Perfect vacation!

Probably this has been one of the best vacations that I have ever had. Beautiful beaches (well, but not as impressive as the east coast), sunny weather all day long, plenty of activities to fill your day with, and most important – cheap stuffs!





Having my breakfast at Mcdonald LCCT before boarding ... Ok, don't remind me of my big eye bags and panda eyes ... I haven't got enough of sleep as I need to get up at 5 am in order to get to the airport by 8 am...


The Air Asia Airbus that brought me to Langkawi ... looks huge from the outside... but damn cramp inside...



The first night in Langkawi ... it was also Queen Regina's 21st birthday!! (Upper left) Bao, ah-so neighbour Corrine, me, (lower left) Pei Ru, Lai Yee, Birthday girl Regina and Ah P. I think this picture will show what we have for dinner that night as well...haha...



As a duty free paradise, liquor, tobacco and chocolates are much much much cheaper than those in KL, I’d say, about 5 times cheaper for hard liquor. Here in Langkawi, a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin costs only RM 45 while in KL, if I were to order a bottle of the same; it costs about RM 280 (or more or less). I was kinda thrilled when I see all the cheap liquors because I’m an alcoholic! A can of Heineken beer costs only RM 2.70, about the same price as soft drinks =.= haha… and I bought a bottle of Absolut Kurrant Vodka at only RM 32 (or RM 35, can’t remember) and a bottle of Lindman’s Chardonnay white wine… and of course, plentiful of chocolates – mostly those hardly can be found in KL – Jack Daniel’s, Cognac and Kirsh coated chocolates, and I managed to find Cadburry Rum n’ Raisin!

Chocolates and chocolates and chocolates ... haven't I told you that I'm also a chocolate maniac apart from being an alcoholic?!?


Went to many many places of interest and tried some stuffs that I have never done before – such as jet skiing and spa!! If you ask me where are the most recommended places not to be missed, I’ll say the Langkawi Cable car, Kuah Town for sure (cos’ you would not want to miss the chance of grabbing all the cheap chocolates!), the Seven Wells Waterfall if you like hiking and have the energy to do so and of course, the 4-hour island hopping at Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Singa and Pulau Beras Basah… Erm, I am not really into the Underwater World, cos’ nothing much to see and it is not worth of that amount of money…


Island hopping tour at Pulau Dayang Bunting - The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden ... marvellous isn't it?


Girls posing in front of the map /directory of The Lake of the Pregnant Maiden...



Little angel on her father's shoulder while we were walking around the lake ... how cute and beautiful is she ... I hope I have her emerald eyes...



Me, sunbathing at the Pulau Beras Basah ... this picture shows me how tanned I am...


Breathtaking view taken from the Langkawi Cable Car ... very nice! Able to see the whole sea from the cable car!


The Seven Wells Waterfall ... picture taken from the cable car as well...

Me ... again, posing in the cable car, hehe...


Again ... posing ;P At 652.5 above the sea level, what I saw was a long stretch of sea in shades of green and blue, inseperable with the blue skies...



Me and Ken... picture taken in Oriental Village :P


They call it Black Sand Beach - due to the sand in black instead of the normal milky white... but what I saw was a heavy polluted beach, which makes me think that the sand is black because it has been polluted ... how sad!

Another picture of the polluted Black Sand Beach ... I don't even dare to walk on the beach . I think it is no longer an attractive tourism spot. Don't waste your time to travel all the way long to there...

Jellyfishes ... they are REAL! 100% REAL though they might seem like what we see in TV or animation. I took the picture at the Underwater World and I'm proud of myself for being such a good photographer...ha...

I think I’ll use one word to describe Langkawi – comprehensive. There are so many things to be done – you can try all the water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat, kayak, snorkeling and diving, pamper yourself with a spa session, go shopping at the town, have a great feast of seafood (or whatever cuisine you prefer) and end your night with a cocktail at the pub! For me, it is not merely an island where all you could do are sunbathing, snorkeling and listening to the sound of waves… after all, it seems to be perfect for me… who like beaches and shopping at the same time!




Waiting for my therapist at Alun - Alun spa and replying SMS at the same time. I had a cooling sorta cucumber body scrub... (someone peek me again ha!)





Picture taken in car ... on the way to Kuah Town (or maybe somewhere else, can't really remember) . Very nice view - I think driving along the beautiful coastline will never turn the driver mad even though the traffic is bad!

