H is for...

Hadji - Let's get religious for a moment. Basically, this is an Arabic word (also spelled "hajji") for a Muslim who has made pilgrimage to Mecca. However, in the Malay context, the word is NOT only spelled differently (it is "Haji" or "Hj" for short) but has also evolved into some sort of a status symbol. This would probably explain why certain proprietors choose to advertise this fact by naming their businesses "Haji..." something or another!

Haggle - It's a way of life! Asians do love to haggle over prices... even in departmental stores, especially when the salesperson happens to be within earshot!
Sometimes it is worth pondering if the "art" of haggling isn't actually an alternative form of communication. If you understand the local culture, you'll NOT be surprised by the number of times when a mere "haggling" would develop into a full-blown conversation over something or another. So, even if the likelihood of getting a "discount" is absolutely remote, don't be daunted! Try it... haggle.
However, notice how Asians -- well, almost -- never ever haggle over prices in restaurants. Though they might furiously dispute the bill, but, they never haggle!

Halal - Chances are, you would find this word displayed at certain food outlets, or even on food packets. If you happen to be a non-Muslim then pay no heed to it. On the other hand, if you happen to be a Muslim then you'd know why, wouldn't you? So, there is no need to explain any further, is there?

Harvest - This signals the end of the paddy planting season. Though there is no specific timetable, but between the months of November-January, it is time to gather the paddy stalks.
After the harvest, most noticeable is the number of buffaloes roaming about and that strange low, humming noise! Refer to Water Buffalo, and click here for that noise!

Hindu - A Hindu is someone who practises Hinduism, which has its roots in India. Hindus celebrate Deepavali -- a festival of lights -- and is a national public holiday. Incidentally, they also celebrate Thaipusum, which is yet another public holiday for most of the 13 states! The majority of Indians living in Langkawi are found in the area called Kisap, noted for its rubber plantations. It is also the only place where Hindu temples are to be found. Where else?

History - Reportedly, one of the earliest known document about Langkawi was written by a French General, Augustin de Beaulieu. Dated 1621, the "L'Histoire General de Voyages XXXIV" mentioned "Lancachui" as being a popular port of call among the pepper traders.
From historical records, Langkawi has always been under the control of the Sultan in Kedah except, between 1821-1839, when the Kedah-Siam conflict resulted in the occupation by the Siamese forces. In 1841, with the conflict over, the Sultan was allowed to return to Kedah by consent of the then King of Siam, Rama III.
Fifty years later, in 1891, the new King of Siam, Chulalongkorn, visited the kingdom of Kedah, where his impressions were duly recorded. He wrote about Langkawi as having sufficiently recovered from the earlier conflict with a thriving agriculture sector, especially paddy and coconut productions. Also mentioned were the legends of "Tasik Dayang Bunting" and "Gua Cerita," which must have been narrated to him by the island's chieftain, Wan Mat Saman. However, there was no mention of that most famous of the Langkawi legends, i.e. "Mahsuri and the curse of 7 generations."
On the other hand, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in his book, "The Curse of Mahsuri," stated that following Mahsuri's execution, in 1829, the Siamese forces invaded Langkawi which left the island in total destruction and devastation. Which, is quite improbable because Langkawi was already under Siamese occupation - 1821-1839!
Evidently, one is a legend and the other is... a historical fact!

Honeymoon - Believe it or not, Langkawi must be about the (almost!) perfect place for a honeymoon -- if the traditional meaning of honeymoon is taken into consideration, of course!

Hospital - Langkawi is fortunate in that it has a nice, comfortable, and modern hospital. But, doctors are hard to find! This shortage of doctors is, basically, a nationwide problem. Any doctors out there who wants to "volunteer" and work in government hospitals?
However, there are several private-practising medical practitioners on the island!

Hygiene - On the whole, the standard of hygiene is satisfactory... well, it has to be, because the Health Ministry officials make their annual presence known by checking up on food joints for any violations of the health code -- whatever that is!

I is for...

