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West Aspiration Sdn Bhd
Langkawi Nature Blogs
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We promote only such activities which are ecologically and environmentally friendly. Please join the 'Malaysia Nature Society' (MNS). Wir sprechen Deutsch. |
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Mark: 2 Sep 2010
COLLECTING & PLANTING CONTINUES
MNS volunteers have spent five evenings over the past couple of months collecting seeds from Lubuk Semilang, planting them in newly made seed beds at Ismael’s nursery and, more recently, replanting saplings from seed beds into transportable bags for final planting at a designated reforestation site.
The next Collect & Plant will take place Saturday 4th September, at the slightly earlier time of 4.30-6.30pm to allow for Puasa.
Langkawi - Jellyfish
Mark: 1 Sept 2010 / By SEREAN LAU -The Star
" LANGKAWI: Improper dumping of sewage and the disappearance of turtles has caused an explosion in the jellyfish population which is threatening tourism here. In the first 21 days of July alone, 185 cases of jellyfish attacks on tourists and residents including fishermen were recorded and this is becoming a cause of concern to the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada)."
Filme aus den deutschen Fernsehprogrammen und deutschsprachige Kinofilme.
Ueber 2000 Filme. Handlingfee 2 Rm je Film.Info und Filmlisten filmeindeutsch@gmail.com
Mark: 28 Aug 2010
In Preparation: The Langkawi Gazette
International Cooking Club
The idea is simple:
We meet once or twice a month, and each time another member of the club cooks for everybody
(if you can not cook - like me - you can join anyway).
We all share the cost of the food. The cook does not have to pay anything.
A lot of expats would like to eat the food of their own countries which they can either not find here at all or only in upscale restaurants where they pay tourist prices.
Read more: In Preparation: The Langkawi Gazette International Cooking Club
Letter to the Gazette: Pantai Tengah is Neglected
27 Aug 2010 / from the Director of an important business on Pantai Tengah
It is with regret that I have herewith to convey some comments from tourists that have been voiced to me. I fully agree with them.
They feel that the entire stretch from the junction onwards is in total neglect and a hazard to tourists.
There are more than 50% of all the street lights out at night. - The walk way is overgrown. - The walk way is dangerous with open sewerage holes. - Electric boxes are not safe. - It is very dirty all the way.
I send you some pictures to support this.
The authorities must be made aware of this (2 more pictures).
Read more: Letter to the Gazette: Pantai Tengah is Neglected
Internet in Langkawi
Mark: 27 Aug 2010
Some reflections about the massive problems with the cabled Internet access through the monopoly of TM NET - with 3 statistics at the end of the article
If you experience at the moment, that our reaction is sometimes a bit slow, it is not because we felt in the low season’s lazy island mood enhanced by the way of life during the Ramadan or because we got the flu like everybody else – it is because we have at the time some real problems with the TM provided (or better: not provided) INTERNET CONNECTION.
The Langkawi Gazette is now on Facebook
This to inform you about new articles on the Gazette or for a short, spontaneous information about ourselves, or from you to us - and for you to
PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
If you organize a BBQ, a GIG or a Moonlight Party, if you invite for a commercial event or a charity event, if you open a new shop or offer a new service – as long as it happens on Langkawi – and is a proper event (and not just plain day to day promotion for your business) you can use this page.
Plain promotion will be removed without notice. Sorry – but we will have to do this to keep the page interesting. Other stuff, like ‘Travel Experiences’ and such – will also be removed. You can always write to the Gazette – and we will publish your text and pictures if they are of general interest!
Bridge between Perlis and Langkawi
Mark: 24 Aug 2010 / Bernama
Updated: 29 Aug 2010 /3rd link, bottom of page, with interesting content
We wrote about this project about a year ago – but it seems still to be in the air – hovering just slightly above the water into which many hope it will plunge to be forgotten for good…
The project we mean is the planned bridge between Perlis and Langkawi.
