Langkawi was our first honeymoon destination in Malaysia, back in 1992,  if you can call a trip with a screaming 2-year old son and both my parents (as babysitters) as a honeymoon.  Then a year later we went again, this time with Daddy's younger siblings Masniza and Mazuan.  And in 1996, I went for a 1-week course in Kuah, sent by JPN Kedah.  Here we are, almost 20 years later, just us, a family of eight, in Permata Kedah.

Day 1

Left home at 9am. Dropped kembara for routine service at our trusted mechanic's home.  Off to Kuala Kedah. Upon arriving at the jetty, we were approached by 4 men on motorcycles, directing us to park our car at their homes. Dayana was quick to comment,"Daddy, jangan percaya orang-orang ni..". Alhamdulillah after searching a little bit, we found a parking spot inside a primary school, SK Haji Ismail compound. By then the noon tide was coming in, and sea water was rising ankle-high on the streets. We would have to "raduk" the sea water to get to the jetty on the other side of the street, but as our luck has it,  two JKR officers who were chilling in the school compound, offered us a ride in their 4WD. May Allah bless those men.

Hopped on the ferry at 1:30 pm per stated on the tickets. The ferry journey was from 2 to 3:30 pm. Had lunch at Hameed's Restaurant at the jetty. A disappointing eating experience. Suffice to say that there won't be a next time for us in that restaurant ever.

Daddy picked up a rental. Wira PFD 1791. It was quite a feat to fit 8 people in it. We managed to get to Landcons Hotel around 5.  Took a walk around town. Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 2

Today started with a bit of window shopping at The Zone, which was just across the street from our hotel.  We then walked to the Underwater World. Lunch at Zul Ikan Bakar, somewhere along the road to Pantai Kok.  We saw a couple of patrol cars parked in front of it and uniformed cops eating inside.  Sure enough, this wasn't the hyped tourists' hangout. The patrons looked local, and the price proved it.  Great kampung-style lunch under RM50, dessert of cendol pulut included. Daddy and kids spent the hot afternoon in the hotel new swimming pool, while mommy and Ryan napped.

We planned to get dinner from the night market, but a sudden heavy downpour landed us at the Mann's Cafe, right in the middle of tourists' spot. Our dinner looked good, but tasted a bit bland.  Never reached the night market.  We decided to call it a night after making a wrong turn for the second time.  They said you couldn't be lost in Langkawi Island.  We proved them wrong.

Meal times were still quite stressful with Ryan.  He has yet to grasp the notion that when we spoonfeed him, we have his best interest in heart and mind.

Day  3

Island hopping started at 9am. A van picked us up from the hotel and brought us to a place where a jetty is still under construction.  Soon we were riding fast on an open sea,well..  as fast as a speed boat was able to carry a family of eight. Daddy n Ryan swam in Tasek Dayang Bunting.  Swimming in the sea was the highlight of the day in Pulau Beras Basah, right after eagle feeding in one of the many islands.

Got back to the hotel around 2 and went straight into the hotel pool. Only Ryan n mommy got up to the room to shower in comfort n privacy.

Daddy n mommy walked to the nearest restaurant to have briyani lunch ( the best!!) at the Tomato Restaurant, and brought home packed lunch for the tired n hungry kids who were fast asleep when we got home.  Daddy wanted to have his favourite tandoori meal at the same restaurant for dinner, but vetoed by the kids. Dinner was at Hj Jelani Restaurant, where the chefs, waiters and staff were all Thais. The food was tasty, but the quantity overwhelmed us. None of us could finish our dinner. Or may be we were just still too full from our late lunch. Then again, may be we were too eager to get back to the hotel to watch the Matrix 

( for the upteenth time ) on tv.  The tv in the kids' room was still blaring past midnight.  Ours was switched off before Neo made his second appearance.

Day 4

The day started early with breakfast at the Tomato Restaurant. Usual rounds of tosei, roti canai and nasi lemak.  Then off for a walk on the Cenang Beach.  The waves were too strong for a dip.  Headed back to the rooms to pack.

Checked out at 12. Did some obligatory shopping in Kuah.  The Haji Ismail Group offered some of the best deals.  Simple lunch at KFC, mainly to please kids.  The ferry ride home was at 5pm. The sea got the better of me.  It was a case of too- much -chocolate- just -before- bumpy- ferry- ride.  Arrived at Kuala Kedah Jetty at 10 to 7. All too happy to see our loyal Citra. Another stop by the road side for me - all because somebody unwrapped another piece of chocolate in the car.  Other than that, the 3-hour journey was quite uneventful.  The sugar rush kept the kids from falling asleep.
We stopped for dinner in Seberang Jaya.  Daddy finally had his tandoori chicken, and shared with Mommy, who conveniently finished her dinner a tad too quickly.  Solat in Gunung Semanggol R&R.
Home at 12:15 am.  Consulted Mr S.  52.6 kg.  Must be the biryani.. and tandoori...Ah well.. I am too happy to let a 3-kg dead weight ruin my mood.  Night night..