Rally Info
| Passage to Langkawi – Rally Info |
 |
 |
 |
|
I. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Sail Malaysia!
Malaysia is situated between 1 and 7 degrees north and has traditionally been the centre of regional trade due to its strategic location. With the growing number of marinas around the country is fast becoming accessible to cruisers and no longer just a place to just pass by.
The west coast of Peninsula Malaysia has always been the main route for cruisers sailing from Australia to Europe. Our objective in this event is to help you Discover Malaysia by Sea. We realize that since this may be your first visit to our country by sea, we hope to introduce you to the people, marine facilities and of course the beauty and heritage of each rally destination that you may otherwise miss if you were to do it individually. Conversely, our aim is also to help create awareness within Malaysia about cruising as a way of life.
Traveling in Malaysia is hassle-free and convenient. The destinations that you will visit are easily accessible by air for receiving friends and family. Malaysia is also the perfect location as a base for travel around this region as well as travelling back home.
Sail Malaysia welcomes you to the rally stops, where you will again be showered with a warm Malaysian style welcome. For the year 2010 we intend to introduce you to at least 4 destinations, from Johor Bahru to Langkawi. There is so much to look forward to. The journey is as much about self discovery as it is about visiting our friendly hosts.
As a continuation to the above event, we are also organising the Sail Malaysia Passage to the East 2011. This rally will take you eastwards from Langkawi to the eastern side of Malaysia, and has been very popular in the past few years.
We thank Tourism Malaysia, the Ministry of Transport and all the respective State Governments for their advice, direction and support in helping us to establish this event annually. This event is part of our efforts to promote marine tourism in Malaysia and we invite all sailors to join the Sail Malaysia Passage to the Langkawi and to Discover Malaysia by Sea!
Purpose of This Document
This Pre-Entry Information Booklet is intended to provide interested 2011 participants with a general overview of the event and what to expect. This document also comes attached with the entry form.
The details contained in this document and the website www.sailmalaysia.net is the OFFICIAL information published by Sail Malaysia. Regular updates about the event will be posted on the website and sent via email to interested parties on the mailing list.
Organiser Contact Details
The Sail Malaysia Passage to the East is owned and managed by PassionAsia Sdn. Bhd. (765587-U), a private limited company registered in Malaysia. All correspondence to the organizers of Sail Malaysia should be directed via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Attn: Sazli). For easy reference, please include the name of your yacht in the subject section of your emails.
If you wish to find alternative means to contact us, please email us for the request.
RALLY START (IMPORTANT)
CONFIRMED
The start of the rally will begin in Danga Bay, Johor Bahru (01 Deg 28.3' N, 103 Deg, 43.2' E) 26 October 2011
A rally briefing will start the proceedings at 1600 hours Venue: Danga Bay Convention Centre
Key Dates prior to the Malaysian leg
Sail Malaysia representatives will be at these locations to assist you with any queries regarding your stay in Malaysia.
19 July: Rally Briefing/Information Day at Darwin Holiday Inn Esplanade (from 1200 hours) 20 July: We will be at the Darwin Sailing Club from 0800 to 1200 hours.
20-23 September: We will be with the Sail Indonesia team in Bali.
II. RALLY ENTRY
How to Register 1. The Registration Form will be attached when you receive this document. Alternatively the Registration Form will be available in Darwin andBali. 2. Email us your details: All you have to do is email us the details requested in the registration form. 3. Upon receiving your details, we deem that you have read and agreed to the details in this document. We shall confirm your participation in the rally once we receive the email. 4. A completed form together with the details you sent will be ready for signature when we see you at the rally regroup points and stops.
Entry Costs 1. A registration fee will be charged as below to cover our administrative expenses. a. Early Bird (before 31 July 2011) - AUD 150 per yacht b. Normal fee (after Early Bird) - AUD 175 per yacht Note - the dates above refer to the time when we receive your email to confirm your participation.
In return for the registration fee, we offer you the following benefits: i. Organised rally stops listed in the Rally Schedule. ii. Our commitment is to organise 4 rally stops for the Malaysian leg. Additional stops may arise. The list of expected activities per destination is listed below. Please note that this list is tentative, but it will be very close to what you will experience. iii. One Sail Malaysia Rally Flag iv. Two Sail Malaysia T-shirts v. Other souvenir and goodies provided to you by our hosts.
The following are not included in the registration fee: i. Marina costs ii. Port clearance fee and charges, if any. iii. Optional tours or events, such as paid excursions to Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. These items will be classified as ‘Optional Tours' in the Rally Schedule. Although chargeable, these activities are recommended.
2. Payment methods: i. The entry fee is payable in cash to Sail Malaysia representatives when you meet us in Darwin, Bali or Johor Bahru. ii. If you wish to deposit money in advance, we can provide you our bank details via email.
III. RALLY DETAILS Rally Schedule (Tentative) At this moment, we are finalizing the details of the schedule below. The dates may vary by a few days, but the start date will remain fixed on 26 October 2009.
CONFIRMED VENUES - DETAILS We shall give you a fact sheet on the venues below at the Darwin Information Day, complete with its contact numbers and host details.
