Another Day Of Sun

Sharmistha Chaudhuri Finds the Perfect Venue to Celebrate Her Birthday—Langkawi’s Beaches—and You’re Invited to the Party

The waves crashed on the shore, over and over again. They could be heard at the little shack I had discovered at the edge of the beach two days ago. The setting sun had turned into a brilliant ball of orange, so tempting to pluck if one could from the depths of the universe. The souvenir sellers were preparing to leave, while signs that read ‘jet ski and banana boat rides’ were being folded and taken away. The plastic beach chairs that lay under bright red umbrellas were being cleared. And I sat at my little shack, watching the scene slowly unfold.

Sunbathers were headed to their rooms, others were headed to the cafés where fairy lights were coming on… The long-haired owner of the shack came to my table and placed a candle. Its light gave off a warm glow, setting the mood for the long night ahead. “Apa khabar?” (“How are you?”), he asked. “Saya sihat” (“very well”), I responded, taking a swig of my chilled beer. How quickly had the afternoon given way to the evening, I thought. Not that it mattered—I had no care in the world. After all, isn’t that the best way to celebrate a birthday?

Have you ever had one of those impulsive moments when you pick a place on the map and just decide to go there? I often experience these moments, and in their aftermath I always tell myself to research at least a little bit. But I am yet to heed my own advice. Add a birthday to the mix and you end up with tickets to Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi—accommodation and visa details to be formulated much, much later.