This is a duty free island, but a lot of cafes and most shops do not sell alcohol including beer and wine. You have to head for a restaurant or a Duty Free store where they are remarkably cheap.

Some of the highlights:

Machinchang Geoforest Park: Take the cable car from the Oriental Tourist Village to the top of Machinchang and enjoy spectacular views which can include the coast of distant Thailand. Walk a cross the hanging bridge and marvel at the forest, flora and fauna. Ride an elephant into the rainforest foothills.

Kilim Karsts Geoforest Park: Take a cruise through the mangroves and feed eagles or test your courage with the bats on the roof of Crocodile Cave. Botak, the cheery owner of Evergreen Tours, has a fleet of boats to speed you through the mangroves.

Kuah: The island’s main town with Eagle square where a giant statue of a Brahminy Kite eagle welcomes cruise ships to the island.

Craft Complex: a huge complex where a wide variety of traditional handicrafts are produced in front of your eyes, from bamboo plaiting and wood carving to Batik painting.

Toast on the beach: Langkawi’s bright white soft sand beaches are what draw the tourists. Spend at least one day chilling out with a good book and getting a tan and enjoy a dip in the warm Andaman Sea.

Dining
This is a national pastime. Fantastic array of food and Malays know how to eat – up to six times a day!

Don’t miss out on the chance to dine at the elegant Captain’s Deck Restaurant waterfront restaurant at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club while you eye yachts moored at the Club in Kuah.

For beach front dining with live band try The Seashell at Mutiara Burau Bay resort, even if it is just for drinks at the marvelous sunsets. The menu offers a variety of fusion food and some dishes that you may not expect in Malaysia such as Fajitas! If you hanker after a good traditional curry, then Tulsi Garden Restaurant and Bar is the place. Proprietor Irone Palani reigns supreme. Separated from the beach by a road and a parade of shops this is the most happening place on Langkawi frequented by government officials and local businessmen.

For reviews of 84 restaurants on Langkawi consult http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g298283-Langkawi_Kedah.html

I flew Etihad to Kuala Lumpur, and onto Langkawi from the Skypark Subang Terminal with Firefly, the LCC subsidiary of Malaysian Airlines System. This winter Etihad has introduced Boeing 737 flights from Kuala Lumpur’s main airport to Langkawi. Travel agents can book you a charter package holiday with direct flights to Langkawi from London or Moscow.

JB