This wasn’t something that he took lightly and he was very thorough in his vision. He strived hard to create an environment where everyone will feel welcome and comfortable,” she says. “Just look at this place today!” she exclaims.

A visiting sultan would feel equally at ease as someone who’d just come off a boat after a long sail.” The idea of organising an international regatta was also the brainchild of Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah, affectionately known as ‘Charlie’, who wanted to promote sailing in Malaysia and make Langkawi the preferred sailing destination in the region. “

Just see how beautiful it is here,” exclaims Tunku Soraya as she looks out the boat at mystical Pulau Dayang Bunting, which sits just north of the RLYC. “Langkawi is such a beautiful, idyllic setting that everyone seems to fall in love with.