I was at Langkawi at the invitation of a client over the weekend. Together with four other colleagues, our host put us up at Kampung Tok Senik, a rustic and sleepy resort comprising chalets and bungalows set in a kampung style amidst a lush natural backdrop. It's a nice change from the usual 3 or 4-star star hotels we got used to.
What would one expect on a working trip like this? Other then work, it's pretty much what a tourist would do in a foreign land - lazing around by the pool, enjoying the sun, the sand and the sea, and retail therapy, of course, to blow away our money.
Our host, instead of bringing us to the usual Underwater World or cable car ride, took us on a boat ride to Sungei Kilim. The idea is to feed eagles out in the wild. Quietly, I was pleased because though I'm hardly the out-door type, the thought of the Underwater World and Cable Car didn't exactly appeal to me. After all, these two attractions could be found in Singapore too.
The journey on Sungei Kilim would have pleased enthusiasts of Chek Jawa to no end. Living in the mangrove swamp of Sungei Kilim are numerous flora and fauna such as the long-tailed macaques monkeys, iguanas and the Tree Crabs.
Langkawi is actually an acronym for "Lang" which means Eagle in English, and "Kawi" meaning Brown Stone. Is it any wonder than that the Reddish Brown Eagles could be found in the island?
When time came to stop the boat to feed the eagles, we realised that the only souls besides us were a group of tourists on board another boat anchored about 200 meters away from ours. Within minutes of our arrival and as if on cue, the sky was filled with about 30 to 40 eagles circling and waiting to be fed. Somehow, these creatures could sense that we mere mortals were there for a mission - to feed the eagles. It was magnificent, the way these majestic looking creatures swooped down from high above to feast on the feed we threw into the river.
Our host told us that the Malaysian government has endorsed the feeding of the eagles. The reason is pure and simple - the lure of the tourist money. Unfortunately, this tourist attraction is doing more harm then good to the eagles, which are slowly losing their ability to hunt for food naturally. The feed that we threw into the river, comprising chicken entails and rotten fish aren't exactly healthy diet for the eagles. In fact, he added that the long-term effect of feasting on such diet has begun to show its toll on the birds, with some losing their feathers and some laying eggs with shell that was weak, resulting in the eagles becoming endangered. The lure of the tourist dollars is irristable. One can only hope that these eagles, pretty much like the proverbial goose that lays the golden eggs, will not go the way of the dinosaurs.
Along the way, we passed by Bat Cave or Gua Kelawar in Malay. The sight of the many bats hanging on the ceiling of the cave sort of made my hair stand on end.
What's a holiday, albeit a working holiday, without shopping? I was happy shopping, more so because I was really touched by the warmth and friendliness of the sales people at Langkawi, both at shopping mall or even at the humble family-owned kedai-kedai in the rural areas. They are always smiling a genuine smile. I felt the same warm when I was in Bangkok. Though we are ahead in so many fields, I feel we Singaporeans have a thing or two to learn from our neighbours when it comes to giving good service and hospitality. We're really unique in that sense; hence the phrase "Uniquely Singapore" coined by the STPB.
I also got to know my colleagues a little better over the weekend. You know what they said if you can "survive" a trip with a friend and come home remain as friends, that friendship will last forever? Guess what? That "crap" is true!
Two more last shots I took of Sungei Kilim. I like these two shots best 'cause they project an image of calm and tranquillity...
4 comments:
Wow, this post was definitely well worth the long wait and the many repeated visits to your blog in vain. A very well-written and interesting post! So many well-taken photos some more. But, about the misty morning photo - better check your cameral lens, looks like mould growing on it, wahaha.
This post is extremely pleasing "to no end" to me who is one of the "enthusiasts of Chek Jawa" as you so aptly put it. (Now maybe that Ria might finally notice your blog, wahaha.)
I am very surprised that you could squeeze in so many (R&R) activities into 2 short days besides the work assignment you were supposed to do. Hope your work assignment didn't suffer at all because of you R&R activities. :) Oh yes, I forgot - you are very good at multi-tasking hor.
Victor, you embarrassed me with your high praises. I'm just a "cheeky" boy who is happiest doodling nonsensical stuff on my blog. Sounds familiar?
uncle chris!
hoho xmas is coming soon! ^^ actually, any plans for xmas? :D
anyways, the pictures are thumbs up! and really lah.. blog more lah.. (that includes the grinning uncle victor too!) lemme see more about thoughts you chaps (hehe) have.. ^^
and i particularly the last pic. such calmness i could feel.. how i wish there is a place like this in singapore... :)
- EteL
Hi Etel,
Yeah. X'mas is almost here. No plans other then spending time with the family. What about you? What's your X'mas like? And what does X'mas mean to you?
About blogging more, I used to be more prolific then before, penning my thoughts just about on everything. I still do, but can't deny the fact the novelty of blogging has worn off a fair bit for me :P
You too, like Uncle Vic, made me "blush". Pics of a grinning Vic? Someday soon, Etel, someday soon..
Ya, I thought too, that the last two pics were pretty cool, and I think if we try hard enough, we may be able to find such places in some corner of Singapore, perhaps Pulau Ubin or Chek Jawa?
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