It`s been a while. Of course it has.

A few weeks back we all had a bout of gastroenteritis, the nice smelly, “I`m going to clean your intestines out properly”, illness.

We then got on a plane to Langkawi (we have visited there once before on our flight back to Perth from the UK in 2005. We loved it then, loved it now) for 8 days (3 days in Kuala Lumpur to finish off) for a much needed getaway. It was a wonderful family holiday. All of us, all together. First time we have been able to do this. First time Zyah and Zeth have been on a plane. The only time Damaris can remember.

We spent long, full days out, calling reception for our shuttle to pick us up for breakfast, “Hi, could we have a bus for 2148 please?” The girls would rush to the phone each morning to take their turn of ringing up for a shuttle. We wouldn`t get home until 9-10pm each night.

The people in Langkawi drive fast, without rules and cares on the roads but they are so welcoming and relaxed. They LOVED our children. Damaris, Zyah and Zeth were THE main attractions each day, somewhere.

We visited the bird park and many people went dotty over the little ones upon entry. The snakes, lizards and birds which these tourists and locals could have a hold of and have pictures with just didn`t compare to our attractions. Zeth was the main man that people took notice of. He lapped it up too with his curly, golden hair in tow.

We were on one of the highest and scariest bridges in the world but the visitors were going ga-ga over Zeth and asking the same two questions, “Are they twins?” (referring to the girls), “Can we take pictures of them?” We just needed a hat for all the donations…

The girls had a very special time with a very gorgeous 18 month old. No it wasn`t Zeth! They were lucky enough to hold and feed (with a baby bottle) a very beautiful and gentle little monkey. Their faces just melted when he curled up in there arms. He was a little excited before he was given to Damaris but she calmed him right down and he adored being with her and then Zyah.

The girls (especially Damaris), loved the crazy crabs. They collected them up and wanted to take them home with us. Of course we insisted that the crabs have a quieter life where they were, away from our girls.

Zeth loved to give the little rabbits a friendly push. Not sure why he was doing this. Perhaps it was because he was bigger than them, made a change I guess.

The Langkawi cable car made me crease up. Gary isn`t too cool on heights. The horizontal distance is 2079m, with a vertical rise of 680m. It was a lovely ride with all of us in the car, expressions saying a million thoughts and feelings, “Are we going to get through this or die?” being a prominent one.

Gary booked me in for a couple of spa treatments. They were lovely. Something I could get very used to.

The setting we were lucky enough to have was a room at the Berjaya Resort. We were partly in the jungle being visited by the monkeys and very close to the beach. The breakfasts were to die for. I remember being in quite a hurry to get to the table each morning. My favourites included a wonderful cream/icing that I would smooth onto a waffle and paratha (a mix between a pastry and pancake, used mainly to eat with rice, curries and vegetables) and the selection of fresh gorgeous fruit and juices.

We were sad to leave Langkawi. Kuala Lumpur we liked a little more this time around. When we stayed there before we just found it to be too busy, too (big) city-like for us. The hotel was supposed to be 5 star and it was barely a 2! This stay we got a great deal and stayed at the best hotel in KL, Traders. We can see why it is the best. We were treated pretty cool and the room/facilities/amenities were just exceptional. Our back-drop was of the Petronas towers out the huge windows!

Despite the pampering of a suave hotel, my favourite hotel/resort was the Berjaya. It had character, charm and loveliness. It won my heart as did Langkawi. I would love to return for a third time.

A part from initial illness and a fabulous holiday life has been pretty full on. Having three little ones is pretty tiring, holiday or no holiday.

Love you all XXX

written by Mandyleigh \\ tags: berjaya, bus, children, Damaris, hotel, kl, kuala lumpur, langkawi, petronas towers, shuttle, traders, zeth, Zyah