Kuah > Pentai Cenang (38km, 2h25)

First day in Langkawi. From what I’ve heard until today, this island is the first tourist destination in Malaysia. That’s what I’m afroad of… Personally, I prefer Borneo with its adventurous side. Touristy places means to me, higher prices for anything, especially food in my case. I did not plan to go there at first but like Penang, everyone is talking about it. Even the Malay family we met in Kuala Lumpur, Amir told us about this island many times. Our goal is to find as much free things as possible. Fortunately, there is some like watching Parachutes, jungle walks, waterfall and cycling around the island :-)

Map.

First free thing to do in Langkawi, a lookout. From the main road, when I was able to see the carpark, I’ve seen a Malaysian family in their car, driving back from the back of the carpark. I’m sure they did not go up there. They drove as far as they could and watched the view from their car. I’ve seen that in New Zealand and Australia which is very sad to me. But at least many people over there like sport. Here, when you see one guy running it’s like wow! Look! one person is doing some sport! Wow! Scooter is the national sport here, like Indonesia haha.

It takes less than a minute to get up there. Very hard hey (being sarcastic). That’s very doable unless you cannot walk.

So, what kind of view do we have from here?

The airport… ok, why not.

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After the lookout, we kept cycling up and downhill to reach the coast and then turned right to see the beach which is advertised as wonderful. Hmm, ok… That’s nice here but there is not much of sand here. Maybe over there? Maybe that’s not the right beach.

Still very nice view but still not any sand.

That’s finally it, except we are now front of a resort. I imagine this beach is dedicated to its member. I’m not sure if I like this.

The southern part of the beach is occupied by fishermen who must have been here before anyone else.

Each boat has a serie of coloured lights above its roof. I’m wondering if it’s simply for navigation purpose or for fishing purpose. The “arm” on what these lightbulbs are fixed seems to rotate. In that case, it could be positioned over the water. I remember when I was in New Zealand, we fish eels using a torch. It did work very well. Maybe some fish are attracted by a specific colours. Maybe I’m making all that up too :-) No idea.

We left the northern beach, came back on our track for a little while, cycled around the airport and are now getting very close to the tourist area called “Pantai Cenang”. You will see why very soon :-)

Finally a real, long and white sand beach.

The jetsky are ready, well the last one :-)

The beach goes on and on. Tourist are happy.

It’s pretty hot now so I keep myself in the shade. I’m not crazy like those “red” cooked tourists. Sorry, I’m angry about tourists today.

Another tourist attraction that you can find anywhere around the world: The… how do we call this again? Rah! I don’t even remember that.

At the beginning, there was only 2 parachutes in the sky. But as soon as more tourists arrived, they kept running more parachutes up to 6, or 5 I’m not sure.

Most of the people have a “guide” who seat on a piece of tissue without any particular security. I’m not sure that’s the same case in “modern” countries.

Sometimes around 50 metres before landing, the guide suspended himself other the void. They really look like they enjoy their job.

As soon as they land, they detach the person, clip another one as quick as they can. Two other guys keep the parachute open.

Once all done, they wave the boat driver and the new trip starts. All this last 30s on the beach and 5 minutes (maybe) in the air.

Video!

The whole team work together with fun.

I think I enjoy more watching the turnover and the team on the beach working than doing it myself.

Another one is coming back. My tip to you would be to come a bit before sunset when there is more people. For the same price (about 130 ringgit) the tour last longer because with 5 or 6 parachutes, the boat has to drive further to leave some time to the guides on the beach to detach/attach tourists.

This is definitely the main activity of the beach. Since 3pm, and certainly since even this morning, the parachutes run non-stop. 130 ringgit each 5 minutes, the whole day, something like 12 hours. The boss must be very happy with his company :-)

Another one.

And two more.

Parachutes take over the sky.

That’s four in one shot :-)

If I was a tourist, not a traveller, I would have tried I guess. 130 ringgit, this is about 4 days of food for me! The best option would be to use this parachutes as a transportation to go on another island. You go the morning, enjoy a part of the day on one island, catch another parachute, visit a second island, do some snorkeling and finally come back on the beach. I would feel I spent my ringgit for something useful more than just turn in circle.

This sailers found the good spot, or maybe not… You sit on your boat with a drink and ended by feeling your head spinning after a while haha.

Pantai Cenang sunset.

Parachute are still there.

Tomorrow, we are going to visit the place called “seven wells”. This is somewhere at the feet of this mountain chain on the background, about 30 kilometres from here.

Same fisherman boat again! It still doesn’t tell me how it works.

The banana boat, the last choice you would make if you don’t like to be wet.

No sun anymore but parachutes remain!

At this time of the day, the guides use light stick to control the parachutes landing. These are the last landing I guess. That’s a full day for those guys but it doesn’t stop them to work with a huge smile on their face.

That’s time for us to find something to eat (certainly more expensive than normally). Then we will cycle a bit further to find a spot for tonight.

Good night.