New Asia yacht rallies announced for 2010

10:57 PM Fri 9 Oct 2009 GMT

'Coral and Starfish, split image, Banta Island, Indonesia, copyright James Watt' .

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Two new yacht rallies will be drawcards for yachts in the South East Asia region in 2010. The rallies will provide yachts with a very different experience through two or more countries and in the case of the BIMP-EAGA rally, through four countries. The BIMP-EAGA rally will introduce circumnavigating yachts to cultures, venues and experiences of SE Asia previously unseen on the traditional Darwin-Bali-Singapore-Phuket route.

The rallies have the support of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) tourism and government sectors; which will open doors and make visits to some remote areas accessible.

The first rally is the BIMP-EAGA Yacht Rally, which starts mid-June in Darwin (although one can join later by participating in a Darwin to Indonesia event) and finish early November in Brunei. The rally is designed to take participants on a journey of discovery through this amazing region, which includes 'the Coral Triangle' and Heart of Borneo, and the cruising highlights of Indonesia (including Komodo, Wakatobi, Banda, Ambon, Bunakan), plus Philippines (Palawan), Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak) and Brunei.

It will provide a passage not only through the deep blue seas and amazing anchorages of the region, but also traditional culture, the history, beautiful islands, wildlife and rainforests. The schedule is designed to create a leisurely pace to explore in small groups, make passages in favourable conditions, enjoy anchorages and shore excursions.

So that anchorages, shore facilities, and natural heritage sites are not overloaded or damaged, a fleet will be limited to approximatly 15 yachts, with fleet departures about 2 weeks apart if needed. Intending participants should book in early to secure the dates that you want. For developing information see www.bruneibay.net/bimp-eagarally/index.html

Komodo Dragon, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, copyright James Watt - .. .

The second rally, which naturally follows from the first rally after the Christmas break, starts on 3rd January from Brunei to Coron, via the west coast of Palawan. This route provides great sailing in the fresh NE Monsoon period, when the wind shifts east coming off the land for flat sea sailing. The good afternoon breezes of the monsoon will take you to beautiful anchorages, with spectacular scenery and friendly people.

Before this Brunei to Coron event, enjoy the food, hospitality, facilities and parties of Christmas and New Year at Royal Brunei Yacht Club then get underway on 3rd January. Finish mid-March at a dive resort near Coron.

Adventure on offer.JPG - .. .

For each event, local area organisaton, tours, functions and events are from the BIMP-EAGA tourism professionals (private and government) in each area with co-ordination, communication and regular updates via Brunei Bay Radio's HF/SSB voice and email services.

The BIMP-EAGA Business Council has endorsed the yachting events to help facilitiate the Community Based Sustainable Ecotourism focus for BIMP-EAGA. The programmes are developed using the experiences of the organiseers as yacht owners, Brunei based tour operators and YA Yachtmaster Instructors. These two events aim to take best advantage of the prevailing winds and has also been planned with the benefit of many years of listening to cruisers in the region.

For more information please contac : yachting [at] bruneibay.net

by Allan Riches, Rally organiser