Advise on Langkawi holiday in December 2007

[dwoon]

Hi All,

I'm planning on a yeay end holiday stretching over Christmas. (22nd to 26th Dec 2007) and could do with some advise & feedback.

The accomodation I'm considering is the Berjaya Lankawi. Is this place as crappy as I've read about?

Could someone familiar with the island kindly advise whether this is a good time to visit?

Being the Hari Raya as well as Christmas, would the shops and tourist attractions be open for business?

Also, I was reading somewhere that a Proton Wira (or other 1.6 ltr Jap car) can be rented for ~ RM$60 a day. Appreciate if some contacts can be provided for affordable car rental.

Thanks for all your assistance.

David

[langkawi]

hi David,

December is the high-season over here, especially over Christmas... so, prices are at their premium!

Berjaya is good... not as crappy as what you might have read.

the crappy stuff must have been one of those "one off" things... these things happen around here all the time and to all hotels/resorts... for example, sometime last year one of the main water pipes burst, so there was no running water for 2 days.

as a general rule, personnel turnover is very high... in other words, most hotels/resorts have to employ, relatively, inexperienced personnel... so service might not be up to the mark if you are unlucky enough to be served by these people... but the plus side is that these people are always helpful, although shy.

as for car-rental... there's no problem, the minute you arrive, offers will be made to you... this is especially true if you were to arrive by the ferry.

at the airport, there are counters at the baggage colection area which offers cars for rental... prices vary from RM60-RM90 for the cars in the lowest catergory... i.e. 1.2 or 1.6 ltr and manual-shift or auto and also the duration of your rental... you can haggle on weekly rates.

[dwoon]

Thanks langkawipur for the feedback.

I've already ahve confirmation for my stay at Berjaya from the 22nd to the 25th Dec. 2007. Now what is left if the car rental.

Yes, I'll be arriving by ferry from Penang.

I was reading somewhere that there are cargo ferries that will transport my car over, but one has to leave it with the company  and then pick the car up the next day. Do you happen to know how safe is this procedure? It is one of my considerations, since I'll be renting a car for 4 days and the costs come up to about the same, should I bring my car over.

Another thing about the tours available. I was looking at some tour operators and they are charging like RM160/pax for the eagle feeding and like RM220 for a trip to Pulau Payar & RM55 for island hopping for 4 hours. Can these be purchased cheaper when I am there?

Sorry for so many questions.

Cheers,

David

[haffiman]

Had my car shipped to mainland and back during Rayah.
Stay off WANTAS shipping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The cost of shipping depends on car type and size going from RM 150 -300 depending. Add to it the ferry that You will have to take anyway from Kuala Kedah, RM 25/person,and taxi to and from the port to collect and send the car.
As for Eagle feeding, drive out and negotiate direct with the boats if that is the only part You wan to take part in. If free -a lmost a 'give away'. Have heard of short-trips down to RM 50/boat/30 min.
Pulau Payar is a different thing. The Mersing incident some time ago has limmited some of the 'old' options and encreased the price. I have heard of people that has made deals with yachties for ovenight trips at fairly good prices, it depends of how many participants. The 'official' ones have rates pr. person, the yachties goes by boat rate. Note that if bad weater it might be a bit choppy out there.
As for car rental, forget the 'best offers, from the loose 'agents' attacking You at the jetty. Use one of the official agents  and be sure You get a copy of the car insurance and that it has a 'multiple driver' insurance. At that time of year a lot of road blocks and traffic.

[dwoon]

Thanks haffiman for the feedback.

Does anyone have any idea as to how bad is the ferry ride from Penang.... bad in the sense of choppiness....

I've read of feedabck from some that many were puking all the way and if that was the case, I don't think my wife & 3 year old kid will be able to take it.

Cheers.

[haffiman]

That all depends on the weather!
1m waves and above it might be somewhat bumpy, but just check the marine weather forecast here:

http://www.kjc.gov.my/english/weather/weather.html

[Bobtalbot]

Haffiman,
You didn,t say why to " stay away" from Wantas shipping.I shipped my 20 foot container over from Butterworth using Wantas and received good  friendly service at what I thought was a reasonable price.Whats your problem with them ?
regards Bob T

[haffiman]

[quote author=Bobtalbot link=topic=423.msg689#msg689 date=1196487254]
Haffiman,
You didn,t say why to " stay away" from Wantas shipping.I shipped my 20 foot container over from Butterworth using Wantas and received good  friendly service at what I thought was a reasonable price.Whats your problem with them ?
regards Bob T
[/quote]

When I picked it up in Kuala Kedah, the car looked 'searcherd' through. Foot-prints on rear seat, cover over luggage compartment removed. (Solid bar and curtain, 4 WD). No way a case of 'rough sea' that night, at the best they 'walked' through the car and out the rear door to get out.
Dropped it in Kuala Kedah before 9 in the morning, was told to pick it up at 9 next morning. Went by Taxi out at 10.30, chaos. Asked for my car keys, they had no idea where they were, told me to go outside and look for it. Keys were all over the desk free for anyone to pick one! Finally found my car still on a barge unloaded. They could not give any time for when it would be unloaded. Told them rather direct to have it delivered at my place. After a quite some hours they called and told me to pick it up as they could not get the papers out from customs! New taxi out. Sidemirrors scratched and forced towards the body, electric adjustment did not work anymore. Who ended up with the bills for taxis and fixing the mirrors? ME!
Shipping containers might work, but that company has no planning, no service, no quality, no security  and takes no responsibility!
Perhaps partly my fault since I had been warned by locals ahead. But as we were going on a Friday, that was the only option.

[Bobtalbot]

Well, we know now what the problem  with Wantas was - don,t we !
regards Bob T

[pennyyee]

Nevermind .... a lesson is not very costly.....
have a nice day