Langkawi is a large, lush, relatively sparsely populated island just off the coast of Northern Malaysia. Tourists visit this island for two things: to relax at beachfront or jungle resorts, and to stock up on duty free items at its wide range of inexpensive duty free stores. Otherwise, there’s not a ton of things to do here. But I guess that’s the beauty of the island.
I came here as a segue between the island of Koh Lipe to the north in Thailand and Penang, a bit further south in Malaysia.
One of the many duty free shops on the island. While chocolates and alcohol are what is mostly advertised, you can buy a wide range of goods in these stores.
Not only did I end up buying some reasonably priced Australian wine and a bottle of Baileys Liquor, but I also got a replacement pair of nice water sandals for under $15.
The other aspect of Langkawi are its resorts. Many of these beach resorts offer day passes where you can drink and lay in the sun before retreating to simpler accomodations.
Langkawi has numerous wide, sandy public beaches, which do not seem to be that crowded in this resort focuses island. The two I visited on a Saturday afternoon were pretty vacant.
To get a vantage of the island I went out to a place called Oriental Village that included a huge cable car and skywalk complex on the top of a small mountain. As you can see in the pictures below, the views from there were fantastic.
Oriental Village had a very short, but incredibly enteraining 3D dinasour ride.
Keeping the 3D theme, the Village also had a fun little 3D Art Gallery.
There was also a decent aquarium in Langkawi. The displays were a bit small with the star of the place a huge Antarctic section with Rockhopper Penguins, partially because of its active breeding program.
Below, two penguins are getting pretty frisky.
But it seems some comments from the peanut gallery above may have distracted them.
I went to take a closer look at a stonefish and then it came over to say hello. I thought maybe I made a new friend, but then realized it was probably associating any human getting closer with getting fed. With it’s crazy shape, deep frown and small eyes, it’s a pretty unique looking creature.
I stayed in a large two bedroom apartment during my short time here.
The view from my small balcony.
It was in a large building with a nice, little pool.