26 - 31 October Marina @ Danga Bay, Johor Bahru* (01 Deg 28.3' N, 103 Deg, 43.2' E) The start for the Malaysian leg begins with a rally stop right in the heart of Johor Bahru. Danga Bay is situated on a protected, natural anchorage and with a newly built marina.
10 - 13 Nov Pangkor Marina Island (4 Deg 13.7' N, 100 Deg 35.5' E) Pangkor Marina Island is a newly built marina. Fast gaining popularity, this location is the perfect place for those who wish to do some quick repairs.
26 - 27 Nov Penang (5 Deg 17.9' N, 100 Deg 18.5' E) Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Penang is a city not to be missed. Participants will be able to experience some of the most diverse culture and heritage in this region on this beautiful island.
1 Dec Langkawi (06 Deg 21.5 N, 99 Deg 40.9 E) Equipped with major marinas and a host of excellent anchorage spots, this tropical 99-island tropical paradise has all the amenities for cruising yachts to stay whether short or long-term. The traditional annual dinner hosted by the Langkawi Development Authority is a fitting end to our events in Malaysia.
Details of the events and facilities at each location will also be presented at the Information Day in Darwin on 19 July 2011.
Important Rally Information:
The notes below are relevant for the Sail Malaysia Passage to the East registered participants only.
A. INTRODUCTION 1. Malaysia. The Sail Malaysia Passage to Langkawi refers to the Malaysian leg of the Sail Indonesia/Sail Malaysia event which starts in Darwin in July. The rally stops and events in Malaysia are organised by us. 2. Organiser. This Sail Malaysia event is wholly owned and managed by PassionAsia Sdn. Bhd. (765587-U). Our role is to organize the rally stops for you in Malaysia and to coordinate with our friends in Southeast Asia and Australia on your journey within Malaysia. 3. Our objectives. The overall objective of this event is to introduce Malaysia by sea by organizing rally stops along the route and welcoming you with our Malaysian-style hospitality. In addition, our aim is also to create awareness among Malaysians about the cruising lifestyle.
B. YOUR JOURNEY
1. Planning Your Journey. You will receive either an Information Booklet or CD at the Rally Briefing in Danga Bay containing useful information about the rally destinations. 2. Security. We will be sending the information given to us in the Registration Form to the Marine Department Royal Malaysian Marine Police solely for precautionary purposes. During the event period, we also recommend all participants to let us know of your travel plans if you do not intend to join us at the next designated rally stop. 3. Communication 1. Emails and our website will be the main form of communication. You will also be able to make enquiries to us at any of the rally stops. 4. Communication 2. A Vhf communication channel for the morning sked will be determined at the Rally Briefing on 30 October. 5. Customs and Immigration. Customs and immigration clearance in Malaysia is typically ‘hassle-free'. Notwithstanding that, we will advise you on the procedures of each stop at the technical briefing. 6. Marina Berthing. All yachts are required to communicate directly with the marinas to confirm bookings
C. ABOUT THE EVENT 1. Event Format. Free and Easy - although we encourage you to visit all the rally stops, you are free to pick and choose the stops that suit your schedule. 2. Rally Stops 1. The rally stops are listed above in the Rally Schedule. Each stop will contain a mixed bag of events, such as receptions, dinners, tours, games, activities, etc. The details are currently being finalized. 3. Rally Stops 2. You will find some amazing stops along the way and it is very tempting to stop and skip some of the others. However, we recommend that you plan to go to all of them as each destination contain a mixed bag of wonderful surprises and discoveries otherwise missed. 4. Press Conferences and Boat Visits. These activities will be included in this year's rally as part of our program to create awareness about the cruising lifestyle. These activities are optional and it is perfectly understandable if you do not wish to take part. Please do not hesitate to inform us and we will maintain strict privacy.
IV. ENTERING MALAYSIA
Customs, Immigration and Port Clearance The Malaysian procedures for entry are fairly straightforward. We are also making special arrangements for speedy clearances in Danga Bay. For more information about the above, please go to the respective websites below. Royal Malaysian Customs: www.customs.gov.my/index.php/en Immigration Department of Malaysia: www.imi.gov.my Marine Department: www.marine.gov.my/indexBI.htm
Some points worth noting:
Immigration (Visas)
a. The majority of passport holders will have a 3 month visa issued on arrival. b. For details on Visa requirement by countries please visit the Official Immigration Department of Malaysia website (www.imi.gov.my). c. Passports will need to be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Customs
In short, customs procedures in Malaysia are straightforward. However, you need to be aware that the following items are strictly enforced in this country. 1. Dangerous Drugs. Dangerous drugs (eg. Morphine, heroin, opium, ganja, etc.) is prohibited from importation and exportation. THE TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THE PUNISHMENT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IS DEATH BY HANGING. Dangerous drugs can only be imported and/or exported with the approval of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
2. Firearms. Please be informed that the Malaysia has strict rules and regulations regarding firearms and ammunition. You must declare all firearms at the customs and immigration, which will be sealed, transported and kept at the local police station until the date of your departure.
