Langkawi is not merely an archipelago; it is a geological masterpiece. In 2007, it was officially designated as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Southeast Asia. This status recognizes Langkawi’s 550 million years of history, preserved in its ancient rock ...[ read more ]
DEDICATED CUSTODIANS — GUARDIANS OF MALAYSIA’S HERITAGE
Originally published in Star Two (The Star) – 21 March 2007 | By Rubin Khoo In 2007, five individuals from diverse backgrounds were united by a common bond: their role as guardians of Malaysia’s rich heritage. Selected from a nationwide ...[ read more ]
TOURISM CAN SOAR WITH BIRDS — UNLOCKING THE NORTHERN FRONTIER
Originally published in the New Straits Times – 30 March 2007 | By Sean Augustin While established destinations like Taman Negara and Fraser’s Hill have long been the pillars of Malaysian birdwatching, the northern states—including Kedah, Perak, and Terengganu—possess immense ...[ read more ]
LOVE IS IN THE AIR — BIRD NESTING SEASON IN LANGKAWI
Field Notes by Sri Sari | Published February 2011 February in Langkawi marks the beginning of a spectacular natural phenomenon. As the dry season takes hold, the island's avian residents begin their elaborate courtship rituals. From the high canopies of ...[ read more ]
JOBS OF JOY — THE NATURALIST’S CALLING
Originally published in The Star – 16 June 2007 | By C.Y. Lee For Irshad Mobarak, the path to becoming Langkawi’s most prominent naturalist was paved with a radical shift in perspective. Once a corporate banker, Irshad left the financial ...[ read more ]
Naturalist Par Excellence
For the past 12 years, he has presided as resident Naturalist at The Datai. This is Langkawi's most exclusive hotel, renowned for its architectural design which merges the built and natural environments so seamlessly it is difficult to know where ...[ read more ]
Steering Langkawi
NATURE guide Irshad Mobarak pointed out a plant growing on a limestone rock by the mangrove river in Langkawi, as we cruised by in a speed boat. “This is an ancient species that’s endemic to the limestone formations between Langkawi ...[ read more ]
Banking on Eco Tourism
Owners, and executives of the resort, located near the Gunung Matchinchang range, which offers one of the worlds oldest rock fossils and the much hyped tropical rainforest, are confident that the nature theme sells since it is also eco friendly. ...[ read more ]
Forest Trump
He said he'd just had his best ever holiday there, and advised me to stay at the Datai on Pulau Langkawi: "As a rest cure for the jaded it's a sure fire winner." We were talking in Hong Kong and ...[ read more ]
Edge of Darkness
Edge of Darkness A forbidden cave, a childhood prank, a sudden death; STUART WAVELL returned to Malaysia and retraced events that had haunted him for 40 years. The objective was a cave on a remote tropical island. It contained a ...[ read more ]
Adventure into Nature
Adventure into Nature. Borneo Bulletin. Sat/Sun 24/25 January 1998 . Irshad Mobarak speaks to Maria. A rapidly growing aspect of tourism is nature. Dubbed ecotourism, it is a timely effort towards preserving the natural heritage and environment of tourist destinations. ...[ read more ]
My Very Own Swamp
Deep in the Malaysian rainforest, Paul Mansfield does his bit for nature conservation-by planting mangrove. 0n the Malaysian island of Langkawi, there is some corner of a foreign field that is forever mine. Early one morning I set out with ...[ read more ]