Langkawi - Sky Cab/Sky Bridge

Date: 24th January 2016

It’s amazing to see how an agro-based economy of paddy and rubber cultivation and fisheries of Langkawi is fast being overtaken by a tourism-driven economy. Coming back to the island for the third time, I could see vast changes that took place in an island that use to be a curse island of Mahsuri. The island is a perfect place for tourism, taking into consideration the island natural, unspoiled, ecological beauty and major governmental emphasis happened since Mahathir time. It was part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development program, of which a Malaysia Government initiative to accelerate economic growth in the north of Peninsular Malaysia encompassing the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and the north of Perak. The target for NCER is to achieve increased tourism receipts per visitor from MYR1.89 billion in 2005 to MYR3.034 billion by 2012. Annual tourist expenditure is targeted to increase from MYR9.0 billion in 2005 to MYR21.8 billion in 2012 and MYR64.5 billion in 2020.

The sky deck that comes with a glass panel for viewing purpose

6 of them enjoying the view up there

I’m using Syahirah’s photos for this entry as I was with hubby and Nasrul exploring inside the 3D museum, seated adjacent to a point to take the cable car up to the top of mountain. It’s six of them exploring the Sky Cab and the Sky Bridge where Syahirah and Hanum are the only girl. Naim and his 3 besties were assigned to look after the girls. The Langkawi Cable Car, also known as Langkawi Sky Cab, is one of the major attractions in Langkawi Island. It provides an aerial link from the Oriental Village at Teluk Burau to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km, with a journey time from the base to the top took around 15 minutes. It was officially opened in 2003.

Look at the view at the Sky Bridge ... priceless!

The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located. The Sky Bridge was closed in 2012 for maintenance and upgrading, but reopened in February 2015, although work on the bridge is still ongoing as of September 2015. The start of cable car ride is located in the Oriental Village where there are a number of attractions, including a 3-Dimensional art museum known as Art in Paradise and shopping village. I would recommend a half day touring in Oriental Village should you want to cover both the Sky Bridge and the 3D museum. You may have lunch there too before heading to other attractions that Langkawi has to offer, island hopping is one of the non-resistible activities.

Some of the islands that can be viewed from the top

Langkawi Cable Car is located just north of Telaga Harbour, Pantai Kok, with the entrance within Oriental Village at the foot hill of the Mat Chincang mountain range. There’s an ample parking prepared by the Tourism Department for the tourist. It is located to the north-west of the Langkawi International Airport, on the west coast of the main island of Langkawi, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Kuah town and 15 minutes’ drive from Langkawi International Airport. Knowing that they will took longer time than expected, we have let them joined us at the airport after collected the luggage from Aseana Resort & Spa Hotel. There are 3 stations as categorised by the operator, Base Station, Middle Station and Top Station.

Just layers of beautiful sky in the horizon

A pretty long bridge deck with a viewing glass panels to explore

The Base Station is located at the Oriental Village itself where it also a theme shopping centre housing with 30 individually designed buildings showcasing Malaysian and Oriental architecture. From this base, visitors can take the ride to the Machincang range via the Langkawi Cable Car on gondolas. The SkyDome, a 360-degree panorama screen dome theatre located at the Base Station, offers visitors free viewing while they are waiting for their ride on the Cable Car. The gondolas arrive at the station around every 30 seconds. The SkyDome entrance comes inclusive with all types of SkyCab tickets. But they did not enter the SkyDome due to time constraint, hence I do not have any photos inside the SkyDome to share it with you.

Bring some mineral water to avoid thirst

Inside the cable car, passing the middle station

Middle Station is an intermediate Cable Car station on the eastern ridges provides access to the eastern cliffs with its 3 vertical chimneys and the 360-degree views. The gondolas make a 45-degree turn at this “angle station” to reach the top. The journey from the Base Station to Middle Station covers 1,700 meters in length. The Middle Station is at an elevation of 650m above sea level, visitors can alight at the station and walk up to the viewing platform, or continue to travel on the gondolas for another 450 meters up to the Top Station. I was enjoying a pleasant walks at the wooden pathway in 2010 when I came for the 2^nd time. You must try it as the ambiance, the breeze, the mountain lush green, the sounds of birds chipping and other animals are something really rare for us who resides in the city.

The Base Station, where the ride is about to begin

There are two circular viewing platforms at the top of Gunung Machinchang, which are both a short walk up the stairs from the top station and offer 360° views. The top station is located 708m above sea-level is about 5 °C cooler than the lowlands. The ride afford a view of the surrounding forest, the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfall, as well as the sea. From the top station there is an access route to the Langkawi Sky Bridge. There are two viewing platforms at the top of Machincang mountain, and an access point to Langkawi Sky Bridge (The Langkawi SKyBridge entrance tickets can only be purchased for RM 5 per person once you reach the top of the mountain).

