K is for...

Karaoke - If you were to look deep enough, surely, there must be many advantages to this Japanese invention. However, one of the more audible disadvantages is when you happen to be sleeping in one of the smaller chalets and a group of inconsiderate tourists decide to have a singing session, which, more often than not, runs way past midnight! And, it wouldn't have been half as bad if it weren't for the fact that it is always those who CAN'T sing who are always willing to croak the loudest!

Kedah - It's one of the eleven states on the peninsula, and one of the nine with a sultanate, which reputedly, is the oldest.
On March 24th, 2001, a grandiose official "do" was held to declare, "Langkawi--The Tourism City." It was an occasion when all the "Who's Who" in the Malaysian political circle and the Kedah Sultanate were present.
So, technically speaking, the Kedah sultanate has ceded the island over to the Federal Government.

Kite - It is not unusual to hear a low, deep humming noise emanating from the quiet of the dark November night sky. But, don't fret! It's no big mystery because if you looked up, you'd see -- on moonlit nights -- kites flying a few hundred metres above you. And, for that matter, it could be the December... January... February... or, even, the March night skies! It's that time of year when the cool and dry easterly wind, aptly called Timor by the locals, starts blowing across Langkawi and bringing with it the ideal weather for kite flying plus some cold nights as well! Traditionally, with the paddy harvesting season over and done with, kite flying was the preferred outdoor activity enjoyed by both young and old, especially by the old!

Kuala Kedah - This is one of the places to be if you wish to take the ferry to Langkawi. However, if you do decide to be here during the school holidays, please be advised to be well ahead of the numerous others who share the same wish! In addition, there are lots of "queue-jumpers" to deal with. Unless, of course, you have a few hours to spare waiting for your turn to board the ferry.
Although the ferry operators do try their level best to accommodate the large numbers by increasing the frequency of trips but as the journey requires an average of 90 minutes and coupled with the fact that there are not that many ferries to begin with, hence, the waiting time is still quite substantial - for you, that is!

Kuala Perlis - As opposed to the above, this is a "better" place to board the ferry to Langkawi because the journey takes an average of 50 minutes. But, the drive up here from Kuala Kedah is around 30 minutes and strangely enough the "queue-jumpers" tend to reign supreme here!

L is for...

L.A.D.A. - This is NOT to be mistaken for a certain East European car manufacturer, but is an acronym for LAngkawi Development Authority -- otherwise fondly regarded by the locals as LAnun DArat, which when translated, literally means "The Land Pirates!"

Anyhow, irrespective of your viewpoints, LADA is a federal body, formed on 15 March, 1990 with its prime objective of turning the island into a premier resort destination.

In a mid-1990 travel brochure, co-sponsored by the Tourism Ministry and the nation's flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, LADA listed its official website address as, http://www.langkawi_authority.com. Alas, this is just another piece of "useless" info as it's a blind link! And, speaking of useless info, here is another, http://lada.mylangkawi.com. Only this time, it is persistently "under renovation!"

That's one useless info too many but one not-so-useless info is that... LADA does not have a website.

Latest... they still don't have one!

Lake - The most famous being the Tasik Dayang Bunting, which is not exactly in Langkawi but the neighbouring island... called Pulau Dayang Bunting -- what else! Though not as famous, there is another rather large fresh-water lake on Langkawi called Tasik Lubok Helang which is situated in Bukit Malut, but this has been turned into a water catchment area and therefore, restricted!

Laundry - Something mundane but nevertheless it is worthwhile to mention that there are places where you can have your clothes laundered. However, there are no launderettes!

Legend - We are prodigal about legends and we spawn them at the least of provocations. Surely, by now, you must be familiar with the slogan, "Langkawi... the isle of Legends!" and the whole series of our masterpieces? Among our best-sellers have been:
1. The Curse of Mahsuri.
2. The Princess at Tasik Dayang Bunting.
3. The Saga of Mat Raya & Mat Chinchang.

Yes, you have?

Oh, what a pity, and I was looking forward to this. All right then, I'll save you the bother.

Licence - In this respect Malaysia is fast turning out to be more like Germany, where one requires a license for each and every little thing! Which, doesn't necessarily be something bad, if only they were not shrouded in so much bureaucracy, and worst... involving the Malaysian civil servants!

Lightning - As we are in the tropics where thunderstorms are the norm... it is not unusual to experience some fierce lightning and the accompanying loud thunderclaps!

