Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

The Langkawi archipelago is made up of a cluster of 99 islands, sprinkled just off the shores of the Northern Kedah State in Peninsular Malaysia. During low tide, the number of islands expands to 104. It's understandable that only a few islands are inhabited. Many of the islands are little more than rocky outcrops separated by narrow canals where only sampans(little boats) can travel through. Langkawi island (478.5 sq.km) is the largest of them all and is not much smaller than Singapore (646 sq.km) but has a much smaller island population of only 62,000.


The most famous of Langkawi legends is the Curse of Mahsuri. Mahsuri was a beautiful maiden of Muslim Siamese descent. As with admiration in some, there will always be jealousy evoked in others. Mahsuri's mother-in-law was insanely jealous of her beauty and popularity. She took the opportunity one day to rid Mahsuri as she accused her of adultery during the absence of her husband who had gone off to war. Adultery by local law was a sin punishable by death. Mahsuri was executed in public. As she pleaded for her innocence, the executioner plunged a 'keris' or dagger into her. To their surprise, Mahsuri's blood trickled white which signified that she was innocent but little could be done for her.

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi

Pulau Langkawi