“Two companies based in Perlis had proposed to build this 48km bridge linking Langkawi to Kuala Perlis on the mainland.
Langkawi Helicopter Ride
Mark: 20 Aug 2010
updated: 21 Aug 2010: Technical data / Q&A
I didn’t see that coming. I was caught by surprise….
I saw the Helicopter on the ground and a few service men around it. I made a few pictures and then crossed the street to the office of the helicopter company at Pekan Rabu, to get some info about their operation times etc. And there Mr. Thilak Narayanan, the Director of Operations and Marketing, recognized me as the guy from the Gazette – and right away scheduled me for a free flight in 3 minutes…. I didn’t even have the time to tell him that I hadn’t made my last will yet, that the doctor told me . . . and that I was afraid of heights . . .
Mark: 20 Aug 2010
Enzo’s successor in Berjaya is Mr. Graeme Dwyer
First we knew it from unofficial sources, upon which we could not act, then by sending an email to the old email address of Enzo, we got it ‘officially’:
"Your email has been forwarded to the new General Manager for Berjaya Langkawi - Mr. Graeme Dwyer. "
Also confirmed by: http://my.linkedin.com/pub/graeme-dwyer/5/75b/188
We are waiting for an official statement and picture.
DAYDREAMER's bad AWAKENING
Mark: 13 August 2010
See comments: it was an other rock . . .
On the 9th of August, the Catamaran
"DAYDREAMER"
operated and managed by Crystal Yacht Holidays, set sail on its sunset cruise. They hit a rock (which should be a known rock to every Captain) and started sinking. Crystal Yachts Director who was on board called Awana Marina for help and a rescue boat was dispatched. The rescue boat was captained by Captain Din and all passengers were safely brought to land.
From what we heard, there were more persons aboard than her license allowed - and nobody was wearing life jackets . . .
New Langkawi Group on Face Book
Mark: 13 August 2010
Update: probably as a reaction to the post below, Vanessa has deleted us from her group and taken my 2 comments out. We have of course still access to the page and will update you how the page is doing. Mark
Vanessa Workman has created a new Face Book Group, called
ISLAND DRUM of LANGKAWI
The reason given for the creation of this new group is:
“Due to the poor communication of events information, yet another group comes on the scene to inform all of activities in Langkawi. Hopefully this will be a success.”
And it goes on saying:
”If you know about a happening here in Langkawi, please post it.
For now, hopefully this will be a way of passing the word on Langkawi events...”
Our opinion:
Letter to the Gazette
Dear Gazette Administrator,
I have heard and been told by staff members that the Bella Vista hotel in Kuah is planning to build
a huge septic tank
at the end of the reclaimed land. This area floods on high tides right in front of Kuah town. Because the land lies under sea level, the bottom of the septic tank will be flooded from underneath every high tide pushing up the contents of the tank creating terrible health hazard problems ~ not only the disgusting stink that will pollute the town but the very real risk of spreading disease like e coli and others.
Mark: 11 August 2010
SWIFT INFLATABLES in Kuah has a new, fully equipped
MERCURY SERVICE CENTRE
for repairing MERCURY Outboard Motors, Sterndrives and Cummins diesel engines. They also repaire other makes of outboards such as Yamaha and Suzuki.
Most spare parts can be delivered within two days from order.
Today all modern marine engines, whether outboard or inboard, are fitted with Electronic Control Modules (ECM’s), also called Process Control Modules (PCM’S), which regulate the operation of the engine. To properly maintain and to service the engine it is essential to be able to monitor the ECM or PCM with a computer diagnostic system. Swift is equipped with a Mercury SPX Computer Diagnostic System (CDS) that enables them to check the functioning of all electronic modules and electrical circuits on a Mercury outboard motor or inboard engine.
Their new website is now up and contains a broad spectrum of Marine Equipment and Services.
Wolf Langenbacher passed away
Mark: 9 August 2010
Wolf Peter Langenbacher who owned the restaurant DOMINO in Kuah, passed away on 25th of last month.
