I had a leisurely 15-minute oversleep, which was perfectly fine since today held no obligations. I planned to explore Langkawi by moped, using my own rented one. Yesterday I rented one across the street. Curious about laundry services, I inquired with the hostel owner and learned they provided the service across the street. I dropped off three bags of clothes, and the lady at the laundry shop informed me they would be ready by tomorrow. That’s the convenient routine in Asia—no need to wash yourself; you simply drop off and collect. With this task completed, I focused on preparing for my day’s journey.
I packed a small backpack and strolled to the shop just a street away from Regalia Inn & Spa. Opting to familiarize myself with the area around the hostel, I found it to be nearly devoid of traffic. I practiced a bit, circling around and eventually reaching the southern part of the neighborhood. From there, I enjoyed a pleasant view of the bay between Langkawi and Pulau Dayang Bunting, where several yachts were docked. Here in the spacious courtyard, I could experience my initial moments on the moped and gauge its responsiveness—a safe space for a trial run, so to speak.
On the Road
My objective for the day was to journey from Kuah to the farthest northwest point of the island. Along the way, my first stop was Black Sand Beach, which appeared deserted. I visited the restroom in an abandoned restaurant ruin, surrounded by rubble, bugs, and overgrown plants. It puzzled me that two women, situated 30 meters away from the dilapidated restaurant, were diligently cleaning the pavement. I couldn’t help but think it would be more worthwhile to rebuild the restaurant so visitors could enjoy a refreshing drink. After capturing some pictures of the beach, I continued on my way.
Exploring Langkawi by moped is an incredible adventure. Despite having an average speed of 65 km per hour, I hesitated to go faster due to safety concerns. Many roads were in poor condition, marked by bumps and cracks. Occasionally, I reached speeds of 80 kilometers per hour, but only on roads that appeared safe. The experience felt like genuine freedom as I soaked in the breathtaking scenery of mountains, trees, and beaches on the island. I made multiple stops along the way to capture these picturesque moments.
The Temurun Waterfall
At 11:00 am, I reached the entrance of the Temurun waterfall. It appeared tranquil, devoid of any visitors. The trail led through a forest beside a dried-up river, likely an overlooked part of the island by tourists. While I anticipated some arrivals, I assumed they would mainly be part of organized tours or guided by cab drivers.
The waterfall lacked its usual splendor due to the dry season on Langkawi. A modest stream trickled down the cliff. Keen to get a closer look, I encountered a group of aggressive macaques that obstructed my path. Any attempt to approach elicited a display of bared teeth and menacing grunts from the primates.
I may not be an expert on monkeys, but it seemed clear that they wanted me to retreat. Taking a step back, I pondered the situation. It was apparent I couldn’t circumvent them, so I cautiously attempted to move in their direction once more. Once again, they responded with aggression, and this time, additional macaques gathered in front of me, some advancing in my direction.
Feeling threatened, I opted to abandon the idea of reaching the waterfall and instead captured some pictures from my current vantage point. Observing a group of swimmers at the waterfall, I overheard them discussing the macaques. Apparently, the troublemaking group had previously stolen food from locals who were swimming there. This marked my initial encounter with macaques, and they proved to be quite nasty and aggressive indeed!
Pasir Tengkorak Beach
I spent 20 minutes at the waterfall. Upon returning to the main road, I noticed a lady sitting near the entrance of a hotel parking lot. My backpacker’s instinct hinted that something beautiful might be concealed behind the trees. I inquired if I could enter, and she gave her approval. Although the sign suggested I had entered the premises of a hotel resort, it turned out to be a collection of bungalows in front of the stunning Pasir Tengkorak Beach, also known as Skull Beach.
The beach was charming and remarkably untouched, with only a few people strolling around. On the right side of the beach, I spotted a pathway and decided to explore it. Climbing the stairs to a higher point, I encountered overgrown plants, and as I turned around, a large Asian spider came into view. It startled me, and in a moment of panic, I swiftly descended! While I’m uncertain about its species, and it probably isn’t venomous, I wasn’t willing to take any chances at that particular moment. No hospital visits for me at this age. I used my 30x zoom camera to capture a close-up of the creature.
Pantai Kok Beach
Following my exploration of Pasir Tengkorak Beach, I opted to journey to the lower west coast of the island to experience the cable car ride. The trip took me approximately 20 minutes, during which I captured additional pictures of the captivating scenery. Along the way, I made a pit stop at Pantai Kok Beach to enjoy a refreshing drink.
