We just got back from a weekend in Langkawi with Matthew and Serina, our two Malaysian friends. While there we also got a couple of language lessons. We learned the Hokkien, Chinese words "kiasu", "kiasi", and "kiapor" which mean respectively "fear of losing", "fear of dying", and "fear of wife". And that is just the beginning of the fun. We also learned that Langkawi translates as "brown eagle" and that bird is the symbol of the island.
Langkawi is an island resort/paradise in the Straits of Melacca in north Malaysia. In fact it is almost in Thailand which can be seen across the channel from the eastern side of the island. Furthermore, the island has been at various times claimed and attacked by the Thais. The island is known for its beaches, its weather and its geological history, all of which made for a relaxing and interesting visit. It is in the very Muslim state of Perak. The citizens of Langkawi are lovely, calm, relaxed Malays.Matthew & Serina belong to a time share travel group & they were able to access a condo in Langkawi - bonus!! They flew up in the morning, rented a car, settled into the apartment & then picked us up at the airport later Friday evening. We were very lucky & got an Air Asia flight for RM9.99 which works out to about $3.00 Canadian (each way). Isn't that amazing?
Langkawi is a beautiful island. Having a car is a must. The small city (town) of Kuah is on the east coast and the main tourist attractions are scattered throughout the island. Matthew was quite happy to do all the driving and act as our tour guide. He and Serina have been to Langkawi before.We climbed 1500 metres or 500 stairs to the Seven Wells - a lovely tropical forest with a slow waterfall area. We visited a beautiful museum where the past Prime Minister has donated gifts he received from countries around the
world. We did not expect much at first but the beauty of the world's offerings to the Prime Minister of Malaysia were wonderful. We did not really have enough time to do justice to the museum. We then took a boat tour of the only Mangove swamp in the world growing on sandstone. It was quite beautiful. We watched as our guide threw chicken skins onto the water surface and dozens of brown eagles swooped to grab the delicious chicken bits. It really was a marvelous sight. We visited a fish farm & Bill petted a sting ray. Our cruise took us out into the bay area within sight of Thialand where we could look back to see the geological wonder of the GeoPark - one of the few in the world. We also took a tour of a "bat" 
cave. Again, the overwemlming guano smell got to us but it was quite interesting. The bats, thousands of them, were all sleeping - thank goodness.We had a delicious Russian - yes Russian dinner. Matthew & Serina, being locals also took us to a "stall" Indian restaurant for breakfast & a regular"stall" for lunch. Great food.
When we got home on Sunday evening we all went to a typical Malaysian Chinese restaurant & Matthew ordered the most scrumptious meal for us - tofu, chicken, ribs, vegetables - but nothing like we've ever had in Canada - fabulous.
