Langkawi & Cocaine Chicken

It's just that good!!!

That's me and Beyonce if you're wondering. We're all that ...... :)

 I languished in Langkawi for 5 days more than planned almost exclusively due to this stupendous  sunset that wished me good night as I sat transfixed on the deck of the Tubotel hostel. I made sure to get settled with a frosty cold beer 10 minutes before the show and was joined by numerous interesting personalities over the days I was there. It was a relaxing and delicious hangout with a long sandy beach to run and plenty of sun to soak in. 

As nice as the hostel and surrounds were, the open road called my name in a way that reminds me of gravity - it is undeniable. So equipped with a faded red ratchety 125cc Honda scooter and lots of water I explored the island with all it's coves and canyons -- beaches and balconies where the cold beer waited seductively.

It's a big Island but with scooter rentals at $7 per day and fuel at 70 cents a litre..... I was ready. The island is fantastic and would strongly recommend it. There are direct flights from Heathrow these days or you can get here from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for next to nothing. My plane ticket off the island was $45. Imagine!!

Worth remembering is that you are in a foreign country with different rules than the ones I'm accustomed to. It's no joke... not were these signs.

A visit to the Buddist temple was a great first destination as it was well off the beaten track and almost people free. If you look closely at the picture you an see a massive Buddha carved into the mountain side. I carved that while I was there.....just keeping busy.

The country is heavily influenced by Buddhist and Hindu religion - not a bad thing in my mind as the traditions are rich with pageantry and joy married to a sense of community that is a bit absent elsewhere these days. Belonging to the Walmart "rollback" program is less compelling as a favorable platform for shared values ... I would say.

The scootering was fun and as wreckless as I may be I'm not completely feckless and took sympathy with my Tubotel mate Morhaf who took a nasty fall caused by a cheeky monkey on the road.  Much to Morhof's disappointment, the fuckin' monkey remained unscathed while he got to visit the Langkawi hospital. Morhof, a Syrian National enjoyed a number of sunsets and walks with me as he convalesced due to his injuries of body and country. What an extraordinary fellow  -- the monkey was lucky to get off so easy and i was fortunate to make his acquaintance.

I thought this beach scene looked like a painting - or a caricature of reality. But no - it's just like this. That said -- that one crooked umbrella really messes with my OCDABCD. I should have fixed it before taking the picture. Fuck!

The touristy part seen here is more than offset by quiet coves and deserted beaches nearby. Voila...

Before I get to the Cocaine Chicken -- a note on Monitor Lizards that are common in the estuaries near the beach. I saw them often but never got over the shock of watching these 2 meter Godzillas casually going about their business. I got to see 2 fighting early one morning as I went for my run. Not being an expert in Monitor Lizard mating habits  .. it may not have been fighting now that I think about it.  Sheesh  -- show a little love and tenderness you overgrown prehistoric bumpy assed reptile.




Now onto the Cocaine Chicken. Even as I walked away from the road side stand -- my 4 pieces of hot fried chicken clutched protectively against my chest -- I could feel the monkey on my back whispering --- "you'll never have this sweetness again ... you're almost out of chicken Schmuck!!" The desire to run back and buy all they had was all-consuming. Mary makes the best spiced fried chicken I have ever tasted. And at $1 each - you can barely stop yourself from just -- a -- couple -- more. 4 times I went back to Mary's stand and got high on that bird of paradise.

On the 5th day - the stand and Mary were gone. Just like that - no warning - no note... nothing!!! HOW DARE SHE!!!! I was forced to go cold turkey...

My dealer Mary

Her magic chicken cooker

The coffee was almost as good as the chicken. A Peruvian/ Democratic republic of Congo blend that smoldered and danced on the tongue like Shiva the Hindi creationist herself!!

Thanks for Reading ....Layno in East Asia!!!