ianpassion: Family New Year 2018, 1st day to 2nd Day in Langkawi Malaysia, from Satun, Thailand

January 07, 2018

Family New Year 2018, 1st day to 2nd Day in Langkawi Malaysia, from Satun, Thailand

By Ianpassion

Langkawi is an island just 40 minutes by ferry from Tamalang, Satun, Thailand. It is located in the most northern part of Kuala Perlis, Malaysia, and the most southern part of the western coast of Thailand, this island is as the Jewel of Kedah.

Our decision to spend our new year 2018 in Langkawi turned out to be a remarkable one. December 30, 2017 (Saturday), at 10:00 am, we arrived at the harbor of Tammalang, Satun, Thailand. Staff in the ticketing section told us that there was no ferry available anymore, they only had the long-tail boats but taking this would be so risky for our two little kids because of strong and high waves.

We never expect that instead of just simply crossing the sea by ferry from Satun to Langkawi, we headed south crossing the Thai-Malay border. It was good that all our traveling documents were with us. We were on the road for an hour until we arrived at Kuala Perlis, Malaysia where we could book a ferry to Langkawi.

Crossing the Thai-Malay border

Ferry Port Kuala Perlis to Kuah, Langkawi

Ticket from Kula Perlis to Kuah, Langkawi

Inside the ferry

After an hour of navigating the sea, we finally arrived in Kuah, the main port for all ferries, boats, and ships on Langkawi island. Taking a ferry to come to this island is one of the options if you don’t want to take flight.

Kuah is a good town, but it is not the main town in Langkawi. So we booked our room in Pantai Cenang, where the 3 km white sand beach and the main walking street were just a walking distance. It was already dark when we arrived. We were tired and really hungry.

Kuah Port, Langkawi, Malaysia

Waiting area, Kuah Port, Langkawi, Malaysia

After taking a quick shower, we came down and sat at a noodle restaurant nearby. The owner seemed so kind, friendly, and very accommodating. He gave us a plate of a sliced chicken roll. Wow, free appetizer so we enjoyed it before ordering two bowls of noodle. But when we paid our bill, we were surprised, 36 Ringgit / 360 Bhat. He included the chicken roll and the overpricing noodles. This guy knew were new on the island. We paid, no choice. We took this as part of our travel-learning experience.

December 31, 2017 (Sunday), our second day in Langkawi. As we planned, we would like to go to the sky bridge, a famous attraction that should not miss when you are already on the island. The staff at the front desk booked a private car for us through an online application called uber. The cost was much cheaper than the regular taxi. We only paid 20 Ringgit / 200 Baht from Patai Cenang to cable car station, whereas regular taxi is 35 Ringgit/ 350 Baht.

On the second day, when we were at the cable car station, we paid for our ticket, adult 55 Ringgit/550 Baht and child 40 Ringgit/400 Baht. While waiting for our boarding time at 1:30 PM, we roamed the 3D art museum nearby. It was free since it was already included in our cable car's ticket. After some minutes and taking some pictures, we walked back to the boarding station for the cable car riding.

Lots of people lining up because it was the peak season of the year. While we were on this very long crowded line, I could hear speakers of English, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Malayu, German, Spanish, Arab, and Thai lining with us. While they were talking, I reflected Philippians 2:10-11, one day every tongue will confess that the Son is the Lord.

Main entrance, cable car , Langkawi, Malaysia

Inside the 3D art museum

We were excited when we finally stepped into our cable car. The floor was made of aluminum, and its wall and ceiling were made of thick glass. We sat on a wooden bench. Machines lifting our cable whirred loudly. And as we started going up, there was this intense feeling in us. As we started going up, we gradually could see the green vegetation and a waterfall under us, view of the very steep rock formation above us, and the paradise of the Langkawi peninsula across us, and the wind outside sounded like whistling.

At the peak, refreshment was available– coffee and food restaurants, but we did not buy anything so expensive. We hiked the 300 steps passing through the forest on the way down to the sky bridge. Breathtaking when we arrived. We could have a good overview of the entire island of Langkawi. No single cloud could block our eyes. It was sunny but not scorching hot. The weather was perfect - windy and cold. This beautiful scenery was like reserved for our coming. As far as we could see, a perfect panorama of vast ocean, islets, lush nature and the horizon were stunning to stare.

When we had fully enjoyed the peak, then it was the right time to ride down back to the base with the same cable car. I think going down was the easiest. But it was not. The wind was still strong. We could feel our cable car changed its position, shaking, and sounded like grinding to keep the balance.