Ice - No... NOT that kind of ice, but the frozen H2O variety!
In any case, the icemen of Langkawi do very good business because of the heat. You can see them, haphazardly parking their mini-lorries everywhere, on their ice-delivery rounds, which starts from as early as 6:00 in the morning and not finish until 9:00 in the evening!

Imitation - That's a 404! If you are familiar with the internet jargon then you'd know that what you are looking for is NOT found, or has been removed. Which, is applicable here for imitation goods. They are no longer found because the various authorities have had them "removed" (or should that be, confiscated!) So, if you had intended on hunting around for imitation goods, then you'd be most disappointed! Although, it has to be pointed out that you'll have better luck in Kuala Lumpur!

Island - Plenty of those about... all 104 of them, or was that 109? -- only at low-tide, of course! Most baffling is they never tell you "who" was it that actually did the counting! You never know, do you? Although you wouldn't be entirely wrong in guessing that the person MUST be a civil servant!
But, let us take their word for it, as I'm sure, no one in their right frame of mind would set out to verify this claim. You might miss an island -- due to the tide -- and THAT would be a bummer!

Island-Hopping - A name given to one of the 3 most common optional tours. Basically, you get on board and the boatman will ferry you around the 3 neighbouring islands. Visits to the island with that "famous" lake, and the one with a wildlife sanctuary are almost obligatory. The third destination, however, might vary according to the operators, but it is always to a secluded beach... somewhere!
On the whole, it is a "recommended" tour, and would only set you back by about, RM 20.00 to RM 35.00. Incidentally, please don't forget to bring towels, because you'll most certainly get wet! Caution!...this tour should NOT be confused with a "Round-Island-Tour" which is a land tour of Langkawi. There have been many instances when people showed up with leather shoes and ironed-shirts; where shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops would have been more appropriate!

J is for...

January - With the Christmas and New Year holidays over and the children back where they belong -- in schools! -- the island tends to get a little quieter, but it is still quite busy.

Japanese - The bulk of the Japanese tourists would visit Langkawi during their "golden week" holidays. In Japan, this is the peak season for travelling as most of the businesses close for a week or so and the country, literally, goes on holiday. This should be sometime in late-April, as I recall!
Most noticeable about these Japanese tourists is that well over 70% are; young, single, and eligible females. Which, could easily explain the rise in the number of "crocodiles" found on the island!

Jet-Ski - A popular water sport, but it is an accident that's just waiting to happen!
To begin with, Jet-ski riders enjoy a frolic very close to the beach because there are NO designated areas for them. As usual, the relevant authorities being civil servants, do not subscribe to the notion, "prevention is better than cure." They have to wait till a nasty accident happens, before they start to blame everybody else and then formulate ridiculous regulations, which would turn out to be counter-productive.
This is NOT a prophecy... it's a given!

Jetty - Technically speaking, there are a few jetties around Langkawi -- it is an island, after all! But, it pays to distinguish between the jetties in Teluk Ewa and Kuah, because the 2 are on the opposite ends of the island.
The former now handles cargo for the cement factory, while the latter is the one-and-only passenger ferry terminal in Langkawi. Click here for "Pier" and for "Quay" click here.

Jungle - Jungle is actually an old Indian term for a dense collection of plants and trees, but is now used to mean; land overgrown with tangled vegetation, especially in the tropics.
As Langkawi is in the tropics, it goes without saying that there are lots and lots of jungle around. In fact, despite all the cultivation and development, over two thirds of the island are still covered with virgin tropical rainforests. Viewed from above, the canopy of a tropical rainforest looks like a velvety green carpet, which could be as high as 200 feet! Naturally, with all that vertical space available, there are other "shorter" trees and "high" shrubs growing, which are unseen from above. For this reason, the best way to explore a jungle is from the ground, and there are many opportunities to do so.

Jungle-Trekking - As the name implies, it is a walking tour that takes you into the "depth" of a jungle. Included in this package is an experienced guide, who will walk you in and, most importantly, walk you out of the rainforest!
There are times in life when the truth is NOT quite as strange as fiction-writers would like to have us believe.
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