Year 2- 9th November 2025 – RLYC Langkawi- Teluk Dayang Bunting
We woke to a pleasant morning for a change and it was as if something was different after all the wet weather we had had. We could dry things out which had been soaking for days. We had a pleasant breakfast and the fridge man was due back at 9.00am. If he finishes then we decided we would head off out of the marina and I contacted Rebak Marina to see if they have a space. This is on an island on the Northwest side of Langkawi. They did have a space but then I thought that we should go to a nice anchorage as the weather was going to be good today and it seemed that the rain would return tomorrow and so it would make sense to be able to go ashore.
The fridge man came at 9.30am and got on with what I thought would be the final fixing. However, he took until about 12.30pm to finish and said we could turn the fridge on at 3.00pm. The others went to swim and shower during the morning and I went to the office to sort out the bill etc. Then a party went off to do a shop which needs to last us until Thailand. They came back about 1.15pm and we then put what we could away. We had a quick wrap and then prepared to leave. We slipped the mooring about 14.05pm and headed out of the marina. I had contacted Rebak and asked to delay our entry for a day and so we headed up the bay with the main island around us. The wind was on the nose so we could not sail but at the end of the bay we were to turn South and the angle became right to get the mainsail out for the first time. It came out smoothly and looked good- finally we were sailing without an arm tied behind our back as it were. We got out the genoa as well and we were easing along at about 4-5 kts in about 7-9 kts if wind.
When we were sailing we were approached by a load of jet skis obviously hired locally which whizzed past us like annoying bees and I suspected were going to our anchorage. There were also local day trip boats doing the same thing. We were now approaching some small but attractive little islands which were steep limestone type cliffs with bushes and trees on them. A bit like the sort of islands seen in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun but a bit larger. It was pretty to sail through them.
We continued on round and the wind died and so we put in the sails and motored round to our anchorage – called Teluk Dayang Bunting. It was very pretty with the limestone cliffs and islands with the peaks going up and down as you scanned the horizon. There was a jetty from which you can walk to a freshwater lake called the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. Legend has it that the waters of the lake ca bestow fertility on barren women. Centuries ago this fresh water was supposed to be the favourite bathing place of the local princess Mambang Sari. A famous young warrior called Met Taja used to spy in her while she bathed. They eventually met and fell in love and had a bay son who did not live long. Having reconciled with their misfortune they decided to travel back to the lake where they sank their son to allow him to rest in peace. At that time the Princess blessed the lake so that all women who swam in it would become more fertile. The legend has a strong following in Malaysia where many young women hopeful if conceiving still swim in the lake. To add to the mystery the hills behind the lake look like a pregnant women lying in her back.
This are is part of the Dayang Bunting Geoforest Park, being one of 3 in Langkawi with limestone, marble and several caves. The lake itself is a collapsed underwater cave linking to artesian freshwater chambers. It is only 10 metres from the ocean at its closest point but it is clean clear fresh water. We look forward to exploring the lake tomorrow.
We had a swim but the water was quite milky. We then sat and had a sundowner as the sun went down and admired the scenery and listened to the sound of birds and cicadas. There was the odd eagle souring high above the cliffs. We were the only boat here and it was a beautiful spot.
I cooked a chicken curry which was eaten and 3 wanted more and we then played cards and talked about the forthcoming budget and the state of our country!!
The picture of the day is a picture of the view from our anchorage of the cliffs of the Dayang Bunting Geoforest Park.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com