Welcome to the jungle
Getting lost never looked so appealing. Where peace and quiet collide in the most restful way.
16 July, 2015
A step back in time
A loud cicada symphony serenades us as we wander through a tangled rainforest on the secluded north-western tip of Langkawi, a lush tropical island off the coast of west Malaysia.
The noise is almost deafening as it reaches a crescendo and then the heavens open but that’s after we have seen some of the inhabitants of this 10-million year old rainforest that pop their heads out from behind rocks and trees to see who is dropping by. Crickets, geckos, owlfrogs and flying squirrels – we spot them all in the moonlight and then return again the next morning to see a different side.
This time a tiny orange albatross butterfly dressed in brilliant sunburnt hues lands on a leaf beside me while an Asian fairy bluebird does a dainty touchdown on a branch just as an inquisitive dusky langur spies us.
“Yes you could say this is a true nature wonderland,” says our guide, Irshad Mobarak, who for many years has been introducing guests of Langkawi's chic hideaway resort, The Datai, to nature’s glory.
It is something Irshad never tires off and says each time he steps into the jungle - day or night - he discovers something new.
The resident naturalist says it’s a privilege to introduce guests to the wonders of the centuries-old virgin rainforest that surrounds the pristine property.
Spend some time with Irshad and you soon discover his enthusiasm is infectious as he shares his extensive knowledge and interesting facts and figures about the region.
“I like to consider myself a conservationist first and I pass the message of nature on in an educational and fun way - it's great to see the reaction from guests as they learn more about the wonders of nature,” he says.
Irshad says Langkawi is truly blessed with some of Malaysia’s most beautiful scenery such as the sheer sandstone formations that are a backdrop to the resort.
“Take a look at the limestone seastacks and outcrops that emerge like ancient temples from the emerald waters and islands, lakes and secluded coves to the south,” he says.
The short nature walks, complimentary for Datai guests, opens your eyes to the treasures of the rainforest and you are also likely to see large lizards lounging on moss-covered stone steps and a nosey monkey or two chilling out in the gardens.
A taste of paradise
Dining is a culinary adventure at The Datai with a choice of restaurants set in exotic locations. The elevated open-air Pavilion serves authentic Thai dishes with wonderful views over the rainforest canopy.
For authentic Malay and Indian dishes, the rustic Gulai House set deep in the rainforest and resembling a traditional Malay kampung home is a stand-out.
The main dining room offers Malay and Continental fine dining in the evening and a popular champagne buffet breakfast to start the day. The lobby lounge that overlooks the rainforest canopy has all-day snacks and evening canapes and cocktails while the Beach Club is perfect for casual dining.
If you want a romantic moment, special dining can be orchestrated ranging from a candle-lit beach dinner to a four-course lobster feast under the stars in the rainforest.
The resort’s spa is a slice of heaven and offers treatments based on traditional Malay healing principles using indigenous ingredients such as leaves, stems, barks, fruits and roots from the rainforest.
The resort has 125 luxurious villas, suites and rooms that take in the wonderous views in perfect privacy. Of course if it’s something even more special you want then the new beachside havens, complete with butler and a 10-metre pool private pool are hard to go past.
The perfect half-moon shaped Datai Beach with its white sand and azure waters is great for sun worshipping, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling.
It is well deserving of its National Geographic inclusion as one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
Feeling energetic? There are jungle running trails around the resort and kayaking in the Kubang Badak River along the mangrove forests is popular. Boats can be chartered for island hopping if the mood takes you or sunset and dinner cruises are offered on board the resort’s new addition, a 97-foot traditional schooner, the Naga Pelangi.
A sense of adventure
Golf enthusiasts can test their skills at the challenging new 18-hole championship Els Club Teluk Datai designed by Ernie Els skirting natural flora and meandering streams. But be warned, a wayward shot into the jungle will rarely be found – taken by the ancient jungle to no doubt confound naturalists in hundreds of years time.
If you can drag yourself away from the luxurious resort, enjoy the stunning views from the Langkawi Cable Car as it takes you one mile (1,700 metres) up Mount Matcincang and visit Sungai Kilim Nature Park with mangrove forests and blue lagoons where you may spot iguanas, macaques and tree crabs.
It is a unique destination that offers the very finest in accommodations and luxury, but the star is undoubtedly the ancient rainforest running down to the spectacular coastline. Both awe-inspiring and relaxing, it is a natural time machine that remembers the world when it was a very different place and at least for the duration of your stay, creates the perfect buffer to the outside world.
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