Kedah

  • EVENTS,  Kedah,  TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS,  world events

    Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) 2013

    Being enthusiasts of aircrafts, my husband and son wouldn’t want to miss it for the world to see the LIMA 2013 static aircrafts and air show held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) and therefore they forced themselves (while dragging me along) through the MASSIVE traffic jam. We had to park far away outside the airport area and walked about 15 minutes to MIEC under the scorching hot weather.

    hot

    But it was all worth it; we were very happy to be surrounded by aircrafts! Let’s take a look at the pictures (please wait while they load and please use the left and right arrow to navigate):

     The air show summed up all the happiness!

    SU-27P & SU-27UB (Russian Air Force)
    Russian Knights SU-27P /SU-27UB (Russian Air Force)

    airshow02
    Spectators taking pictures.

    About LIMA 2013

    Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2013 is the 12th edition of LIMA exhibition series held at  the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), one of the largest and most prestigious exhibition and convention venues in northern Malaysia. It is strategically located at the centre of Langkawi Island and 30 minutes away from all major hotels, resorts and Kuah town. MIEC has been home to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition since opening her doors in mid 1995. It boasts a built up space of 22,050 square meters and a further 49,400 square meters of outdoor display area.

    The exhibition hall caters to large and heavy exhibits through its triple volume ceiling and convenient purpose designed access. It’s location adjacent to the Langkawi International Airport makes it suitable for aircraft display and eases logistics planning. MIEC also provides international standard ancillary facilities such as banquet and seminar rooms, offices and business centre. Langkawi Island is an hour’s flight from Kuala Lumpur and is also connected to the main land via regular ferry service. [Source: http://www.lima.com.my]

    It was held last 26 – 30 March 2013 and opened to public the last two days.

  • Kedah,  TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS

    7 things to do in Langkawi

    I got the chance to revisit Langkawi last holiday after more than 20 years. It was spontaneous. Although I have a lot of work to be done t home, the idea of travelling never fails to get me excited. My husband told me in the morning (few weeks back) about wanting to go to Langkawi and next thing I knew I was packing and we left for Langkawi in the night on a road trip up to Kuala Kedah. Later it was ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. We rented a car and stayed in a room a bit off Kuah town as hotels were full due to the LIMA 2013 event.

    In Langkawi, we managed to drive around (with the help of Garmin) and visited some great places in Langkawi. Below is a list of 7 things that my family and I managed to do in Langkawi and please feel free to use this list if you are looking for ideas of where to go with your family. I wanted to add LIMA 2013 to the list but as the event is held every two years, I think it is better that I write about it separately.

    Please click left or right arrow to navigate my photos.

    1Explore and learn about aquatic animals at Underwater World Langkawi | UnderWater World (UWL) is a multi award-winning tourist attraction located in Pantai Cenang, a popular beach to the south of Langkawi Island. UWL houses a large collection of over 4000 aquatic lives. Various animals, birds and inhabitants of the sub-Antarctic, Temperate and Tropical Rainforest regions are also on display here. More than 100 species of seashells from various parts of the world are grouped together in a unique display. The exhibits provide an opportunity for visitors and particularly nature lovers, to study and examine them in a comfortable and unique environment.

    The concept and theme of UWL are geared towards knowledge, education and entertainment. It is built to raise awareness on the importance of conserving our precious aquatic life forms, thus creating understanding of the deep and the inseparable bond between man and nature. So it is good to take your kids here and let them explore and learn about aquatic animals as well as other animals.

    Admission fee: RM28 for adult; RM18 for children.
    Operating hours: 10am to 6pm on normal days; 9.30pm to 6.30pm on School /public holidays.
    Address : Underwater World Langkawi, Zon Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.
    Website: http://www.underwaterworldlangkawi.com.my

    2

    Appreciate the diversity of various arts at Galeria Perdana | Galeria Perdana is located in Kilim, on the north-eastern part of Langkawi and it showcases a huge collection of friendship souvenirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir and his wife.  According to Tun, the  the souvenirs are not his personal belongings because they belong to the Government and the people of Malaysia. Thanks to Tun, the galleria was built in 2003 and we now have the opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness and diversity of various arts and culture portrayed here.

