Postcards From Penang

A luxury cruise on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa 2 is the ideal way to explore the intriguing and exotic islands of Malaysia.

- Liz Jarvis

Eagles, at least 20 of them, are circling overhead before swooping for fish as our motor boat zips over the jade-green water, through mangroves and past towering limestone cliffs dating back millions of years.

We’re in the magnificent Kilim Geopark on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, and if you’re a nature lover or want to release your inner Indiana Jones then this has to be one of the most exhilarating excursions you’re ever likely to experience on a cruise.

And the best is yet to come. We disembark at a jetty to be greeted by wild macaque monkeys (including tiny babies) before walking into a cave full of glittering stalagmites and stalactites and, most wonderfully of all, at least 100 bats. They’re all sleeping peacefully (and are illuminated briefly by torchlight so we can see them properly thanks to our brilliant guide).

We spend the afternoon enjoying a barbecue on the beach at Naam island, jet skiing and chilling on the white sand.

Our Southeast Asian cruise adventure began with an overnight stay in Bangkok, and includes two sea days, giving us plenty of time to experience some of the best aspects of sailing on Europa 2. The Asian heat is a little too strong for me to sit out on the deck for long, but there’s plenty to do in the air-conditioned haven of the ship.