Photos shared from www.amazingworldplaces.com, please click the link to read their architectural engineering review about the Langkawi Sky Bridge 

There is a 2.5 km walking trail, the SkyTrail, through the forest from the top station that goes down to the middle station, and then the Seven Wells (Telaga Tujuh) waterfall, although walking unguided through the trail is not advisable as the trail is not well-maintained and there is a risk of getting lost. Pre-arrangement with a naturalist guide is necessary. That's all for now. I hope I have sharing some helpful information with those who wish to visit my country. Do include a visit to Langkawi Island as it's a place where you can enjoy a sandy beaches, island hopping, jungle tracking etc etc.

Remarks: Facts obtained from the Langkawi Website

Langkawi - 3D Museum

Date of visit: 24th January 2016

Three of us, hubby, Nasrul and I were visiting the 3D museum on our last day in Langkawi, i.e. on 24^th of January 2016. Hubby chose to tag along as he did not make it through to the final tennis matches. We drove towards the Oriental Village right after breakfast and made a few stopped at other places too. We thought that we could make it in time for our late evening flight. By the time we reached there, we decided to split due to time constraint and the fact that we haven’t collected our bag from the hotel. The rest opted to take a cable car to have a closer view of the glass sky deck. I had ride the cable car few years ago (in year 2010 if I’m not mistaken while on 2 days training in Langkawi with IJMer’s). Since Nasrul is studying in Graphic Design, we thought it would be best if we could accompanied him explored all beautiful arts inside the 3D museum.

Langkawi 3D Art Museum’s operation hours is from 9:00 am till 6:00 pm. The best suitable time to spend inside would be about 2 hours. It is located adjacent to the other 2 attractions, Sky Bridge and Sky Trex bearing an address of Oriental Village, Burau Bay, 07000 Langkawi. They can be reach at +(6) 013 509 1209 and/or send an email to sales@mylangkawideals.com to purchase an online tickets. Do not worry about foods and shopping as the village provides everything what the tourist need. You are most welcome to experience local foods and local souvenirs items as momentous.

The museum was custom built to exhibit the artworks of various sizes beyond our imagination. It is said to represents the largest 3D Art Museum in Malaysia and one of the largest in the world. All of the displayed artworks exhibited are artistically hand painted by 23 leading Korean Master Artists with an average age of 60 years old and the last of their generation, in collaboration with Malaysian local artists. These incredible artworks are presented in three dimensioned (3D) ways, offering all visitors a fun way to interact and blend in the artworks. We, Malaysian must thanked the Korean artist who has ensured success to our 3D museum. 

The Museum project was completed in record time of five months and houses various zones for the tourist to enjoy such as the Aquatic, Safari, Classic, Fantasy and Malaysian zones with more than 100 beautifully created artworks including famous masterpieces that combines fun, culture, education and history.

It is located at the Oriental Village (also known as Langkawi Art in Paradise). The Langkawi 3D Art Museum has become one of the most popular attractions in Langkawi. As the queue to purchase tickets could get long during weekends and school holidays, it is advisable to buy entrance tickets online. It was not so crowded on the day of our visit, so we got in without difficulties and troubles with that long queue.

For information, the ticket is valid for one year from the date of purchase as it was an open ticket. It is valid to be redeemed anytime including school and public holidays. Child tickets are for those from aged 2 till 12 years old whilst adult tickets are for those above 12 years old. For avoidance of doubt, admission is free to below 2 years old.

For those who had purchased a ticket through online, you are not required to print the ticket. What you are required to do is to present the QR code which will be emailed to the purchaser upon payment. Just use your phone with a save QR code to enter. Else, ticket can be redeem at 3D Art in Paradise counter, a dedicated online counter. As for Malaysian, just present your MyKad (Malaysian identity) to purchase and/or redeem your tickets at the redemption counter. Should you have any change of plans and require for any cancellation, you may made necessary arrangement by an email to sales@mylangkawideals.com.

Hope you may have some ideas of what was inside the 3D museum from the photos of my family that I shared in this entry. Thank you.

Langkawi - Aseania Resort & Spa Hotel

Duration of stay: 21st till 24th January 2016

Aseania Langkawi is an official website for Aseania Resort & Spa Hotel Langkawi. Photos can be deceiving sometime but do take note that their hotel is not located at the frontal beach. Guests has to cross the road and walk about 5 minutes in order to reach the Cenang sandy beaches.

Big hotel signage at the main road

Posing at the T-junction after an afternoon walks at the crowded Cenang beach

At the onset, Aseania is seem to be a lavish tropical resort situated about 3 km from both Pantai Cenang beach and Laman Padi Langkawi Rice Garden and Museum. It is not a seafront resort. The spacious and luxe rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, mini fridge, television with exclusive channels for news and movies, standing shower, attached bathroom, air-conditioning, coffee and tea-making facilities. Additional services are offered upon visitor requests, such as provision of hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, safety box deposit, connecting rooms and extra beds. We were given an upgraded rooms that come with balconies and terrace but not the one with pool views. Let's see some of the rooms photos that we snapped during our stay.

