Malaysia:

Langkawi-shrouded with myths and legends

Malaysia at a glance

The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia, which is made up of 11 States, three Federal Territories as well as the States of Sabah and Sarawak situated in Borneo.

Capital city: The capital city of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur.

Geographical location: Located between two and seven degrees north of the Equator, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from the States of Sabha and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak share a common border with Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei Darussalam. Area: 329,758 km2 Population: 27 million People: Malays make up about 50 percent of the population and are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.

Language: Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. Malaysians also speak various languages and dialects.

Religion: Islam is the official religion but all other religions are practised freely.

Government: Malaysia practices parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister. The country has a bicameral legislative system.

Climate: Malaysia has a tropical climate and the weather is warm all year round. Temperatures range from 21 C to 32 C and the annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.

Malaysia for some would be a country steeped in history with much historical facts on offer and for others somewhat like a Mideastern country with a Muslim culture with people speaking a different dialect. But it certainly turned out to be a country that has something to offer everybody.

Malaysia boasts of a skyline that reflect much of the tangible make-up of the country - combining with pre-war and colonial structures some of which are Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Central Market and the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and of course the modern stand out buildings spattered around. In particular the Petronas Twin Towers take top billing as it is the tallest twin towers in the world with a height of 1483 feet. Much of the high risers are found in the capital of Kuala Lumpur (KL) - the Garden City of Lights.

On a recent familiarisation tour organised jointly by Thai Airways International and Tourism Malaysia for a group of travel agents and two journalists, it was quite a learning experience of how multiple religions coexisted peacefully in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country. The tour was initiated by Thai Airways General Manager Weerawat Swasdibutra to promote bilateral tourism in Thailand and Malaysia.

The main gateway to Malaysia is through the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, located approximately 55 km south of Kuala Lumpur.

Several public transport options provide easy access to the city. There are also other airports - at Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabahu and the island of Langkawi. An excellent road and railway network links KL to Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south.

Once any visitor steps into Malaysia there is a well developed and efficient public transportation system and service (buses, taxis as well as trains are aplenty) available. It won’t harm if you try to haggle a taxi fare with a driver but generally you are unlikely to be ‘taken for a ride’.

There is an express train service - KLIA Express - that costs approximately Malaysian ringgits (RM) 35 that leaves the airport to the KL Sentral Station plying non-stop a distance of 50 km in 28 minutes. (You can safely enjoy a cuppa and won’t feel shaken or stirred!) The train departs every 15 minutes or 20 minutes depending on the peak times.

This is one of the fastest modes of transport that connect the airport to the KL Central Station.

Langkawi

One of the most alluring places of Malaysia is Langkawi (The Jewel of Kedah) which is accessible by road, rail, air or by sea. Those travelling by road have to drive to Kuala Kedah on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The route from KL to Kuala Kedah takes approx 6 hours while Kuala Perlis is an additional hour away. There are also direct air services from KL to Langkawi. Rail services too are an option to visit Langkawi.

These services operate from KL to Alor star. From there a taxi or bus could be taken to Kuala Kedah from where one could proceed to Langkawi.

Regular services are also provided by Express ferries to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah. The journey from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi takes just over an hour while it takes 2 1/2 hours from Penang to Langkawi.

Pregnant Maiden

The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden a.k.a. Tasik Dayang Bunting is something that would capture anyone’s attention purely for its name.

The name of this lake in Langkawi is attributed to the legend of a lovely fairy princess who married an earthly prince.

Her first child had died after birth. It is said that she was so depressed that she buried the child in the crystal clear waters of the lake.

And before returning to her celestial abode she blessed the water so that any childless maiden who bathed in the lake would conceive thereafter.

To reach the lake one has to first get to the Island of the Pregnant Maiden and then take a short walk through the forest reserve. There are three geo-forest parks in Langkawi. At the Kilim Karst beautifully formed landscapes of nearly vertical to sub-rounded karstic hills and pinnacles of various shapes and sizes could be seen.

Cable car

The Langkawi Cable Car with a length of 919 metres has been named the ‘longest free span single rope cable car’ by the Malaysian Book of Records.

It is claimed to have one of the steepest gradients in the world, at 42o.

There is also a sensation-giving 125m suspension bridge. This is said to be a remarkable feat of engineering with a curved bridge that links the cable car station to the Machincang mountain range.

Langkawi cable car is at the Burau Bay, about 30 minutes away from Kuah town.

Underwater world

The island’s rich treasure trove of marine life could be seen at the Underwater world at Langkawi. Located at the Cenang beach this aquarium features over 5000 types of aquatic life.

There is also a giant tank that displays large marine species such as sharks, stingrays, eels and green turtles, with a 15 metre tunnel for visitors to walk through.

-Ruwan