Your Secret Getaway..

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Putri comes to visit!

Putri and I met a few years ago through a mutual friend. We went to neighbouring schools and knew of each other but were never close, but throughout the years we grew closer and now we’re very good friends!

10.45 a.m. – After picking Puteri up from the airport and unloading her bags at the hotel, we decided to take a drive around the island in our newly rented Kia Picanto.




Our 1st stop was at the Awana Porto Malai.

This 3-star resort is located at Tanjung Malai, some 30 minutes away from Kuah town, Langkawi. The resort has an interesting Mediterranean concept - of brightly colored buildings, open cafés, waters everywhere and a beautiful boardwalk by the sea.



After buying some knick knacks from a jewelry shop along the boardwalk, we decided to hunt for lunch seeing as it was already 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

The Best Laksa on the Island!

Along the roadside on Cenang Road, next to the air strip, lies one of Langawi’s hidden gems. Tucked away under a huge Catalpa tree is a Van with no name, just with the writing “Cendol Pulut, Laksa Power” in large red block lettering. Tables and chairs are sprawled around the van as well for people (like us) to sit down and enjoy the beautiful scenery, as the roadside also faces the Andaman sea.



Being complete gluttons (as we were both extremely hungry!) we ordered everything the van offered; Rojak, Assam Laksa “Power” and cendol pulut (glutenous rice). Also, we ordered the MOST delicious fresh chrysanthemum tea, with flower still intact. YUM!


After the delicious and well discovered lunch, we stopped by the Pulau Rebak shuttle point to check it out...



With both stomach and camera memory full, we decided to head back to the hotel for a well deserved siesta before dinner!

Dinner @ Nam Restaurant -- Bon Ton Resort

With a beautiful sunset at our disposal, the ambience couldn’t have been nicer for a relaxing, meal at the Bonton restaurant.



The dishes ranging from Asian, western and fusion cuisine, the Bonton Restaurant is famous for their creative yet tasty creations. And unfortunately, still full from lunch, Putri and opted to share dinner and a desert.

Spaghetti Bolognaise with crummed eggplant

Bread Pudding with Fresh Pears and Gula Melaka Ice Cream


Dinner was breath taking! I have a feeling I’m going to regret not ordering a dish on my own in the morning when I get my appetite!

Till the next post..

Harith The Well Travelled Beach Bum
Kindly Sponsored by Rahsia Estates Sdn Bhd

Thursday, June 25, 2009

My Day @ The Oriental Village

The Oriental Village Langkawi is located around a beautiful lake, set perfectly against the legendary and mystical Machinchang Mountains. The Oriental Village houses a number of different shops selling souvenirs, clothes, tour packages and even scooter vendors! Apart from shops there are also 5 different food and beverage outlets, including the Dropstone Café, serving a mix of western and Asian dishes, Krathong Thai Restaurant, Oriental Food Court, Oriental Snack Bar, for tourists that are on the go, serving burgers and other fast food and The Mizumi Japanese Restaurant.


Apart from shopping and food outlets, there are attractions such as the animal sanctuary, where there is a Rabbit Feeding area, a Deer Farm and Elephant Rides. This mini zoo is free and you can buy food to feed the animals at the farm itself. But the main attraction of the Village is the Langkawi Cable Car.

The Langkawi Cable Car Ride is open from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. and costs RM30 for adults but if you show your Malaysian I.C , you may get it for half price! Woohoo!)



I must admit, at the beginning of the ride up the mountain, I was pretty nervous due to the sheer height we were escalating at, but once we reached mid way, my fear oh heights disappeared as the stunning view completely distracted me! So I just sat back in the glass bubble cable car and enjoyed the rest of the trip up to the 1st look out point.


The first of the 2 look out points has a deck which overlooks Telaga Harbour and some of Langkawi’s 99 islands. The view of the Islands was amazing and so magical! Also from this view, I could see the beautiful canopy walk bridge up on the 2nd look out point!


Once I arrived to the 2nd look out point, I made my way to the Canopy Walk to take advantage of the awesome sights! Reminiscent of my cardio work out hike on Dayang Bunting Island, the journey to the Canopy Walk was same! With steep and curvy bends all the way to the Canopy Walk suspended bridge, I knew going down was the easy part; it was coming back up that was going to be a real challenge!


Finally emerging off the beaten track, I finally arrive at the bridge; what a an amazing sight! The view from the Canopy Walk was simply incredible! Words really cannot describe what one can see and experience from the Canopy bridge… so, I’ll let the photos do the talking..



After a great time up the mountain and having ascended down safely, I decided to have a chilled out lunch at Krathong Thai Restaurant. Because it was just after lunch and it being a week day, the restaurant wasn’t very full, but had a nice clean, cozy feel to it. With novel in hand, I dug into my delicious meal of Seafood Cooked in Coconut Milk, Minced Chicken with Beancurd and white rice. YUMMMM!


Till the next post..

