Published on: January 14, 2025 07:25 (EAT)
Slightly over a month ago, AirAsia launched its inaugural flight that
connects Kenya to Malaysia. And ever since, the number of Kenyans touring
Malaysia has been on the rise, with many taking advantage of the 4 flights a
week schedule to explore opportunities in this Asian country and destinations
beyond.
They say travel far enough to find yourself… and traveling we did, 9 hours
nonstop to be precise aboard this AirAsia sky bird. But not to find ourselves…
the plan here was to discover the destination that is Malaysia.
“This is a major milestone in our mission to link Asia and Africa, opening up a world of travel possibilities between the two continents. The direct route to Nairobi will not only boost tourism in Kenya but also cement Kenya’s role as a key gateway for African tourism,” said Benyamin Ismail, Air Asia X CEO.
My crew and a couple of industry colleagues tagged along for this memorable
flight.
Our first stop, Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital and Malaysia’s
fastest-growing metropolitan area. With an estimated population of 2.075
million people, Kuala Lumpur is a city that’s always on the move.
Kuala Lumpur perfectly blends old architectural designs and modern
construction models to keep the social and economic wheels spinning. It
therefore remains a perfect spot for business travelers and those touring for
leisure.
Whether you prefer eating out or shopping big, Kuala Lumpur is the place for
you. If you are traveling on a budget or have money to splash, Kuala Lumpur
serves the best of both worlds.
And what’s more, the cultural elements of this city remain alive and
booming. A few kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur lie the Batu Caves. An iconic
and popular tourist site in Selangor, this Hindu shrine and temple attract
thousands of visitors daily. On this day, we had to be seen.
Its main attraction is this large Hindu god and the never-ending steep
staircases.
And when night falls, one of Kuala Lumpur’s landmarks shines in glory. It’s
Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, also known as the Petronas Towers.
And if you thought being in Kuala Lumpur sums up touring Malaysia, then you
are mistaken…. Our next stop, Langkawi.
A two-hour flight from Malaysia’s capital lands you in one of the country’s
best-kept secrets.
Langkawi, which loosely translates to the Island of the Reddish Brown Eagle,
comprises a cluster of over 100 islands and is a memorable space for adventure.
Known for its diverse culture and breathtaking landscapes, Langkawi plays host
to some of the most attractive coastal lines and beautiful beaches in Asia.
Here, aqua games are the order of the day. A quick detour to a floating
restaurant also adds to our experience.
We take a boat ride through the mangrove forest… then speed past the
crocodile caves… before stopping by the scenic UNESCO Geopark, and shortly
thereafter a bath and dance by the beach.
And the party, or rather experience, didn’t stop… How about having a
bird’s-eye view of Langkawi’s landscape by way of cable cars?
While on board, the beauty that’s the mountains, the sea, and the thick
forest comes to life, especially for those who don’t fear heights.
After docking, a walk through a well-constructed trail helps people relax
and mingle.
Over 600 feet above lies the Eagle Nest, another architectural piece that
symbolizes Langkawi as the home of the brown reddish eagle.
But for you to appreciate this bird better, then a stop by the Eagle Square
sums it up. At 12 meters high, this red-backed eagle statue serves as a tourist
attraction for picture-perfect memories.
Shortly thereafter, we share our experiences over dinner, where we get
acclimatized to the tradition that is seafood.
After all, this is a coastal region.
The best part of our stay in Langkawi is, however, spared for this night,
where we get introduced to the Dream Forest.
Once in, you are suddenly surrounded by a never-like-before ambience brought
about by the artistic installation of lights, 3D displays, and sound effects
that tell stories. Here, every tree, every leaf, every glimmering light speaks
of a story or a tale as old as time itself.
Always experienced at night, this rainforest adventure is a collaboration
between the government and one of India’s most renowned actresses, the agenda,
to raise revenue and conserve the forest sustainably.
And by the time we are setting off to make our way back, our thirst for this
part of Malaysia is quenched.
Within days, we are able to travel from Nairobi, to Kuala Lumpur, to
Langkawi, then Kota Kinabalu and back to Kuala Lumpur before heading home. All
thanks to AirAsia, which operates scheduled domestic and international flights
to at least 66 destinations in 25 countries, with Kenya as one of its latest
destinations and the first one in Africa.