Ha was 72 years old.
He had a stroke and was treated in the Langkawi Hospital, but did not recover.
He owned the DOMINO for 21 years.
Dee, his helper during the last 17 years, goes on with operating the restaurant for the time being, but the future of the DOMINO is uncertain.
Tropical Madness by Tropical Charters
Recently, at Awana Langkawi Spa and Island Resort, the night rocked to the blare of music and merriment from the Ballroom. Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd was throwing a big appreciation party with the theme “Tropical Madness” for all their agents and hoteliers and a host of other clients and friends and most importantly, their staff, who have supported and continue supporting them towards achieving their goal of becoming the best boat cruise operator on the island offering Day Cruises, Sunset Dinner Cruises, Private Charters and a host of other fun sea things to do…
The Chenang Boat Quay
will reopen on Wednesday, 11th August with with free Sangria and soft drinks from 6 to 8pm. Mediterranean BBQ starts at 7 pm - RM 50.00. More info coming.
Berjaya - The End of a Legend
Mark: 4 August 2010
First it was rumour from some unhappy staff who were sad her GM had to leave.
Now it is public on the Trip Advisor:
Enzo Rulli, the GM of Berjaya,
will leave the resort.
"I hate these internal spies" - a staff member told me....
Enzo was very much liked by his guests AND by his staff.
Patrick from 'Langkawi Link' wrote:
"Enzo always went out of his way to make his guests happy. I've never come across such a kind and considerate hotel GM. He really made sure my wife and I had a 20th anniversary we wouldn't forget. Hearing that he was let go felt like receiving a roundhouse kick to the head. - If you're reading this Enzo, Aini and I truly thank you for everything and sincerely wish you greater success and happiness. Whoever gets you next is going to be lucky as hell."
We too wish him all the best and hope he finds the right place - with no 'internal politics'...
Enzo's 'bye bye' you find here .
Langkawi: Visa on Arrival for 8 countries definitively revoked
Mark: 2 August 2010 / Source: Bernama
Updated: 3 August 2010
The following applies only to these eight countries:
China, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan and Comoros.
Issuance Of VOA To Tourists Won't Be Revived - DPM
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The government has decided not to revive the issuance of visa on arrival (VOA) to foreign tourists at the entry points into the country, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the move to revoke the implementation of the VOA was due to the fact that the facility was being abused previously.
Langkawi Mountain Bike Challenge
Mark: 2 August 2010 / Source: The Star
6 - 8 August 2010
More than 800 cyclists have signed up for the inaugural TM-Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC 2010) to be held from Aug 6-8.
130 of them are cyclists from Australia, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Olympic Cross Country challenge will start and end at Kampung Tok Senik, while the Endurance Challenge will start and finish at Telaga Harbour Park.
Prizes totalling RM250,000 will be up for grabs. Telekom Malaysia Bhd are the title sponsors of the event.
Mark:2 August 2010 /Source Bernama
State Government questioned for allowing Foreigners
to buy Malay Reserve Land
(And below a list of common Alibaba Tactics, MR)
ALOR SETAR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The Kedah state government was today taken to task for allowing foreigners to buy and build houses on Malay reserve land in Langkawi.
Mark: 1 August 2010
Bravo Patrick !!
The FIRST number of the
Langkawi Vacation Guide is out !
Patrick Low and his team from the Langkawi Link have done it again: the new version of the Langkawi Link, called 'Vacation Guide' is out.
This edition has been printed in 10 000 copies and will be distributed at the Airport only.
Click on the picture to read it !
Such a printed medium for the Tourism Industry has been missing until now.
Patrick writes:
"The guide will have:
Visited by a Baby-Snake
Mark: 30 July 2010
Updated with 2 funny pics from a reader !
Click on 'read more'.
While sitting before my computer, I suddenly saw behind the curtain of a window something long and blackish falling to the floor: a cute little baby-snake found a hole somewhere - may be a not properly closed window - and came to visit me.
