A total of eighty-one students and academic staffs from the Graphic Department of FSSR, UiTM, plus several PhD researchers was involved in a 4 days research trip to the Island of Pulau Langkawi, off the state of Kedah in conjunction with their class project assignment for the semester.

Upon arrival, everyone went on an Island hopping cruise from Porta Malai beach

Langkawi comprises of all of the 99 islands in the Langkawi archipelago, the largest of which is the Pulau Langkawi, while some of the others appear to be mere dots in the emerald green ocean when viewed from the air.

Langkawi derived its name from the eagle or "helang" as it is known in the Malay language. "Lang" for short and in old Malay, "kawi" denotes reddish brown; hence, Langkawi simply means the reddish brown eagle. Local folklore has it that once, this group of 99 islands lay under a curse of a wrongly accused princess, is today a new budding and thriving holiday hideaway among international tourists.

The island of Langkawi is steeped in legend and there are some fascinating stories connected to several tourist attractions such as the Tomb of Mahsuri, the Field of Burnt Rice, the Hot Springs and the Beach of Black Sand. Boat tours are organized to Tasik Dayang Bunting, (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden), Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories) and the Gua Langsir.

The many islands that makes the Langkawi archipelago

On a bright day, the rainbow arising brightly from behind the hills.

The first visit was to the Pulau Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden).The middle hill represents a silhouette of a reclining pregnant woman (with the head on the right sideof the picture, breast and pregnant tummy.)

The inland lake of fresh water is separated from the salt sea water yonder by the small ridge at the tip of the lake,

The heroes of the island is none other than the menacing Long Tail Macaque, habitually snatching plastic bags from visiting tourist for its food contents

A clear warning to all visitors	A monitor lizard scrounging for foods

Undergraduate students getting ready to swim into the Lake, which according to legend, promised to give fertility to maidens who bathe in it.

The serene beach of Pulau Beras Basah (Island of Wet Rice),

Langkawi’s renowned Kilim Geoforest Park uniqueness, boasting a spectacular combination of cliff, riverine, ocean, island and rainforests not found elsewhere in the country, undoubtedly merits the recognition of a UNESCO Geopark site. So far, 48 sites in 15 countries have been endorsed as Unesco national geoparks. There are three Geoforest Park in the Langkawi Geopark, namely the Machinchang Geoforest, the Kilim Geoforest and the Dayang Bunting Marble sites.

The Kilim-Kisap’s total of 18, 395 ha (5,697 ha land area, 12,550 ha sea area and 148 ha estuary) has a unique conjoint marine habitats (mangroves, seaweed beds, coral / rocky reefs) that are ecologically linked, makes it an excellent site for ecotourism, conservation and local economy boosting. It will allow for tourism activities to be continued in a sustainable manner and at the same time allowing local communities to continue their activities, whilst promoting environmental conservation.

The unofficial fisherman jetty to the Geopark Boat Tour	Reflection of the morning sun on the calm sea surface.

The park welcoming signage on one of the cliff of the Kilim river.

The rich pattern of rock formation along the hill cliffs

Langkawi Geopark has the best-exposed and most complete Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence in Malaysia originating from the beginning of the Cambrian to the Permian period. Later, during the Mesozoic era, the islands underwent a major tectonic even that resulted in the emplacement of its numerous granitic igneous bodies. This incredible power generated by nature from deep beneath the earth's mantle had pushed up huge blocks of older rocks and placed them above a very much younger terrain.

An low underground passage to the Gua Kelawar.

The Geopark boasts of a complex network of caves, each with its own unique geological formation and fascinating legends.

The wild bats hanging down from the roof of the cave..

Stalagtite formations in the Cave.	More snake-head looking stalagtite rock formation.

The exit end of the cave.

Flock of Long-tailed macaque resting on the bank of the mangrove streams

The tour boats carrying tourists, plying along the narrow river passage

A brief stop over at the fish farm along the Kilim river.

The opportunity to handle life stringray

The mating horseshoe crab

Manhandling live Stingray	The feets of the Horseshoe crab

Wild eagles feeding for food along the mangrove river, a spectacular view for tourists.

The majestic Brahminy Kite Eagle (Haliastur indus) swooping down on the estuaries

The strong claws of the white eagle scooping the chicken meat, fed by the tour boat operators.

Returning back to the base jetty near Tanjung Rhu.

The beaches of Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand Beach) at high tide.

The fine sand is really black in colour	Cable car ride up to the Bukit Macinchang..

The Oriental Village at the base of the Bukit Macinchang.The cable car pylon can be seen climbing to the tip of the Macinchang Geoforest range, partially hidden in the clouds.

An elephant ride into the Macinchang Geoforest is available at the Geopark Hotel premise

Once before, mainly a padi-growing and fishing region, Pulau Langkawi's residents have today diversified into more commercial and tourism-related activities.

The paddy-fields of Langkawi

The large leaves of the Keladi	Beautiful budding leaves of the cactus