    Admission fee: RM3 for adult; RM1 for children.
    Operating hours: 10am to 5pm on normal days; 9pm to 6pm on School /public holidays. It is close on every Monday.
    Address: Galeria Perdana, Kilim, Mukim Air Hangat, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.
    Tel: 04-9591863/2214/1498


    3Take a boat trip around Kilim Karst GeoPark
    | The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (KKGP) is situated not far from Galeria Perdana.  KKGP features a magnificent landscape of limestone hills with a multitude of pinnacles of varying shapes and sizes. It encompasses three river basins, namely Kilim, Air Hangat and Kisap. Also included in the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park are the islands of Pulau Langgun and Pulau Tanjung Dendang. There is an extensive cave system within the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. Among the caves found here include Gua Tok Jangkit, Gua Teluk Dedap, Gua Cerita, Gua Teluk Udang, Gua Siam, Gua Buaya, Gua Tanjung Dendang, and the most important, Gua Kelawar. There are several package you can take around this park. Prices ranges from RM250 to 500. We took the cheapest one and got to visit Gua Kelawar, Fish Farm, Andaman Sea Tour and Eagle Watching.

    Admission Fee: Based on package ranging from RM250 to RM500. Please view my slideshow for a picture of the package.
    Address: Pengkalan Sungai Kilim, Mukim Air Hangat, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.
    Telephone: 04-9592323

    4Ride up to observation deck atop Mount Machinchang on Langkawi Cable Car | The base station is conveniently located inside Oriental Village. The ride  on the cable car will be an exhilarating experience as you will be able to observe the unique geological formations of the Mount Machincang range at close range . You will also enjoy dramatic views of the deep chasms, overhangs cliff walls, isolated pinnacles and some caves as well as observe at close range the unique flora on the ridges and the forested valley. Such nature monuments are seldom seen anywhere else in this combination except in Langkawi.

    Since you are in Oriental Village, do take the chance to explore the village as it provides more than 50 activity & adventure; F&B outlets; souvenir & retail stores; galleries and spas, the Oriental Village offers a quality day-out of fun, adventure, shopping and gastronomic delights at one location!

    Admission Fee: Adult RM30. Children RM20
    Address: Cable Car Station, Oriental Village, Burau Bay, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
    Telephone: 04-959 4225/1225

    5Take picture-perfect family holiday photos at Dataran Lang | Dataran Lang (or Eagle Square) is located near the entry point of Langkawi; the jetty. Dataran Lang features a gigantic sculpture of an eagle measuring at 12-meter tall. In the vicinity of Dataran Lang, there are is a beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those picture-perfect photos. The square is a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour but plan a trip here early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense.

    Admission fee: FREE
    Address: Kuah Jetty, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah. Opening hours: 24 hours daily

    6Stroll and play along Pantai Kok beach | The beach here is quieter and more secluded than Pantai Cenang and it fronts a beautiful bay surrounded by limestone hills and verdant jungle. It is lined with a modern marina with a string of shops, bars and restaurants, petrol station, bank and post office. There is an area where you can park your car and let your kids play with sands and simply a dip. When the tide is low, the place is crowded with Pacific Reef Egret which are looking for food. This is also an opportunity for shutter-bug parents. There’s a mobile food trader who sells drinks and food such as Mee Rebus and Laksa should you feel hungry or thirsty.

    Address: Jalan Telok Burau, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah. The beach area is located just after The Danna Langkawi Resort.

