We have just arrived home in Beijing after 6 wonderful nights on Langkawi Island in Malaysia. If you would have asked us where Langkawi was a few months ago, we wouldn't have been able to tell you a thing about the place. Please believe me when I tell you that this is a true gem and a small piece of paradise!
Last Saturday, we took off from Beijing early in the morning and flew a 6 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then, after a quick layover, and an hour flight, we touched down in Langkawi!
As soon as we fot off the plane, the tropical heat and humidity began to soak in. What a welcomed change from the cold and dry air of Beijing! And, all the green vegetation helped get this vacation started.
The place we stayed at was gorgeous! Located in a quiet bay that is nestled within a bunch of rounded mountains covered in dense tropical foliage. Right away, it brought back memories of Hong Kong and Singapore (which is right around the corner). Here at the resort, we were definately treated like kings. Doors opened, rides to our front door, bags carried, etc... A bit unsettling to be honest... I'm not used to this type of treatment. Plus, I was right in the middle of reading Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth. An awesome novel, but one that makes a person living in the lap of luxury EXTRA thankful for what he's been blessed with.
While there, we rented a car and drove (on the opposite side of the road, mind you), to a place where the boys were able to ride an elephant, feed rabbits and deer by hand, and held monkeys. Speaking of monkeys, there were both monkeys and macaus running around our resort. At first it was a Sight we couldn't get enough of. But, reality quickly set in and we realized that the macaws were a bit of a nuisnace. They rolled through the resort between 7 and 8 in the morning and were not shy. For instance, I was sitting out on our deck taking the morning in when a few of these guys decided to see what I was up to. They must be used to intimidating people sitting out on the porch. These people, who may be eaing, quickly go into their room, leaving whatever they are eating for the macaws to grab and eat. Well, I didn't have anything to offer them other than a rolled up towel. I didn't realize how scary these things could get by just showing up and looking at me. Add to that, they run in groups, so there ended up being between 5 and 10 of these blood thirsty creatures (note the embellishment to maintain my manhood), on our porch.
After going eye to eye with a handful of these things, I relented and excused myslef to the room to try and get my heart rate back under 200 beats per minute. This also offered me a chance to go and grab my camera to take a few shots as proof. But, as fate always has it, they had gone off to scare another resort patron by the time I had gathered myself and get the camera ready.
The pool goes right up to the beach where we stayed. These areas were where we spent a bulk of our time relaxing and watching the boys play in and around the water. Kieran was happy to comb the beaches looking for shells and "treasures", while Kellan was very happy to run into the gentle ocean waves as long as we would let him. As a parent, it sure is both a joy and a blessing to see them so full of happiness.
Laurie loved to hang out in the warm and sunny weather and either play with the boys, or read and relax. This type of weather has a way of recalibrating one self, and it was clearly evident with Laurie. She deserved a break, and was able to get one in Langkawi.
I personally was able to do a ton of reading, taking little hikes on the beach and going on little excursions, and sleep a bunch. The ocean brings back many many wonderful memories of both Navy times as well as North Carolina times.
We ended meeting up with a family who happens to live in Beijing and send their two sons to ISB. We went out to dinner for an evening on the other side of the island. We walked along the beach until we found a little place to eat. There, we had a few drinks and watched the boys run around and play in the sand as the sun went down. It was one of those moments when you stop and try to take it all in. Everything seems to "line-up" and seem absolutely perfect. It's one of those times that I will hold dear and will think of for a long time.
On our last day in Langkawi, Kieran and I took a boat tour of some surrounding islands, swam in a remote freshwater lake on one of the islands, and fished in the sea. We were in one of those little native boats that was run by a man who has lived around this sea his whole life.
Kieran and I enjoyed the time together as well as the sights and the fishing. On the island with the lake, there were many monkeys all over the place. By this time, we were not as awe inspired with these creatures as we were earlier in the week. But, the lake was very refreshing and nice.
Apparently, in this lake are some small fish who will come up and nibble on the dead skin on a person's feet. I swam around in the lake for a good twenty minutes and felt nor saw any signs of these aquatic masseuses. To be honest, the thought of a fish nibbling on my body is not an appealing thought, so I was plenty content being left alone. Maybe my mixed-blood makeup does not attract the appetites of these Southeast Asian fish. Good....
After leaving the island, we put out and began to fish. It was our lucky day too. We caught about twenty total fish that were mainly different types of grouper. We also managed to catch a small barracuda, a yellow tail, and a few other that I couldn't get the names from our guide. One particular fish was absolutely beautiful. Very dark and light blues covered this fish. It also had either red or bright yellow on its tail... Absolutely beautiful...
We left Langkawi knowing we had found a special place. Flew through the night and made it home to Beijing early today. Full of fond memories, rejuvinated for what may come, and thankful for the chance to go to Malaysia.
Being purposely stereotypical, I was impressed with the Malaysian people as a whole. To begin with, they are beautiful. The men and women look to be mixed with blood from every corner of the earth. They are aalso friendly, quiet, gentle, and a people who smile often. And I noticed a rare grace about some of the people there that I don't see everywhere else.
All in all, Malaysia was a wonderful choice for us. We loved being there and will hopefully return. We also spoke often about how lucky we are to be able to do things such as vacation in Langkawi. We truly live a blessed life...
Pics are on the way.
Love to you all!
The DuBois crew
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