Malaysia, where the jungle meets the sea
This blog post spans 11D/10N across Malaysian cities Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, in the month of Dec 2024. Our usual partners in crime, Sumit and Vinita Dubey accompanied us on the trip. The adventure began with us boarding our red eye Singapore Airlines flight from Bangalore to KualaLumpur (via Singapore) and then a domestic flight from KL to Langkawi (Air Asia). Yes, we could have been smarter and booked a direct flight from Bangalore to Langkawi, but organiser of this trip, which was me, wanted to avoid Malaysian Airlines for some god_knows_what reason!
Day 1: Settling in
We reached Langkawi in the late afternoon and had a sumptuous meal, including few local delicacies, overlooking the waterfront in the back garden of our stay, Ombak Villa. The property is centrally located and has a mesmerising panoramic view of Andaman Sea, with large rooms having a kitchenette.
We spent the evening exploring the bustling Pantai Cenang market area, where kids enjoyed a fire show, robot dance and we enjoyed a sumptuous Lebanese dinner and Kunafeh which melted effortlessly in our mouths!
We weren’t too sure of driving in Langkawi because of the ease of booking app based taxi, Grab. However, we decided to rent cars from the next day which worked out for the better and helped us enjoy our time more.
Day 2: Island Hopping
After spending a lazy morning in Ombak Villa, we headed to Haroo Haroo Korean restaurant for lunch, before we could hop on to our boat for island hopping. We tried authentic Kimchi and Bibimbap here.
We spent the day hopping between Langkawi’s beautiful islands. Our highlight was the Island of the Pregnant Maiden (Dayang Bunting), known for its stunning beauty and a small hike to its freshwater lake.
We still had some fuel left for the day and hence we decided to explore a nearby night market where we tried varieties of exotic fresh cut fruits, all to be picked by you and create your mix. We had dinner in Fat Frog, known for its delicious fusion of Western and local flavors and gulped the food down with some of their home made Kombucha!
Day 3: Pantai Cenang
We started the day at Pantai Cenang beach, where we enjoyed the busy atmosphere filled with hotels, restaurants, and beach activities. In the afternoon, we tried parasailing, an experience that gave us a stunning bird’s-eye view of the island. The evening ended with a special dinner in Casa Del Mar, a unique beachfront dinner experience, where the soothing sounds of the ocean blend with soft, dim lighting. We enjoyed a multi-course meal perfectly paired with exquisite wines and champagne for a truly unforgettable evening. Watching the sunset while enjoying a delicious meal was the perfect way to wrap up the day.
Day 4: Langkawi Cable Car & Sky Bridge
Today, we visited the Langkawi Cable Car, one of the top attractions on the island. It took us up to the sky bridge, offering breathtaking views of the island and the surrounding lush landscape. We also explored the Machinchang Petland, a pet reserve nearby.
Day 5: Crocodile Adventureland
We visited the Crocodile Adventureland, a fun yet educational spot where we got close to a variety of crocodiles and learned about their habitats. It was a unique experience, especially for kids as they got super excited feeding baby crocodiles.
It is in those unexpected places you find good food which you had otherwise written off. After trying out Nasi Lemak, arguably the national dish of Malaysia, multiple times else where, we had started to question its relevance, but it was in the crocodile Adventureland cafeteria that we had one of the best Nasi Lemak (Coconut rice, Sambal Anchovies paste, half fry omelette). We also had Kaya toast (coconut jam toast) here.
Day 6: Kilim Geo Forest & Eagle Square
Today was the day where we started early on a shared eco friendly tour which took us to Kilim Geo Forest Park for a thrilling mangrove tour, including a visit to Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave) and Tanjung Rhu beach. The serene beauty of the mangrove forest was so peaceful yet frightening, where our captain (nickname Cobra) helped us spot a snake resting on a tree branch after having a belly full of rodent.
Lunch was part of the tour which was set on a floating market, also a site for feeding sting rays and seeing various other exotic fish.
Later in the evening, we headed to the Eagle Square, which has a large statue of a Brahmani Kite. The bird is known for its distinctive reddish-brown plumage, white head, and tail, making it a striking sight and has ecological and cultural connotations with the island’s biodiversity and tourism appeal.
While walking around the park hosting the statue, we were pleasantly surprised to spot a several feet large giant water lizard and a turtle, just by the road side!
We also tried few street food while returning back to our hotel.
Day 7: Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur
We flew back to Kuala Lumpur and arrived by late afternoon and checked into our AirBnB stay which was a stone throwaway distance from Twin tower and also had a nice view of it from our apartment. After getting some local supplies, we decided to head towards the iconic Petronas Twin tower.
Day 8: Genting Highlands
We made our way to Genting Heights, a hill station near Kuala Lumpur. It has both indoor and outdoor amusement parks catering to all age groups. Our first stop was Gohtong Jaya, where we visited Happy Bee Farm and a butterfly park. We wished the farm tour was more interactive. We then took the Awana Gondola to the top and explored the First World Plaza, a shopping mall with good food and amusement parks.
We had a sumptuous Syrian meal for dinner overlooking the mighty twin towers.
Day 9: Kuala Lumpur City Tour
We had booked a half day tour via Viator to take us through some of the touristy places across KL. We started the day visiting the Batu Caves, a sacred Hindu site with stunning limestone caves. Next, we visited the National Mosque and did some shopping in China town before ending our day exploring Central Market.
Day 10: Day Trip to Malacca
This was the day we had booked a full day bus tour to explore the historic city of Malacca (Melaka). This UNESCO World Heritage site was full of history, with its colonial architecture and cultural richness. We visited iconic landmarks such as the Dutch Square and St. Paul’s Hill, immersing ourselves in the city’s fascinating past. The lunch was part of the tour package which had some of the best local dishes we tried.
Day 11: Back to Bangalore
This trip to Malaysia was everything we hoped for and more. From the pristine beaches of Langkawi to the bustling city life of Kuala Lumpur, every day was filled with new discoveries. We explored nature, indulged in delicious food, and immersed ourselves in Malaysia’s unique culture.
GB Hacks
- Langkawi ticks all the right check boxes in making it a great tourist destination. The island is duty free and lots of high end places to stay and at the same time many activities for all age groups.
- Petrol is real cheap in Malaysia and hence renting your own car is highly recommended.
Kedia's Travelogue 