Pulau Langkawi is one of 99 islands and has been duty free since 1986. This is one reason why tourism has flourished. Other reasons might be the outrageous contrast and back drop of the high mountain peaks which float above the dark jungle landscape that makes its way towards the ocean blue that truly makes this island an undisputed tropical paradise. Plus Langkawi is fun where the lazy days turn into Western- style booze-fuelled escapades, and the beer is cheaper than anywhere else in Malaysia. You must be warned though. If you are looking for a hidden paradise Langkawi might not be the destination for you.
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| A Tropical Paradise |
Upon arrival on the island of Langkawi we headed to Pantai Cenang where we checked into the Rainbow Lodge a friendly, relaxing haven five minutes’ walk from the beach. Finally it was time for me and Kate to stop and reflect after the hectic travel schedule of India and this beautiful place was perfect. The next five days consisted of sunbathing, swimming, reading as many novels as possible and of course beers on the beach with the added bonus of sunsets and live music.
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| Sunset in Cenang Beach |
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| Novel number four |
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| Cenang Beach was all about Commercial Watersports |
The highlight of our time on Langkawi was exploring the island with the help of 125cc automatic scooter. We headed out onto the open road like a biker gang (Me, Kate, Marnix, Carin, and Ersh). Razzing around on the open road even if Kate and I couldn’t take bends without going into the other lane was great fun and an amazing way to take in the sights of the island.
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| I have no idea where the fuel goes |
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| Not quite Hells Angels! |
We visited the Seven Wells Waterfall where you could laze in pools or jump off crazy rocks, Black Beach and a beach at the northern peninsular which was just out of this world with white sands, turquoise water and eagles flying over head. On the way back to Cenang, Kate and I even managed to execute a round-about which left us shouting and punching the air with joy. You can imagine the scene, especially when on our roundabout approach Kate asked if I should pick her up at the other side. We just closed our eyes and went for it. One thing I need to point out is that neither of us had ever ridden a scooter before and after today and Kate’s lack of trust in my riding skills we probably never will again. We did however survive the action packed day and one of the great things was the freedom of being able to explore at your own pace.
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| Seven Wells above the Waterfall |
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| The Wells turn into this Monster |
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| Ersh mate. There is no way I am following you off there! |
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| The Scooter Gang rest at the northern beach. Paradise & no jellyfish |
We were lucky that the weather was beautiful and the evenings were a mix of enjoying local food, free BBQ’s, local night markets, Carlsberg 3 Lt Beer Towers (Filled with Tiger Beer) and how could I forget, Skol Beer with a staggering price tag of 30p a can. Now what more could you ask for. The new catch phrase was-It’s Skol Time, which happened for some of us at least three times per day i.e. Kieran and Ersh.
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| I think I Love You! |
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| Time for us to settle in for a session |
SKOL Beer, Lager, Denmark, 5% Abv
Skol Lager Beer is another Danish brew and was launched by Carlsberg Malaysia in April 2005. In Malaysia Skol has gained recognition and acceptance as the everyday beer for all occasions with the local consumer.
Skol means cheers in Danish and was first brewed in 1959 for the European market. It is now available in more than 20 countries around the world after SKOL International was formed in 1964, giving Carlsberg Breweries the licence to brew and market SKOL worldwide, apart from Africa and South America.
My experience of SKOL growing up was that it was a nasty cheap beer that you could only purchase in the supermarkets and off licence stores remembering the slogan or chant SKOL SKOL, SKOL SKOL!! Drinking the liquid here in Langkawi has not changed my opinion. It is a nasty lager and very cheap. Anybody who drinks Skol and says it taste "good", must have an emotional attachment to it. They drank it during their upbringing before my time or consumed copious amounts on holiday or during some other positive experience that gets associated. It must be one of the worst beers in the world, yet I'm proud to be a Skolar!! In the future when I drink SKOL I will remember the good times of Langkawi and the friends that we met there.
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| SKOL for 30p |
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| Happy SKOL memories |
Our time on Langkawi has been amazing if not a little too commercial and with itchy feet we get ready for another ferry ride to the island of Penang and its capital Georgetown. Georgetown will be our final stop in Malaysia before we cross the Straits of Melaka to Indonesia’s most northern island of Sumatra.
A final statement for Langkawi. 'It's SKOL Time Baby'...
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| SKOL Time with Ersh. Probably the Funniest Beer in the World |
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| The gang preparing for SKOL time hidden away on the beach |
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