our mini break to Langkawi

After the stress and turbulance of the move, putting up with 100 degrees humidity, no furniture, both starting new jobs and having no friends (sob), we thought we deserved a holiday a deux.

In August as I sweated (definitely not glowed) my way round various parks and botanical gardens usually carying Archie who was just exhausted by the blanket of heat, I yearned for the beaches and windswept walks around Cornwall where we had planned a holiday for 2 weeks and had had to cancel. Even the February half term trip to Centre Parcs had taken on a nostalgic hue.

After 6 business trips in 2 months between us (Sydney, Philippines, Beijing (x3) and the UK) we decided it was time we had a trip for pleasure and so we found ourselves in one of the most beautiful spots I have ever been. A hotel (the Datai) built deep in the rainforests of island of Langkawi, on the north west tip of the Island, and therefore totally unspoilt and very secluded.

We were treated like royalty - pearly kings and queens, obviously, with Mark's East end origins... - seriously, nothing was too much trouble. In fact because the staff are so kind and obliging and gentle, I am sure it must rub off on the guests. Everyone just looked so chilled and just so happy to be there.

The spa was so cool - you had your massage in a small cabin, luxuriously decked out, and with vast openings out onto the rain forest, and set over a river so all you could hear was the water rippling and the trees rustling.

We saw a bit of jungle life too - flying squirrels ( just a red flash in the sky as they glided between trees - the first couple of times I thought it was the Daquiris, a tarantula on a night walk, lots of very tame moneys, and too many leeches for my liking on a jungle trek. ugh - well I just had to imagine it was medicinal when I saw all the blood...

Wonderful deserted beach, great beach bar - we made friends with the barman and helped him concoct cocktails for his staff entry for the hotel cocktail competition. As he was muslim he wasn't able to try them but we could. He didn't win but we had fun trying. Every night bang on 6.30 the heavens would open and there would be a torrential downpour for about an hour. This was the signal to retire to the bar, play a few games, write a few postcards and enjoy the rain.

It was 272 steps back up to the hotel - I counted - you could get a buggy if you wanted, but it was wonderful walking back at night through the jungle. One night as we contemplated whether to walk back or wait for the buggy, a wild boar went for a nosy round the pool. Wouldn't have wanted to come up against it so we took the buggy that night.

Although we went in the rainy season we had 5 stunningly beautiful days where the biggest decision was which of the 2 pools or the beach to go to, and where to eat - which we did copiously; oh and whether to go out on the hoby cat, (you can tell I'm not a sailor), the windsurf or just to wade into the very warm water and look out back to the coast where you couldn't even see any part of the hotel because it was completely shrouded by the forest.

If you are ever in these parts (visiting us obviously) you must go to the Datai. Absolute heaven.

Now back in HK working 12 hour days and yearning for next trip.
Already have one in mind - Siem Reap in Cambodia for my birthday (hint!) It's a big one....