Limestone forests and Mangrove trails encourage eco- tourism in Malaysia Langkawi. Elsie Gabriel Mangrove trails

Limestone forests and Mangrove trails encourage eco- tourism in Malaysia Langkawi. Elsie Gabriel

Amazing white sheets of sheer limestone hills surrounding forests on the slopes of north east Langkawi, is what makes your eco trail all worth it.No fuss.No glamour.No colour of money in the world can buy you beauty like this eco tourism.The Malay’s are proud of their natural beauty and work hard to preserve it.

We took a boat through the twists and turns of the Kilim river. Winding through the aerial walking roots of the Mangrove zones. Capturing colored kingfishers, eagles and often otters and dolphins were a theatrical treat. During a tour of the mangrove forest, you can part take of feeding the white headed eagles who dive in and show off their skills while picking out the fish that the boat man throws in.Appreciate the wonders of nature and its attributes towards the ecosystem on this Langkawi mangrove forest and eagle-watching tour in Tanjung Rhu. Simply soak in the kaleidoscope of fauna and flora in their natural habitat.We were so excited we took a swim, dived straight into a little cove hidden in Langkawi's mangrove forest in Tanjung Rhu.And every one followed suit.It was nature taking over.

After some local fish curry lunch we headed for a cable car ride above all the mangroves.Once you are up there you know that it is the mangroves that protect the country of Malaysian coast from flooding.It is the mangrove zone which provides rich sea food life.

Mangroves help the Malaysian coasts and are a blessing to the country.

· protect coastlines against erosive wave action and strong coastal winds, and serve as natural barriers against tsunamis and torrential storms.

· prevent salt water from intruding into rivers.

· retain, concentrate and recycle nutrients and remove toxicants through a natural filtering process.

· provide resources for coastal communities who depend on the plants for timber, fuel, food, medicinal herbs and other forest products.

· can be harvested sustainably for wood and other products,

· are an important breeding ground for many fishes, crabs, prawns and other marine animals, essential for sustaining a viable fishing industry. Malaysia's mangroves are more diverse than those in tropical Australia, the Red Sea, tropical Africa and the Americas. About 50% of fish landings on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia are associated with mangroves.

If you want to see more mangroves take the Langkawi Cable Car which will take you high above the Langkawi rainforest on Mount Mat Chinchang for the most spectacular views of the surrounding islands and sea. I was in awe and meditational mode once up in the sky looking down on Gods green creation. A total green umbrella of thick foliage canopy of trees. You also get to see the Oriental Village in Burau Bay up to the top of the island’s second highest peak, Gunung Machincang.You can join the eagles and other beautiful birds above the rain forests when air borne.

It’s an absolute must-do when you visit Langkawi and a great way to orientate yourself about the extensive stretch of mangroves. This cable car ride has the longest suspension between two stations in the world.The full family enjoyed the 360-degree panoramic views of the Langkawi islands, mainland Malaysia and Southern Thailand.Tourist buses and taxis are easily available outside your hotel to escort you to the cable car entrance sites.

With so many convenient modes of transport available today, visiting Langkawi has never been easier.  Ferries operate four routes to Langkawi from  Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis,Penang around the clock. On the other hand, Langkawi boasts an International Airport, located 20 km  away in Padang Matsirat, for locals and tourists.

There is nothing more precious than taking an eco tour of Mother Natures offering! This is a Mothers day tribute to our Planet Earth. Mother Earth gives, gives and only gives, wanting nothing back but preservation.

Come with me and do the devil mask dance in Sri Lanka! Elsie Gabriel

Come with me and do the devil mask dance in Sri Lanka! Elsie Gabriel

 I loved the drama, the entertainment, historic ritual and of course the anthropology involved in the beautiful colorful ‘masks’ worn during the charade. Sri Lanka is fascinating. An island famous for its pristine beaches and wild life, you have to give in to the ancient cultural mythological stories when it comes to the history of ‘Masks’. Masks used in various dramatic rituals in Sri Lanka can be classified as demonic, animal-spirit and human figures. The significance and designs of mythological masks are associated with iconography of the folk religions of the historical period.

