.....times of refreshing.....

Somehow I am glad to turn back the clock to an hour late as we were back in Malaysian waters to adjust back to our normal time. However, that also meant we have to woke up an hour early! In Phuket, the breakfast was ready by 7am which means it's 8am Malaysian time but then in Malaysia, it's still 7am! We have to wake up early to catch the buffet breakfast and be on time for the next excursion to Langkawi.

While going out from our cabin to the restaurant, the sun was shining beautifully and brightly and I love these views that welcome us at the Langkawi port. It's so calm, serene and beautiful at 8am.




After breakfast, we were on our half day excursion tour of an island view of Langkawi. Again, since have kids with us, we cannot afford to go for island hopping and water activities. Anyway, this tour was really short and not that as interesting compared to the one we had in Phuket. I guess in Langkawi, you really have to go for the sea and not the town. I believe Langkawi have lots of wonderful beaches around.

A good view of our cruise while coming down to the jetty

Folks walking to their excursion buses

First stop - at Eagle Square with my little princess and missus.  And, that what's Langkawi is known for - Eagles! In fact, there was a place to see lots of eagles feeding. Well, next time.

Some kiosks selling handicrafts at Eagle Square

A selfie  for the three of us

Anyway, I am always fascinated by the myths and legends in Langkawi since I studied history in school. And, finally I got the chance to visit one of the legends of Langkawi - the Mahsuri tomb.

Mahsuri's tomb

A narrative on Mahsuri's tomb.

 As mentioned on  wikipedia, Mahsuri was a young woman who lived in Langkawi, Malaysia either during the 14th or 19th century. According to folklore, she was accused of adultery and executed by stabbing. Her tomb,Makam Mahsuri, has become a tourist attraction on the island. (wikipedia)

Spears on display near her tomb

There was a place called 'Kampung Kedah', where the authorities tried to reenact the type of design during Mahsuri's time. This is the type of malay hut  where she stayed.

Above and below, the inside of the kampung house

Aview of another kampung house at the 'village'

 Another fascinating discovery was her descendants, especially a lady which was her 7th generation, was found in year 2000. She was a Thai and pictures of her marriage was displayed in this tourist attraction. And, she was indeed beautiful where the people believe she looks like Mahsuri. More info can be found here.

Perhaps visiting the Mahsuri's tomb was one of the highlights of the short tour. After that, we were brought around places to shop for handicrafts, chocolates and delicacies. We were back on our cruise for the trip back home later.

Beautiful blue sea of Strait of Malacca  and to spend the final night on the cruise.

Looking back at Langkawi

Overall, the short tour gave me a glimpse of the sleepy, hollow and quiet island of Langkawi as the tour went into the outskirt of the island. There were lots of malay kampungs around town. I guess my next trip is to visit the islands as well as the beautiful beaches around.

It was a great journey!

I am back from the high sea! Yeah, I was on a cruise over the last weekend from Friday to Tuesday and it was my first time holidaying on a cruise. The experience was great, fun, relaxing and exciting too! I was quite nervous initially and the anxieties heightens when the ship was doing an emergency drill before the journey began. My kid too , was anxious as he keep asking us if we would fall onto the sea!  Anyway, all the anxieties subside after the ship began moving steadily and we were having our supper at 1am! Yeah, it's just eat and eat over there.

The Costa Victoria at Singapore's port. Taken while we were going on board. My kids were so excited that they were running up the steady pathway to the ship.

Her cabin... two double decker beds in our cabin. Initially I wanted a balcony cabin but it's not enough for the four of us as there was only 1 single bed.

Pleasantly looking cabin with a small view of the sea

The party begins.... folks partying on the highest deck in the ship.

The swimming pool on the upper deck.

The pathway leading to our cabin. It was cold inside there.

One of the restaurants there serving breakfast buffet.

One of the bars

One of  the external deck at level 5

Some demonstration show on making food carvings by chefs

The shopping atrium selling luxury stuffs .... all in US dollars.

A view of the cruise in the high sea

Sunset in  the Strait of Malacca

Another cafetaria at the back of the ship. Love having coffee here. The tea time buffet held here.

The planetarium atrium ... there was a performance here at certain hours

Yours truly on Costa Victoria

Another view of the main lobby at deck 5

A replica of the ship

A view of the beautiful swimming pool

Family portrait - bought this photo for US$20 ... sigh....