Organic Dinner @ The Frangipani Resort and Spa Langkawi

Walking past a frangipani tree reminded me of...

That pretty white flower by any other name would smell as sweet, taste as good.

Signatures of the resort- The Frangipani Flower Tea and Deep Fried Frangipani Flower.

It was a mild tasting tea akin to a camomile. Very soothing. Honey/ Sugar syrup for add-ons if you'd like. And a very good tea to wash away excess oil from...

Snacking on frangipani fritters. Dipped in a honey mayonnaise mustard dip.

Crunchy savoury meets creamy sweet. You just can't stop munching on them. Well, I couldn't and there was no reason to stop really. Appetizers have been taken to a new standard.

There was of course, the traditional Malay Salad- Ulam: Malay word meaning eating vegetables raw and bitter. This salad is characterized by additions of the banana heart and leaves of the Centella asiatica.
This was served with a spicy side dip of pungent sambal cincalok to whet our appetites before the main courses.

The creamed vegetable soup (Asparagus/spinach/ broccoli? My memory fails me) was a savoury light soup even with the addition of cream.

And there was of course a familiar favourite of spicy kangkong.

Organic wasn't just about vegetables.

Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

Fear not, for organics include meat and boy did we have our protein fix.

Dry beef rendang which I've read to be served for ceremonial occasions or to honour guests (Us!) :) It was full of beefy flavour and those who enjoy chewing on those tasty tendons, there was a lot of that in addition to pure unadulterated meat.
Sweet and sour fish. This was not the one big fish that we expected by little fish that resembled baby discus fish. I cannot recall the English name of the fish but the Hokkiens would know it was pek kia. Covered in a savoury sweet sour sauce with brightly coloured vegetables, it lit up the table even in the dim light of candles in our cosy dining environment.
And last but not least, the sesame chicken. Each piece was evenly covered with marinade, fragrant with the smell and taste of toasted white sesame. It was a juicy piece of meat bursting with flavours every single helping.

Even if you don't stay at the Frangipani Resort and Spa, you really should drop in on their restaurant when in Langkawi. You'd be guaranteed to be well fed just like we were. On organic food, no less. *rubs tummy

missing langkawi

I fell in love with the rays and they were nothing like the ones at Underwater World Singapore. 

We scaled heights (in a van) and took a jump on D'Coconut Resort perched atop Gunung Raya. On the highest peak in Langkawi. 

And this is how we birdwatch. Artificially add inches to aid in our viewing with whatever item happens to be around (road banisters) and stare hard into the horizon. We tried.

Missing the company, missing the island, missing the food and missing some posts. More to follow.

a little piece of heaven

just because :)

Murder at the Datai

Case: Murder of a Female Great Hornbill.

"Twenty years ago at the Datai Bay Resort. The staffs were sitting outside along the pavement waiting for their transport home. They heard the loud crack of the bullet which tore the sky and watched in horror as a female hornbill was shot and hurtled to the ground just a distance away from them. A motorcyclist sped past, stopping only to sweep up the hornbill and went on his way. And this. I promise you. From my heart I promise you, the male hornbill flew back to its position where it perched next to its mate just before it was shot, everyday for four months. Just calling, crying out for her. It was only after a year and 6 months on before it finally moved on and found itself another mate."

If Nature is nothing more than a mystery to you, meet Irshad Mobarak. His physique of an American footballer automatically commands your attention. His ebullience when speaking on the subject of nature, explaining the intricacies of the web of life in which we have a part in, enthralls his audience. He lives up to his namesake. Irshad. Meaning direction, guidance. He speaks the language of the jungle and translates it for anyone who stops long enough to listen. 

We make a stop at the side of the road to take a closer look at the playful dusky langur monkeys and Irshad takes the opportunity to educate us on the medicinal properties of this nondescript invasive plant species that are frequently found at the side of expressways. Even ECP. Yes. East Coast Park Expressway back here in Singapore. Keep a look out for it in future.

Travelling up Gunung Raya was a leisurely ride. I had the luxury of taking the front seat with Shaaban Arshad, an equally knowledgeable team member of Junglewalla. Windows are wound down to allow the cool mountain breeze to refresh the senses and we hear the crystal clear sounds of nature echo all around us on Gunung Raya- the highest peak at 881m on the island of Langkawi.

Initially reserved, I was surprised to see Shaaban suddenly reach out to point to the dusky langur monkeys in the camouflage of the forest. He drives along quietly only for the sole reason of listening intently to the sounds he has well become accustomed to but picking them out for the untrained ears of tourists like me. He gestures towards the sounds of the tree frog and cicadas to share more as he continues driving towards the bottom of the mountain. I wish I had more time in the mountains. 

