A perfectly planned, timely family vacation to this gorgeous island did wonders of good for Pilates instructress Karen Tan and her family – just before the MCO came into play.
There are holidays, and there are those island holidays that stretch on forever in the recesses of one’s memories – long after they are over. And, it was one such perfect getaway that Pilates instructress Karen Tan was truly glad she had planned way in advance.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect – as it was precisely planned before the restricted Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) took effect nationwide. Although this was not their first holiday trip to Langkawi, it was easy to target this island for its amazing and priceless holiday escapade – given the enduring memories of past holidays spent frolicking under the Langkawi sunshine.
This time around, the family settled for a stay at a charming resort simply named Lot 33 Boutique fringed by shady trees and shrubberies growing in the courtyard area in Langkawi – which Tan was happy to label as home for the duration of their stay there.
The family, accompanied by close friends, did not waste any time in making a beeline to Santai Café on their first night in Langkawi – where for starters – they decided to tuck into insanely delicious fish claypot curry which was served alongside fluffy white rice accompanied by generous servings of ulam and half a salted egg each. That’s not forgetting the hearty dollop of freshly made zesty sambal to accompany the meal. After dinner, the entire troop headed over to Melange Restaurant & Bar for some Asian fusion snacks and late night drinks. Retiring to their villa, happy and satiated, they slept soundly – tucked in the comfort of the Balineselike architecture of the resort.
The very next day, they headed on over to a seafood restaurant for a quick fix of a fabulous lunch which in Tan’s words was “simple and unpretentious”. Curry claypot seafood, vegetables, fried eggs and fish made up the afternoon spread which was wolfed down by the gang of hungry tourists.
And, no trip to Langkawi would be complete without a spot of shopping at the duty-free outlet at Billion Duty Free Langkawi in which they loaded up on duty-free chocolates and alcohol by the cartloads which filled the trunk of the car to full capacity.
Happily armed with their spoils for the day, the gregarious group took a trip to none other than the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club where they played the role of tourist guide to amuse themselves. Come evening time, it was agreed that having pre-drinks seemed just about right although there was no spectacular sunset to greet them – given that was a sudden downpour minutes earlier at Rimba, Ambong Pool Villas.
After drinks, they adjourned to CoCo’s Bistro owned by couple Coco and Steve and were surprised to find it filled with diners that night. Not surprising – given the fantastic spread served at the bistro of which the group ordered hearty servings of Roasted Chicken, Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding, vegetarian salad, Rib-eye Steak, grilled Fish Steak and also a steaming pot of Irish Stew. Everything was polished off by the ravenous crowd.
All too soon, the last day of their trip arrived with news of them returning to an imposed lockdown on the cards. What a bummer – but not before they headed for a final stopover to the famed Unkaizan Japanese Restaurant before bidding this magical island goodbye.