island of wonder - V Integrated Wellness

MG
//////// 06/2011
T R A V E L
A breathtaking view
of the sunset from
The Datai.
DE-STRESS DESTINATION
OUR TOP THREE PLACES TO DINE
THE GULAI HOUSE
If you have time on the island for just one visit
to an upscale restaurant, head to this gem
(located beside The Datai). This traditional
kampung-style restaurant, just a few steps from
the beach, serves dinner amid a symphony from
the cicadas and all kinds of critters in the jungle,
including kamikaze bugs that may either make a
dive for your dessert or your face. Insects aside,
the selection of Malaysian dishes, curries
and Indian tandoori will leave you begging
for more. Expect to pay a premium for the
experience, though.
One of Langkawi’s
countless beautiful
beaches.
ISLAND OF
WONDER
Rhu Bar at the
Four Seasons.
SIGN UP FOR A WELLNESS
RETREAT AT THE ANDAMAN
Get in touch with your inner self
while surrounded by nature.
On the menu is a wide range of
programmes ranging from antiageing, detox and deep relaxation
therapies to connecting with your
soulmate and finding your vitality.
The all-in packages include healthy
spa cuisines, yoga, meditation
and exercise sessions. Log on to
www.vintegratedwellness.com for
more info.
No matter how many times you’ve
been to Langkawi, this Malaysian
paradise is still the perfect getaway
for beach and adventure lovers.
ONLY SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN
Singapore, and with a population of
just 70,000, the island of Langkawi
lies off the northwest coast of
Malaysia. Surrounding it are
approximately 99 smaller ones,
some only visible during low tide.
The island offers a reprieve for
city folks, with its spectacular views
of rice fields and kampungs set
against mountainous backdrops,
emerald blue seas and white, sandy
beaches. It is filled with as much
tropical wildlife, flora and fauna as it
is with legends and folklore.
Regardless of how many times
you’ve visited Langkawi, we’re
sure it’ll remain in your shortlist of
perfect destinations for a weekend
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THREE LANGKAWI MUST-DOS
TAKE A DIP IN PULAU PAYAR
MARINE PARK
The coral reefs here are rich with
marine life and some of the best
preserved in the region. You can
either go snorkelling or scuba
diving. If you don’t have a diving
licence, you can sign up for
lessons here.
GO FOR A SUNGAI KILIM
MANGROVE BOAT TOUR
The mangrove is located on
the north end of the island.
As you marvel at the
prehistoric limestone hills
and caves, and the wildlife,
you’ll understand why
Langkawi was given World
Geopark status by Unesco.
The highlight of the tour is
usually the eagle-feeding
session, although some
conservationists are
debating whether wildlife
should be fed at all.
Rustic kampung huts
at Bon Ton Resort.
Prehistoric
limestone caves
in Sungai Kilim.
The Gulai House,
located behind
Datai Bay.
TE X T & PHOTOS PETE WONG • PHOTO (MA IN) PHOTOLIBR ARY
A view of the sunset
at Bon Ton Resort.
getaway to de-stress and unwind.
And if it’s your first time to the
island, we bet our last dollar you’ll
be returning there for a holiday
sooner than expected.
To help you maximise your R&R
time when you’re there, we’ve put
together a list of hotel, restaurants
and activities that you must check
out and do.
PANTAI CENANG AND PANTAI TENGAH
OUR TOP THREE RESORTS
FOUR SEASONS LANGKAWI
This is easily one of the most
luxurious beach resorts on the
island. The Moghul-Malaysia
architecture is a work of art, and you
and your babe will feel like royalty
here. At sunset, you can watch the
sun dip over the horizon at a special
spot at Rhu Bar. Dinner at the
Malaysian-style Ikan-Ikan
restaurant is a culinary adventure
with the fresh catch of the day.
Its spa is renowned and not to be
missed, staffed with well-trained
therapists offering consistently
good massages. The resort is
on the radar screen of Hollywood
celebrities and VIPs, so don’t be
surprised if you bump into one.
Go to www.fourseasons.com for
more details.
THE DATAI
This resort is like a jungle retreat
perched on a hilltop, sequestered on
the northwestern tip of the island
and cocooned by virgin rainforest. It
is ideal for those seeking peace and
solitude. From your room, you can
look out to a canopy of trees, with
wild monkeys swinging on branches.
Privacy is assured and kids are not
Langkawi is famous
for its fresh and
tasty seafood.
These two stretches offer the greatest
concentration of restaurants, bars and cafes.
If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese
restaurant, Unkaizan (www.unkaizan.com) is
almost an institution on the island. Chef Taki sees
to it that all ingredients are sourced fresh, and no
details are spared. Perched atop a small hill, you
get to enjoy a beautiful sunset while dining. But do
watch out for the mozzies.
WONDERLAND
allowed in the main pool. While
you’re there, be sure to check out
the spa housed in several villas with
thatched roofs. Villa No. 2 is the
one you should ask for – there is a
stream running under it. Visit www.
ghmhotels.com for more details.
If you’re in shorts and slippers, and happen to
be in the town of Kuah, check out this place (tel:
+6012-494-6555), a Chinese restaurant located
at a food court. Locals and long-time residents all
know where it is and will sneak over there once
in a while to get their fix of local stir-fried dishes
and catches of the day, including crabs, mussels
and prawns.
Other great eating places include Orkid Ria
(tel: +604-955-4128) for local stir-fried seafood
at reasonable prices, and Red Tomato Garden
Cafe (www.redtomato.com.my) for crunchy
pizzas, homemade bread served hot from the
oven and tomato soup.
BON TON RESORT
A little easier on the wallet – but no
less alluring – is this resort, just
minutes from the airport. Travellers
bored of luxury hotels and looking
for a rustic kampung experience will
find this place a gem. Here, you and
the missus can wrap yourselves in
sarongs, walk around barefoot and
enjoy the stunning sunset from the
dining area. The resort faces a pond
and bird-watchers like to gather
to shoot the little birdies (with
cameras, of course). The eight
houses on the resort are real
antique kampung ones, brought in
piece-by-piece from the mainland
and re-assembled. If the resort
is full, as it usually is, the adjacent
Temple Tree resort by the same
owner offers five houses. Check out
www.bontonresort.com.my for
more details.
AT A GLANCE
WHEN TO GO
Langkawi’s weather is sunny all-year, but is wetter
between May and September. If you hate crowds, avoid
school holidays and the peak months of August and
September, when hotels in the island are all booked out
with tourists from Europe and the Middle East. The
Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition
is held during early December and room rates are also
higher during this time.
GETTING THERE
Both Silkair and Air Asia fly direct to the island. You can also
drive to the ferry terminals in either Kuala Kedah or Kuala
Perlis on the mainland, leave your car at a secured carpark
and take a ferry across. If you plan on staying longer, you can
ship your car to the isle for a fee. Pertiwi Shipping (tel: +604762-2202) is one of the companies providing this service. But
you have to get to the island first and wait for your car to arrive
the following day after it clears custom. Otherwise, renting a
car on the island is an easy option.
JUNE 2011
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