Can anybody tell me
what kind of snake this is?
Despite cheking lot of pictures on the NET - I was not able to define it. It looks similar to the Mangrove Snake (equal 'Goldringed Cat Snake' ?) - but the body is not black, but brown and the lower side of the head is not yellow. And it has a signature on the head. So - can anybody help? Is it a baby form? Is it safe to touch ? (If you are nor registered, just use 'contact' to tell me.) Thanks.
This event has been postponed
to Oct / Nov 2010
Malaysia Nature Society celebrates its 70th anniversary (1940-2010).
The event is mainly for the members of MNS and the press. But if you are interested in the matter - you are very welcome to join.
Date: Sunday, 8 August 2010
Venue: LADA, Langkawi
Registration at 2.00 pm
Programme: from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm
The Westin Charity Run 2010
Date: Saturday 31st July 2010
Registration time: 7.30 - 8.30 am
Runningt time: 9.00 - 11.00 am
Assembly Point: Lower lobby area of
The Westin Langkawi Resort
Participation fee: RM 35 per person
(inclusive of a "Run Westin 2010" T-Shirt and mineral water)
For enquiries contact: Ms. Teh Siew at 6 04 960 8813, Ms. Bhavani at 6 04 960 8908,
Ms. Umi at 6 04 960 8823 or Ms. Nurul at 6 04 960 8821
Update on the Langkawi City Map Problem
Mark: 29 July 2010 / From reliable source
A team of 3 business people from Langkawi and a legal team went to KL 2 weeks ago to investigate the City-Map company. What they found out is:
The address does not exist: there is no office there, no phone, no sign board, and the caretaker said, this company had left 2 years ago.
At least 8, possibly in between10, Langkawi Business Owners who had an ad in this map and want a refund, have now filed a Report with the Office of Business Registration in LADA for breach of contract and false statement.
If you have had an ad in this map too, consider to join.
Langkawi Cable Car Closure
Change in the date of the closing of the Cable Car for the big annual maintenance:
this was scheduled for 12 - 27 August - but it is now
closed from 17 August to 5 September.
Open for tourists again on the 6 September 2010.
Reason: The closure depends upon the availability of technicians form Austria, who fly in to do this work.
Restaurant Report: Restoran Siti Fatimah
If you are looking for a local restaurant with a wide variety of good food well prepared and not costly - read this Restaurant Report here.
Our new 'Food Taster', Mathijs Nanne went there with wife and child - and liked it.
This is NOT a paid Ad !!
The Jellyfish-Fishing
27. 07. 2010: Mark / Source: wchinner
"The storm clouds were approaching fast before the start of the operation and Langkawi folks had already gathered at Kuala Cenang jetty awaiting the VIPs."
This is the poetic beginning of a report by 'wchinner' about the Jellyfish-Fishing, organised by Lada and concentrated forces.
So what happened - what did they find? And - how effective do you believe this whole action to be? - Read this blog. It is very well done with many pictures and gives an interesting insight how Langkawi tries to deal with the Jellyfish situation. The blog you find here.
The Langkawi Gazette has two new ‘members’:
We are proud and happy to announce, that we have two new members in our team,
who will help the Langkawi Gazette to be successful:
Uli Erhart (from the NEWAY LTD) will act as our ‘Field Worker’: visiting you and explaining you, how your business can profit from the Langkawi Gazette and how you can get the best conditions.
She also has started to build up our ‘rent-in-langkawi.com’ website (a part of the Langkawi Gazette). If you have a house or apartment to rent out, or a piece of land to sell, she will come and take a few pictures and get the basic information, so we can effectively promote it for you.
You will find Uli a very nice and easy to talk to person who will understand your concerns and is well qualified to help you. If you want her to visit you for any of the above reasons, you can use ‘contact’ or write to her directly at newayltd@rocketmail.com .
