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| This is a very basic guidebook. |
| The information in it was compiled from various reliable sources to serve as a quick reference for your journey. |
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| What's inside? |
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Travelling to Langkawi? You'll need our compact and concise guidebook to help you find your way. It'll show you where to stay, eat, visit and shop. It also contains useful travel tips, and lets you in on what to expect with the local food and culture. You wouldn't want to miss it!
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| Help Save the Slow Loris! |
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| Fund collecting in progress... |
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| The slow loris is a slow-moving primate that can be found in parts of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, India and southern China. This nocturnal and arboreal animal can produce a toxin in their elbow glands that they mix with their saliva to use as protection. Its diet consists mainly of insects, mollusks, bird eggs, small vertebrates, fruits and leaves. A protected species, they are threatened by habitat destruction and also trapping. In some places, they are hunted and killed for traditional medicine, because they are believed to cure eye diseases. Slow lorises are also captured for the illegal pet trade and use as laboratory animals. In the wild, they have a life expectancy of about 14 years. They can live for much longer in captivity, but most keepers lack the expertise to keep them alive for very long. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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Langkawi is an archipelago of around a hundred islands, situated where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas. Officially known as Langkawi, the 'Jewel of Kedah', it sits off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. Many of its islands are covered with dense jungle and are uninhabited. In the olden days, these would have been the perfect nesting grounds for pirates. However, in the modern day, a number of Langkawi's islands have been turned into exotic getaways, attracting visitors from all over the world. The largest of these islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi, which is dubbed the Legendary Island.
The most famed legend in Langkawi is that of a woman named Mahsuri. Wrongfully accused of adultery, she was tied to a tree and stabbed to death. With her dying breath, she cursed the island with seven generations of bad luck. As a symbol of her innocence, the blood that flowed from her body was white. Many of the locals believe that the legend is true. Following Mahsuri's death, they suffered a Siamese invasion and decades of failed crops. However, it seems that the curse has been lifted and that Langkawi is prospering again. There's no doubt that the local legend endures, however, as Mahsuri's tomb, located in Kuab, remains a popular site to visit.
Langkawi's supernatural charms don't end there; almost all of its main attractions are rooted in fables. For example, if you like spooky tales, ask the locals to tell you about the vampire that lives on Dayang Bunting Island. If you're brave enough to go there, you can explore its caves and go bat watching. Another popular spot, the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, is claimed to make barren women fertile, because a fairy used to bathe there. While these stories infuse the local culture with flavour, it's not hard to see how Langkawi manages to bewitch its visitors. Blessed with natural beauty, it has white sands, gentle breezes, crystal clear waters, peaceful waterfalls and a relaxing atmosphere that's perfect for idyllic pursuits.
Langkawi is also a place for nature lovers. Its many beaches, mangroves and rainforests provide a safe haven for the local wildlife and marine life. If you book yourself an island tour, they'll take you island-hopping, diving and even yachting. You can even see nature from the skies. At the Oriental Village on Langkawi Island, you can take a cable-car ride right up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi's second highest peak. Keep in mind though, that the tours don't operate during the monsoon season from July to mid-September.
If shopping's more your thing, Langkawi Island is the place for you. It's a duty-free zone and all you only need to do is stay for a minimum of 48 hours to enjoy the benefits. You'll find that Langkawi is also synonymous with seafood. Its most popular eateries are located in Kuah Town, as well as Cenang, Tengah and Kok beaches. Upmarket hotels also serve international cuisine, so there's no shortage of excellent dining spots.
To get to Langkawi, you can board a ferry from the mainland or fly directly to the Langkawi International Airport, located in Padang Matsirat. Incidentally, this is a historically significant site. In the 19th century, local villagers were forced to burn their paddy fields to prevent the Siamese advancement. Since then, the area around the airport has been known as the 'field of burning rice'. Once in Langkawi, you can choose to stay at a 5-star resort, a cosy inn or a laid-back chalet. To get around, visitors can opt to ride taxis, rent their own vehicles or ask if their hotel offers shuttle services.
If you're planning to visit Langkawi, do get in touch with the Malaysian High Commission to check your Visa requirements and the related costs. Malaysia has a varied Visa system, citizens of some Commonwealth nations and the U.S.A., for example, will not require a Visa for social visits. Some foreign citizens will not require a Visa when visiting Malaysia for a period of between 14 days to 3 months. Some may be granted Visa upon arrival, while others will require a Visa or Special Approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before entering Malaysia. The permitted length of stay is entered on the Visa at the time of issue and is at the discretion of the issuer. It is normally 1 to 3 months from the date of issue and extensions are possible.
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