The Mask dance is said to have been a carefully crafted ritual with a history reaching far back into Sri Lanka’s pre-Buddhist past. The Lankans love their visual art and the ‘Mask’ is one highly coloured and revered piece of artifact used in religious ceremonies as well as entertainment. The masks are mainly made from a durable wood called ‘Kaduru’.  The wood is light and allows carvings to be made very easily.

 The ‘mask’ rules in most ceremonial and devotional performances. The use of masks in  rituals and ceremonies is a very ancient human practice across the world, although masks can also be worn for protection, in hunting, in sports, in feasts or in wars or simply used as ornamentation. Some ceremonial or decorative masks were not designed to be worn. Although the religious use of masks has waned, masks are used sometimes in drama therapy or psychotherapy.

If you ever go to Sri Lanka do not miss the ‘devil mask’ dancing which is generally performed with the motive of healing. These are also accompanied by drummers, to enhance the accompanying crazy steps and movements of dancers wearing the geometrically brightly coloured masks.

It is an extraordinary cultural phenomenon .Mask dancing and drama are mostly  attempts at invoking the supernatural. But the most elaborate masks are for drama. It is more like an opera, having a central theme and a series of episodes enacted by dances wearing masks of different sizes, culminating in the dramatic presentation of a story. 

Try and find a local Mask maker and see how well it is chiseled, crafted and painted. Each one is a master piece!

By hiding your face the mask allows you to play a totally different role, it gives you the liberty to assume another personality. It is symbolic and magical, anonymous and mysterious.Well when I danced the mask dance in Sri Lanka, I felt liberated; the mask did not hide my persona but accentuated my feeling s of freedom. 

Try one next time. 

Think of it, the Mardi
gras, the African cultures, South Indians and Chinese dragon mask dances all simply celebrate cultural well being!

Staying afloat! Thailands floating markets. Elsie Gabriel.

Staying afloat!

Thailands floating markets.

Elsie Gabriel.

Lots of chatter and bargaining, fruits, vegetables and fresh produce everywhere, no we are not at a supermarket, we are in the middle of a canal! Water water every where and we are in a canoe kind of boat floating, meandering our way between  many other such boats, shopping in the middle of a waterway! More than a dozen boats passing each other with loads of fascinating indigenous stuff for sale,all on one narrow canal. The whole atmosphere is intoxicating and contagious, I got into the chaotic shopping mood at once bargaining for some incense and coconut carved show pieces. Some shoppers were held captive by vendor boats selling fresh flowers, coconut candy and lots of  tropical fruits. The simple raw Mango’s sliced up in a plastic bag made the most sales....

The most famous of the floating markets is Damnoen Saduak, about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Check out the floating markets very early in the morning to get fresh stuff as well as avoid the huge crowds later on along with the heat of the day.

 These canal markets are slowly vanishing they say, only to the land adjoining the banks being developed or being replaced by shoppers who frequent the malls. Thailand's remaining floating markets are an enduring symbol of an ancient Thai culture and traditional life,it has to be a must on your Thailand trip. Ask for the floating market trip at any hotel travel counter or even at the airport once you land at Thailand and take the one most convenient to you.

 Every one taking pictures, click click click, its infectious, you just simply want to capture every colour, every hue and every vendors floating local shop filled to the brim.

Don’t look down at the canal water under the boat, its obviously not freshwater and of course do not touch it.But its a country canal alright, they say there are many such canal floating markets in Thailand,some even connecting each other.

You'll experience rural Thai and the countryside all in this very cruise by a long-tailed boat to the markets. See the vendors selling local produce and get an up-close glimpse of everyday rural life in Thailand.

We got off at many points of interval, to take notes on the Coconut Sugar candy factory and another break for some good Thai chop chop. Sweet coconut water and some covered uncut fruit is advisable for the chaste traveler.

Simply any and everything on sale! You can expect to bargain but not more than a couple of bahts.

Coconut sugar candy factory.

Of course for some of you,who want to indulge and surely want to loosen your purse strings for even a little more than just curios , if you are okay with buying remakes of Gucci,Prada, Fendi and more of the international designer bags along side Thai Lichees, Thai mangoes and Thai balms, Thai Oils,all in that order literally, a true mixed jamboree sale afloat! Go ahead. Enjoy shopping sitting on the boat  and exchanging goods for cash over the water, for once away from the plastic malls!