Harith The High Flying Beach Bum
Kindly Sponsored By Rahsia Estates Sdn Bhd

Monday, June 22, 2009

Last Day With The Family

8.45 a.m. – With a little sightseeing planned out and some time to kill before my family’s 4 o’clock flight, we started our day off a tad earlier than usual to ensure we squeeze everything planned in our schedule without worrying about the family missing their flight (although missing their flight wouldn’t be THAT bad of an idea!)

Before heading off, we had our usual breakfast at the Feast Restaurant and then had a little Father’s Day celebration! During breakfast, we gave Dad his presents and told him how much we appreciated and loved the guy. AWWWW.



Our first stop was to the Ibrahim Hussein Art Museum!

The Ibrahim Hussein Museum & Cultural Foundation, a private, non-profit organization was set up in 1999 which is dedicated to the promotion, development and advancement of art and culture of artists of local and international stature. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily and is very affordable costing only RM12 for adults and is FREE for children under 12!

Located at Pantai Pasir Tengorak (Beach of Skulls) Jalan Datai, there it was, the Museum; a modern building with artistic beauty and wonder, nestled within the natural forest, overlooking the Adaman Sea and surrounded by Machinchang Mountains. It was so surreal to finally have arrived at this much admired about Museum.

The vision and goal of Malaysia’s internationally renowned artist, the late Dato Ibrahim Hussein (who sadly passed away 2 months ago – May God rest his soul) was to have an International standard gallery on Langkawi Island amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Langkawi’s million year old jungle. The late Dato Ibrahim (Ib, to his close friends) had wished to place Langkawi Island on the International Art and Cultural world map. And that, he did!

My dad told us how 20 years ago as a young junior architect and a member of the architectural team JBIS designing the Museum, he had first met the late Dato Ibrahim. Dad describes the artist as a humble, charming and charismatic man; full of creative and brilliant visions on how he wanted the Museum to be for Langkawi and Malaysia. The late Dato had also mentioned how grateful he was to the Kedah State Government for giving the Foundation the land and how touched he was by the immense support the Foundation received from many art lovers (individuals and Corporations) to make his dream come true.

At the very site the Museum which now stands, Dad, rather sentimentally, reminisced on his first site visit with the artist and how the artist and the design team had sat on the beach called Pantai Pasir Tengkorak discussing Dato’s design brief. When the meeting was over, Dato picked up some river rocks, sketched on them and signed his name on them. To the delights of the young architects, Dato with his trademark smile, gavethe rocks to the architects as a memento to mark the beginning of their journey with him to realize his vision. I asked dad how much would his rock be worth now and I got a stern look from him. Yes, dad like many fellow Malaysians and International art community,was still mourning Dato Ibrahim’s passing.


Although I was slightly disappointed that I wasn’t allowed to take photos within the gallery walls, I quickly understood the reasoning behind this rule. Dato Ibrahim Hussein’s work was absolutely astounding! From abstract sculptures made of wood and natural materials, to his huge amazing canvas pieces, this man was a genius!Wow, being a huge pop art fan, appreciating such artists as Linchenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and of course the world famous Andy Warhol, I never knew there was a Malaysian artist with a caliber equal to theirs on our shores!

Before having to be pried away from the calm and mesmerizing ambience of the museum, Dad bought me a few mementos to remind me of the wonderful experience we just had viewing the amazing artist's work and of the great himself, an autobiography book of the late Dato Ibrahim Hussein’s life, journey’s and of course some pictures of his masterpieces. I am in fact wearing the tee shirt from the Museum with my most favorite painting by the late Dato Ibrahim Hussein.

I would like to dedicate this blog to Malaysia’s most Genius artist – Dato Ib Hussein. May God bless him and his family.



(Ib Hussein with my favourite artist, Robert Rauschenberg!)

Our next stop, The Datai Resort for some cake and coffee, and a chance for me to check out the resort!

While my family were tucking into some snacks and drinks at the lounge area of the Datai, one of the hospitality staff was kind enough to bring me for a tour around the resort premises!

Here are some shots of the different rooms and areas of the resort!



(The Beautiful Lily Pond in the Lobby)





(The East Wing Suites)





(One of their many poolside areas)





(The Standard Forest View Villa)



(The Club Suite Private Pool)

After finishing off our drinks and saying our farewells to the very friendly hospitality staff at The Datai, we made our way to our final stop.. The Airport. :(

With the bags checked in and 20 minutes till boarding time, we walked slowly to the departure gate, reminiscing the good times on my family's short trip; from Baby Malim's silly outbursts, to Hanissya's random comments, to Dad's irritating yet hilarious 'Room Serviceeee' gags to Mom's hilariously funny and sometimes cynical jokes. Yeah, we had a great time on this trip, I can tell that my family is so proud of me and are my biggest fans. And as much as I miss them, I know that thought will help carry me along the rest of my journey..

.. Till the next post

Harith The Sightseeing Beach Bum
Kindly Sponsored By Rahsia Estates Sdn Bhd