The sky was still in the midst of waking when we left Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel; even though i slept quite well and was able to drive the car, Alex insisted on taking over the wheel. According to him, i still have a high risk of dozing off, as i did on Jeju Island.
About 40 minutes later, we arrived at Kuah Jetty where we would be taking a ferry to Alor Setar to visit Alex's auntie, whom i also know and hadn't seen for about eight years!
Jetty Point, the mall attached to the jetty, had plenty of duty free shops (which had yet to open for business) and i made a mental note to check them out when i returned later in the evening.
Proceeding to the pier as it's already boarding time!
Tickets were purchased online via Langkawi Ferry Line and each way cost us RM 23.00. You don't have to exchange your tickets; just download and print the ticket from your email.
No last call was made so i happily swiped out my camera and took the above photos of the quiet and peaceful surroundings.
Directional signage pointing us to the correct ferry; the Marine Star II. I was hoping for comfortable seats and a smooth journey as the ride would be about two hours and i am prone to seasickness.
Let me present to you the interior of Marine Star II - as we chose one of the earliest timings, the ferry was, thankfully, pretty empty!
Large screen showing Despicable Me 3; i hadn't watched the movie yet and couldn't resist having my eyes glued to the screen throughout the ferry ride.
Strong air-conditioning! Another plus since my seasickness has the tendency to sticks its ugly head out when it's hot, humid, jerky and crowded.
We spotted the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia about 100 minutes into the journey! I am super pleased that i didn't get seasick as once it strikes; it would likely affect my mood for at least 2-3 hours.
A gas tank!? Isn't that dangerous?
Surroundings of Kuala Kedah; in order to get to Alor Setar, state capital for Kedah, we would still need to make another car journey.
More photographs after disembarking Marine Star II.
I was wondering if there would be taxi queue and even then, i am worried i would be quoted a fixed rate which would likely be more expensive. My worries were unfounded as i managed to find a driver using the GRAB app on my phone.
The drive to the centre of Alor Setar was about 30 minutes; i am actually rather paranoid when i am overseas and would constantly check the GPS, using the Google Map app, to ensure we are going towards the correct direction.
We knew the GRAB driver was on the right track when Alor Setar Tower, the tallest telecommunication tower in Kedah, loomed in front of us!
Since we didn't know how to go to Alex's auntie's house, the arrangement made was to meet her at Alor Setar Tower since it's THE icon for the state capital.
Didn't take us long to find the bubbly auntie and since we didn't manage to have breakfast, it's time for brunch! Given how picky Alex can be when it comes to food, nowhere would be better than Aman Central Mall, the biggest shopping centre in Northern Malaysia.
I must be famished as i had brunch at Nando's, yogurt soft server at Llaollao and finally coffee and toast from XiXiang Kaya Kopitiam. There were so much time for me as Alex and his auntie were busy shopping for a new mobile phone. By the way, there's a Hanzo store at Aman Central Mall; those who play Overwatch would know who i am referring to.
Alor Setar Tower again! Nope, we were not going to the tower. Instead, we were waiting at the taxi stand to take a cab to Alex's auntie's house! From the map, it didn't look far but pampered Alex would not endure walking under the hot sun!
Alex's auntie's house reminded me a lot of my house in the village last time although during my time, which was about more than 30 years ago, there were a lot lesser modern amenities. Click here to see the inside of auntie's house!
Loving the stray dogs that were cared by her; check out my link here for more photos!
Our stay at auntie's house was short-lived (only about 30 over minutes) as it would be such a pity for us to have gone all the way to Alor Setar without any attempt to visit its tourist attractions!
On a GRAB car again!
View taken from the tourist attraction that we visited. Guess it's a no-brainer for most of you as the angle from high up would have been an obvious hint; yes, we visited the 165.5-meter tall Alor Setar tower!
For more photos taken mostly from the 88-meter high observation deck of Alor Setar Tower, click here. Note that both the revolving restaurant and open deck were closed when we were there.
After last minute shopping at Aman Central Mall, it's GRAB to the rescue again; for us to return to the ferry terminal for our ride back to Langkawi! p.s. the car drove past the building housing the Kedah State Art Gallery.
The Chinatown area of Alor Setar. Shortly after the Chinatown plaque, the GRAB driver told us that on the side would be the childhood home of Dr Mahathir, the 93-year-old politician, who managed to shake the world last year by toppling the political party that had governed the country since its independence!
