My alarm sounded at 6:30 am, signaling the start of my journey from Penang to Langkawi by ferry. I departed the hostel around 6:45 am, following the owner’s advice to secure a boat ticket early. Rushing to Penang port, I aimed to catch the 8:15 or 8:30 am ferry to Langkawi. Taking the local bus, I reached the terminal by 7:00 am. Although I asked the bus driver about the boat’s departure point and received a vague direction due to his limited English, today would serve as a valuable learning experience.
After getting off the bus, I strolled for approximately 3 minutes to reach the ferry. The onboard staff informed me that I needed to pay on the other side, which seemed a bit unusual for a 3-hour ferry ride. However, I reassured myself that this is Malaysia, not a European country, and things operate differently here.
Blunder
While I thought I was on my way from Penang to Langkawi by ferry, I failed to spot any tourists; nearly 98% of the passengers were Malaysian commuters. This realization made me anxious, considering that Langkawi is a highly popular tourist destination. I noticed a couple who appeared to be tourists and inquired if the ferry was headed to Langkawi. They seemed surprised and informed me that it wasn’t bound for Langkawi. With a sense of despair in my eyes, I swiftly concluded the conversation with a hasty goodbye.
I hastily seized my backpack and sprinted to the side where I had boarded the ferry. Regrettably, I arrived too late. The gangway began to lift, and the ferry departed from the port. In my frustration, I approached a staff member and inquired about the ferry’s return time to Penang. “In 30 minutes,” he replied. I facepalmed myself for this foolish error, realizing the importance of not blindly trusting individuals who don’t speak a word of English.
Upon my return to Penang, 30 minutes later, I hurried to the correct port, which was around 500 meters away from my current location. As time ticked away, it reached 7:45 am, and I had only moments left to catch the ferry to Langkawi. I approached the counter and urgently inquired if I could still board the ferry, explaining my situation. Fortunately, there was still a spot available for me. The woman at the counter handed me a ticket for the 8:15 am boat, and once again, I sprinted my way to the port.
Penang to Langkawi by Ferry
At the entrance of the terminal, a long queue of at least fifty people awaited me. Worried that I might miss the boat, a staff member seemingly sensed my panic and inquired if I was departing with the 8:15 am boat. Desperately, I nodded in affirmation, and he promptly granted me priority status. Guiding me past three security checkpoints without the need for scanning, he ensured a hassle-free process. Inside, fellow travelers stared in surprise at my priority treatment, and I reciprocated their astonished gaze, realizing they were queued for a security check for the 8:30 am boat. Once aboard the ferry, a sense of relief washed over me as I chuckled at the thought of avoiding the security hassle. From that point on, the journey proceeded without any stress. Onward to Langkawi!
The journey from Penang to Langkawi by ferry proved surprisingly serene. Despite expecting crowds, I found plenty of vacant seats. Occasionally, I stepped outside to capture some pictures. About two-thirds into the trip, we made a brief stop at Pulau Payer Marine Park, enjoying delightful weather. Eventually, I even felt comfortable enough to catch some sleep inside the ferry.
Langkawi, situated near the border of Thailand, is a prominent tourist destination, renowned for its stunning beaches, with Pantai Cenang being its primary attraction. My visit here was primarily for the beaches, marking the start of my journey into paradise destinations. Had I continued north, I would have undoubtedly taken another boat to Ko Lipe, using it as a starting point to island-hop my way through Thailand.
Arrival at Kuah Jetty Port
Upon reaching Kuah Jetty port in Langkawi, a new challenge emerged. Initially, I had assumed I could walk from the port to the hostel due to its close proximity, approximately 2 kilometers. The hostel I had chosen is situated in the port town of Kuah, as opposed to the main tourist destination, Pantai Cenang. My decision was influenced by the idea of renting a moped for my stay on the island, making the location less critical.
Inquiring with several pedestrians, I found that none were familiar with the street or hostel name. However, one man appeared to grasp my query. He advised me to keep walking along the main road and take a right turn upon reaching a prominent mosque. Fatigued by the burden of my backpack under the scorching 32-degree sun, I eventually opted to hail a taxi and seek directions from the cab driver.
Lost in Translation: WiFi Saves the Day
Similar to everyone else I had asked, the cab driver was unfamiliar with the street and hostel name. Exhausted and frustrated with the challenges I faced, I chose to board the taxi and instructed the driver to navigate around. I directed him to halt at any hotel with WiFi. Upon arrival, I elaborated on my situation and requested the use of their WiFi. It was not my fault, as the hotel owner clarified that the street name had recently been changed.
At last, a breakthrough! The cab driver now knew the location of the hostel. In just 2 minutes, we reached our destination, and I paid the cab driver 10 ringgit for his assistance. He smiled generously, clearly pleased to have earned some easy money. I arrived at Regalia Inn & Spa at 11:45 am.
Back then, I didn’t utilize a local SIM card and relied on addresses and locals, checking my destination in advance with Wi-Fi. This approach had only failed me twice: today and later once in Indonesia. For those who find themselves lost while searching for Regalia Inn & Spa, consider navigating to Zen Rooms Nabil Nabila motel. Regalia Inn & Spa is situated adjacent to that accommodation.
Arrival at Regalia Inn & Spa
The hostel owner inquired about how I successfully located the hostel. With a sigh, I shared my story. After the check-in process, she guided me to the dorm bed, where I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent air conditioning. To my amazement, an Islamic girl and I were the only occupants in the 18-person dorm. It became clear why the hostel was challenging to find. The other hostels in Langkawi, situated at Pantai Cenang beach, were fully booked. I recognize that the hostel’s location could be a deal-breaker for many backpackers, given the 40-ringgit one-way taxi ride from Kuah to Cenang beach, which takes up to 40 minutes.
Following check-in, I encountered a friend of the hostel owner who extended an offer for a guided tour around the island at 80 ringgit. This half-day tour would encompass visits to waterfalls, the beach, and the cable car. Expressing my interest, I informed her that I would contemplate the offer and she handed me her card for future contact via email.
Renting a Moped
Once I had gotten comfortable, I strolled through the neighborhood. The hostel was situated on a street adorned with various restaurants and shops. Later in the afternoon, I made a significant decision—it was time for something new. Opting for adventure, I chose to rent a moped from a local supermarket at the rate of 33 ringgit per day, with an additional 10 ringgit for insurance per day.
With my own transportation secured for the entirety of my stay in Langkawi, I decided to cancel the guided tour arranged by the hostel owner’s friend. In the evening, craving some familiar Western flavors after a challenging day, I indulged in pizza from a local shop—arguably one of the best I’ve tasted thus far. Despite not having been to Italy, the homemade quality was evident, taking 40 minutes to prepare but undeniably worth the wait. To cap off the meal, I enjoyed a mango split. The portion size resembled Western standards, though the price did not; the entire meal, inclusive of a drink, set me back 8 euros.
