Malaysian Marvels – Kuala Lumpur & Langkawi

Twin Towers by Night

What comes to your mind when you think of Malaysia, this tropical country situated in South East Asia? If you have never been, you might have seen The Petronas Twin Towers from the film Entrapment starring your screen idol Sean Connery and enchanting Catherine Zeta-Jones. If you have visited this beautiful country, either for business or pleasure, then you would most definitely have your own impressions and memories to share.

For me, my brief visit to Malaysia in the autumn of 2009 has left a lasting memory which I shall always treasure. Right now I’d like to share some of the photos we took during our stay in Kuala Lumpur followed by a week-long relaxing holiday on the island of Langkawi. Join us on this picture tour for the sheer joy and beauty of friendship, awe-inspiring natural scenery, mouthwatering hot food and the most serene beaches, not to mention cheeky monkeys and other delights that this tropical paradise has to offer to tourists and nature lovers.

Bird's Eye View of KL

Interesting fact: Do you know that Kuala Lumpur is the  sixth most visited city in the world? Having spent sometime there, I find it hardly surprising. It is a city I would go back in a heart beat, if it is not so far away from where I call home.

During our short time in the Malaysian capital, we were treated with wonderful hospitality, especially by John’s long-term friend, film-maker and academic Razak Mohaideen, his beautiful wife Nazeera, and their two lovely children. Look at those mouthwatering dishes we had indulged in and the pure delight on those happy faces

Long Live Friendship and Happy Times

Our Next Stop: 

Heavenly Langkawi, known as The Jewel of Kedah.

Apparently, Langkawi means reddish brown eagle in colloquial Malay, hence the symbol. Interestingly within the same Wikipedia entry, there are two different numbers in two different paragraphs; ‘an archipelago of 104 islands,’ but later ‘a cluster of 99 islands.’ But you get the idea that it consists of many small but pretty islands.

Our hotel in Langkawi was a five-star Sheriton, where we were greeted by monkeys day and night – they loved coming to play on the trees just outside our hotel room and enjoyed a game of ‘stealing’ water bottles from the storing place on the corridor outside. Naughty and cheeky indeed, but such fun to watch! Here is John’s super short video of Dusky Monkeys at the Datai Hotel, Langkawi.

One of the moneys we caught on camera - He looked thoughtful

The cable car was our ride to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang and it offered amazing views from the Langkawi Sky Bridge, looking down at the rainforest canopy.

Wonderful Views from the Sky Bridge

Super Cool

Langkawi boasts some of the best beaches in the world, and we visited a few during our stay. They are most serene and unspoilt, as you can see from the picture here. The only people we saw there were a family of local fisherman, as we watched them going for their day’s catch in the blue shallow water.

Last but not least, please take a few minutes and enjoy this video – more fabulous pictures with a beautiful piece of Chinese traditional music, to a paradise on earth. It will take your breath away

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to marvellous Malaysia, just a teaser to get you interest in exploring it yourself

Langkawi & Kuala Lumpur – Magnificant Malaysia