For a comprehensive write up, please go to www.customs.gov.my and type in search, ‘Traveller's Guide'. The listing provided is probably too detailed for many of us to digest and if you have any queries it is useful to just call the department or email at the contacts described in their website.
Health and Vaccination
For a detailed overview of health considerations for travelers in Malaysia, please visit the following website: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/malaysia.html
If you need medical assistance, public and private clinics and hospitals are abundant in Malaysia. Please check with the marina office for the one most convenient to you.
Insurance Sail Malaysia does not provide insurance for rally participants. Insurance covering medical or emergencies is recommended if you don't already have one.
V. VISITING MALAYSIA (SOME FACTS)
Geography and People Total Area: 329,750 sq km Population: 25 million (2007 est.) Ethnic Groups: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, Others 7.8% (2004 est.) Religion: Islam 60.4% (Official Religion), Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census) Languages spoken: Bahasa Malaysia (Official Language), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai. In East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan
For more details visit our website under Malaysia General Information.
Climate Tropical: Hot and humid throughout the year. Annual winds: Southwest (April to October) and Northeast (October to February) monsoons
Currency
Only Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is used. Money exhchange outlets are aplenty, especially around the rally stops. Credit cards are widely accepted (VISA, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX).
Exchange rates (in Malaysia, as at June 2011) for selected currencies: Ringgit Malaysia per foreign currency: 1 USD 3.05 1 Australian Dollar 3.20 1 Euro 4.15 1 Singapore Dollar 2.40 1 Sterling Pound 4.53 100 Indonesian Ruppiah 0.0378 100 Thai Baht 10.0 Communication and Internet Service International Dial Code: 60
The general assessment for telephones, mobile phones and internet services are excellent in this country. There are 3 major mobile phone companies which offer pre-paid cards if you are visiting temporarily - Maxis, Digi and Celcom. Cost per call will differ from one service provider to another. On average a local call (mobile to mobile) will cost around 10 sen (AUD 0.03) per minit.
Nationwide broadband wireless access can be obtained for around RM 60-100 per month and you can typically gain access if you anchor close to the coastline. Most marinas offer the wireless service at nominal costs.
Electricity
220V 50Hz
Medical Services
Medical services in Malaysia are excellent. Public clinics and hospitals are located in every district, cheap and open to foreigners. Private clinics and hospitals are also plenty and prices tend to be affordable. A trip to the private clinic for example may cost you between RM 40 to 70. In case of emergency, you can contact the marina office where they can arrange a doctor to visit or an ambulance transfer in more serious circumstances.
Laundry, food and provisioning
Check with the marina offices for laundry facilities. Most marinas provide this service where they send your laundry to the local cleaners for you. A small fee may be imposed for this service. Estimated rate for cleaning at a local cleaner is usually between RM 2.00 - RM 4.00 (AUD 0.45 - 0.70) per kg for a normal laundry. Provisioning for food and beverage is not a problem in Malaysia. Western food and delicatessen are available in most towns and are not expensive. Fuel docks or refueling services are available at most marinas.
Festivities Below are some of the major religious festivals in the country that you can experience in 2011 as you travel into Malaysia. An ‘open house' is commonplace in some of these festivals where you can enjoy the true meaning of Malaysian hospitality. Deepavali 27 September Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Haj) 7-8 October Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) 28 October Christmas 25 December
Dress Standards
Malaysia is a progressively developing nation with a strong conservative influence. Here, you will see a diverse range of dressing among its population - from the Muslim women covered from head to toe to the modern western-influenced outfits. You are free to dress as you please in Malaysia. Smart casual clothes are ideal when going out in public places. When visiting religious sites (mosques, temples, etc.) we recommend that you dress modestly and to wear long trousers.
Shopping
Shopping in Malaysia is a national past-time. During your journey here we hope that you not only discover the big shopping malls but also the off the beaten track heritage shops. Most Malaysian women possess a black belt in shopping. So if you are in doubt where to go shopping, please feel free to enquire.
VI. REFERENCES
For references about our events and pictures please visit the Weblinks in our website, www.sailmalaysia.net and the Sail Malaysia Facebook.
VII. AFTER THE RALLY
Getting Around
Malaysia is an ideal location as a long-term stopover. You can plan your excursions to other parts of the country or abroad without worry about the security of your boats or immigration (getting in and out of the country is hassle-free). The websites below can provide you with a comprehensive description about Malaysia and what you can expect to see while visiting:
www.virtualmalaysia.com The official e-Tourism portal for the Ministry of Tourism. Also provides references to travel agents if you wish to travel local or international. www.tourism.gov.my Malaysia Tourism website offers complete up-to-date information on events around the country. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/malaysia Lonely Planet portal offers an independent explanation on getting around the country.
Other Events
Starting May and ending in August 2012, we will be organizing the 3rd Sail Malaysia Passage to the East. Please see our website for the updates on the 2010 events!
Wishing everyone fair winds and a wonderful experience discovering Malaysia! --END--
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 10:46 |