Mathijs Nanne: Mathijs practically takes over our Restaurant Guide section from Shirley, as Shirley who is now in Penang, has not the time to do it anymore.
Mathijs has already started to write Restaurant Reports – and does so in a very interesting and qualified way (he works himself as a Chef in Pantai Cenang ! ). He will show the rich and broad spectrum of food in Langkawi, validate all the good and great things and may be sometimes give a tip, what a certain restaurant could do even better (but in a very positive and balanced way) . . . If you have a restaurant and would like to have a ‘Food Tasting’ to get a Restaurant Report in the Langkawi Restaurant Guide, please just use ‘contact’.
MNS Langkawi
Mark: 27 July 2010
The Malaysian Nature Society Langkawi Chapter had it's Annual General Meeting yesterday evening in LADA.
New Chairman is: Eric Sinnaya of Morahols Travel
New Vice Chairman: Teoh Cheng Kung (John Theo)
HON. SECRETARY: Vanessa Workman
HON. TREASURER : Tom Gerrard (TC)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
Ms. Zuraidah Zainal Abidun
Mr. Alif Emmes Abdullah
Ms. Iris Kutching
Mr. Mahendra Dev Kalidas
Mr. Megat Shahrul Azman Abas
Mr. Hamish Thorburn
Ms. Wendy Chin
Ms. Iris Schöller
These office bearers and the members of the new committee will have to be approved by the MNS HQ first.
The main work of MNS Langkawi will go on: see Langkawi Rainforest Petition
Advertising:
Honda Steed, 400cc, looks good, technically fully ok with spare parts - only
RM 4200 ONO (worth 8000). Reason: must first be imported into Malaysia. Contact me
only if this is no problem for you. Bike is in Kuah. langkawigazette@gmail.com
STOLEN FROM TELAGA HARBOUR MARINA 21ST JULY 2010
KOHLER GASOLINE GENERATOR - MODEL 5ECD -BRAND NEW WHITE
SERIAL NUMBER 2216342 - SPEC NUMBER GM39685 /GA5 - 110V - 60 HZ
PLEASE REPORT TO KUAH POLICE STATION OR TELAGA HARBOUR MARINA MANAGEMENT IN COMPLETE CONFIDENTIALITY
Langkawi and the Jellyfishes
20 July 2010 / Mark, Tripadvisor, wchinner
INFORMATION EVENT 21st of July and an other
Jellyfish Operation by LADA on the 25th (see further down)
Event: TALK ON HOW TO MANAGE JELLYFISH ATTACK
(MEDICAL AND TRADITIONAL TREATMENT)
Date: 21 JULY 2010 (WEDNESDAY) - Time: 3:00pm
Venue: MALIBEST Beach, Pantai Cenang
Tour guides against move to allow foreign workers
Monday July 19, 2010 / forwarded by Pishol Ishak
Local tour guides have objected to Tourism Ministry’s proposal to allow foreign tour guides to work in Malaysia.
Representatives from 12 tour guide associations nationwide expressed their dissatisfaction during a tour guide council meeting in Malacca on Saturday.
Langkawi Tourist Guides Association chairman A. Gunasagaran said if foreign tour guides were allowed to work here, it should be on condition that they attend familiarisation courses,
“They must also register themselves as members of tourist associations here,’’ he said.
Read more: Tour guides against move to allow foreign workers
Advertising:
Free Hold Land for Sale
- 13 Acres
- close to Kuah
- mainly flat with a very gentle slope
- land at the moment mainly open space with
some small vegetation, part of it wooded
- very safe and quiet environment
Ideal for any big project that does not need to be at the sea side.
See bigger picture and shape of land here.
