Jacinta Fabricius

A serene, rocky beach by day that turns into a scene from James Cameron's 2009 movie Avatar by night. A section of Penang's natural rainforest has been decked out in colorful LED and optic fiber lights, creating a mystical setting centered around a large banyan tree bearing an uncanny resemblance to the movie's sacred spirit tree, Eywa.

Soar up to the tip of Langkawi’s second tallest mountain, Gunung Mat Cincang on Langkawi SkyCab, the world’s steepest cable car. The 15-minute ride in a standard or glass bottom gondola will have you soaring above the Langkawi’s lush rainforest to see nearby waterfalls, beaches, rock formations, and wildlife from a new perspective.

An engineering marvel, this suspended pedestrian bridge swings out over Langkawi’s second highest mountain, Gunung Mat Cincang providing otherwise impossible views of the mountain’s texture and surrounding jungle. The bridge’s wonder lies in the single 82-meter-high pylon from which the 125-meter-long bridge curves out around the mountain, 100 meters above the ground. The Sky Bridge can only be reached by taking Langkawi Sky Cab to the top station and purchasing a separate ticket.

Named after seven natural pools connected by a gushing river, Seven Wells Waterfall is one of Langkawi's most captivating natural performances. The falls are split into 2 sections, the upper pools and the lower pools, separated by a striking vertical waterfall cascading down a 91-meter-high cliff face. The pools are only accessible by climbing a series of concrete steps through the lush rainforest. Around 200 steps must be conquered to reach the lower pools, and a monstrous 638 steps to reach the upper pools.

Only a 10-minute drive from luxurious beach Tanjung Rhu, the lesser known Pantai Rekreasi Kastam offers an equally pristine beach lined with comfy lounge chairs under colorful beach umbrellas. Located beside the prestigious Four Season’s Resort’s private beach, visitors here can indulge in a world-class beach without the price tag.

Tucked away at Langkawi’s northeastern tip, Tanjung Rhu Beach is a secluded bay surrounded by a leafy jungle and towering mountains. It’s no wonder why some of the island’s most prestigious luxury resorts chose Tanjung Rhu. The beach itself welcomes visitors with a wide stretch of fine white sand and crystal-clear yet warm water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Langkawi’s most tourist-friendly beach. This 2km stretch of soft white sand is lined with coconut trees, beach umbrellas, jet ski vendors, and beach bars. By day, sunbathers, swimmers, and watersport enthusiasts dominate the sparkling shoreline. As the sun softly sets, a series of beach bars become the center of attention as beanbags and cocktail menus are brought onto the sand.

Spirited cities and laid-back locals mismatch with arid deserts embodying solitude. Endless beauty from sunburnt-red rocky landscapes to sparkling sapphire-blue seascapes, every inch of the Land Down Under yearns to be explored. Australia’s urban centers cluster along it’s coast leaving the harsh central desert scarcely populated. Along the east coast lies the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles). Australia’s favorite theme parks can be enjoyed on the Gold Coast, while Sydney is home to the iconic Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Melbourne is the place to uncover artisan coffee, Mediterranean-inspired food, designer shopping, and performing arts. Australia’s west coast centers around Perth, home to beloved surf beaches and nostalgic port town, Fremantle. The spiritual center of Australia is Uluru, a gigantic rock formation sacred to Aboriginals.

Located on Langkawi’s north coast, Black Sand Beach is remarkable for its marble-textured black and white beach sand. Several theories claim to explain the two-toned beach, from local folklore about a battle between land and underwater kingdoms, to scientific studies revealing the presence of minerals washed down from Mount Raya.

Centrally located in beachfront town Pantai Cenang, Red Tomato offers a cozy indoor lounge and leafy outdoor area to enjoy a casual drink or meal with family and friends. Red Tomato is one of the few restaurants in Langkawi serving western-style breakfasts as well as gluten-free and vegan alternatives for most dishes - yes, they even have vegan cheese!

Opinion about vaping is divided. Some claim that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, while others say it should be banned because it poses a health risk. Laws that govern vaping are also evolving.

March 2020 will remain imprinted on our minds as the month that saw the world retreat behind closed doors to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Forever Break team, like most others around the globe, are staying home, doing our part to flatten the curve, and focus our energy on creating a brighter future.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates

"Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me." - Carol Burnett

"When you have two alternatives, the first thing you have to do is to look for the third that you didn't think about, that doesn't exist." - Shimon Peres

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination." - John Lennon