Mosques sighted along the way; the population, numbering over 2 million, in Kedah are mainly Muslims which constitute a high of about 77%.
Our friend had to stop whenever he sees a cat!
Arrival at Kuala Kedah jetty with sufficient time; over 30 minutes before official departure at 5.00 pm. Contrast this to the morning when we had only about 15 minutes.
From the number of people waiting, i guessed it would be another rather empty ferry on our way back! Honestly, i was happy as it would mean more space!
As the time slowly inched towards 5.00 pm, i felt that something was off. There's no ferry in sight and there's the fear that we might have missed the ferry which would be impossible as i double-checked the date and timing numerous times. I approached the counter and was just informed to "wait"; delay maybe?
Figuring there's nothing much i can do, i walked back to the glass gates and prayed that the ferry would be arriving soon! p.s. caught sight of a water lizard in the swamp right outside!
I even managed to book a four-hour private boat, mangrove tour at Kilim Geoforest Park through Alanona on day four of our trip.
At 5.24 pm, we finally saw people alighting from a ferry that docked at the pier. Before long, we were allowed to walk towards the jetty where another queue formed as the ferry crew still needed to unload stuff. Since i don't like to waste time, i might as well make use of it by taking pictures!
Like this one showing Jambatan Tok Pasai bridge that cuts across the Kedah river. If i have a speedboat, i can actually cruise up the river towards Alor Setar.
Low tide and i can spot crabs and mud skippers on the mangrove ground! See if you can see them from the above photograph!
Finally, we can board the ferry! Our seats brought us to the front of the boat where an air-con unit was blasting nice, cool air at us. As we were just about to get comfortable, a couple came over and said the seats were theirs!
Doubled checked with the crew and we were eventually pushed to seats reserved for the crew! It didn't have the air-con blowing at us but there's ample leg space. I felt sorry for the crew who would have to give up their seats for us though.
Don't think the bread was for us!
Movie was Rampage but the television screen was much smaller than the one at Marine Star II and it's on the side which would mean a higher risk for motion sickness to kick in! Sigh, i can't watch then.
Setting sun at a little past 7.00 pm; i had to force myself to close my eyes as the ride back to Kuah jetty was a lot bumpier and i can feel my head spinning a bit mid-way through the journey.
Even though we departed Kuala Kedah jetty at close to 6.00 pm, it's a surprise that our arrival in Langkawi was only about 15 minutes past 7.00 pm. That's like 45 minutes faster than our morning ferry and i guess that explained why the ride was so bumpy; i thought it was a result of strong waves or something.
Better view of the setting sun!
We didn't stop to 'document' its full process to slumber as all of us were super shagged and the only thing pending before we drove back to Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel was dinner!
I managed to persuade my travel mates to just give me a few minutes to check out the duty free stores and to be honest, i was really quick about it and didn't find anything that caught my fancy.
Signage welcoming visitors to Langkawi.
That's the direction of Eagle Square (Dataran Lang), which was known to be exceptionally beautiful at sunset, but the grouchy look on Alex's face means i shouldn't attempt to ask for even a short detour.
Parking fee at Kuah jetty; only RM 6.00 for almost 12 hours!
Dinner at Restoran Teo; a mere 10-minute drive away!
For review and more photos, click here.
Drive back to Cenang from Kuah town; it was terrifying as many roads were not illuminated and there were not many cars too. Please be assured that i was the vehicle commander and Alex was the driver.
Took a badly needed shower back in Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel and we hit the street again; finally, alcohol time at the nearby Yellow Beach Cafe!
Wedding proposal / declaration of love, i guess, on Cenang Beach; so romantic right with all the balloon and LED lights?!
In actual fact, i don't mind having beer by the beach from the pop-up beach bars; imagine having my toes running through the sand and the sea breeze brushing against my face. However, i am just worried i would be served fake booze.
Fire performance at the beach bar! For the bystanders, it's all cool and amazing although from those with closer contact (i.e. customers); you can't deny its danger in the midst of excitement!
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Detailed Posting for the Day
Aman Central MallXiXiang Kaya Kopitiam
Remembering My Kampong House
The Stray Dogs near Alex's Auntie's House
Alor Setar Tower
Restoran Teo Seafood Restaurant
Yellow Beach Cafe
