Langkawi

 Langkawi, Malaysia travel gem

Executive summary by Darmansjah

Not without reason Langkawi islands dubbed the 'jewel' of Kedah, in the northern state of Malaysia. Like the increasingly brilliant gemstone as honed, Langkawi transformed from the ground 'cursed' into tourist destination in Malaysia with 3 million tourists per year and become a serious competitor Bali.

Opportunity to visit and toured the area on and maritime International Air Show Langkawi (LIMA) at the end of May 2013, we found that this tourist area and designed organized very well. Beautiful nature and modernism touch each other and integrated into a tourist attraction Langkawi.

From the window of the plane that took us from Jakarta via Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi archipelago consists of 104 islands that looks not unlike the gems and jade-green jade blue rug strewn over the Andaman sea is located on the edge of the waterway and adjacent directly with Thailand.

Approaching the main island of Langkawi island in this archipelago-visible lines with white sand beaches are clean. Shortly before the plane landed, we saw hundreds of cruise ships lined up in the New Gulf Pier. Apparently, we also found that the cruise ship pier owned the jet of a country is scattered at various points on the island.

Similarly, when we set foot in the airport international Langkawi, a private jet parked at the airport apron is pretty busy. Not much different from Monaco in France, Langkawi is like a little country into a haven for foreign residents and tourists.

Hotels, condos, restaurants and luxury resorts flourished, especially in coastal areas. Similar in Bali, this tourist property mostly owned by foreign nationals. This especially after the tsunami in 2004. Most areas in langkawi island's west coast was affected by the tsunami in Aceh centered.

Damaged housing residents affected by the tsunami has now turned into resorts and new hotels. 'My house was hit by the tsunami. Incoming water up to 2 miles inland. Since then, I sold the house and moved from the edge of the beach. My house is now a hotel, "said Kasim (65), a taxi driver who took us around on the west coast of the island, recalls the tsunami a few years ago.

Outside the profession of fishermen and rice cultivation, Langkawi indigenous majority ethnic Malays who worked as a taxi driver, hotel and resort employees, as well as keeping the duty free shop. With the development of tourism, they are relatively difficult to find work. There is no forest or arresting the spread of wild animals, such as sea eagles became mascot of Langkawi, so beautiful nature here is very awake.

Not only that, the infrastructure in this region strongly considered. At some point the road, we found writings in Malay, 'aduan kerosakan jalan', which contains hunting service phone number, e-mail, and short message receiving complaints road damage. Not surprisingly, the roads in this area are very smooth. Compare this with the number of objects in the Indonesian tourist collapsed due to poor infrastructure constrained.

Cable car to the top

Nature conservation became the main object of tourist here than the status of 'paradise' shopping thanks to tax and excise duty exemption in force in the island region. Feeding of wild buffalo or sea eagles and snorkeling fun or rafting in the tour package offered here other than 'temptation' shopping branded imported goods at bargain prices.

As a tourist attraction here is the main magnet cable car. However, the Langkawi cable car other than the usual. Running track 2,079 meter long cable car is shaped steep uphill, connecting Burau Bay resort by the sea with mountain peaks as high as 708 meters Machincang.

Adrenalin racing so we compartment trains each with a capacity of four people was started off pursuing a piece of wire to the top of the mountain. We also as fly floated upward, much higher than sea eagles flying over hedge trees below us as the territory of 550 million-year-old Geopark recognized Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Fabric heartbeat pounding when a few moments later the cable car continued to slide as if to hit the steep cliffs as high as 400 meters. Arriving at the top, temperature us. Sudden cold air, the mist suddenly ambushed.

Tense have not lost, we were treated to another amazing scenery: Langkawi sky bridge. As the name implies, the 125 meter long bridge-shaped curve which opened in 2003 is connecting between the peak hill at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. However, unfortunately, these unique rides closed to the public for reasons of improvement so we fail to see it.

Then, in the distance, barely visible line langkawi beautiful west coast and giant sea wall was completed in 2002 during the reign of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Offshore wall was built to protect the area of ​​the cruise ship dock and the Langkawi International Airport is located on the waterfront. The wall is then saved most important asset in the region of large tsunami in 2004.

Vision Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir was the architect behind the success of Langkawi which is now the largest foreign exchange earner in the tourism sector in Malaysia. Mr development of Malaysia who was born in the state changed the 'face' of Langkawi which half a century ago only the lonely island, where rehabilitation of tuberculosis patients.

Moreover, Langkawi has a legend that bad. That said, based on local folklore, the island formerly Mahsuri cursed by, a woman Malay origin Phuket, Thailand, who was murdered by a gang of local villagers. Before his death, he was cursed Langkawi and its citizens ill-fated seven generations. 

Her tomb is still sacred, while his name immortalized in the largest exhibition buildings on the island.

As reported by news agency Bernama, 3 April 2006, there was virtually no first ferry boat service and the average visitor is only 1,000 people each year. Mahathir, who once served as a practicing physician in Langkawi and realize the great potential of its tourism, and making the islands an integrated tourism area in the early 1980's reign.

Airport and ferry port was built. Billions of ringgit of funds disbursed by the Government of Malaysia. Status of the duty free or duty free imports are set here. Then, as a promotional event, a great event held LIMA world wide to date. No half-hearted as reported Bernama, Mahathir believes could rival the fame of Langkawi island.

Not surprisingly, Mahathir very popular in Langkawi. His picture still posted on billboards in train-road and cable car here. Each time he came, though no longer served, residents scrambling to shake hands with him. This, among others, is seen in LIMA 2013 event which was also attended by Mahathir.

Langkawi show, great leader of the nation's vision as outlined in the hard work, planning, and management of the basin is capable of producing great things and beat the curse though.