Langkawi REvisited - A Tale of 3 Musketeers

Once upon a time, there lived a young, innocent, and naive Ipoh boy who has never stepped on the soils of Langkawi; a mystical island to the north of Peninsula Malaysia, filled with myths, legends and many more stories untold. Seven generations cursed, the island (now branded as Geopark) has now achieved considerable fame, and fortune.

Then, opportunity knocked on this poor boy's door. He was offered a fully-paid 'trip' of sorts, for a full 5 days in Langkawi, the island destination he was hoping so much to visit, deep down in his heart. Though the journey was smooth (thanks to the sparkly & propelling Firefly), the stay wasn't so. Trapped in a dungeon with looming threats, from toads-infested loo to 40-suicidal-feet of towering doom, and rations polluted (poisoned) with giant flies' eggs.

But he survived. Stronger than ever, in every sense of the word, he vowed to return to Langkawi someday, brandishing a heroic spear and shield, demolishing the unGodly structures in the dark, hellacious dungeon, and ideally, kicking back with heroes of the same league, with a booze at hand, and a bar of sweet liquer choc smeared in the other, watching the sunset from the beach. And if can lah, fully sponsored as well.

The Castle

Lady luck's must be enjoying her intoxication of booze in Langkawi during this period. For all he knew, he never thought good chances come twice in life, much like lightning does not strike twice at the same spot. But after a week of withdrawal syndrome, the pigeon perched, carrying the letter duly written; Another 3 days in Langkawi for the poor boy, possibly a redemption for the blisters and the sores he endured throughout the 5 days tenure? Or a chance for retribution?

A minor form of pampering. Far from 5 stars, but hovering above the clouds.

In this era of turmoil, whereby the people are spending lesser and lesser, keeping their golds to themselves in this hard time (and beyond), luxury seems to be ridiculed. But this poor boy was fortunate enough to be offered accomodation in a 'Castle', of all places. With amenities superior to the basics, and 3 rooms to be shared among 2 souls. Excuse me? Ah-ha! So, luxury does come cheap in this almost forlorn town.

# Kondo Istana @ Kuah, very near to police station, with a backlane shortcut to Kuah town #

A common room and a kitchen with cooking facilities. But where's the maiden?


Char Siew Rice @ RM4.50

The township of Kuah is famed, almost legendary for the tax-free goods. Especially the loots devoid from the dastardly 'Sin Taxes'. A cigar and a pint never sounded so lucrative.

A plate of Econony Rice @ RM6

But wait, alcohol, chocolates and cigarettes may come cheap, but this poor boy was astounded, almost shocked out of his farmer boots (pants, and all) at the sky-high prices of the most peasant of supplies; Street Food.

Dry Pan Mee @ RM3.50

Far from gastronomic delights, the food was still devoured with much relish, no thanks to the long hours of being famished, in the bullock cart (van), as well as onboard the amazing flying insect (Firefly).

Location : A corner coffee shop, painted violet, with many stalls all around. Opposite Coco Valley in Kuah town. Hard to miss, as there are only TWO prominent Chinese restaurant throughout town.

Langkawi Saga - Where the Heroes gathered, raided, and looted the place clean. Almost.


The treasures we came away with. Plus the mosaic of Ritter Sports posted previously HERE

Steamed Garoupa Thai Style (RM24), Guiness Stout Chicken (RM8), The Greens (RM7) and Claypot Beancurd (RM8)

A period of relaxation ensued, where swords were sharpened, shields tampered, and hagard bodies scrubbed clean. (A bathroom EACH).

Dinner for the night? A seafood meal at GLK Seafood Restaurant @ 176 and 177, Jalan Persiaran Mutiara Kelana Mas, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah. At the row of several seafood restaurants along the road, lining up against each other, at each other's throat mostly.

The Golden Elixir

The meal was above average, fuelling the gut, the mind, the body and soul. And keeping the wallet intact, patching that hole after the gold bars were willingly donated to the township, when bartering for the goods earlier. Poor boy was ecstatic, though UNwillingly sucked in some ashes, no thanks to the charcoal-fuelled steamed fish placed in front of his face. But no complaints, for a meal of such stature deserves some sacrificing .... and the RM2/aluminium can of Golden Elixir redeemed itself, nicely.

The neighbouring villain of Wonderland might have pulled most of the barbarians and nobles, but GLK serves food at almost 3/4 of the price. (Wonderland review to come later)

Where plentiful of rice was burnt aeons ago ....

Adventurous endeavours picked up steam the very next day. To the field where the mighty has fallen, where rations have been set on fire, leaving mere remnants of history til this very day. For a short lesson on history, click HERE.

A handful of mythical blackened & charred rice remains ....

Tapak Kawasan Beras Terbakar (Field of Burnt Rice) @ Padang Matsirat, Langkawi.

Wan Thai Restaurant - A HALAL choice, for fiery food to unblock that stuffy nose ....

Highly-praised from all quarters, heroes, rumours, rumour-mongers (hah), and the locals alike, Wan Thai serves delectable Thai cuisine at reasonable price, amidst a spacious, heavily decorated interior, laden with Thai and Malay influences.

Nasi Goreng Belacan (RM7)

Nasi Patpet Ayam (RM5)


Nasi Goreng Seafood


Nasi Ayam Paprik (RM5)

Nasi Goreng Ayam (RM5)

A tough brawl in the early hours of the morning, lasting about an hour took its toll on the Heroes in this chapter. Bloodied, battered, and of course, hungry, they proceeded to stuff their faces with some of the better Thai-Malay food around town.

# Though hidden from the main road of Kuah town, turning left at the MayFirst outlet on your left will get you to a row of shops behind the ones lining the main road. Wan Thai is somewhere in the middle of the road #

A piping hot serving of thick, spicy and sour Tom Yum Goong

The sweet desserts, served with dessicated coconut, albeit with heavy taste of lye (alkaline) water

Heaving a sigh of relief, Poor Boy was thankful for the call of duty granted him another chance to explore the land he had never seen before. And with another 24 hours to go, he knew that life could only get .... BETTER.

(to be continued ...)

# All characters, depictions, and destinations are NOT fictional. None tailored to mess with the reader's mind. #

PART 2 - LANGKAWI REVISITED - THE JOURNEY TO THE PEAK