Traveling with the Jones — Sharing Travel Discoveries

Exploring Langkawi, Malaysia by Taxi

by Janis on January 27, 2015

We had the opportunity to visit Langkawi, Malaysia during a recent a 14-Day Asian Holiday cruise on Holland America Line’s ms Volendam. Since we had researched Langkawi before our arrival, we decided that we did not need a tour, and would just take a taxi to the attractions that we wanted to see, with a ride on the Langkawi Cable Car as our top priority.

Langkawi, we had learned, is an archipelago of 99 islands located in the Andaman Sea 18 miles off the coast of northwestern mainland Malaysia. Only four of the islands are inhabited, and Pulau Langkawi, or the island specifically named Langkawi, is the most populated with 65,000 residents.

Langkawi was a sleepy backwater until 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism and improving the lives of the islanders. Because of Langkawi’s tax-free status, alcohol is much cheaper than in the rest of Malaysia.

Langkawi has a cruise ship dock, but it was already occupied when the Volendam arrived, so our ship had to anchor and ferry guests to shore in tenders. It was a windy, somewhat long tender ride, but we were so glad that we made the effort to visit this island.

The ship’s tenders delivered us to an area known as Porto Malai. There was to be a shuttle from here to the Kuah town, a main shopping area, but it didn’t start for about 45 minutes after we arrived.

We simply wanted to get a taxi to the cable car, which was more difficult than expected because all of the drivers in this area wanted to take groups on an island tour.

Finally we found a driver that agreed to take the two of us, but only if we did an island tour as well. We agreed and were off, ahead of the shore excursion buses.

We headed directly to the Langkawi SkyCab, which is the world’s steepest cable car with a 2,322 ft. climb up Mt. Machinchang. The views are stunning.

The ride is breath-taking.

While this picture really does not give the proper perspective, the climb the cable car makes in the first run feels like you are climbing straight up the mountain.

After you arrive at the first vista, and take in the views, you catch a second cable cab that takes you to a higher point.

At the top point, selfie photos are encouraged. We joined the crowd, although we don’t have one of the “selfie sticks” that seem to be the hottest travel accessory in Asia.

If you are really brave at tall heights, you might want to try the Sky Bridge near the highest point of the cable car. The Sky Bridge was closed for repairs, but is scheduled for re-opening in the first quarter of 2015.

Back from the cable car, our taxi driver diligently drove us all over the island. This beach is on the northern part of the island of Langkawi. There are also many eco-tourism sites to explore if that appeals to you.

Finally, we headed to Eagle Square and the main shopping area. We stopped only for some photos and a Starbuck’s mug.

If you have the chance to visit Langkawi, even for a short port call, we’d recommend that you make the effort to visit this beautiful island.

Have you visited Langkawi? Did you ride the cable car? Please share your answer in comments below.

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6 Weekend Travel Tidbits

by Janis on January 24, 2015

After we visit a new destination, we find ourselves paying attention anytime we hear about that place in the news. We recently spent three days in Myanmar, so this New York Times article got our attention: In Far-Flung Myanmar, a Land of Contradictions, as did this editorial: The Plunder of Myanmar.

United Airlines says it will treat First and Business customers on North American flights to a new dining experience that “elevates everything from entrees to desserts and lighter snacks” starting February 1st. We hope to check this new dining out soon.

One of the best ways to earn free travel is by using credit cards that award you with big sign-up bonuses for airline miles and hotel points, but you do need a good credit score to get all of the best travel cards. This Wall Street Journal article explains How to Perfect Your Credit Score.

With our iPads and in-flight Wi-Fi for reading, entertainment and getting work done, we have to admit that we haven’t looked at a Sky Mall in-flight catalog in quite a while. Obviously, we weren’t the only ones ignoring this fixture in the seat-back pocket. Arizona-based Xhibit Corporation of Phoenix, SkyMall’s parent company, filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. bankruptcy court this week.

A friend from Alaska follows The Flight Deal website, and tipped us off to terrific fares to Panama City, Panama from many major U.S. cities. When United Airlines matched the offers, we booked. Panama is a country is a new country for us to add to our list, and we’ve always wanted to see the Panama Canal.

The SkyRide with its 800-foot track around Carnival Cruise Lines newly-announced massive Vista ship looks pretty cool. Riders will pedal recumbent-like bikes 150-feet above the seas at their choice of a leisurely or racing pace. The new cruise ship debuts in Trieste, Italy in May, 2016, with a capacity of 3,936 people (counting only the first two guests in each stateroom.) It will spend five months in Europe before coming to New York in November 2016.

