Langkawi
28 Jun 2013 | Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
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I have 40hrs left before becoming an illegal immigrant in Thailand, so I finally set off, direction Malaysia! I found a ride in Ko Lanta's ferry directly to the border (border run: they take a few tourists' passports, drive to the border, have them stamped 'somehow', and voilà the tourists can stay longer) so I'm done in 4hrs only. The border I found myself at is not far from Langkawi, so I think I could as well have a look there.
After Ko Lanta's quietness and wilderness, I have to say that I am quite disappointed of Langkawi. It is full of big buildings and tourists resorts, everything is expensivee even if the island is duty-free, when you exit the ferry you find yourself in a huge duty-free mall, and overall it's full of tourists, thoses who walk around in the street wearing only swimsuit while the local around wear headscarf or even the niqab (Malaysia's official religion is Islam, and most of the locals in Langkawi are Muslims). While hitchhiking around I talk with some locals, and they don't seems too happy about that situation, they tell me that fifteen to twenty years ago it was quiet paradise, that was before mass tourism settled in.
But nevertheless, the island is indeed beautiful. The Seven Wells area with the waterfall is amazing, and the jungle around pretty quiet (except for leeches, ouch!). It would be a nice place to explore if owning a boat as they are tens of little wild islands around.