Langkawi Trip Part VIII : Island Hopping

Continued from Langkawi Trip Part VII : Tanjung Rhu Beach

Next morning, a van picked us up from our motel to a nearby beach to board a speedboat for the [tag]Island Hopping[/tag] package we purchased. It cost RM35 per pax, including transportation. It is worth mentioning that Island Hopping is a very common activity in [tag]Langkawi[/tag] that almost every resort/motel offers it. The only difference is the price that they quote you, some as high as RM60.

Island hopping is a term that has several different definitions as it is applied in various fields. Generally, the term refers to the means of crossing an ocean by a series of shorter journeys between islands, as opposed to a single journey directly across the ocean to the destination.

Taking the 3.5 hours Island Hopping tour, one will get to visit (with accordance) [tag]Pulau Dayang Bunting[/tag], [tag]Pulau Singa Besar[/tag] and [tag]Pulau Beras Basah[/tag]. Pulau Dayang Bunting (Isle Of The Pregnant Maiden) was about 15 minutes from where we left. The name comes from the island’s physical appearance, which looked like a pregnant lady lying on her back, as seen in the photo I took above.

We got off the boat at the jetty in Pulau Dayang Bunting to visit another legendary legacy, Tasik Dayang Bunting ([tag]Lake Of The Pregnant Maiden[/tag]) We were given approximately an hour to spend on the island doing whatever we wanted. We climbed a rock stair for 15 minutes to reach the lake and there were a lot of monkeys around. Luckily they were not aggressive.

Tasik Dayang Bunting
Nestled amidst lush forested hill on an island south of Pulau Langkawi is Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden), the largest lake in Langkawi. The outline of hills and rocky outcrops on one side of the lake resembles the shape of a pregnant maiden lying on her back. However, the name of both the island and lake is attributed to the legend of a lovely fairy princess who married an earthly prince. Her first child died shortly after birth. She was so sad and depressed that she buried the child in the crystal clear waters of the lake. Before she returned to her celestial abode, she blessed the waters so that any childless maiden who bathed in the lake would conceive thereafter.

Upon reaching the lake, there was a big map indicating the activities available as well as the lake’s interesting spots.

We rented a peddle boat for 30 minutes at RM15. On the other hand, solar powered peddle boats cost RM30 (it’s too rich for our blood lol) Peddling the boat required a lot of leg strength and gosh they move so slowly. Visitors are allowed to swim here and life jackets can be rented, but we didn’t bring any swimming attires.

Shown here is the [tag]Miracle Border[/tag] in Lake Of The Pregnant Maiden. The name “Miracle Border” comes from the fact that the distance between the lake’s border and the sea is only 30 metre. Hence, it is wondered why the lake’s water is not salty even though it is so near to the sea.

After returning our peddle boat, we bought a pack of fish feed at RM3 to feed the cat fishes on the platforms.

The cat fishes come in swarm and the feeling of them gliding our legs was just so geli, especially when we place the fish feed near our feet. Don’t worry they won’t bite

Then we headed to Pulau Singa Besar to see eagle feeding. There were about 30 eagles of various colors (grey, brown, black) flying around and retrieving chicken meats thrown into the water.

Pulau Singa Besar is an island that has been turned into a nature park come animal sanctuary where visitors can view monkeys, deer, iguanas and peacocks roaming about freely (no cages). Picnic on the pristine beaches and enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the surroundings waters.

However, Pulau Singa Besar is now closed to tourists to restore its beauty. That is why eagle feeding is the activity here, as a substitution.

Pulau Singa Besar has very extensive and beautiful mangrove jungles, with eagles overseeing us proudly on the trees.

The last destination of Island Hopping is Pulau Beras Basah (weird name eh?)

Pulau Beras Basah literally means Island of Wet Rice. It features lush, mysterious jungle with mountains looming in the background. You can expect to see spectacular sights like the breathtakingly beautiful beach with its white powdery sand and blue-green waters. Do some snorkelling or swimming–or simply relax in the sun.

The sea water here is really blue-green and quite clear too, fishes can be seen from the jetty.

Most of the people in the beach are just relaxing and playing in the sea. Siang Leng and I couldn’t hold ourselves seeing the clear sea water, we jumped in and played too We got ourself wet but it dried up quickly under the hot sun.

One thing I felt sad about this island was the amount of litters everywhere. Mineral water bottles and plastic bags are all over the beach. I think the reason for this is that the island does not have any rubbish bins.

Taken on the way back to our boat. Goodbye Pulau Beras Basah, it was an unforgettable experience.

Continues to Langkawi Trip Part IX : Pelangi Beach Resort