Langkawi Gazette

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LANGKAWI ORCHID FARM

3 km from KUAH

Tel: +6 012 - 470 0082
+6 012 - 508 5838

Email: lgklegend@gmail.com

Located next to the Thai temple WatKoh Wanararm on the outskirts of Kuah, Langkawi Orchid Farm is the largest in north Malaysia - showcasing more than 1,000 species.

Exploring the three acres farm, you will discover the delightful Dendrobiums, often used to decorate dining tables, and come across the ‘Dancing Lady’ - an Oncidium hybrid sought-after by collectors for its resemblance with a ballerina with a yellow skirt.

Read more: Langkawi Orchid Farm

LA’PAQ AYAQ CAFÉ

ROYAL LANGKAWI YACHT CLUB - KUAH

Tel: +6 04 961 0589
       +6 01 2519 6920

Operating Hours
Daily 7am -11.00pm

Planning to dine in Kuah? If so, you must definitely visit the new LA’PAQ AYAQ CAFÉ! Located at the famous Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, the restaurant is hidden behind ‘Charlie’s Bar & Grill’ and therefore easy to overlook. But the corner location that comes with a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere and a beautiful 270 degrees’ harbor view is hard to beat. And once you experience the great service and get to taste the excellent food, you are likely to find your way back even blindfolded!

Read more: LA’PAQ AYAQ CAFÉ - Langkawi

LANGKAWI’S TRENDY RESTAURANTS  -  by Kamila Delart 

OVN

at VILLA MOLEK
PANTAI TENGAH

Tel: +6 016-586 6689
Email: nadirestaurantgroup@gmail.com
Operating Hours: daily 3pm -11.00pm

A foodie? If so, the recent opening of OVN (pronounced simply as "Oven") is sure to get you excited! Named after its wood-fire oven that lends to steaks, fish and pizza a delightful smoky flavor, the restaurant is situated at Villa Molek in Pantai Tengah, away from the hustle and bustle of neighboring Cenang and yet close enough for you to walk over. Should you be coming from elsewhere, the new highway along with a parking lot just in front of Ovn make for a relaxed arrival experience.

An elevated outdoor patio shielded by tropical plants and fragrant frangipani trees boasts candlelit tables for a romantic couple’s experience as well as four-seaters perfect for a dinner with family and friends.

Read more: OVN - Restaurant at Pantai Tengah Langkawi

FAIZY CRYSTAL

LANGKAWI CRAFT COMPLEX

Close to the Black Sand Beach on
the road connecting Pantai Kok
and Tanjung Rhu

Opening Times:
Saturday - Thursday, 9.30am - 5pm
1pm - 2pm no demonstrations

Tel: +6 04 9594885
       +6 04 9557591
       +6 012 4022650

Email: kamarulfaizy@hotmail.com

www.faizycrystal.blogspot.com 
www.glasscrystal-kamarulfaizy.blogspot.com 
www.faizycrystal-kamarulfaizy.blogspot.com

By Kamila Delart

Although located in a remote corner of the Langkawi Kraft Complex, which in itself is built away from the main tourism spots, Faizy Crystal receives plenty of visitors. With good reason! While the majority of retail stores on the island lure with handicraft imported from the neighboring countries, the unique glass object you will find at the Faizy Crystal showroom are truly Langkawian products. So much so, you can actually enter the adjacent workshop and watch the artisans while they work. (More beautiful pictures !)

Read more: FAIZY CRYSTAL Langkawi

MANTA BLU

Tel: +6 012-9531310
       +6 012-6313142
       +6 012-2531312

Email: yourcruiseservices@gmail.com

Eager to explore the breathtaking beauty of Langkawi Archipelago? With Manta Blu - an experience you will remember for years!

Sailing through the southern part of the archipelago that has the greatest density of tiny deserted islands and spectacular limestone outcrops that rise on a steep angle from the emerald green Andaman Sea - you are in for the most scenic cruise available in Langkawi.

A true beauty, the elegant luxury catamaran lures with a canopied saloon, an oak wood galley and a spacious deck that boasts sun loungers and indulgent sprawl-out trampolines for leisurely hours in the equatorial sun.

Read more: Manta Blu

HAROO KOREAN RESTAURANT

 KUAH - BANKING DISTRICT

(Map at the bottom)

Tel: +6 012 - 5140049
Email: harooinlangkawi@yahoo.com
Operating Hours: noon - 10pm
Sunday closed

Hidden in a tiny side street close to the bridge that leads from Kuah’s banking district to ‘My Hotel Langkawi’, the Korean Restaurant Haroo is a culinary gem just waiting to be discovered! Never heard of it? The regular guests who rarely skip a week without booking a table did make the impression they would rather keep ‘their’ small Korean restaurant a secret…:-)

Murals depicting scenes of the traditional Korean way of life set the tone for an experience that celebrates both - the authentic flavors of time-honored Korean dishes as well as the distinct Korean dining culture.

Read more: HAROO KOREAN RESTAURANT - Langkawi

LANGKAWI’S TRENDY RESTAURANTS  -  by Kamila Delart

TELAGA ARABIC 
CAFÉ & RESTAURANT

PANTAI CENANG

Tel: +6 04 9552225

Operating Hours: noon - midnight

Conveniently located in the very middle of Pantai Cenang, Telaga Arabic Café & Restaurant is famous for its attentive service and delicious Arabic cuisine.

Surrounded by tropical plants, with Arabic music gently playing in the background, the canopied outdoor patio lures with a relaxed atmosphere. The air-conditioned indoors with built-in partitions offer privacy appreciated especially by Arabic guests and couples.