Large bed for 4 persons

We end-up occupying the room with 4 of us whilst the next connecting room was occupied by Naim and his friend

The hotel is not new, some said it has been his family’s resting place for the last 21 years and many reviews commenting the same thing of how it needs an upgrading to claim the luxe status. There’s a complimentary breakfast buffet that we enjoyed dearly. Among other things, their relaxed restaurant with open-air seating, a Middle Eastern-themed bar, a swim-up bar in the 154m pool, an exercise room, and a water park with a wave pool, waterslides and a hot tub are the amenities that you may enjoy once you check-in. The posh spa area has massages and beauty treatments, so make sure to ask reservation desk for assistance. Their official address is at Jalan Pantai Tengah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia and a contact number is +60 3-8942 8882.

On first morning breakfast by the pool

On 3rd day of breakfast

Aseania Resort consist of 217 luxurious rooms spread within 5 blocks of 4 storeys building each. The rooms are classified as 3 types, Suite, Deluxe and Superior. The most rewarding attractions is their awe-inspiring swimming pool. It has been listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest swimming pool in the country. It sprawls 154.4 metres and has a mesmerising array of facilities for all ages, i.e. wave pool, mushroom pool, waterfall, Jacuzzi, sundeck, lazy river and a special adult and children slides. You can take a leisurely float or pamper yourself with a luxurious jacuzzi while the kids have a splashing good time together. Truly fun for all in the family.

Small gym at the ground floor

The spa area, also at ground floor at the wing where we occupied

Common breakfast area by the pool

There are additional services for extra facilities that requires additional cost. The hotel staff also organise a special trips to various hot spots perfect for a memorable day out or team-bonding.  Some of the fun outdoor recreational activities offered are for Island hopping, Fishing trip, Snorkeling, Diving, Eagle feeding and Mangrove tour.

At the reception

The hotel entrance porch

I wish to conclude and recommend this resort to whoever who wish to have a relaxing and cozy stay with their family, large or small doesn't matter as the ambiance, the facilities and the locality of this place suited the vacation mode of yours. It's not too luxury and too decent. 

Langkawi - Dataran Helang @ Eagle Square

Date of visit: 22nd January 2016

My family and I were travelling to Langkawi Island on 21^st January this year, 2016 accompanying hubby who had a yearly tennis tournament there at the island. We booked a stay in Aseania Resort and Spa Hotel for 3 nights until our departure on 24^th January 2016. Remarks: will write a hotel review in separate entry later on. Though hubby and his group did not win any trophies, we had a lovely family vacation even without Nazhif. Another reason was due to Naim, who are in a relationship for an Island girl, Hanum. She’s a local who volunteered to be our free tour guide during taht short trip. Naim is most happiest to reunite with his girlfriend and having another 3 of his best friends following a day later.

A 12 meter tall Eagle

First and foremost, Langkawi is the Jewel of Kedah, an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea. It is located about 30 km off the mainland coast of north-western Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. The eponymous Langkawi Island is by far the largest of the islands with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Tuba Island. Langkawi, a duty free island is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as largest town. The name Langkawi is thought to have existed by the early 15th century, although in the 16th century the island of Langkawi was also marked on maps variously as Langa, Langka, Lansura, and Langapura. According to one interpretation, Langkawi means island of the reddish-brown eagle in colloquial Malay. The Malay word for eagle is helang, which is shortened to "lang", while "kawi" is the name of a red stone used as a chalk to mark goods. This interpretation was used to create the landmark sculpture of an eagle as the symbol of Langkawi at Dataran Helang (Eagle Square) in Kuah. And, we visited the Eagle Square as our first destination on day 2.

Clearly a lovely sunny day for photos

Langkawi is very hot, hence wear a comfortable clothing to avoid being stuffy while wandering around

Eagle Square is Dataran Lang in Malay spoken words. It is one of Langkawi’s best known manmade attractions, with a large sculpture of an eagle poised to take flight. A sight that greets visitors to the island via ferry, the 12 metre-tall statue is one of the island’s most instantly recognizable monuments. Located at the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi, besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. The square is also a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour. We arrived close to noon time which is the hottest time in a day. My advised to all is to plan a trip here either early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense. You may get much more beautiful photos of the sunrise and/or the sunset.

Some views at the Jetty Point Mall

The reddish-brown eagle at Dataran Lang was built as a motif, an emblem of the island. It is located adjacent to the CHOGM Park and Taman Lagenda Dalam Langkawi. The monument is also within walking distance of some of the best duty-free shops in Langkawi and the Jetty Point Mall where chocolates and alcohol are especially a good buys here. We chose not to explore the jetty point mall as we were all hungry by the time we’re done with exploring the monument, the bridges around it and the small bazaar inside.

In recent months, there's some foolish debate about the monument which were claimed by some as breaching the Islam teaching. This is what the previous Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir has said in his blog "So far no Muslims have ever prayed before or worshipped the Eagle of Langkawi. Destroying it would not make the Malays more Muslim." You may read further in the link that I provided herewith, "What Islam Forbid". Till then, hope you find your visit to Langkawi a worthy one!