By evening, and after a delightful 90 km ride around the island, I
found refuge at Zackary’s, a guesthouse that became my sanctuary.
On the nearby beach, women in burkas waded into the ocean, their
garments flowing with the waves—a striking image of tradition
meeting modern leisure. The scene lingered in my mind, a vivid
reminder of Malaysia’s cultural tapestry.
Langkawi was not just beaches and duty-free shops; it was a place
where contrasts collided, where the sacred and the everyday mingled
in unexpected harmony.
A Pause at Pantai Tengah
Zackary’s was more than a guesthouse—it was a gathering place. The
poolside became a stage for stories, laughter, and cheap duty-free
beer. Days drifted by in golden sand and idle conversations, nights
stretched long with shared meals and camaraderie.
New Year’s Eve arrived with anticipation. We toasted beneath the
moon, waiting for its partial eclipse, and time dissolved into
celebration. By dawn, I collapsed into bed, the first hours of 2010
already spent in revelry.
Pantai Tengah was a pause in motion, a reminder that journeys are
not only measured in kilometres but in the friendships and fleeting
communities that form along the way.