[Trip] [Guide] How To Get Around In Langkawi

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Due to the lack of public transport on the island, getting around in Langkawi will be quite an issue, and depends on where you stay for the availability. For frequent travels around the island, a car rental is definitely recommended. If you just plan to stay in your resort throughout your whole trip, then you might just need to hire a taxi during the transfer from the jetty or the air port.

TAXI

Taxi on the island generally ranges from RM5 to RM30, depends on the distance and time and is widely available due to the busy tourist industry. Surcharge might apply if you hire a taxi after 10pm. A trip from the airport to Kuah town will cost around RM30 onwards. Travel from Pantai Cenang to Kuah town will cost you around RM25. Be sure to ask for the price before you get on the taxi.

CAR/VAN RENTAL

Car rental is the most economic way to travel around the island especially when you are in a big group. Most of the car rental companies are available at Kuah Jetty and the airport. Price ranges from as low as RM50/day to RM300/day or more, depending on the car type as well as the season. The car rental charges usually cost double during peak season like public holiday. Be sure to know how to bargain for a cheaper fare. 

You may try your luck at Kuah Jetty as the competition there is higher compared to airport and other towns. Just beware of unlicensed operator where there is no insurance coverage for any mishaps occurred during your renting period. Legit car rental companies have to insure their car for their businesses and hence higher price.

During low season, you will see many operators competing each other near the jetty entrance near the taxi pickup/KFC to get customer and that is when you can negotiate for a better deal. Try offer them your budget price and let them match it for you. Nego for cheaper price if you plan to hire more days, and also to ask them pick up their car from your hotel during the end of the rental instead of you delivering the car back to them. This will save you taxi cost to travel back to your hotel.

During my stay, it was low season and I'm able to get a Proton Wira (Auto transmission) for RM140 for three days (72hours). They calculate based on 24 hours blocks, which means, if you rent on 5pm, then your end time will be the next day 5pm. Every extra hour is charged depending on their rate. You may also try to rent a car from the airport when you touch down from your flight but price will be higher than jetty as there is less competitors. Just try asking first before deciding to take a cab.

BIKE RENTAL

Besides renting a car, you may also opt for a cheaper alternative like bikes especially when you travel in single or pairs. I'm not aware of the rental charges for bikes as I don't own a license to ride one. You will be able to see bike renting shops around Kuah and Pantai Cenang area.

Back to main post: Langkawi Field Trip 2013

[Trip] [Guide] Langkawi Field Trip 2013

Langkawi has changed much since I last stepped foot there about 10 years ago. I just been to Langkawi for a 4D3N trip in August recently and would like to share some tips and guides for travelers around Langkawi Island.

The tips and guides will be broken down into several post due to the length but with the main guide and links listed as below (click to view):-

HOW TO GET TO LANGKAWI

- Ferry - From Penang or Kedah

- Flight - Air Asia / Berjaya Air / Malindo Air
 

WHAT TO DO IN LANGKAWI

- Sight visit

- Shopping

- Eat and Drink

- Spa

- Water sport

- Island hopping

WHERE TO STAY IN LANGKAWI

- Kuah (budget to mid range)

- Pantai Cenang/Pantai Tengah (budget to high range)

- Tanjung Rhu (mostly high range)

- Pantai Kok (mostly high range)

 

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN LANGKAWI

- Kuah

- Pantai Cenang/Pantai Tengah

- Tanjung Rhu

- Pantai Kok
 

PLACES TO VISIT IN LANGKAWI

- Kuah

- Pantai Cenang/Pantai Tengah

- Tanjung Rhu

- Pantai Kok
 

HOW TO GET AROUND IN LANGKAWI

- Taxi

- Car/Bike rental
 

WHERE TO SHOP IN LANGKAWI (TIPS INCLUDED)

- Kuah

- Pantai Cenang

Putrajaya Series

Abandoned my blog for quite some time, busy with life and new job. Many stories and photos are piling up to be shared. Today I will share a series of photoshoot done in Putrajaya.

It is not hard to take pictures of Putrajaya given that so many examples available online and as long as you know when and where to go. However, it depends heavily on your luck for a nice weather to shoot on. I have been there twice but only get some satisfactory shots. The first time was a test out for the location but the weather didn't turn out good for me. The second visit was phenomenal with magnificent sunset and colours for the sky.

Do enjoy the photos below.

 

and my personal favourite..

Broken finally..

My Tamron 17-50mm finally broke down after an event shooting last week due to excessive turning of the zoom barrel. After servicing me for more than a year in all extreme and harsh conditions, it finally gives its way and decided to burn a hole in my wallet.

Nevertheless, I sent it to repair at the service center which cost me RM350. Hopefully when I get it back it will be as good as new and I will use it more carefully in future. =(

[Review] Bel Pasto, Aman Puri

In my previous post for Bel Pasto, Kepong Baru I mentioned that they have another branch at Aman Puri before the opening of the Kepong Baru branch and I have never been there. So, this time I paid a visit to the Aman Puri branch instead to try out the menu there and to see whether it is better than the Kepong Baru branch as claimed.

It is located at the shop lot opposite the Shell petrol station and McDonald's at Aman Puri, next to a corner restaurant. The exterior and interior have similar design as of Kepong Baru's branch but it is narrower in comparison to the later.

This time I came with my family instead and we are able to order more off the menu. We tried from starters to pasta, main dishes as well as pizzas. For starters we ordered the soup of the day followed by garlic bread. 

 The soup of the day appears to be chicken soup and it is different from what we usually drank. The chicken soup is more like what we will cook according to the recipe for chicken soup, that is a blend of celery, potatoes and carrot cubes as well as cubes of chicken meat with chicken stock. Well, nothing much to shout out about the soup. Very original taste of the chicken soup recipe, which to be honest, similar to what I will usually prepare at home as well.

The garlic bread is served with a good layer of garlic butter on one side. It is served in 5 pieces for a plate, just nice for a family of five. Also nothing much to shout out about the garlic bread and it is good as starters while waiting for the dishes.

We ordered a few types of pasta including macaroni, penne and lasagne. As described previously, the tomato sauce is prepared by themselves using fresh tomato. The presentation is also plain and simple unlike the fancy decorations that you found in other Italian restaurants.

Then here comes one the lamb shank. We noticed it has a chef's recommendation icon there and decided to give it a try. Their lamb shank is served with salad and tomato rice, which is slightly different from other restaurants that has different side dishes to accompany it. The lamb shank has a very heavy taste and I don't think many will like it. The usual gamey smell when having mutton is strong in this dish and have to be eaten together with the rice in order to minimise it.

On the other hand, the pizza is worth trying. The pizza we order has four different types of toppings but we opt the beef for other ingredients which is mushroom and tomato. The pizza is called a Pizza Quatro, which explains of having four different toppings. The crust is very nice with soft and chewy texture, accompanied by nice wheat aroma. The pizza is a good try.

Last but not least will be the Tiramisu. The Tiramisu definitely worth trying for every visit. As described in my previous post, the Tiramisu is prepared using the original recipe that uses lady finger biscuits dipped in thick coffee and layered with mascarpone cheese. It will not disappoint.

I guess I have wrapped up for both branches and already have a rough idea on which to order for my next visit if I fancy for any Italian food nearby. Read up about the Kepong branch from this link: http://gavincty.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-bel-pasto-kepong.html