Oriental Village
After quenching my thirst, I resumed my drive to Oriental Village, just a 5-minute ride from Pantai Kok Beach. Oriental Village housed the renowned cable car attraction. While the village aimed to portray an authentic Asian town, it exuded a touristy ambiance with numerous small restaurants and shops catering to visitors. Despite this, I found the village appealing, thanks to its architecture and vibrant, colorful buildings.
Upon my arrival, I headed straight to the cable car situated in the village. Regrettably, it was closed due to strong winds. Disappointed, I inquired about the reopening time, but the lady at the attraction couldn’t provide a specific timeframe. The cable car might remain closed for the entire day, contingent on the wind conditions. Opting for a budget-friendly lunch, I explored one of the numerous restaurants scattered across the village.
The Langkawi Skybridge Cable Car
An hour later, I revisited the cable car site, and fortunately, it was open! Surprisingly, the queue, which typically extends to 1.5 hours or more, took me only 10 minutes this time. The cable car experience was fantastic, taking me to the highest altitude I had ever been. The panoramic views of the island were breathtaking. However, the sky bridge was closed for maintenance, denying me the opportunity to walk on it, a prospect I would have thoroughly enjoyed.
The cable car ride was a remarkable experience. As the cart ascended, I realized why they might close the attraction. Although the wind wasn’t forceful at ground level, it intensified higher up. The cart swayed slightly, creating a mix of fear and excitement.
Following that incredible experience, I returned to my hostel, concluding my circuit around the beautiful island of Langkawi. The roads were nearly deserted. I highly recommend any traveler to explore Langkawi by moped. The roads are in excellent condition, traffic is minimal, and car drivers are considerate when overtaking. Renting one is a cost-effective and enjoyable way to explore the island.
Upon returning to the hostel in the late afternoon, I engaged in conversation with one of the employees, a genuinely pleasant gentleman, although I regrettably didn’t inquire about his name. Originally from Malaysia, he resided on Langkawi. Our discussion revolved around the reckless driving habits of some Malaysians. He recounted an alarming incident he witnessed: a man on a moped steering with one hand while cradling a baby in the other. Shockingly, others would speed along at 140 kilometers per hour without wearing helmets.
Meeting Two Aussies
Following our conversation, I observed a couple checking in. The woman, bearing a striking resemblance to Emma Watson, introduced herself as Alex, while the gentleman, in my mental notes, became Liam Neeson. It’s a clever system I devised to recall the names of new acquaintances. The hostel owner briefed the Australian duo on taxi prices. Once she departed, I took the opportunity to chat with Alex and Liam, encouraging them to explore Langkawi by moped and providing directions to the nearby moped rental shop.
We engaged in a friendly conversation, exchanging introductions. I guided Alex and Liam to the supermarket, but regrettably, they were out of motorcycles, necessitating a return visit tomorrow. Alex and Liam, hailing from Melbourne, Australia, are currently exploring Malaysia. Following their travels, they plan to teach children in Kuala Lumpur, making their Malaysian journey a four-week adventure.
Dinner and Drinks
We collaborated on a comprehensive plan for tomorrow and ventured out for dinner in Kuah town that evening. Engaging in some window shopping, we couldn’t resist taking a plethora of silly, cheesy pictures. Trying out local food stalls added an adventurous touch to the evening. I opted for a peculiar rose petal drink with a distinct taste, and to my delight, I scored four delicious spring rolls for a mere 50 euro cents – a stark contrast to the 4 euros I might have paid back home. Meanwhile, Alex and Liam delved into some spicy salads, with Alex finding hers challenging and Liam daring to order an even spicier one.
Following our dinner, we strolled back to the hostel, passing a cake shop that beckoned us with its tempting treats. A spontaneous decision led us to select the silliest cake, complemented by a purchase of booze from the 24/7 shop nearby. While we didn’t manage to finish the entire cake, our attempt to trade the remaining slice with the mini-market owner for a beer proved unsuccessful.
Exhausted, Alex decided to call it a night, leaving Liam and me to continue our drinking session and engage in some intriguing philosophical discussions until 1 am. On Alex’s insistence, we charted out a plan for the upcoming day, setting the stage for what promised to be an exciting adventure. Together we would explore Langkawi by moped.
