Trifter

I guess what I like most about Langkawi is the fact that it has the best of both worlds – the convenience of transportation via your rented car, the restaurants, the small shopping arcades, duty-free alcohol, chocolates and at the same time, good roads, little traffic, isolated corners, quiet little beaches and the easy going kampong lifestyle. Don’t expect to find a souvenir heaven here and snorkeling is something you can do only if you take a boat out. In terms of accommodation, the hotels aren’t that cheap either. However, if you’re looking for some time off with a special someone, I believe there are still some pretty interesting things you can do. Firstly, if you have limited time, don’t bother stressing yourself trying to cover all the regular tourist stuff as it isn’t really that much to see anyway. Choose the better ones because you can get plenty of information about them from the net. Anyway, here is a short list of things you may do besides the regular stuff:

1. Go visit a night market. You can search the listed days and location of these night markets on Google or at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g298283-c96268/Langkawi:Malaysia:Nite.Market.Pasar.Malam..html Try to be there about 6pm as some of the stalls actually close rather early. When you’re there you should sample the fresh ikan bakar (barbequed fish) and some of the local kampong delicacies like satay (skewered barbequed chicken or beef with turmeric and peanut sauce) and ayam rending (thick curry chicken). All food here is takeaway only, so bring some disposable utensils, paper plate and paper cups (if you don’t intend on eating with your hands!) then head down the beach and watch the sunset!
2. Spend an evening at Telaga Harbour. There is a row of restaurants there serving all kinds of food like Russian, Italian, Spanish and other stuff. The food isn’t something to shout about and the prices aren’t that cheap either. However, the al fresco dining under the moonlight, overlooking the marina and being surrounded by the flicker of candle lights is something not to be missed!
3. Take a drive up Gunung Raya. This hill here commands a great view of the island and it is said that former Malaysian prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad used to enjoy going up here in his 4-wheel drive. The road finishes at a dead end where there is a communications tower zone which is gated up.
4. Look for a secluded beach. There is a secluded pebble beach which I came across by accident on the way up Teluk Datai. I can’t specifically remember the location but it is after the Datai golf course area with a small opening amongst the bushes that leads you to a beach with really clear water with pebbles beneath. Step on the pebbles in the water and try a natural food reflexology!
5. Visit a real paddy field. Something that all the city folk should actually do! There are several paddy fields across the countryside of the island.
6. Try flying a kite by the beach. Best time to do it would be sometime in October where the winds are strong.