I’m Infected with Covid 19 on The Island Of Langkawi, Now What?

Langkawi Island is a small island located in the Andaman Sea, part of the Malaysian state of Kedah. The island is well known for its beautiful beaches and lush rainforest. Joining the travel bubble may not be a good idea as the island has high cases of covid 19 infections. Being here, as I am free to move around, entices me to do some activities which I will share in this article.

This image was taken at Langkawi Yacht Club by Elvie Lins

The island of Langkawi is near the border with Thailand. Langkawi is a popular tourist destination, with white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and lush jungle. The island is also home to a number of resorts and luxury hotels.

Under the “Travel Bubble”, while on the island, I am free to move around as long as my covid test is negative. There are thousand you can do on the island. I have done a few sightseeing on my own as staying in the hotel could be boring at times.

I’ve done body and foot massage which is my favorite about Malaysia is the Malay type of body Massage.

On the second day I arrived here, I went to Pantai Cenang Beach. A very touristic area in Langkawi according to the Grab Taxi I’ve booked when I went. You can swim and there were many local and international restaurants to have your meals.

Sunset at Pantai Cenang in Langkawi. Image by Elvie Lins

The water at Pantai Cenang is nice and clean. I saw the locals were happily swimming and taking fun photos with each other.

The sunset at Pantai Cenang seems dramatic and I believed this is why the locals come for Instagram's photographs.

The Mangrove Lake Tour for 4 hours

I met a wonderful lady from England who is also in the travel bubble for her to be able to see her daughter in Kuala Lumpur.

So we rented a private boat and headed on a mangrove lake tour.

The Mangrove Lake in Langkawi is a popular tourist attraction. It is said to be the oldest lake in the country, and it is believed to have been formed more than 10,000 years ago. The lake is a natural habitat for a variety of animals, including monkeys, crocodiles, and snakes. It is also home to a number of plant species, including mangroves and ferns.

The lake is so huge and it is connected to the Andaman sea that directs you to Thailand.

Bat cave intrance at Mangrove Lake in Langkawi by Elvie Lins

Our first stop was the Bat cave. An interesting karst formation inside this cave. For the bats, there were plenty hanging on the stone wall.

It was dark, so I could not take any images of the bats.

We have seen Langkawi’s Eagle but did not manage to capture one very nice image.

Image of flying eagles. Image by Elvie Lins

Upon exit from Mangrove lake, we end up at Kilim Geoforest Park. I am not sure they call it a park where you are only able to take photographs.

After Kilim Geoforest park, the boatman brought us to the private beach. For sure it is very private. It was small and the water wasn’t that clean.

Here is the snap below.

Private beach at Mangrove tour package included- Image by Elvie Lins

Could have been nice if they keep it clean and they park the boat a little far so as not to smell the gasoline. There is rubbish by the side of the beach, like cans and cigarette packs as well as all sorts of plastics around.

I am not really an environmentalist but I do care about nature.

The floating restaurant at Mangrove lake in Langkawi by Elvie Lins

After that beach, the boatman drove us to this floating restaurant and we were introduced to different kinds of fish.

We had some food at the floating restaurant and it wasn’t that bad. The fish was fresh. Yes, it was a little pricy. But everywhere in Langkawi right now is pricy.

The boatman did not wait for us while we had our meals. But he told the restaurant to bring us back to the Jetty and they did.

Georforest Mangrove Tour. Image by Elvie Lins

Conclusion:

If you love mangroves, and the longboat rides towards the ocean, then this may be for you.

As for many habitats, I saw eagles, bats, and types of small fishes swimming when the boat was parked. It was in the afternoon and I would say they could have rested due to the super hot sunny day.

There is no crocodile and yes I saw cute monkeys like me. (just kidding)

There are interesting plants I have seen, like cactus and wild orchids. The formation of Mangrove trees is very interesting.

But if you are like me, have seen nicer things around Asia and the world, it is not really exciting anymore. The cost, we paid for the trip alone was RM Malaysian money 400, it is about SGD 150. It was a good experience though. The lady I was with was happy about the tour, which is a good thing.

This is my personal review. We all have different preferences and this review shall not be taken as reference or advice.

Photography:

I find it not interesting for photographs. I think because of the time we have chosen to make the trip. If you are into photography trips, I cannot recommend you this Mangrove lake tour. Try getting another one perhaps go to the beach and explore cable car rides and sky Bridge which I wanted to do but I could not for now.

What is the bad news!

On my 6th day on the island of Langkawi, did a self-test using saliva and it shows positive. I could not believe it myself.

I have my test kit from Austria with the use of taking samples from the nose and also turning positive.

My PCR test came positive. I have an RdRp gene 19.72 and E gene 19.17 value which is according to the helpdesk covid 19 support that this reading is a bit high and confirm positive with Category 2a.

Today as I write this article, I have a runny nose and a mild cough.

I came from a cold country and came to a super hot and humid island which is a total change environment and it is very normal for me to feel this way after a long flight.

On the day I arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport, I’ve undergone a PCR test and it was negative. Every day in Langkawi island we have to do a self-test and every other day we do an ART at the health center near Langkawi airport which also turns negative.

I asked myself, where do I get this virus now? Did I get it from the massage place? That is the only closest contact I got as far as I can remember.

I have senses of smell and taste, I feel hungry. Besides, I am prone to flu after long flights and I am also at the same time suffering from jetlag.

Do I get infected with covid-19 from Langkawi Island? The cases here are currently very high.

The grab taxi drivers have the mask on but it does not cover their mouth and nose, and they like to chat to offer me their island tour packages.

I was chatting with the covid facilitator last night, she also thinks that I could get it from the close contact on the island.

I am under quarantine inside my hotel room and I do not intend to go out as long as I am positive.

The hotel staff where I stayed are very helpful.

I will do my daily routine, as usual, I shall not be defeated with this virus.

What lesson did I learn?

I should not have gone to the massage salon or places that have very close contact with other people. This covid 19 virus we cannot see. My time in Malaysia has a total of 30 days to stay since the day I arrived, I really hope to see my home in Johor Bahru.

Thanks for reading my friends.

Writing from my heart, ❤️ Elvie Lins

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