Limestone - It would be an injustice to NOT mention this, because apart from granite, the primary geological compositions of the island include limestone, shale and mudstone. Parts of the coast of Langkawi and many of the other surrounding islands are entirely composed of limestone, which fashions caves and other unusual formations, sparking the fertile imaginations of the inhabitants!
Incidentally, limestones are rocks composed mainly of calcium carbonate, and from limestones we get marble.

Litter - Sadly, Malaysia chooses to emulate Germany only in terms of licences, but NOT in a litter-free society! Click also environment and garbage.

M is for...

Mangrove - Basically, a mangrove is a small tropical tree that grows in the wetlands of the coastal areas.
More specifically, it is any of certain shrubs and trees of the families Rhizophoraceae, Verbenaceae, Sonneratiaceae, and Arecaceae (palm) that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes, and on muddy coasts.
But, the term also applies to the thickets and forests of such plants.
Mangroves characteristically have prop roots (exposed, supporting roots). In addition, in many species respiratory, or knee, roots project above the mud and have small openings through which air enters, passing through the soft, spongy tissue to the roots beneath the mud.
Mangrove fruits put out an embryonic root before they fall from the tree; the root may fix itself in the mud before the fruit separates from the parent. Likewise, branches and trunks put out adventitious roots which, once they are secure in the mud, send up new shoots. The common mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) grows to about 30 ft (9 m) tall and bears short, thick, leathery leaves on short stems, and pale-yellow flowers. Its fruit is sweet and wholesome.
So, if you wish to know more, sign-up for a "mangrove tour" which a few operators organize. Or, check out My Friends.

Map - Here is a popping-up-at-you map of Langkawi - in the event that it loads! Refresh if it doesn't load the first time around.

Marble - It is basically, a kind of limestone.
More specifically, it is granular limestone or dolomite that has recrystallized under the influence of heat, pressure, and aqueous solutions. The main mineral in marble is calcite.
Commercially, "marble" includes all decorative calcium-rich rocks that can be polished.
Principally, marbles are used for buildings and monuments, interior decoration, statuary, tabletops, and novelties. Color and appearance are their most important qualities. Statuary marble, the most valuable variety, must be pure white and of uniform grain size.
Interestingly, Langkawi is blessed with high quality marble deposits of varied colours and the most notable being the "Royal White," which is NOT found elsewhere! However, the factory that produces them, closed down! Click here to know, why?

Mecca - No, it is NOT in Langkawi, silly! But, for the benefit of Muslims who can't find the "little green arrows" in their hotel rooms, the general direction in which you're supposed to face is where the sun sets. This little info, however, is only relevant to those who wish to carry out their second obligation as Muslims!
For the non-Muslims, now you know the purpose of that "little green arrow," which is (normally) to be found painted on the ceiling/wall of your hotel room!

Moon - Living in the city you cannot appreciate how brightly the moon shines, but in Langkawi you can!
If you happen to find yourself unable to sleep, on those nights of the full moon, just go down to the beach and experience something wonderful.
After your eyes have adjusted to the "darkness," (as the beaches are not lighted) you'd be surprised to see how "white" the beaches really are! And, as the full moon descends, its reflection from the sea-surface helps to further illuminate the darkness.
Looking up, you'd see a perfect sphere shining down on you with each and every line clearly visible. And, if you looked long enough, you'd feel as though you could just hold out your hands and reach for it.
It's one of those nights when you'll be saying to yourself, "There MUST be a God... for, something so beautiful could NOT have evolved... someone must have CREATED it!" (Thanks, Ryoko, for the reminder!)

Moped - See below.

Motorbike - See below.

Motorcycle - Some call it a moped, some call it a motorbike and some even call it a scooter but they all mean a motorcycle!
It is the most efficient and economical means to explore the island. Generally, the small-engined, clutchless motorcycles are easy to handle, but please remember that in Malaysia we always keep left - if you are used to driving on the "other" side of the road!
It was one fine morning when a tourist from Holland rented a motorcycle, and set-off to explore the island. Everything was fine until late in the afternoon, when it started to rain. As she came off the intersection at Pantai Tengah, and for some strange reason, she veered to the right lane. Unfortunately, an oncoming car appeared around the slight bend and she ended up with some cuts and bruises, which was rather fortunate as it could have been worse! It later transpired that due to tiredness and a lapse of concentration -- of which, coming out of the intersection and the onset of the rain-shower played crucial roles -- the force of habit of driving on the other side of the road took over!
Needless to say, there had been many of such instances and lots more to come if the rule of "keeping left" is NOT adhered to.