Reaching Rebak Island
The much-celebrated moondeck at the resort
The time has come for us to depart for the intended destination - Pulau Rebak. I slept like a baby the moment I hit the pillow on reaching Alor Setar. I had a long day in-store when I woke up the next morning.
Just scroll straight to the bottom of the page for the video of the route, or you can always read on.
After breakfast - it was a miracle that we managed to convene down at the cafe before 8 - we checked out and transferred our stuff into the car. We left Alor Setar just before 9 am, and it took us an hour to drive from the hotel to Kuala Perlis.
Setting off from the hotel in Alor Setar
The morning traffic as we were leaving Alor Setar
Reaching Kuala Perlis Jetty an hour after
We were routed away from the highway, enjoying the kampung scene to Kuala Perlis jetty, driving past Sanglang and Simpang Empat. The moment I turned towards the dock, there was already a legion of motorcyclists near our van asking us to park at their place. I left Anita and the boys at the jetty with the luggage and set about getting the ferry tickets and parking spot. It was simpler than I thought, despite ignoring those touts trying to get my attention.
Tickets for RM 18 each, and parking for RM 15 per night - covered spot of course.
But there was about an hour wait before we can board the ferry. Might as well stay at the jetty then.
Our ferry is here!
Leaving Kuala Perlis jetty
In the middle of the sea. Smooth rides and fair winds.
Approaching Langkawi
The ferry was comfortable, and with the sea being still, the ride was a pleasant one. The boat could comfortably seat 350 people, but getting in and out was somewhat chaotic with everybody carrying sizeable luggage and no real direction or help from the crew. Plenty of people travelling for Raya, I guessed.
The ferry set off 20 minutes behind time, and the journey took just under an hour. We docked at Kuah jetty just before 1 pm and ordered a Grab ride which took us to Pantai Cenang. That ride took us another half an hour.
Landed in Kuah
Murals at Chenang jetty
Happy faces as we reached the marina in Rebak
Another boat ride awaits once we reached Cenang. But this one was just a 5-minute affair, taking us from the jetty at Cenang - called Langkasuka Jetty - to the marina at Rebak Island, in glorious sunshine. The hotel staff was already there in electric buggies to pick us up. Onwards to Vivanta Rebak Island Resort!
Spirits were up. All luggage in the boat and off we went. Even the marina was mesmerising, and since we arrived before the check-in time, we went straight for lunch at the hotel cafe. Tiring but I did not feel it. The boys could not wait to get to their room. And so was I. Now, the holiday has begun ...
The map of the route to Rebak is below …