Langkawi... Gentle breezes ripple the waves as they reflect the rays of the sun; nearby, the majestic red eagle spreads its wings, ready to fly as high and as far as the eye can see. Today, at the beginning of the new millennium, Langkawi, like its namesake - the eagle, is set to soar to greater heights and new-found fame. At the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, where the Straits of Malacca meets the Indian Ocean, there lies a cluster of mostly uninhabited islands just 30 kilometres off the coast of Kedah state. Of the 104 islands, only two are populated. Langkawi is one, and it is by far the largest island of all, at around 478.5 square kilometres. The interior of the island is hilly with dense forestation. Hardly surprising, as its equatorial climate favours plants with thick foliage. It sees lots of rain from April to October while its dry season is much drier than most areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Almost all the surrounding islands are not habitable as they are merely tiny deserted atolls. Efforts have been made to introduce Langkawi to the international crowd and Langkawi now plays host to a multitude of visitors, both foreign and local, with international events like the Tour de Langkawi, an annual cycling competition which starts in Langkawi and ends in Kuala Lumpur. World class athletes make their way to this tropical island to compete in a prestigious event that is given world-wide coverage by the international media. Langkawi, a predominantly Malay area, has a duty-free status which makes it a popular shopping destination, especially among Malaysians. |
