Langkawi

Our last stop in Malaysia was the off-shore archipelago of Langkawi, a group said to contain 99 island, with the biggest being also called Langkawi.  For us it was here the nation’s natural scenery finally started to get really interesting.  The island group is a UNESCO designated geopark, and a great deal of it remains undeveloped, with majestic steep mountains, cliffs, waterfalls, emerald rain-forest and (by Asian standards) clear ocean waters.  Of course the day we visited the most beautiful parts we forgot the camera!

Local inter-island boats at a jetty in the principle town of Kuah, Langkawi 

Declared duty free in 1986 and the site of expenditure of vast amounts of government ‘seed’ money in an attempt to kick start a rival to Singapore’s trade dominance and Thailand’s tourism, Langkawi’s ‘new’ infrastructure is already rapidly aging, and has a ‘gone to seed’ feel.  The Asian economic crisis and tsunami have left many projects half built and/or abandoned.  The islands however continue to attract at least some of the 'golden hordes' – Malaysians flock here to holiday and duty-free shop, but also nationals from other SE Asian countries along with a reasonable sprinkling of westerners.

An example of a failed tourism orientated business involving large capital outlay – a glass factory on the island of Rebak.

One of Langkawi’s more memorable functioning tourist attractions, we hoped on board this cable car without giving it too much thought – afterwards we found it was billed as having the world’s longest, steepest single span cable ascent.  My goodness rectums contracted when we realised, just seconds after the door slammed shut that we had probably made a very dire mistake indeed.  Within half a minute we were breathtakingly high, going practically straight up, swinging in the not insubstantial breeze, and totally, totally reliant on Malaysians and their talent for infrastructure maintenance on a shoe string! Oh crikey, crikey crikey...

The summit views across the other 98 islands of the archipelago were majestic, but Nina and Vicki refused to walk across this ‘sky walk’ spanning two rocky crags on the mountain’s top (note restrained smiles).  Zeke claimed to enjoy it – I found some of the loose planking challenging to say the least.  And we still had to get back down......

A rather unlikely highlight was our visit to the Langkawi Air Show.  As you can see, security was pretty tight (with the kids that is tee hee).

Most of our time in Langkawi was spent in another western style marina on the small island of Rebak.  We spent a month there with Mum and Dad again hard at work on boat maintenance (new bimini, new shade cloths, new batteries, repairs to dinghy and oars, new dinghy tie-down points, changes to the running rigging, more engine repairs, genoa repairs and a host of minor jobs – oh yeah and a ‘bottom job’ too).  Meanwhile Zeke and Nina again were off catching up on play-time with other children.

When we first arrived school term was still is session.
Some pre-Christmas classes were conducted beach side...

... and others bar side!  What parents!

Our first Christmas away from Australia – Santa somehow managed to find us...

Zeke and Nina trying out one of their presents.

Dad trying out one of his (the bike).

46.

Zeke and his good mate Shae.

Nina’s friends, Angie (top) and Tanzi.

Feelin’ kind a blue...(maybe they're smirfs)

... but that same night would you believe, marvelous how a little alcohol (not to mention a shower) can do help you see the brighter side of life.  With friends Gary and Vanessa.