Read more: TELAGA ARABIC Cafe & Restaurant Langkawi

PISANG
HANDICRAFT & ART VILLAGE

KUAH - Bank District
(Map at the end of the article)

Operating Hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm
Fridays closed

Tel: +6 04 - 955 7730
      +6 012 - 332 6606

pisanglangkawi@gmail.com 
www.pisanglangkawi.com 

Looking for an original gift with a truly Langkawian flair?! Head to Pisang - one of the island’s most famous stores! Founded nearly 20 years ago, the shop specializes in hand-made gamat soaps & lotions that are so popular, they are distributed also to other parts of Malaysia and sold abroad. The miracle ingredients that makes them so unique? Sea Cucumber and Virgin Coconut Oil!

Read more: PISANG Handicraft & Art Village

SEVEN WELLS WATERFALL

by Kamila Delart

Located in the 450 - 550 million years old Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park with rock formations older than the Himalayas, the Telaga Tujuh Waterfall is one of the most magical places on the island.

Formed at the boundary between a Cambrian sandstone and late Triassic granite rocks, the magnificent waterfall is hidden deep in the jungle, embedded in dense tropical foliage.
Follow the rainforest trail, listening to a gentle humming that turns into a thundering sound as you reach the first platform. Falling over an edge 91 meters above your head, the wild water masses bounce off the rugged stony wall, filling the air with a powerful, life-affirming energy.
Enjoy the shade of the rainforest canopy as you climb another set of steps to reach the next platform.

Read more: Seven Wells Waterfall Langkawi

Hi Friends of Langkawi – GOOD NEWS

There is a new development in regard to customs alcohol and cigarette restrictions.

The news is, that the “Chois” 24hrs shops - and probably many others too – can now officially sell beer and cigarettes with no limits and no identification necessary.

When I came across this news I then went to Kuah and here in the 4 big shops selling alcohol there were still the custom people in uniform present. I tried to figure out what the rules are – and I got confirmed that indeed “Chois” (and probably many others) are now allowed to sell alcohol and cigarettes with no limits and no identification.

When I asked if I could here also, in this shop where they were present, buy beer without limit and identification I was told that no, here in the big shop I would have to show my passeport.

Asking what the difference was, it seems that “Chois” is regarded as a 2nd class shop – and what I guess is, that they do not sell hard liquor, but only beer. But as the custom people did not speak English – this is just a guess.

It is now clear that even the system within itself does no longer make any sense – and it looks like a retreat in stages of the custom department to not lose too much face in one go….

Nice to see some sanity coming back to Langkawi :-)

TIME FOR ROMANCE

Planning to spoil your loved one? If looking for romance, Langkawi Island is without a doubt the perfect destination! Long sandy beaches invite to leisurely strolls, stylish yachts tempt with dreamy cruises in-between spectacular limestone cliffs, and the nightly sky sprinkled with shining stars is so intoxicating, you are likely to turn into a poet when softly whispering how much your darling means to you.

Wondering where to stay? Whatever your taste and preference, this comprehensive list of best Langkawi Hotels is sure to help you find a love nest that is just perfect for you and your sweetheart!

In case you are looking for something truly extraordinary – have a closer look at these properties:

Read more: TIME FOR ROMANCE in Langkawi

Help Belinda to find a NEW place 
for the iconic ARTS Café in Kuah

The ARTS Café in Langkawi Fair is forced to close to make way for new 'Branded Outlet' and will have to shut its doors for good unless a new location in Kuah can be found (if possible before May 31st).

Belinda Koh, café owner has been told by her landlord, Langkawi Fair Sdn Bhd, that the Arts gallery cafe has to be relocated to make way for a new branded outlet. The management has offered a new location (at the far end of the mall) to relocate Arts Café, which Belinda feels is neither suitable nor appropriate that it should have to move at all. 

Read more: The ARTS Café in Langkawi

A gourmet?! Whether a resident or a traveler planning to visit Langkawi - make sure to check from time to time the website of The Datai Langkawi - the island’s most iconic resort, famous for its unique culinary events. http://www.thedatai.com/langkawi/

While you may have missed the culinary classes and exquisite 5-course dinner prepared by the 3 Michelin starred chef, Michel Roux - the next gourmet event is surely in the pipeline. And if you don’t want to wait - simply book a table at The Datai’s award winning dining venue, ‘The Pavilion’. An amazing dining experience even without a special event! http://goo.gl/8dc0y6

GOING WITH THE BUFFALOS…

By Kamila Delart

An expat living in Langkawi? Whether you arrived with a small backpack, spontaneously deciding to stay, or whether you spent months meticulously planning every detail of your relocation - chances are, becoming a ‘Langkawian’ wasn’t as easy as you imagined. The beginning is great. Sun and blue skies, the vibrant colors of the tropics, friendly smiles all around… But once the ‘holiday phase’ is over, and you get to unpacking that little box stuffed with personal views, fixed opinions and preconceived truths that we all carry around, things tend to get tough.

Read more: GOING WITH THE BUFFALOS… in Langkawi

TOURISM BOOST for
LANGKAWI

By Kamila Delart

While the number of arrivals tends to be presented by the authorities in a very positive light, those involved in tourism business have another story to tell. And that despite a currency exchange rate that should make Malaysia a top desti-nation for foreigners while simultaneously discouraging domestic travelers from booking trips abroad.

Considering that nearly 80 % of the island’s population relies on tourism as a main source of income - a development that impacts us all!

Read more: TOURISM BOOST FOR LANGKAWI