“I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together.” ~ Liza Kleypas, Blue-Eyed Devil

The 5-star Tanjung Rhu Resort, located at the northernmost tip of Langkawi Island, is spread over 1,100 acres of sprawling rainforest, healthy mangroves, rolling limestone, and a breathtaking private 2.5 km beach that may well be unmatched anywhere else in the islands. This beautiful long coastline of white sand was included in the National Geographic’s list of the World’s Ten Most Beautiful Beaches.

This is how the sun breathtakingly sets in this part of the world, and I was just soaking it all in.

Langkawi is a not so hidden paradise which comprises of 99 islands surrounded by pristine waters and lush rainforest. The mysterious islands are steeped in fascinating legends and folklores. It has been cited as a UNESCO Geopark (geological park) in recognition of its amazing and significant geological formations and untouched paradise. The park covers mountainous peaks, sandstone formations, limestone caves, mystical lakes, waterfalls as well as fascinating flora and fauna dwelling in its environmental wonder. National Geographic has listed it as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world.

I have visited Langkawi, Malaysia twice — in 2012  (Special thanks to Tourism Malaysia and Silkair, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), and Frangipani Resort) and 2014 (courtesy of Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian Airlines and a host of hotels which I stayed in during my 8-day travel across the peninsula).

Updated 2016 :  “As a marketing brand, Langkawi was officially re-named as Langkawi Geopark on May 31, 2006 by the Kedah State Government and on October 6, 2006 by the federal government. But it was not until June 1, 2007 that Langkawi was finally accepted as a member of UNESCO’s prestigious Global Geoparks Network (GGN), giving it international validation for its claim as a geopark.

Although the total number of islands in the Langkawi archipelago is 104, the number stated in LADA’s information brochures and publications is 99. This is done mainly for marketing purposes as the number 99 was deemed as more interesting and memorable than 104. Also, as most of the island inhabitants are Muslim, the number 99 has a sacred significance for them (the 99 Names of God).” Source : Official LADA Website

More of Langkawi in my article “Langkawi and its 99 Magical Islands”

View more of my photos of Langkawi, Malaysia