I lean myself further out of the window hoping to get that much closer to these amazing sights and sounds of nature.

  

Then Irshad has used words to do just that and more. He breathes life into these pages of colorful birds in a well used bird watching book kept in his slingbag. There is a world of difference between reading the guide book and listening to his explanations and anecdotes. Speaking animatedly with expansive body language, I was momentarily amused by his mimic of the red-wattled lapwing "Peeteetitdooweet" and drawn into his bitesized anecdotes of the ways in which this bird fakes injuries to waylay potential predators from their pursuit of its mottled eggs laid at ground level. "This bird deserves an Emmy!"

So does this man who speaks with a genuine love of nature and its kind in hopes to educate in order to protect.

It's pretty obvious which are the birds I actually caught on camera. The drawbacks of a point and shoot. I think we've done pretty well with our birds of prey though. :) 

Langkawi is resplendent with turquoise seas and sandy beaches. About 80% of the island's economy invariably linked to tourism which makes it hard to keep out the increasing destruction man consequentially causes to life. This ecological gem of an island needs more eco-minded people to drive its tourism industry. For the richness of the flora and fauna that attract people to its shores are also the ones being cleared out at an alarming rate for purposes cited as an economic necessity.

For Irshad and his team, they have worked hard to make this statement, "Cleared forests equate to cleared hotel rooms." A simple truth laid bare for many including the relevant authorities to think about. While I have no doubt in the ability of nature to remain resilient to the increasing threats it faces but this allowance to be abused by mankind is but only to a certain extent. I look on as Irshad plucks a leaf from here, crushes another leaf from there. This is the fine balance where he manages an access to nature and its wonders, taking just a little to illustrate and explain it so that people would come to appreciate its inherent value and beauty. Otherwise, how can we protect what we don't understand?

These men are living legends on this mythical island of legends and I leave their nature walk with a fuelled passion to learn more and try to help in ways in which I can live a better life in tandem with nature. And hey, I did better than just finding Tarzan. ;)

I'm starting by paying it forward with this blogpost.

Feel the love, share the knowledge, save the Earth.

Mardi Agro Technology Adventure Park

This is not a slack jaw operation. And probably not the best idea of a fractured jaw recovery celebration but hey, I'm here in Langkawi with thanks to Safra's in2it.sg, Tourism Malaysia and LADA (Langkawi Development Authority). I'll make it good.

What was I thinking coming out to the jungles of Langkawi and behaving like Tarzan and Jane?

"Welcome to the MARDI Agro Technology Park and the million steps that lead to nowhere. I will make it down the flying fox and I will take my personalized aerial view of the jungle and keep an eye out for Tarzan…"

"That's if I keep my eyes opened for the ride." I muse to myself as I hopped up the steps following close behind to our facilitator, John.

Camouflaged by the leaves in this forested area, I spot an orange netted bridge connected to a wooden platform above ground while he helped me with the safety seat harnesses and carabiners.

That's easy.

What they neglected to tell me was that I had to get through the netted Burmah Bridge and two other high rope adventures- the Crazy Step Ladder and Postman's Walk to get to the double line Flying Fox.


Oh the horrors.

(Thanks Darren! photo credits)

Thank goodness for soft-spoken John. He gently encouraged me through all three elements before my trembling legs made it onto the last platform where Bahari stood. The man himself, who built the double line Flying Fox from his experiences from serving in the Melaka army, complete with a motorcycle tyre that serves as a safety stop at the end of the zip line.



Not everyone's a jungle child and that's where ziplines come in. The flying fox takes you on a 200 yard ride from tree to ground at speeds of up to 40km/h.

"Put your legs out in an L-shape when you go down. My son down there. Najimi. He'll make sure you are safe." He assures me as my legs take on a mind of their own to stay put on the platform. I hesitated. Double checked the pronounciation of his son's name and held on for my dear life till I finally removed my feet and took the leap of faith.

Excuse me while I catch my breath and put my heart back to where it almost popped out from its place.

Well. I did it! No Tarzan, unfortunately. No need to see the photos of the most unglamorous Jane in the history remakes of Tarzan either. They just need to know I tried out for the part.

Twice. :)

Six of us went up and six of us came down. Exhilarated. Cue Bachelor Girls interlude "So I walked under a bus. I got hit by a train. And it felt so good. I wanna do it again!" Appropriately inappropriate.

P.S. Planning on going over to Langkawi to try it yourself? Safra's offering a 4D3N package right here. :)

langkawi

just got in from a break. :)