We keep coming back to this island not just for the sun, sand and the sea but for the atmosphere and charms we have always enjoyed. Langkawi is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border.
We hired a car and drove round this Jewel of Kedah. No matter where we went, we found pristine beach with white sand, tropical trees, limestone islands on the horizon and blue sky. While on this beach outside the Four Seasons Hotel, we felt the scorching heat of the sun, the white sands were dazzling reflective when we were out there but the white pavilion looked interesting and inviting.
This island seems to have something for everybody. If you like water sports then it is an ideal place to go. Each single beach on this island is beautiful and unique in its own way. We have always loved beaches. Perhaps it’s the way the soft sand feels against your bare feet as you walk along the waves. The sound of the waves brings a feeling of calm and you can feel the stress fall away. The beach always instills a sort of “getting away from it all” feel.
Listening to the music of the waves as they splash the land is like listening to the beat of nature. The beach at Tanjung Ru was great! What more can you ask, lazing on the beach under an umbrella, while seeping a cold drink as you watched the blue sea and, with absolutely nothing on your mind.
It was interesting to see that as the tide recedes, a sand bar appeared right before your eyes. The sea water became so shallow that you could wade through it to reach the otherwise unreachable islands at high tides. Have always loved beaches. . . . . you can swim, bake and even write or draw anything in the sand.
The coastline is dotted with fishing villages too. Each beach has its own characteristics and its charm. For a change, it was pleasing to see the fishing boats and actually talked to the fishermen. Langkawi is traditionally known to be cursed. . . . . . what will it be liked if it is not cursed? A paradise?
We were somewhat fascinated with beaches and drove on to yet other beaches. When dusk finally came, we found ourselves alone on a beach, astounded by the hues of colors around us. We only wished this moment would last forever, at least, forever in our memories.
Langkawi, unlike Phuket Island and Penang’s coast is not as commercialised , giving you a lot of breathing space. You can be the only one in the beach during the day.
I understand that one could easily take up retirement there. Recent seminar was held in HK to encourage people to go there for retirement.
In Malaysia, there is a second home retirement scheme which gives you entitlement to residency status. Not sure whether you can actually buy property in Langkawi if you are not a local. In any case, you can only sell in the secondary market and difficult to get your money out of Malaysia.
Reblogged this on .
You have a definite talent for photography. The exposure compensation for the white sand beach shot was nearly perfect. Not very many photographers have an adequate understainding on how to compensate as was required to get the most out of this scene.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and the warm comments! I am still an amateur and am relearning to take photos after my retirement.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! These are all excellent photos and if I had the money to travel so far, I’d go there for a visit on the strength of your photos alone. Those are some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for visiting my blog. We like Langkawi so much that we are thinking of going there again. Driving there is also quite easy and safe.
It certainly looks idyllic. I would love to see some of Thailand and the Far East, but as you saw today, have to focus a bit nearer home. (I can hardly complain, can I?) Tavira Island is a sand spit so I’m well used to sandbars. Thanks for your visit.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I like visiting Spain and Portugal. Certainly Portugal makes me feel more relaxed; I like Sintra in partcular.
Yes Sintra is completely different and very lovely. A photographer’s dream!
The photos are superb. They bring back happy memories of when we visited in 1996. The photos make me want to go back again…
This island has always lured us back. Driving around is easy and that gives us the opportunity of viewing many beautiful places dotted around the island.
Beautiful pictures! It poured down rain the whole time I was there, so it’s nice to see what it looks like in the sun!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! We were lucky to have missed the seasonal monsoon and the rain which could be torrential at times.
Looks idyllic.
Thanks for the “Like” on the post! As a non-native English speaker, actually, I did look up in the dictionary to make sure it is the word.
From japan. Tanks for visiting my blog. I want to go to bali and Malaysia someday.
Hope you will be able to visit both Bali and Malaysia soon; some of the beaches there are just beautiful.
so beautifully unreal – almost rendered speechless – fortunately not wordless
I love your writings and thanks for liking my little Idyllic Island!
I’d never heard of Langkawi! It looks fabulous… I went to Thailand last year – Bangkok, which is amazing, I loved it there – & Phuket, which is beautiful, I loved it too, especially out of season when there weren’t many tourists there xd
Thanks for reading my travel blog 🙂
Are you on Twitter or Instagram?
You need a flight or a ferry trip to Langkawi. Langkawi’s beach is ranked one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Unfortunately, I am not on Twitter or Instagram. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking it!
Wonderful photography! (Thank you for visiting my blog)
wow! You have really captured the beauty of Langkawi!! One of the best beaches and islands we have. I have never written about my own country as much maybe because I when I started blogging, I have already moved away.
Have you been to Perhentian, Redang, Tioman or East Malaysia?
Hi, unfortunately, I still have not been to the places you mentioned, although I have been to Langkawi a couple of times. Regards, Michael
Thanks for stopping by my blog……Now I’m starting to get envious…awesome photos too…
Hi Mud, I am flattered. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
I totally agree with you.. Langkawi is beautiful.. it has an extra ordinary attraction within.. whic drags people to revist t small island. in our recent visit we stayed in TAJ REBAK ISLAND RESORT, I donno if it is a 5 star resort, but its one of its kind, very near to langkawi airport, the resort itself is in an island and its so beautiful ,calm and peaceful with warm friendly staff. I would highly recommend the place. check it out..!!
Thanks for the information, will check it out! Michael
:):) do lemme know if you liked it..!!
Will do!
I’m going next month.
Safe travels 🙂
great images, thanks for sharing
Thank you for the perusal and comment 🙂
Reblogged this on retireediary and commented:
Winter has set in and I found myself missing the warm sunny days at Langkawi beach. Please enjoy!
I can see why dreary and drab winter would have you longing for Langkawi, Michael!
I may complain about summer being too hot, but I know well I prefer summer than winter!
Me too Michael, wholeheartedly!
🙂
Reblogged this on LIGHTOFCOUNTRY.
Thanks for reblogging this on!
I got stung by a jellyfish (on my forearm) when I was in Langkawi and it made me nervous to go back in the water. It really hurt! But it’s otherwise a beautiful place and I look forward to returning (my partner is from Malaysia and we go back there every few years to visit family)
I was stung by a jellyfish too when I was a boy, but jelly fishes can be quite photogenic, I have them on my other posts!
Hi Michael,
I loved your pictures of Langkawi, it looks really beautiful. I am glad that you had a great time and I definitely agree that it is an ‘idyllic’ island. If you get the opportunity in the future, I would highly recommend a visit to the islands on the east coast of Malaysia as well (Redang, Perhentians, Kapas, Tioman, Rawa, Aur, Dayang and Lang Tengah). They are bit challenging to get to but worth the travel. Due to less development compared to their western island counterparts, the east coast islands have really beautiful views, blinding white sands, turquoise crystal clear waters and amazing lush coconut trees. I hope you get a chance to go and experience the islands of the east coast.
Thanks for sharing your travel experiences on Langkawi and I wish you all the best. Have a lovely day!!!
Adam
I have always wanted to go to the East Coast (eg. Terengganu) and have heard of Tioman. Thanks for the information on the other islands, I will keep them in mind and may go there if I have the chance. Transport to there would be a challenge as you indicated. Regards, Michael