Langkawi REvisited Part 2 - The Journey to the Peak, and Wonderland!!

From Chapter One .... The perilous journey continued ....

The Archway to the Highlands

Did the mythos reveal anything of relevance, about this place? Gunung Mat Chinchang, standing tall, amidst the clouds in the sky, overlooking the western coast of this equally exotic island?

This poor boy's artillery exclude a History textbook. (And of course, a dictionary's unheard of, as well as Morale Studies textbook. Does he even need one?) Hence no recollection whatsoever on this highland, at the western end of Langkawi, requiring about 30 minutes of travelling by bullock cart (car) from Kuah town, and a RM15 flying carriage (Cable car) ride to the top.

A map to the treasures in Oriental Village


Building blocks of Gold - A sign of prosperity, perhaps?

The Station before the intimidating 2.2km ride to the Top

The steep facade requires much Courage, and strong Prayers, especially when the Heavens above seemed to be unforgiving. Notice the impending Doom? (dark clouds looming)

Almost 45 degrees we were slanted. Though about 700m above sea level, Zephyrus was clearly on leave that evening ...

A most precarious structure - The Fairweather Hanging Bridge.

The journey to the peak took about 15 minutes or so. There was a platform halfway, for those who may chicken out, or needing a breath of fresh air after being cramped in the tram for so long. But the 2 Musketeers (the 3rd had his calling) ventured to the top in record time, given the fickle weather which might ruined the odyssey to the peak, and the pilgrimage across the Bridge.

Of wooden platform, planks, observatory stations, and the not-so-welcoming dark clouds

Lo and behold, the 2 Musketeers were denied entry to the path leading to the Bridge. Reason being? The weather was not favourable, and treading on the Hanging Bridge might lead to a premature Death. Or an appointment with The Reaper.

"If Life hands you Lemons, make Lemonades?"

Though behind every cloud has its silver lining, the Sunshine behind the dark clouds was a welcoming sight. To no avail, sadly.

We were patient. We were hopeful. And we were persistent.

Though repeatedly advised by the Guards from the Dark Side to embark on a return journey to land-level, the Musketeers turned violent (OK, more like stubborn) and instead participated in some compulsory camwhoring activities. Oh, joined by a fellow warrior with his maiden beauty. And brandishing a weapon of higher stature, his weapon of choice; DSLR. ;)

The Deceiving Fog - 'Twas sunshine at the other end ...

But the Heavens above was clearly not siding with the innocent oneS. Sending waves after waves of rainfall, and completely shrouding the skies with a thick layer of Fog. OK, the Musketeers were successfully trapped amidst the chaos. What now? Stay or Down?

After much deliberation, all the staff and visitors alike were ushered to the flying carts and sent descending into the almost invisible land below. By now, visibility was at an all-time low. All hopes of sunny weather and continuing our pilgrimage to the Bridge were dashed.

Sakura Bridge in Langkawi?

And so the 2 Musketeers obediently (but reluctantly) relented to the subversive tactics. And bidded Oriental Village goodbye. No refunds for the less-than-ideal weather. SO be warned, and refrain from visiting during windy/cloudy times.

An Oasis?

The legendary bakery, The Loaf was closed. Shucks .....

At the foot of the hill, within a short distance from the cable car station, stood some wonderful buildings, a small township with retail outlets mimicking the Venice.

With an abandoned boutique hotel in sight, and tens of yachts docked at the pier, the place houses some nifty & posh-looking restaurants, cafes, etc. Though the deserted condition was slightly unexpected. After all, the 2 Musketeers were longing for a bite from the Loaf, which was inconveniently closed at teatime.

The lake must be a man-made one (or so, the Poor Boy thought), encircling a rather restricted area. One can't help but wonder, how the heck are those yachts gonna sail?

Wonderland - Have we reached Nirvana?

And so, the 3 Musketeers reunited (yay!) for a leisure dinner by the riverside. Or it could be a HUGE drain, for all they cared. Most importantly, hunger pangs MUST be satiated!

Steamed Siakap Teo Chew style

Next to the GLK Seafood of the previous night, Wonderland commands a larger following, nearly packed at all times, on a weekday's evening!

Albeit with higher prices (understandable, given the HOT reaction from the crowd), the food at Wonderland was still delicious, and fresh. And the 3 Musketeers were unwillingly trapped in a horrendous downpour (a grim reminder from the Lords above again, probably to wash our Sins .... a deja vu of sorts, much akin to our experience at Kuala Perlis last year).

Clockwise from top left : Batter-fried Squids, Sambal Belacan Kangkung, Dry Chillies Mantis Prawns and Or Chien (Oyster Omelette)

The meal came to about RM18 per person. Though next to each other, Wonderland and GLK can't be categorized in the same league. They serve Lobsters, Crabs, Prawns, Fish and various other sea produce. People even bring their own bottles of liquor, from reds to whites, to 'enhance' the dining experience.

Location : Wonderland Food Store @ 179-181, Pusat Perniagaan Kelana Mas, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. Complete with al fresco dining, or underneath the canopy, and au naturel tunes from the running river. Far from pristine, but fortunately without the stench.

The restaurant with the lounge, @ SUNSUTRA, Pantai Cenang

To cap off the Amazing 3 Days Odyssey to the North, the 3 Musketeers celebrated at Sunba Retro Bar, a supposedly happening pub at Pantai Cenang. About 30 minutes from Kuah.

Rustic charm abound, the place looked nothing like a pub from the outside

Chilling to tunes from the 90's, they drank, they splitted nuts (ground nuts, NOT their nuts), and they did NOT dance. As retro as Sunba may be, the crowd was thin (it was a Tuesday night after all, and the heavy rain was a huge deterrent factor!), and the Musketeers and Gang stuck out like sore thumbs amidst the majority of foreigners. A game of pool at RM3, a pint of beer at RM8, and cocktails/vodka/etc from RM12+.

Supper at a random mamak stall ended the night on a high note, with gratitudes to the 'local' guides (an alcoholic and a sober), toasting (teh tarik,Milo and all) to a comfortable stay, with free transportation and drivers, as well as some free meals! ;)

The flight home was indeed, in a Class of Its Own ; Turbulence on a Propeller Plane = Nauseating!

And so ends, another chapter in the Motormouth's travelogue. Pardon the less than logical/rational way of writing, as I'm still reeling from the food poisoning spell (no thanks to that dastardly Nasi Kandar meal in Penang!), hence the lack in intellectual reasoning.

Wait, was I ever an intellectual in the first place? =)

Next destination : PERLIS, this weekend. Geez, I want my weekends back ..... !!!