S/Y Moonfleet: David and Jane's visit to Rebak

6th January 2013

After a wonderful three weeks in Melbourne we returned to Rebak Marina and Moonfleet on 6^th January 2013, with just a week before my brother, David, and his wife, Jane were due to arrive to spend 3 weeks onboard Moonfleet with us.

We spent this week finishing outstanding jobs on Moonfleet and sorting out new ones as they arose. Alan had lots of jobs to do up the mast and I must have hauled him up and down at least 6 times! Thank goodness for an electric winch.

Alan fitting the spreader caps

14^th January 2013

Thankfully David and Jane’s flight into Langkawi arrived on time at 9.30pm as the last ferry to Rebak is at 10.30pm, but it is only a 5 mins taxi drive from the airport

Fast ferry to Rebak from Langkasuka

For the first few days they enjoyed unwinding around the resort – on the beach,

Dave and Jane

by the pool

Alan and Di

Dave and Jane

One morning we enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast at the resort.

Breakfast at the Taj Hotel Resort on Rebak Island

17^th January 2013

With a planned itinerary to show Dave and Jane some of the 99 islands of Langkawi with left Rebak Marina. However when we got out we realised that the best made plans and all that ………………… The wind was over 20kts and blowing straight through the anchorage off Puala Beras Basah, which is a favourite of mine, so not suitable for a lunchtime stop and a swim.

Puala Beras Basah taken on a previous visit in perfect
conditions

So it was on to the next planned stop to see the white bellied sea eagles and red kites swoop down to be fed by the tourist boats, but again the conditions to anchor were not good.

Red Kites and White Bellied Eagles seen on a previous
visit

Eventually we anchored at Puala Dayang Bunting and, although the sea was calm, the wind came down off the high cliffs in bullets, swinging us violently through 180 deg. However we knew the holding here was good but it was a disappointing day for Dave and Jane. After the tour boats had made their last trips to take people to the legendary Tasik Dayang Bunting – the Pregnant Maidens Lake, which got its name after Kedah princess, forbidden to marry her lover, fell pregnant after swimming in the lake. The angry king banished her to this island where she drowned herself and became a rock. The lake is fresh water and said to aid conception – too late for me!

The jetty to the fresh water lake at Dayang Bunting

Dave and Jane at the Pregnant Maiden's Lake

On our way to the lake we saw a number of Macaque monkeys.

Please don't take my photo - I'm very shy

The next day the wind had abated a little, but as the forecast was still for high winds, we decided to go into Telaga marina to hire a car for land trip around the island instead.

19^th January 2013

It was a difficult start to the day as the car we ordered from Mr Din didn’t materialise and an hour later when one did arrive it was a clapped out piece of junk with non-opening windows and no air-con. He agreed to drive us to the airport where we managed to get a suitable modern car.

We had a very enjoyable day driving all round Langkawi, our first stop was to visit Atma Alam Batik Art Village at Matsirat, where you can watch the artists painting the batik designs on silk or cotton fabric. (Unfortunately no photos allowed) We bought a few gifts here but could have spent much more! Our next stop was at Tanjung Rhu, on the north of the island, where we had lunch close to the beautiful beach.