A GENTLE wind brushes your cheeks as you linger on the deck of the yacht. The gurgling sound of water reminds you of a baby's laughter.
As you jump on to a dragnet strewn on the surface of the sea, you'll soon relax as the sea waters caress you. You'll feel the rush of water from the moving yacht.
You can't help but indulge your senses totally as you lie in the salt water jacuzzi under the warmth of the sun.
You soak in the relaxed tropical atmosphere amidst beautiful backdrops of nature so finely defined. Here, cares of the world are brushed off, at least for now.
All these and more await visitors who want to experience a unique sailing experience in Pulau Langkawi.
"It's a journey where holiday destinations are rediscovered in new and exciting ways, a reinvention of traditional vacation plans," says Francis Cheong, managing director of Apxara Travel and Events Sdn Bhd which has been organising this special sailing adventure for the last two years.
"We understand the growing needs of holiday makers and corporate clients. We tailor-make the tour, asking our clients what they want and then offer them the best package possible."
Pulau Langkawi, with its tax-free status and Unesco's recognition of its outstanding geological features, was earmarked as the first destination for Apxara's unique holiday experiences.
"The sailing adventure is an excellent alternative to the norm. You get closer to nature and enjoy a soothing break - right in the middle of the Andaman Sea," Francis says.
From River To Sea
The journey begins when you hop on a speedboat at Kilim River. The hour-long ride along the mangrove-fringed river includes a stopover at a fish farm where you can feed stingrays and eels.
If luck is on your side, you may even catch a glimpse of the black-face monkey in the trees and white-breasted eagles swooping overhead.
Then you are taken aboard a yacht, Stardust. It's owned by Hamish Thoburn, an Englishman who has always wanted to build a boat cheaply in Asia.
"When I had saved enough money, I came to Malaysia. I lived in Kampung Kong Kong along Sungai Johor in Johor for three years while building the yacht. My wife worked hard on the rigging wire for two weeks just to get it ready," says Thoburn.
The six-year-old 75ft yacht, made from cenggal wood, is engine controlled with a Garmin GPS to manoeuvre the route. Travelling speed is about four to six knots.
"I have yet to see anyone on board suffer sea sickness," says Francis. Apxara Travel is the general sales agent for Stardust for both Malaysia and Singapore.
Chilling Out At Sea
On board the yacht, travellers are treated to an endless flow of chilled beverages, beers and wine. Lunch is a home-cooked buffet of local and western dishes.
Some spend a lazy afternoon in the invigorating 'salt water jacuzzi'. The more timid ones would walk slowly down a ladder before stepping into the dragnet spread out on the surface of the sea while the more daring ones simply jump right in! It's an experience not to be missed.
Safety vests are available for those who don't swim or are not too confident to be in the net so no worries here.
If you want a little more excitement, you can go on a 15-minute dinghy ride to hidden lagoons and limestone caves along the way.
You can also row a two-seater kayak and discover the place at your leisure. Alternatively, you can ask to steer the wheel of the yacht and navigate it under the watchful eyes of the friendly captain, Jamaludin Supaat.
"Sea conditions are not rough out here. The roughest weather I have encountered is when the waves are about a metre high," he says.
On a windy day, you may even get the chance to test your skills in hoisting the sails.
How Much
A full-day excursion for join-in cruise only on the yacht is RM295 for adults and RM195 for child below 12. Group tours are about 18 to 25 persons.
For bigger groups, Apxara can arrange special packages on other yachts, including the Raja Laut and Lily Marlin, for up to 250 persons.
The cruise, from Fridays to Tuesdays, starts at 10.30am and ends at 5pm. A sunset cruise with a barbecue from 5.30 to 9.30pm can be arranged on request.
During the peak season from December to April, a seven-day advance booking is required.
You are encouraged to bring towels, swimwear, extra dry clothing, waterproof sunblock lotion and sunglasses.
Return transfers from selected Langkawi hotels/resorts are available.
Apxara Travel also offers Sailing Adventure Retreat Packages with accommodation at Frangipani Resort & Spa Langkawi, Andaman Resort Langkawi, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa and Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort.
Rates, based on twin-sharing basis, range from RM568 to RM995 inclusive of two nights accommodation, daily buffet breakfast and a full-day sailing adventure trip.
For details, contact: Apxara Travel & Events Sdn Bhd, Tel: 03-2282 8768 Fax: 03-2284 9768. Email: info@apxara.com. Website: www.apxara.com
How To Get There
Firefly has three daily flights to Langkawi from Terminal 3, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. The return fare is RM190 per pax with two months advance booking. For reservations and details on routes and schedules, log on its website www.fireflyz.com.my.
