The lazy route to travel writing
As I read this, I tried hard to adjust my experience with what was being described by Venus Wong.
She lures readers in by describing herself: "I’m mostly naked," then continues,
"...save for a cotton sarong wrapped around my torso, when a monitor lizard ambles into my line of sight. Above my head, I can hear yellow-beaked hornbills rustling in the tree branches. Just a few moments earlier, I’d seen a romp of otters scuttle across a swamp in the far distance as I was rinsing off in an outdoor shower.
Monitors, yellow beaked hornbills and a romp of otters, all on one beach walk on humble Langkawi? I'd have expected her on some deserted Sumatran shore to bag that lot. Although Venus does term Langkawi an "under-rated beach escape." Read for yourself and see whether you agree this piece isn't lazy writing playing to armchair travellers.