Price: RM 18.00 per sqft
Please contact Mark at langkawigazette@gmail.com
Labuan Offshore Company
Mark: 13 July 2010
The dream has ended
Today I spoke with Mr. Ahmad Kamil Mohd Yusop from the Law & Commerce Trust Ltd. Marketing Office in Kuala Lumpur. Here is what I learned:
Until recently the LOC – Labuan Offshore Company – had been a good solution for an Expat, if he did not make business with locals or invoice in RM. He did not need an office, did not need to put 350 000 (or 500 000 RM) on a bank account, did not need to have a co-director and paid only 3% company-taxes - instead of 25.
City Map Discussion in the Big Apple Donuts, Jetty Point
9th of July 2010
From the about 12 business people who could be reached and who did express dissatisfaction about the quality and other aspects of the City Map Project, and promised to come, only a handful appeared at the Big Apple Donuts on the evening of the 9th of July.
Read more - many pictures !!
The Charity Club Langkawi
Bringing charity straight to the home
NGO 1556-10-KDH
The Langkawi Chairity Group is a newly registered Charity Organisation on Langkawi.
It comprises a small group of people living on the island who are committed to improving the day to day lives of underprivileged families on Langkawi. We make regular visits to villages distributing food, donated clothing, linen and toys. We work closely with the Welfare Department and assist families to apply for any benefits they may be entitled to.
Banco's Rooftop Bar - Pantai Tengah: Live music
Monday, 12. July - 7.00pm til 1.00am
Enjoy a night of live music at Banco's Bar performed by visiting Australian musicians,
Lewis Stephenson and friends
An impromptu gig for lovers of old and new rock
The Charity Club Langkawi
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Visit our Booth at the
Blood Donation Day in Langkawi Fair on Saturday 7 August. We will be selling secondhand clothes, books, CDs and other items. All proceeds will be used to improve the lives of underprivileged families on Langkawi. |
Blood Donation in Langkawi Fair
Mark: 08 July 2010
ANSARA is organising a
Nationwide PreRamadhan Blood Donation Campaign
to stock up as much blood as possible at all blood banks throughout the country before the start of the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Date : 7th August 2010 (Saturday)
Time : 10:30am to 6:00pm
Venue : Langkawi Fair concourse area
CITY MAP Problem
Mark: 8 July 2010
As we have just been told, there is a problem with the quality of the CITY MAP of Langkawi. - All those who have the feeling that they have been cheated and lost money or are otherwise interested in the case, are invited to come to the
Big Apple Donuts at the Jetty Point
tomorrow, Friday, 9th of July 2010 at 18.00
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
The intention is to organise a common action to get the money back.
We will report more on this after the meeting.
Missing: Anton Petrov
Mark: 08 July 2010 / Ahmad Kamil Mohd Yusop
Anton Petrov who was very active promoting the "Offshore Company" on our Island seems to have vanished, taking with him huge sums of money.
The story behind seems to be, that "by 2nd February 2010 no such services could be provided anymore due to certain changes in immigration checklist and requirements."
Nevertheless he went on offering the services "despite the fact that he knew that".
(We will try to find out what these changes in requirements were and report on it).
The Most Dangerous Street of Langkawi
Mark: 5 July 2010 / Thanks for the Info to Reg
Missing Drain Covers
At the entrance to the new quarter beside Pekan Rabu a whole string of drainage holes, very deep and large enough for a big motorbike tyre or a small car tire to be effectively trapped, are open since quite some time now.
It seems, that the covers were too small and have fallen into the holes.
Read on and see where it is ...
Art Exhibition Langkawi
By Uli: 1 July 2010
'Football & Art' Exhibition in the
Underwater World Langkawi
I did not know, what to expect, as I went to this art show. I am German - and so I was born with the " Football - Gene " - but this here did indeed surprise me:
The different ways 17 different artists did see and interpret one and the same thing is quite fantastic.
There are naive, abstract and digital works of art as well as statues made from copper and brass.
And as you can imagine, the artists have to buy their food as you and me and that’s why all the works of art are for sale . . .
The show did kick - off officially on Friday, 11 June 2010 and the exhibition continues until the final whistle on Sunday, 11 July 2010.
May the best win. See pictures here
