnes Soh, she became the subject of my camera till touchdown. Along the path, the next thing that caught my attention was the food. I had a full meal from the serving and kept the Ferrero Rocher for later savoring.

Once we landed, I was like totally disbelief this is happening to me. I have finally touched my feet on the other ground. The other land. Felt like it was a huge step for me. Especially to be in Bangkok. We walked toward the immigration area to get the clearance and my devil mind started its actions. What if I could not get through? What if I were being suspected to be part of Thaksin group that on my way to Bangkok and causing riots? and the list goes on…

Eventually I manage to get through the clearance and finally, I could see the smile. The land of smile. Spa, massage, shopping and tomyam here i come. *ps: i got my first stamp on the passport

Next stop, the wonderful courtyard…
*note : this traveling took place on 10th April to 12th April 2009

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to define the right element in life, I would choose having a road trip as a walk of life. Being here in this world means nothing but a road trip. Simply because our life is a journey we need to make from the birth till we lay six feet under.

no matter what the road lies ahead, we need to face it. We can’t choose the condition of the road much less we have options to but often it ends up how we look at things. Just like what happened today. In between of my feelings I am reaching to have a charmed life. Or semi charmed life… I want some thing else, to get me through the emo-ness within me.

Earlier this morning, i made a road trip to Cameron with 3 of my friends. Something great happened and despite the outcome, we choose to laugh at it. Later to deal with it sensibly. The best way we could turn things around. It was a blessing that my friend was there and his father helped out to search for the accommodation.

As I am blogging this post, we are currently sitting at the Starbucks Tanah Rata, till 1am and watching the movie “The Second Front”.

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