Diva's excursion

In Langkawi, Diva decided to take a separate excursion. There were two words in the description of TSH’s tour which influenced this – ‘bat’ and ‘cave’. Diva and TSH left the ship by tender together but then separated to go on different tours. The first time they have ever done this.

Her excursion was not the most organised event. The visit to the Makam Mahsuri

Mausoleum consisted of a walk through the exhibits and, surprisingly, the shop, with no time to pause, and a viewing of half the film which explained how the unjust execution of the princess led to a 7 generation curse on the island. The 8^th generation has now arrived and the curse is over. The visit to the Malay house never happened because a tropical downpour started and everybody refused to walk through it.

On arrival at the beach – 20 minutes for a photo stop at an almost deserted beach – many guests pricked up their ears when the new luxurious Four Seasons hotel was mentioned. Cold drinks and clean toilets seemed within grasp. However, entry to the resort was not possible and disappointment prevailed.

The rubber tapper did not arrive for the promised demonstration and Diva wondered if this had been booked at all.

Langkawi means ‘Eagle Rock’ and there is a huge sculpture of the eagle – technically a kite – which was included in the tour specification. The guide informed the guests that it was not possible to take the bus near to the sculpture and he doubted that there was time to walk to it. Diva was put off by this but eventually set off and walked part of the way. If the guide had not wasted time assuring the group that it was not possible, Diva, and most of the rest of the group, would have made it.

By far the best part of the excursion was the visit to Galleria Perdana to view exhibits of over 2,500 state gifts and awards presented to Malaysia's longest serving former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. This gallery consisted of a beautiful modern Islamic style building the size of a very respectable museum. It was difficult to pick out the interesting bits and the guide had never done a guided tour of the building and did not know where anything was. The gifts were magnificent, with many sculptures and jewelled items and several new cars.

Diva thought it was sad that the guide was a university qualified engineer who had returned to Langkawi because he so much hated working in a design office in the city.  He had since spent around 10 years in tourism, which seems a terrible waste. He worked for a period at the afore mentioned Four Seasons, saving up his bonus points for years until he could afford to spend a night in one of its beach villas.

Langkawi is the most scenic place on this segment of the cruise – a beautiful sail in through islands and inlets. A bit like Norway but most of the hills are rounded and lower. It is a holiday island and there is a lot of modern development. Diva was informed that this is in the top 7 places in the world to visit but this is probably a matter of perspective. Royal Caribbean  ‘Mariner of the Sea’ was also also visiting.

Some people saw a large monitor lizard. Another common animal is the monkey, which has learned to open doors, steal items and take the top off a canned drink.