As the Kedah countryside sped by, my eyes were glued to the distant horizon. My mind asking, “Are we there yet?” while my mouth spewed non-stop questions (as usual) with my jovial GRAB taxi driver. I’d only seen a few vague online photos of the Kedah Paddy Museum and knew nothing of its history or […]
Review: El Playa Bistro by Avante
Closed November 2021: Langkawi, Malaysia has no shortage of places to eat, but if you are looking for Mediterranean food in Langkawi, Pantai Cenang is the place to go. Smack in the middle of the Langkawi’s popular tourist beach is El Playa Bistro by Avante, a Mediterranean restaurant which embraces Spanish, Italian, Greek and Turkish […]
Is Pulau Payar Marine Park Worth a Visit? Yes!
When it comes to island hopping in Peninsular Malaysia, the state of Kedah has been the king of the hill with their Langkawi archipelago turned UNESCO Global Geopark. Langkawi (also known as the Jewel of Kedah) has 99 islands and islets shrouded in jungle-y mystery and often dotted with white sand beaches and eerie ancient […]
The Magic of Coconuts and DIY Virgin Coconut Oil
If you ever find yourself stranded on a desert island in Malaysia, or any other tropical location around the world, the one thing that could be your saving grace is the multi-purpose coconut palm. The coconut palm grows quickly and provides fruit year-round. It’s definitely the gift that keeps on giving. But this tree goes […]
Learning to Surf in Langkawi, Malaysia
The idea of learning to surf in Langkawi or anywhere else in Malaysia may come as a big surprise to some folks. It’s just not something you hear much about. At least not consistently. And that may be because Malaysia’s waves are seasonal. Typically generated in direct relationship to the monsoon season (aka rainy season). […]
Warung Kak Imah’s Malaysian Favorites & Kampung Charm
Drawn to the pendulums of bananas in an empty shop, the nearby clamor of pots and pans sliced through the air like a family reunion. The crescendo of cheerful voices floating amidst the kinetic energy of the busy little restaurant next door; a symbolic clock tower chime of the time of day; makan time. Time […]
Ultimate Guide to Langkawi Island Hopping
Island hopping in Langkawi is one of the top sightseeing activities offered by local Langkawi travel agents and tour guides. And with the Langkawi archipelago having 99 islands (104 at low tide), it is definitely an island lover’s dream come true. Plenty of island hopping possibilities too. But with so many islands to choose from, […]