August 20, 2008
Malaysia is one of the world’s most exciting playgrounds for super yachts. This mysterious land of ancient Malay warriors is surrounded by tropical islands and teems with indigenous tribes and exotic wildlife.
The country has superb facilities for super yachts with marinas dotted all along the western peninsula coastline and its popular destinations are luring charter boats away from the saturated waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Malaysia offers the adventure cruiser two very different experiences; the mainland peninsula on the west, with excellent yachting facilities, is more popular with the yachting community. For exotic sights cruise into the country’s first inner-city marina and see some of South East Asia’s finest temples in the ancient city of Penang. Or for a touch of paradise, choose your favourite from more than 90 stunning islands that rise from the glittering Andaman Sea. String your hammock between two palm trees, and enjoy a champagne lunch without the intrusion of a single soul. The west also harbours the largest island - Langkawi - with four luxury marinas, which is an isle of contrasts. Five-star hotels line fabulous beaches while its countryside rises steep and mountainous above green rice paddies that are dotted with grazing water buffalo.
But for an entirely different experience, the island of Borneo on the east offers challenge, excitement and hardship. Divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, Malaysia's part of Borneo, called Eastern Malaysia, has three well situated marinas offering easy access to an unexplored land filled with indigenous tribes, virgin rainforests and deserted canyons. This is also the world's last remaining natural habitat for the Bornean Orangutan as well as being an important refuge for the Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Bornean Clouded Leopard.
And if you are looking to lose the shore you have stumbled upon the country’s best dives sites. The eastern Malaysian island of Sipadan, once raved about by the deep-sea explorer, Jacques Cousteau, was recently voted top dive destination in the world by an international scuba dive magazine. Everywhere you turn you'll see turtles munching on the sponges and algae, or lazing on the sea wall ledges and this is the place for big fish encounters. The 2000-metre deep waters surrounding Sipadan are host to the international big game fishing tournament. Giant Tuna, Barracuda’s and Black Marlins, weighing up to 40kgs, can be hunted till your heart's content.
And what better way to explore these unforgettable destinations than with the Sakinah super yacht. While other boats are laden with exhausted adventure seekers, you can cruise Malaysia and Singapore at your own leisure in this 35-metre, sleek and powerful, three-deck luxury yacht. She is exquisitely fitted with a master cabin with ensuite bathroom/shower, two double guest cabins with ensuite bathroom/shower; one twin guest cabin with ensuite bathroom with shower and one en-suite play room which can be converted to an extra guest cabin. Her double saloon has large sofas and a separate dining area for ten and a large toy garage houses a 16-rib inflatable boat and a wave runner. Her crew is accommodated in three twin en-suite cabins with shower rooms.
The Sakinah is also available for charter in Singapore. The city is a shopper's paradise and has excellent nightspots, including Ministry of Sound, high-class hotels and top restaurants. Step back in time with a Chinatown night tour to sin city of 1887 when brothels were as close as teeth in a comb, and opium and gambling dens were rife. Or steep yourself in the culture of a Malay village, research the Sultans and explore the old Royal Palace and Tombs. Singapore’s most popular islands include the adventure packed island of Sentosa, the tranquil sister islands of Subar Laut and Subar Darat, and the ancient island of Pulau Hantu, The name, which translated means ghost island, stems from the Malay warriors who fought to the death, whose ghosts are believed to roam the island.
Malaysia Fact File:
Malaysia offers the super yacht traveler two distinct experiences; the mainland peninsula on the west and the island of Borneo (Eastern Malaysia) on the east. The mainland peninsula’s virtually uninhabited volcanic islands, the ancient city of Penang and magical Tioman Island, part of an archipelago of 60 islands, which makes it more popular with cruising boats. Eastern Malaysia, however, offers excitement and hardship to the adventure traveler.
Marinas: There are marinas dotted all along Malaysia’s coastline to make sailing and yachting an enjoyable, easy breeze.
Language: Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese.
Weather: Malaysia has two monsoon seasons. Between December and April, when the Northeast Monsoon prevails, the West Coast offers excellent weather. Major ports include Melaka, Penang, and Langkawi. Between May and November, when the Southwest Monsoon sets in, is the ideal time to explore the East Coast.
Currency: Ringiit (R)
Singapore Fact File:
Singapore has excellent super yacht facilities. Its deep-water harbour is the largest in southeast Asia.
Languages: Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English.
Weather: Singapore has two main seasons. The Northeast Monsoon is from December to early March. It is drier from February until early March.
The Southwest Monsoon is from June to September.
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD). US and Australian Dollars, Yen and British Pound are accepted in major shopping centres.
2008 highlight: Grand Prix: Sept 28 - the first ever night event in Formula 1 history.
The five-kilometer race circuit is adjacent to the harbour in the Marina Bay area.
Sakinah:
The Sakinah superyacht is fitted with one master cabin with ensuite bathroom/shower, two double guest cabins with ensuite bathroom/shower; one twin guest cabin with ensuite bathroom with shower and one en-suite play room which could be converted to an extra guest cabin. Her double saloon with large sofas has a separate dinning area for 10 and a large garage holds a 16 rib and a wave runner. Crew members are accommodated in three twin en-suite cabins with shower rooms. Sakinah is among a comprehensive range of boats available for charter from Simpson Marine. Whether you are looking for a small power boat, a cabin cruiser, an ocean-going sailing yacht or a luxurious motor yacht, the team, well established in Southeast Asia with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, East and West Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and China, will help you make the right decisions.
Contact:
Simpson Marine (SEA) Pte Ltd
Singapore
10 Tuas West Drive, Raffles Marina
Singapore 638404
Tel: (65) 6863 2916
Fax: (65) 6863 2917
e-mail:
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Author: Donna Marie, Simpson Marine
