The Schooner Raja Laut sail to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Took this picture after rain but luckily there is sunset as promised. Once the Raja Laut flees to Kota Kinabalu, I received an invitation to check out the yacht. Thanks to Mr. Nicolas, the captain and thanks to Yohannes too!

Beautifully designed, the Raja Laut gave me a feeling that I wanted to have some adventure. It’s clean and fully furnished. It feels like I’m finally in Pirates of the Carribean! Well, if you can swim, maybe you can just jump, maybe. Don’t forget to take off your shoes, sandals, or whatever you are wearing because you need to be on board barefoot.

Foods are all set and ready once we are on board. Enjoying the welcoming cocktails and snacks until when you can find all of us dancing under the moonlight while Mr. Nicolas was still busy navigating.

Schooner Raja Laut was designed along exquisite classic lines for yacht charters in Asia. The name Raja Laut means "king of the seas" in the Malay language. Effortlessly combining style and grace with modern technology, Raja Laut has enjoyed unforgettable adventures throughout the Asian region, from Thailand, to Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Mergui Archipelago.

As I have a busy schedule, it just hit me when I heard the name “Raja Laut”. What is that? I asked myself and I make sure that I’ll be free and I had a great time discovering from top to bottom, left to right!

Auxiliary Equipment, Tender and Recreational Equipment

Boarding ladder

Fenders

Swim ladder

Comprehensive set of tools

Quantity of spare parts

Full cover awnings

4.8 metre RIB dinghy with 60 HP Yamaha Outboard

Bauer Mariner scuba diving compressor

12 sets of tanks and complete scuba diving gear

20 sets of masks, fins, and snorkels

1 inflatable sea kayak

Waterski and Wakeboard

Now, you must have been wondering why I am including this list of equipment. In fact, they do sail from the East to West or West to East. If you wanted to sail.

When is the best time to sail with Raja Laut?

DECEMBER TO APRIL the prevailing winds are from the NORTH-EAST, and during this time the weather on WEST coast of Thailand and the vicinity is as near to perfect as possible with light winds and hardly a drop of rain. December to March is the best time for a vacation in Langkawi, Phuket, Phang-Nga Bay, Mergui, Andaman.

MAY TO OCTOBER, the prevailing winds are from the SOUTH-WEST and during this is the best time to visit the EAST coast of Thailand and the vicinity (Tioman, Singapore, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo).

In Indonesia the weather is generally good for year-round cruising.

There are few things you can do in this yacht.

1. Do an event. May it be a birthday party, or a wedding. It feels extremely awesome to party out in the sea. Call the catering!

2. Stay for the weekend. Since there are three rooms that you can stay in the yacht, why not? Not to mention that you can sleep on the deck if you want. Then it surely can fit more than 10 people overnight.

3. I don’t know. Lesson how to sail the yacht? Kidding.

What to bring?

1. Flip-flops and a rubber soled sandals or "reef runners" for venturing ashore. You will spend most time on board barefoot.

2. Hat

3. Sunglasses or shades

4. Sunscreens with at least 15SPF are very highly recommended, as well as soothing after sun products.

5. Your toiletry bag should include all the usual items

6. Maybe insect repellent and seasickness pill just in case.

Day Trip to Mamutik Island

Mamutik Island it’s like 10 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu City, Sabah. Super lucky citizens of Kota Kinabalu are able to go for a short trip! Under the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a cluster of islands comprising Pulau Gaya, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, and Pulau Sulug. By the way, the word “Pulau” means island in Malay language.

I always return to Pulau Mamutik due to its traffic. Not a lot of people crave to go Pulau Mamutik but the others. Also, for its beautiful corals and fishes. Or maybe because I took my PADI diving license here at this island and that is why it makes me feels like home. Anyway.

To go Mamutik Island from Kota Kinabalu City, there is two ways actually which is through Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal or Sutera Marina Jetty. Want to know more about these two places? Check out the links.

Things you can do here in this island are basically straight forward. When you go to an island, you swim, you dive, you eat, you have fun and you relax.

Yes, you can dive in Mamutik Island - Once you reached the island, walk to your right and you will find Borneo Divers Training Institute. You can ask someone to assist you from there. Prices might be in a range of RM250 to RM300. Of course according to how many divers and boat dives you requests. If you do dive, don’t forget to bring along your underwater camera. You don’t want to miss a memory underwater.

If water sport is your cup of tea, you may contact any local tour companies for more information regarding the water sport activities that are available. There are some local companies there at the island selling packages like Sea Walking, Snorkeling, and etc but do get the ones with license, to prevent anything bad happened. 

Foods and drinks at the island?

I guess you got to catch some fish for your lunch! Nah, there is a small café and you can ask for anything a-la carte. Or, there is a convenient shop beside it. But seriously, nothing fancy.

The toilet is an orange building on the left side of the island. Be prepared to wait for your turn! There is no hot water for shower, no tissue being prepared. So remember to bring your own toiletries.

Facts:
If you want to bring any alcohol (eg. Beer) to the island, get it in Kota Kinabalu town before depart to Mamutik Island. It’s cheaper. Locals like me done this.

If you saw someone or some group of friends who brought foods, they are friendly local people.