Casa Del Mar… Mi Amor

Wow… it’s been a month since my last post…. Weeks of hectic goddamn final exams and 2 weeks of vacation… here I am! Went to Langkawi on September 22, spent 4 wonderful days there… now back to KL, minds are still wandering to the wonderful sun, beach and most importantly, my home by the sea – Casa Del Mar.

Spending almost 3 hours in the boring and crowded LCCT, I reached Langkawi International Airport at 11.05 am, after a 45-minute flight in a cramp airbus (OK, can’t blame it, after all, I took AirAsia – the LEADING low cost carrier!). Langkawi International Airport is much better than LCCT; I meant it… much much much better!

At the airport, rented a not-so-expensive but not-so-ok car and easily found the hotel after a 10-minute drive. Well, frankly, I love the name of this unique boutique hotel, but the moment when I first enter the hotel façade was- a bit ... erm, disappointing I’d say (After that I realized that it was due to their renovation project…).

The disappointment was soon being swept under the hotel’s carpet when I was being addressed in a welcoming and warm way by the attentive staff. While examining the unconventional lobby (which does not look like a lobby at all), a nice staff served me a weird-but-nice welcome drink – sort of sparkling ginger lemonade. After some nice little talk, I got my room.

Casa Del Mar lobby ... this is the first time I see a lobby with a full shelves of book in different languages... The door leads to the swimming pool and rooms.

Welcome drink ... the sparkling ginger lemonade. Kinda weird but it quenches my thirst immediately...

Very nice room with lots of little touches that surprise me – LCD plasma TV, with cocktail making facilities at a side, fuchsia orchids lie on my bed and in the spacious bathroom. There will be turndown services every evening – what really wowed me were the different scented bookmarks placed on my bed every evening. When I get into the room, it smells like someone has been taking a nice shower, lying on bed, waiting for me… Haha…

The comfortable bed with 4 huge pillows and 5 little cushions... bed i'll rather die on...

The cocktail making facilities at the mini bar...

The very unique set of toiletries in ceramics... (from left) liquid moisturiser, cinnamon soap bar and the hand soap... (they can be purchased at RM 110 per set)

One of the most thoughtful facilities ... At first I thought this is for the associates to water the plant. Later, I realised that it is meant for guests to wash their sandy feet before stepping into their room... how silly I am..

Lots of facilities for the guests… Plentiful of sundecks, a free-form swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. On my first day, I can’t wait to go for sunbathing. Basking myself in the wonderful view, with warm breeze blowing, listening to the sound of waves – how I wish that I can stay there as long as I want to… how I wish…

Can't wait to go sunbathing on the first day ... reading my favourite book and enjoying the wonderful view at the same time...

Me ... Pretending to "float" at the swimming pool.. ok..I admit, I can't swim!!

The beautiful free form pool at noon time...

I spent 3 nights in Casa Del Mar and every morning, I will have to look into their list of breakfast menu carefully and make the right choice because all the dishes seem so attempting and I really want to try them all. Mostly in western style, such as pancake, French toast, turkey ham with edam and brie cheese, omelets, poached egg and some local dishes such as fried noodles and nasi lemak. I think this is due to the majority of their guests are foreigners, mostly couples, and we are the only local guests in the hotel, in a weird combination that seems a little bit awkward…

My starter for breakfast every morning ... muesli with fruits and croissant... with tea and orange juice.

Breakfast on the second day ... Egg white omelet with mushroom, spinach, edam, brie and goat cheese... really fantastic!!

Breakfast on the third day ... house baked bean on toast with sunnyside up eggs...

Breakfast on the last day ... the most ordinary - fried oat meal with fresh strawberries... and the daily fresh squeezed orange juice.

The private tent for dinner that outlooks the beach ... very very romantic, but i think it costs about what I paid for a 3-night stay...

At first, I was planning to stay at the Starwood properties – either the Sheraton Beach Resort or the Westin Langkawi. However, after a long run of consideration and research, Casa Del Mar became our final choice and it is indeed a wise choice. Crowded will never ever be an issue in this boutique hotel as there are only less than 30 rooms available. So, for those who would like to splurge on an extravagant vacation, or would like to impress your loved one, or, guys, if you would like to pop the question, do it in Casa Del Mar because the hotel is filled with sense of love… the non commercialized sense of comfortable and love… If I ever have a chance or would like to visit Langkawi for a second time, I might choose to stay in other hotel, but I think, this hotel will always be prioritized…

(P/S: Don’t worry, Casa Del Mar does not pay me to do this. I write this article from the perspective of a satisfied guest... ha)