Langkawi – Part 2 (Island Hopping, Dataran Lang, Laman Padi)

It’s our 2nd days in Langkawi! Since we have explored most of the places that we wanted to go the day before, today we opt for an Island Hopping trip which cost us RM30 per pax. The price is way reasonable for us as the trip will takes about 4 to 5 hours and covered a few places.  As we’re waiting for our pick up, it started to rain. We’re very much hoping that luck will be just on our side. Alhamdullilah, it’s only drizzling once we reached the jetty. The trip started as early as 9.30am and ends somewhere around 3.00pm. Just an extra tips if you decided to go for this tour, do bring along water bottle and light snacks as the tour might extend right after lunch time.

Our first destination of the day is definitely Pulau Dayang Bunting or Pregnant Maiden Island. It was the second largest island in Langkawi as mentioned by our tour guide. Correct us if we’re wrong. The highlight of the island is definitely the biggest natural lake which is Tasik Dayang Bunting or Pregnant Maiden Lake. It was told that the fresh water lake was formed when a huge underground limestone collapsed followed by a few version of legends and myths.

Pulau Dayang Bunting or Pregnant Maiden Island. Can you spot a side view of a pregnant lady from here?

The surrounding

Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. Do be careful with your food or other stuff as there is tendency that the wild monkeys will sneak and grab your things.

To get to the fresh water lake, a short hiking of 10 to 15 minutes are required to reach the destination.

And this is it! We’re then welcomed with one of the most magnificent natural landscapes here in Langkawi. As promised by the tour guide, we were given 1 hour to spent our time here. Basically, you can swim or rent a solar or  a paddle boat with such a reasonable rates. It is advisable to rent a life jacket if you decided to swim as the depth of the lake is about 30 to 50 feet. You might not want to take the risk even though you are good swimmer.

Not to forget, the legend of the Tasik Dayang Bunting.

According to local legend, it began when a male elf named Mat Teja fell in love at the first sight, with Dayang Bunting, a female elf. Mat Teja won her heart by rubbing a mermaid’s tear drop on his face. Their romantic and intimate relationship became complete with Dayang’s pregnancy. Dayang then decided to retire at Tasik Dayang Beranak (Maiden Giving Birth Lake). Nine months later, Dayang gave birth to a child. Unfortunately, the child died after seven days. Saddened by the event, Dayang decided to bury her baby in the lake. After the incident, the lake was known as Tasik Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Lake) as a way for the locals to pay their condolences to the couple.

Source: Langkawi Geopark

Done with the lake, we proceed to the eagle feeding area. It was told that there are 2 types of eagles that can be commonly seen here which is the ‘Brown Eagle’ and ‘Sea Eagle’.  Unfortunately, our tour guide raised his concern that it’s sad and worried to see that all the eagles are now living unnaturally as there are too dependents being fed by the boat operator. We might foresee that the animal food chain will be dysfunctional if it’s been too commercialized. Thinking about it again, he really got a point!

And the last destination of the island hopping are the Pulau Beras Basah.  It was such an inviting powdery white beach where it offers a lots of beach activities such as parasailing, banana boat ride, snorkelling besides swimming by the beach or just lazying under the sun.

Right in the afternoon, we drove down to Kuah Town just to get chocolate supplies till end of year for us, families and friends. Where else if it’s not in Haji Ismail Group. We got crazy selecting and choosing the chocolates! Since we are in Kuah Town, our whole trip wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t witness the signature of Langkawi which is the Dataran Lang or Eagle Square.  It features a giant eagle statue with a beautiful landscape of ponds, bridges and waterfront.

Last but not least, our short visit to Laman Padi. Unfortunately, it was under going a major renovation. We just managed to get a sneak peek at the paddy field area.

With much regret, both of us decided to look for a real one around Langkawi Island. We finally ended up by the roadside at one of the kampung road heading to Makam Mahsuri. It was once of the best moment for both of us to witness a beautiful paddy field with a natural landscape around. We sat there for a while appreciating the nice view!

We considered this as a wrap for our second day in Langkawi.

We will continue our journey on Part 3 – Beaches in Langkawi.

Simply us,
Zara AB & FF
The Province of Chroma