Getting high in Langkawi

Arriving back from the cold and fog of a Delhi winter it felt very pleasant to be back in the warmth of Langkawi. 

Bali Hai had been on the hard at Rebak Marina during our trip around northern India, and while we were away her anti foul was replenished by Noel Bradley’s team at Rebak Marina. 

As someone who hates heights going up and down this ladder is not my favourite thing!

We were thrilled with the result, it was a much better job than we would have done and we were pleased with the very fair price that Noel (who runs the chandlery store) had charged. 

Noel Bradley’s team finish off the antofoul before Bali Hai is “splashed”

There were only a few days to prepare for our first boat visitor of the year – the Capt’n’s brother from England – so we quickly got on to the boat jobs we needed to get done before we “splashed” Bali Hai. 

Bali Hai is lowered into the water

Everything went smoothly when we put Bali Hai back in the water – even the docking process at the marina was without incident. Must be getting better at this boat business!

We had decided to sail around Langkawi with our guest rather than venture to Thailand which we had opted for with our last boat visitors. We had such a drama checking into Thailand last November at Koh Lipe we agreed it was all too hard. Apart from that, there are some really beautiful and interesting places to visit in and around Langkawi. 

Our first boat guest of the year

After a couple of nights at Rebak Marina to allow the Capt’n’s brother to get over jet lag and adjust to the warm weather, we set off for Telaga Harbour. For this short hop we had three extra hands aboard- three very interesting, charming and likeable guys from Germany that we had initially met in the doctor’s surgery and then again later in the Rebak Island resort. 

On the way to Telaga Harbour

The short sail was a first for our German friends and they seemed to be quite taken with it. 

Our new deckhands

While in Telaga we hired a car and decide to drive up to the highest point of Langkawi- Gunung Raya (881 metres) – a first for us. 

Beautiful views from Gunang Raya

The narrow road that wound round the hill was good with some spectacular views on the way up when there was the occasional gap in the otherwise dense rainforest. 

The view from the decidedly fragile balcony

At the top there was a resort (not sure if many people stay there!) and a tower which is open to the public for a small fee – 10 MR (around Aus$3).

The swaying tower of Langkawi

The views from the tower are spectacular although I didn’t stay  on the balcony for too long as there was a terrifically high wind which whistled around the tower. I swear it was swaying and the railing round the balcony looked far too frail. 

On the windy balcony

What would happen if a big gust forced me into the railing and it collapsed? That would be the end of me. 

TV and telephone towers on Gunung Raya

As you can tell I am not fond of heights so I retreated to the comfort of the tower’s window-lined room and the spicy tea that was on offer free of charge. It was a bit of a relief stepping into the lift to go down to the bottom of the tower, I can assure you. 
My dislike of heights was tested once again when we took the famous cable car up Mt. Machinchang, the mountain that towers over our anchorage in Telaga Harbour. 

On the cable car

The cable car takes you 2.2km up the mountain to the height of 708 metres above sea level and is purported to be the highest cable car in the world! As this was our second time I was marginally less freaked out and once again loved the stunning views when we were up there. 

Putting on a brave face

View from the top

After all that getting high in Langkawi I was ready for some more activities at sea level!