    7Shop and dine at Jalan Pantai Cenang | Pantai Cenang is a haven for tourist shopping at the entire beach road is lined with shops and stalls on both sides. These shops sell mostly souvenirs in the form of fashion accessories, beads, handicrafts and merchandise but there are also many convenience stores. There is also a duty-free shop here. As for food, there are huge variety of international and local food, you pick your choice.

    Address: Zon Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.

     

     

  • family,  Family travel,  Kedah,  Malaysia,  TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS

    An afternoon on top of Gunung Jerai

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    “How about we drive up to Gunung Jerai?” my husband said on the way back to Kuala Lumpur from Kedah. My only response was, “Yay!” I had never been to Gunung Jerai and agreed with the idea instantly. Yassin was jumping in the back seat. We stopped by Gurun R&R and got ourselves online to check the route to Gunung Jerai. We were not far as we only needed to get to the next exit to Gurun (K10) from the North-South Highway (E1) which is about 10 minutes from the R&R.The trunk road is currently under construction and we used the diverted road and crossed a railroad to get to Route 1 (I am not sure of the name of the road, the map referred it as Route 1).  From Route 1, we took Route K159 which leads to Gunung Jerai. Prominent landmark includes KTM Train Station and Gurun Mosque.

    We reached the top in about half an hour. It was only a 12km drive. If you are a traveller, taking the bus or train from Kuala Lumpur to Gurun and the foothill of the mountain, worry not as you will be approached by a tour guide offering a ride up and down for RM60 for two people. We were offered a ride but as we have our car, we saved RM60. Furthermore, driving up is free. The road is quite narrow at certain corners and there are safety mirrors and honking signboards to guide us safely up.

    On the way up, there’s a Forestry Museum (Muzium Perhutanan). We did not drop by as we were very eager to reach the top.

    When we reached the top, we were not sure where to go. We wanted to go inside the guarded area but we were not allowed in. We learned later, that the area is occupied by The Regency Resort. The resort signboard were too small to notice. Only when we walked in, we could see a bigger sign on the rock.

    Yay! We’ve made it to 1200m above sea level! By car! Hehe. The view was indeed great. We could see beautiful panoramic view of paddy fields, two islands (Pulau Bidan and Pulau Telor) and the blue sky.

    We had our lunch at The Regency’s cafe while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful view.

    If you plan to go for a holiday, this will be a great place. The resort offers activities including jungle trekking. There is also a camping site just a few minutes walk outside the resort. There’s another camping site near the Forestry Museum.

    Here are some information about how to get to Gunung Jerai:

    Location :
    In the district of Yan and Kuala Muda, Kedah.
    Coordinates: N 05.79662°  E100.43545

    How to Get There:
    On the North-South highway (E1), exit at Gurun Exit  (K10). After the toll, turn left and go straight. You’ll see a road diversion as the main road that leads to Route 1 is under construction. You’ll cross a railroad and right after that, the road will lead you to a T-junction. This is where you meet Route 1. Take right and go straight. Keep left and look for a Gunung Jerai signboard in about 15 15-minute drive.

    Contacts:
    Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Kedah
    Tel: 04-7333844
    www.kedforestry.gov.my

    The Regency, Jerai Hill Resort
    Tel: 04-4667777
    www.theregencyhotel.com.my

  • Family travel,  Kedah,  Malaysia,  TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS

    Blogging from Pendang, Kedah

    Went to visit dear mother in Pendang, Kedah. Took the chance to visit my cousin in Kubang Jawi, 40 minutes drive from Pendang. Yassin had a blast, befriended my cousin’s daughter Jiha and her cousin Nana, their ducks and cows.

    Breath-taking view, you can see Gunung Keriang far back.

    My cousin leading the way to his house.

    Yay! Coconut juice for us!

    My cousin preparing our drinks. His daughter and my son were looking in full enthusiasm.

    Yassin peeking inside the ducks den.

    A duckling!

    Yassin holding a duckling.

    Mama duck and her babies resting on the paddy field divider.

    A cow!

    What a bliss!