Where will your travels take you next?

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Photo Friday: On A Walk to See the World

by Janis on January 23, 2015

Wherever we are traveling around the globe, one of the best ways that we have learned to really experience a place is by taking a walk. Whether exploring the rural countryside of Scotland’s Shetland Islands,

or taking a frosty hike to get a better view of wintertime in Anchorage from the Flattop trail at Flattop Mountain.

or hiking down to the beach at San Francisco’s Fort Funston,

walking gives you a unique perspective of a place.

In historic Ephesus, for example, you can imagine walking the same steps taken by the Ephesians during ancient Greek and Roman times.

While walking the Waitangi Treaty Grounds that overlook the Bay of Islands from New Zealand’s North Island, we reflected on what it would have been like to be there on February 6, 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between the Maori Chiefs and British Crown.

We have walked on the same footpaths in Guernsey that inspired French impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Renoir created 15 paintings during his summer stay in Guernsey in 1883. Guernsey was also home to exiled French author Victor Hugo, who penned Les Misérables and other novels during his stay on the island between 1856 and 1870.

Near Italy’s northern border, the city of Bolzano/Bozen is a gateway to the Dolomites, the majestic white mountain peaks that are part of the Alps. The hiking trails offer magnificent views, and there’s also the Alto Adige wine region that produced wine grapes since the Roman times.

Where in the world have you most enjoyed talking a walk? Where do you want to walk next? Please share in comments below.

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Exploring Yangon, Myanmar on Our Own via a Shore Ex Transfer

by Janis on January 22, 2015

On the recent 14-Day Asian Holiday cruise on Holland America Line’s ms Volendam, we spent three days in Myanmar, with our ship docked at the Thilawa Port, about 20 miles outside of Yangon.

For our last day in Myanmar, we decided to join the “Transfer to Yangon“ shore excursion at the last minute. The shore ex folks hand-wrote us a ticket just before they were about to board the bus. The ship had to depart earlier than originally scheduled, and we did not want to worry about getting back to the terminal in time with a taxi.

Our favorite Tour Guide “Mo-Mo” (left) in Thilawa, Myanmar

A nice surprise, our transfer guide was our same favorite guide from the Introduction tour on day 1 – Mo-Mo.

Even with a police escort the Monday morning traffic was intense, making the ride into Yangon 1.5 hours long.

Our guide Mo-Mo used the time to hand out a map and explain how to get to various attractions on our own, from our drop-off and pick-up location.

Once in Yangon, we were dropped at the center of the city by the city hall.

Yangon is a vast mix of old and new.

We explored the local streets which were filled with local food vendors as we walked from there to the famous Strand Hotel, built in 1901.

We arrived at the Strand around 10:15 am and the hotel was quiet. It has some art galleries and a souvenir shop on the first floor.

We headed to The Strand Bar, which opens at 10 am but was still very quiet around 10:45 am. It’s an elegant bar from another era.

We ordered one of each of the local beers, and also ordered some appetizers.

The bar will give you a Wi-Fi code if you buy a drink, and it was the fastest internet we had experienced in days.

By 11:30, the bar was packed and overflowing with tourists.

Next we took a taxi to check out the Shangri-La hotel which very different from the historic Strand. The Sule Shangri-La was formerly a Traders, but was recently upgraded to a Shangri-La 5-star hotel after a major renovation.

The Peacock Lounge is located on the ground floor among the gleaming marble. If we were visiting Myanmar again, we’d book an overnight stay at the Shangri-La.

As we walked back to our meeting place (the streets are crowded for walking, but it is faster than a taxi can work through the traffic) we stopped in various little shops.

The local people in Yangon are very friendly and welcoming to tourists, and are often a little curious about you – especially when you are 2 meters tall like Mr. Jones.

We were glad we made this trip again on our last day and got in a little exploration on Yangon on our own.

Back at the ship, the captain departed the dock, but then waited at anchor mid-river, until the tide came up enough for our safe sailing. The river and its fishing boats offered a nice departing view at sunset.

Myanmar is a fascinating place. Visit soon if you can, before it becomes overrun with tourists.

Have you visited Myanmar? If so, please share your favorite highlight in comments below.

To read more about our Asian Holiday cruise experiences, check out these posts:

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Or, check out our boards on Pinterest and/or our photos on Instagram.

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