SURRENDER TO THE EVER ALLURING SIREN CALL OF LANGKAWI, HANDS DOWN ONE OF MALAYSIA’S MOST LOVED NATIONAL TREASURES
By Syama Ramasamy
As a kid thumbing through the pages of Treasure Island, hanging on to Robert Louis Stevenson’s every word, I was consumed by its sense of adventure – open seas, buccaneer ships, maps promising chests of gold (oddly unperturbed by the notion of rum-chugging seamen and rhyming one-legged pirates).
Skeleton Island may have been fictitious, concocted from the mind of the Scottish writer in the late 1800s, but he might as well have been referring to our very own ‘treasure island’ northwest of the peninsula. Langkawi is after all a treasure trove of experiences, worth all the gold in the world. ‘X’ marks the spot.
A well-thumbed island favourite it may be – a go-to destination for Malaysians – but Langkawi continues to allure those seeking a quick, well-deserved respite from the harshness of the daily grind, longing to be comforted and caressed in her lap as surreal mountainous backdrops, sublime sunsets and healing waves magically dissolve life’s stresses away.
Part of an archipelago of 99 smaller, mostly uninhabited islands, Langkawi is however much more than a ‘zen retreat’, offering a host of activities for both the nature lover and thrill-seeker – ranging from visits to waterfalls, mangrove swamps and eagle-feeding to island excursions, beaches and water sports such as sailing and scuba-diving. Plus, the island – aptly known as the Jewel of Kedah – is also home to some amazing golf!
FORE!
Measuring approximately 478.5km2 (25km in length from north to south and 40km east to west) – slightly smaller than Singapore – Langkawi boasts three golf courses, ready to quench your thirst for a smashing round (or two) while you’re on holiday.
The Els Club Teluk Datai
Set amongst a million-year-old rainforest with breath-taking mountain and ocean views, The Els Club Teluk Datai’s Rainforest Course is often described as a tropical paradise by both domestic and international tourists, having reeled in a string of awards since reopening for play in 2014 following an extensive redesign by South African legend Ernie Els.
The par 72, 6,760-yard layout plays into the foothills of the Mat Cincang mountain range and out to the Andaman Sea. Featuring five sea-fronting holes, the course has a unique feature – the total absence of bunkers as Els and his design team felt that the rainforest setting provides enough natural hazards.
The par-three 17th plays over a small cove and offers superb ocean views, as does the par-five seventh which zigzags its way to a beachside peninsula green.
Gunung Raya Golf Resort
One of the most invigorating golfing experiences in the country can be found at Gunung Raya Golf Resort, sprawled over 300 acres of former rubber plantation land. Designed by American Max Wexler, the par 72, 6,377-metre course meanders along the foothills of Gunung Raya, providing scenic vistas of the surrounding mountain range.
The 3,114-metre first nine is the friendlier of the two tracts, offering great scoring chances with generally inviting fairways playing to large, receptive greens. The 3,263-metre second nine challenges golfers with tighter target areas and water coming into play on many holes, most notably at the stunning par-three 11th which plays over a huge lake to a diagonally-angled green.
99 East Golf Club
99 East Golf Club offers a one-of-a-kind golfing experience with design influences from Australian and even Scottish links courses. Crafted by renowned Aussie architect Ross Watson, the picturesque and well-manicured nine-hole course measures 3,665 yards from the tips with wild grasses and reeds dominating the out of play areas.
The layout meanders through native forest, wetlands and an orchard valley, offering great views of Mount Mat Cincang in the west and Kuah Bay in the east – especially from the tees of the par-five sixth hole, which is the highest point of the course.
The second nine is a work in progress, expected to open in mid-2021. Meanwhile, golfers can play the existing nine twice to get in an 18-hole experience.
MUST-DOS FOR ALL
Nature lovers would have a whale of a time on the island, with wildlife such as primates, namely the long-tailed macaque, dusky-leaf monkey, slow loris and the world’s only gliding monkey, the Colugo (flying lemur), calling it home, along with at least 200 species of birds including the white-bellied sea eagle and the mountain hawk-eagle. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a flying “dragon”, a close cousin of the komodo dragon.
Kilim Geoforest Park
Located at the north end of the island is Kilim Geoforest Park, the only place in Malaysia where one can find a coexistence of coastal karst and mangrove ecosystems. Expect to be wowed by a wide spectrum of geological heritage diversity, such as various types of rock, caves, coastal and island karst morphologies, fossils, as well as rich mangrove fauna and flora. A boat tour will be a great way to marvel at these natural wonders, especially memorable during eagle-watching sessions.
Panorama Langkawi SkyCab
To enjoy a panoramic view of the island, ride the Panorama Langkawi SkyCab cable car to the summit of Mount Mat Cincang. Once there, check out the SkyBridge or trek a few kilometres to the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfall.
Pulau Payar Marine Park
Pulau Payar Marine Park comprises four uninhabited islands making up Malaysia’s oldest marine park sanctuary. The park is a marine protected area, which means the coral reefs around here are among the best preserved in the region and teeming with diverse fish life, including angelfish and clownfish, even black-tip reef sharks!
Pantai Cenang
After a full-on day of island exploration, there’s no better way to wind down than by watching the sun set on Pantai Cenang as layers of cloud paint the sky with a brilliant potpourri of scarlet and orange shades. You wouldn’t want to give this a miss.
Duty-free Shopping
Probably the best thing about Langkawi, apart from its natural charm and wonders, is the duty-free shopping! So if you’re looking to stock up on a range of liquors, chocolates, fragrances, tobacco products, sportswear, luggage and kitchenware, among others, well you’ve come to the right place.