Recap - Home Trip - Part 3 - Langkawi & Last Days at Penang

After back from Cameron Highland on Thursday evening, we were off to Langkawi the next day. But amazingly none of my in laws seemed tired, tho they had been driving everywhere for us, preparing us with all kinds of food that we like, etc, etc.

We stayed at Langkawi 4D3N, from Friday, June 5 till Monday, June 8 . We left in the morning around 7am-ish with a cab from home to the port to take a ferry at 8am-ish to Langkawi, which stopped over at Pulau Payar for about 3 or 4 hours.

1. Pulau Payar

It took about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Pulau Payar, then another 1 to 1.5 hours to Langkawi. I was very anxious when they told me that we would take ferry to Langkawi back then, because I have a very bad motion sickness / sea sick. I would like to say that I didn't want to go, and prefer to just stay at home and explore Penang food. I don't even mind if they just leave me in Penang alone for 3 days or so, since there are many places in the neighborhood that I could easily walk to.  But I didn't want to kill their excitement. So, instead I got myself prepared with lots of plastic bags from home, and wristbands that I heard could help controlling motion sickness. I remembered the time when I went to Bali with my schoolmates back in junior high, I was terribly sick on the ferry. I threw up so many times during that 45 mins on the ferry. That experience got me very traumatized. 

So, upon our departure to Langkawi, I got even more anxious looking at the small old boat that we were taking. I told my husband, that I was going to get on the boat at the very last minute before it closed. And all my in-laws were very kindly keeping me company outside the whole time, and went into the boat together right before the guard closed the door. 

However, I was surprise when I got inside the boat. It was extremely clean, so unlike the ferry I took to Bali. It also had cold AC that helped a lot for people like me to relax better. On top of that, they provided a bunch of plastic bags on each seating row for anyone who needed it. It was very thoughtful of them. I instantly felt very comfortable when I got in and sat down. Though there was still a slight headache, I was able to handle my boat trips pretty well. My mother in law also gave me some mints, which helped me more to get by during our boat rides.

This short 3 hour time at Pulau Payar was the highlight of my entire home trip this year. It was my most favorite time that I could swim in such a clear water and with all the beautiful sea creatures. And the best moment was that I swam all the way to the beach, and slept there for about 2 hours on the sand, accompanied by the sound of the waves and birds that calmed me down. And not to forget my husband; who was very enjoying his snorkeling time and playing by the beach by making a fish pond right next to where I laid down. On top of that, he also managed to find a small fish to put in there for my company. I was so touched when I woke up and saw all that. 

We both then went back to the boat together as they already started the lunch buffet. 

I couldn't have enough of one of the best experience I ever had in my life, and quickly swam back to the beach for a second nap time to enjoy the rest of the time I had, until the boat that would take us to Langkawi arrived.

Sadly, we couldn't take any pictures of this wonderful moment we had at Pulau Payar.  And btw, according to my brother in law, the price of  Pulau Payar trip was RM300 /person. Quite expensive, huh?!? It made me feel bad for my mother in law that just stayed on the boat the whole time to watch our belongings while we were swimming and enjoying our time at the beach, since there was no locker provided. Without her I would not be able to have this heavenly experience at Payar. 

2. Langkawi

We stayed at BellaVista Hotels & Resorts. The hotel was very big and clean. The only complain I had was only the wi-fi. They only provided wi-fi in the lobby, not inside our rooms. But other than that, everything was fine. The breakfast room was by the beach, which gave us magnificent view while enjoying our first meal of the day.

Bella Vista Hotels & Resorts, Langkawi. 

Breakfast room

Beautiful view we enjoyed every morning as a family in Langkawi

3.  SkyCab - Saturday, June 6, 2015

One thing that kept troubling me when going to places with my in-laws are the fees. The charges for tourists there are uch higher than the locals. At some places, it could be tripled, quadrupled, or even more. I couldn't remember exactly how much. Although my in-laws never let me paid for anything, I felt uncomfortable with what they had to pay for me, since I was the only foreigner among all of us. I understand that they want to give their people the best price, but is it fair for the outsiders? They probably think that most foreigners only come to those places once in their lifetime, while locals would visit more often. Still, some of the differences are ridiculous, esp. there in Langkawi.

View from the cable car

Trying to enjoy the view while coping with my motion sickness here

4. Aquarium & Farm Field - Sunday, June 7, 2015

When I see penguins, I see that God has His humorous sense, too.

Old Town Cafe Nasi Lemak for RM12.60...quite expensive, I think, for Malaysia

5. Taman Mahsuri - Monday, June 8, 2015

Taman Mahsuri is a very legendary place that you should visit when in Langkawi. It is actually the cemetery of Mahsuri. Click here for her short detail story. 

Very beautiful traditional music at Makam Mahsuri

Heading back to Penang

6. Penang 

We had 2 days left in Penang once we were back from Langkawi, as we are heading to my hometown in Solo on Thursday morning, June 11. Everyone started feeling a little sad imagining we had to part again. As usual, my parents like to take family pictures every time we go home. I think it is a good simple family tradition for all of us to keep as a memory. 

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing" (unknown)