Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Pulau Langkawi 2007: Mangrove and Limestone Cruise

This has got to be one of the most amazing tours that I have been during my trip to Langkawi and I am surprised that I was not aware of it before.

The mangrove and limestone cruise brought me on a memorable and wonderful tour to explore the hidden beauty of Langkawi.
The cruise/boat tour takes off from a small pier; and ranges around RM70-200 per pax.
A whole boat can be booked for RM300 and is recommended if there is more than 2 pax in the group. (Prices are in the year 2007)
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The marvellous view of the natural flora and fauna made me mindful of the wondrous creations of God in nature.
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The tour navigates through the Kilim river, and goes through the mangrove trees, limestone crops and even cave formations located along the river leading to the open sea.
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We were lucky to spot an otter by the river bank and also monkeys bathing in the glory of the sun in the river.
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Part of the itinerary of the tour included a floating fish farm
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From the boat, the farm did not look much but a rather small platform built on planks and stilts and located in the cove.
The place was surrounded by tall limestone cliffs and the peaceful sounds of nature.
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There were nets suspended from the platform into the water for us to take a peek into the what lies underneath these wooden planks.
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The next stop was at a mangrove swamp which was supposed to lead to a cave; Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave)
There was a wooden bridge built atop the mangrove roots guiding us on a brief walk to appreciate the mangrove trees surrounding the area.
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At the entrance to the cave
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Spot the bats hanging down from the ceiling of the cave
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Exiting the cave, we continued the cruise along the river and the guide pulled the boat to a halt at a specific location whereby he killed the motor engine and beckoned us to watch some of the majestic moves by the eagles as they land on the surface of the water.

Langkawi is famed for the eagles; thus lending the association the name of the island. (the word 'lang' is derived as a short term from helang, which means eagle in Malay and 'kawi' means strong or reddish brown)

The tour eventually led us to the open sea and the guide once again pulled over for the enthusiasts to take a dip into the sea.
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The four hour ride was a memorable one for me; as it was an eye opener and one of gratitude to thank the Great Lord for his wondrous works.
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A typical sight of the fishing boats by the sea shores or parked by the pier
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This is definitely a recommended trip to enjoy the beauty of the island besides the usual sun and sea, and to bring back unforgettable memories of Langkawi and Malaysia.
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Even locals like me, continues to be amazed by the hidden and uncovered beauties of my own country!~

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