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Yesterday I was
invited to a sunset cocktail party aboard the schooner “Raja Laut.”
She is presently berthing at the Sutera Harbour Marina, virtually in
the heart of Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu. Generally I am not that
much of a social person and prefer staying home but the Raja Laut’s
reputation had preceded her, and my curiosity was awoken. Indeed,
exactly three years earlier I have seen her under construction in
Sandakan on Sabah’s East Coast and I was eager to see her in real
life. Thus I put on my best shirt, my black trousers, even a tie and
shoes, something really extraordinary! But it turned out that I
needed not have had to go to so much trouble – true to local customs
we were asked to go barefoot aboard, and nobody wore a tie so mine
disappeared from my neck very fast.
It was an altogether enjoyable evening, harking back to an era long
past, when daring adventurers and merchants sailed the seas in just
such schooners, risking uncharted waters and pirates to bring spices
and other exotic treasures to the shores of distant Europe. Aboard
the graceful and elegant yacht, amidst the splendid sunset nature
lavished upon us one was tempted to forget for a couple of hours our
often too hectic lives – precisely what the owners and crew of the
Raja Laut have in mind for those who join their luxury private
charters and exclusive expeditions.
The schooner is aptly named “Raja Laut,” meaning ‘King of the Seas’
in Malay – a reference to the real life Rajah Laut Captain William
Lingard, a 19th Century adventurer and trader. Capt. Lingard was
well known in Singapore and throughout the Malay Archipelago. For
many years he sailed his own ships and cargoes between Singapore and
Borneo and amassed a considerable fortune.
It was on one of his numerous voyages to Borneo that he fought a
large and powerful fleet of pirates, rescuing a surrounded Dutch
brig. For his conspicuous bravery on this and other occasions he
received the thanks of the King of Holland, and was decorated with
the order of the 'Lion of the Netherlands'. It was on account of his
fearsome reputation that he acquired the name of 'Rajah Laut' among
the Malays.
The Joseph Conrad character, Tom Lingard, is partly inspired by the
real life Lingard and first appears in his novel “Almayer's Folly”
set in 19th Century Borneo. Tom Lingard also features in two more
novels by the famous author: “An Outcast of the Islands,” and “The
Rescue.” The three novels are what is sometimes referred to as "The
Lingard Trilogy", a group of novels based on Conrad's own experience
as mate on the steamer “Vidar,” one of his earliest experiences in
the British Merchant Navy at a time when the British Empire spanned
a quarter of the globe
The name and style of the yacht “Raja Laut” is a tribute to the
adventure and maritime tradition of South East Asia. It also is a
tribute to the longevity of the gaff-rigged schooner, whose tried
and tested designs were a mainstay of the golden Age of Sail. Her
hull lines are typical of the European or American schooners, while
her interior decor reveals the influences of Asia.
The Raja Laut was built by French designer Georges Carraz, who has
lived and worked in Southeast Asia for 30 years. He has developed an
intimate knowledge of the people and their boat building traditions
in the region, and the Raja Laut was finished in Sandakan with a
dedicated local team under Mr Johan, a master boat builder of a long
line of Suluk seafarers. Indeed, Borneo – the third largest island
in the world which since the times of the “White Rajah’s” in Sarawak
and Conrad’s novels has inspired and attracted adventure seekers
from far – is the birthplace of the Raja Laut. Her keel was laid in
Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) in September 2002 before she sailed,
under own power, to Sabah in December 2003.
Sailing the waters of Borneo and beyond, and visiting its exotic
islands in Conrad’s footsteps remains an adventure. The area has
little changed since the original ‘Rajah Laut’ sailed through, and
nature reserves and national parks protect some of the world’s most
extraordinary natural and cultural treasures. Yet the modern
traveller does not have to put up with the plight – and some of the
dangers – of sailing the seas of an era long past. With the Raja
Laut you sail in style and with the charm of colonial times but
profit of every modern convenience, inclusive of satellite
communications and internet access, and the latest in navigational
technology.
The yacht’s six beautifully appointed, individually air-conditioned
cabins have each a private bathroom with hot and cold water showers.
The fresh water comes from the ship’s own water-maker, a reverse
osmosis desalination plant that provides an unlimited freshwater
supply.
Between the cabins below deck is the main salon, with large settees
and a 32" flat screen TV inclusive of DVD player and an internet
access point - though I presume it is not likely that you will make
frequent use of this particular equipment on board because the areas
you visit with the Raja Laut will keep you spellbound and offer you
far better entertainment than any video!
There is an indoor dining area in case of an unpredictable tropical
downpour, but most meals are taken al fresco on the ship’s vast
deck, under the main boom. The chef on board will spoil you with
treats from the gastronomic treasures of the area, fused with
traditional European cuisine.
The Raja Laut provides complete SCUBA dive equipment and an
experienced dive master to let you discover the underwater treasures
of the region, and an array of motorised and non-motorised water
sports equipment promises nearly unlimited activities.
At 100ft, the splendidly designed Raja Laut is now amongst the
largest classical yachts sailing in the region. Let yourself be
tempted and allow her and her crew to take you on a perfect escape
at sea – and a perfect escape from your everyday life to that of the
timeless elegance and grace of another age.
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For a series of
brilliant photographs of the yacht’s interior
and other
impressions, as well as complete specifications and
expeditions offered visit the
The Schooner Raja Laut
Website
Bookings and other enquiries can be made through
their website, or you can contact Borneo Tall Ships Sdn Bhd
at the Plaza Tanjung Aru in Sabah:
Phone: +6088228599, Fax: +6088 248224, Email:
info@rajalaut.com
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The Raja Laut berthing at the Marina at Sutera Harbour
Sunset cocktail party
Johan, ship builder in Sabah
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