The world's steepest gondola

Langakwi has a lush jungle which covers most of the island. There is a series of  incredibly steep mountain ranges throughout the island. They seem to rise in a vertical manner straight from the forest floor. Given on average  it's upwards of 29°C with anywhere between 57,% to 90% humidity we decided to take the gondola to the top rather than slug it out on hiking tracks.

The gondola is in a bit of a ticky , tacky tourist park where they can up-sell packages and 3D movies, not for us. We took the basic ticket. It's not for the fainthearted. It takes about 10 minutes in the gongola to get to the top at 708 metres.  There are amazing views of Baru Bay and the marina below and all the way beyond Langkawi's islands to Thailand.

We saw otter fishing and feasting in a natural stream. There were lush waterfalls flowing across the jungle terrain .

I have to say it was incredibly high. Not having a great heads for heights I admired the skywalk between the two mountains from terra firma😊.

Hamizan took us to a remote beach in the north west corner of  the island, Tanjung Rhu. It was simply gorgeous and the sand was  'burn your feet' hot!

Hardly anyone there and crystal clear waters, breathtaking. Long boats lined up to take you out to exotic private beaches on the islands or across to Thailand from Malaysia. I did notice a Four Seasons hotel behind big fences....they have a  primo beachfront spot...luxe travellers take note 😊

Hamizan took us to Langakwi's one black sand beach, again we were the only ones there  apart from eagles flying high  up hunting for prey.

There was also a mangrove river inlet where you can take an 'eco' kayak tour. The mangroves are enormous, like trees. We had decided not to do the mangroves tour after weighing up some of the feedback about feedng the eagles meat for the tourists to  photograph and consequently  destroying the eagles natural  hunting behaviours. We enjoyed seeing the eagles flying naturally.

A bit more Langkawi 101 from our driver, Hamizan.
90% of Langakwi's residents are Malays. Other etnic grups are Thais, Chinese and Indians. Islam is practiced by Malaysians, other religions practised are Hinduism (mainly Indians), Buddhism (mainly Chinese and Thai) and small amount of Christians, mostly Chinese. Hamizan said everyone gets along, "there are no problems".

Hamizan took us to "No. 1 authentic laksa" place where the  locals eat.

What a great spot, rustic cafe, instant coconut drink while you wait.....so fresh.

It was so hot that we seemed to go between gorgeous locations outdoors and then had the relief of Hamizan's car AC,bliss. We noticed all the street cleaners  and gardeners we're out in the full sun, working hard and in the main they looked to be Indian, a tough life.

 There are great divides between the beach front resorts and the villages.

There are lots of ramshackle  unfinished buildings, the waft of 'eau de sewer' from open drains, little shaded street cafes on the road side for the itinertant  workers that keep the hotels and streets nice and then there is the strip alongside the beach with every imaginable blow up water device...ticky tacky ick, who buys this tip filler stuff?

Did I mention that the food and cocktails were great? Perfect way to end a day of exploring.