Night Out On Danga Bay

The sea sparkled, reflecting the light of a full moon hanging in a starless sky. The moon was so brightly round that it looked more like someone had pasted a paper moon on a pitch dark page.

Fanned by the balmy sea breeze, I started to relax when three loud blasts of a fog horn made me jump with a frightful start.

I hardly felt the ship move as it sliced smoothly across the calm waters but from the widening distance to land, I guessed the fog horn blasts signalled the start of my Johor Straits cruise, just off Johor Baru’s Danga Bay.

The more quiet, private Grand Deck was a pleasant respite from the boisterous activities on the Star Deck and Treasure Deck of Danga Cruise 8.

Enchanted Evening

On the Star Deck, party games were in full swing at a corporate annual dinner and from the squeals of excitement, everyone was having a great time.

Participants wore flower-print shirts, sarongs and pareos and the women – as well as a few of the men – had orchids tucked behind their ears or in their hair.

Then, the delicious aroma of barbecued meat tickled my nose and I tracked it down to the open section where a seafood barbecue and buffet spread had been set up. Skewers of satay were sizzling on one grill and huge prawns on another.

On the Treasure Deck, another group was enjoying dinner with “live” music entertainment. There were young children mingling with the adults and as everyone wore the same polo T-shirt, this was obviously a family day event.

Later, the artistes left and the stage was taken over by budding singers for their own karaoke session.

“Abah mari kita keluar,” I heard a little girl begging her father to step out of the air-conditioning. She and her younger brother slipped out the door and stood at the railings but they were in good hands as the ship’s staff was stationed at strategic points to keep an eye on guests and ensure their safety in the open corridors.

Spectacular Sights

As the ship made its way from the Danga Bay waterfront towards the Causeway, I turned my eyes to the shoreline to enjoy a breath-taking view of Johor Baru’s landmarks and heritage buildings caught in stunning silhousettes and illuminated by strings of fairy lights.

Although I’ve seen the skyline from the Causeway, this was a distinctly different view.

The brightly-lit clock tower at Dataran Bandaraya, with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in its background, caught my attention and I started to identify each passing landmark.

I could recognize the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Islamic Complex, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum and the iconic square tower of the Sultan Ibrahim building on Bukit Timbalan. The best part was knowing I would see them again but in reverse, on the return trip.

When the ship returned to the Danga Bay waterfront at the end of the journey, I watched with interest how the pilot skillfully manoeuvred the vessel into position at the jetty so that all on board could disembark easily.

Family Fun

I decided to go on to Danga World. It was nearly 10pm and I arrived at the Petting Zoo just in time for the second show of the evening. Seated around a fenced ring, spectators watched horses, dogs, monkeys, tigers, lions and elephant perform. Visitors could also admire the many types of snakes, lizards and fowl.

Next was the Theme Park. Kids had fun in Dodge ‘Em cars and there were queues waiting for rides like air bicycles, ferris wheel, Black Hole Odyssey roller-coaster and pirate swing boat.

Younger ones had a great time bobbing up and down on brightly painted wooden horses going round and round on the carousel.

Some children, safely strapped in their seats, got ready for the thrilling jumping Frog ride. A collective gasp rose from the watching crowd when the children were repeatedly shifted up and dropped from a certain height like jumping frogs.

I glance at my watch and though it was near midnight, no one seemed ready to leave

How To Get There

Danga Bay spans three kms along the Johor Straits front at 4 ½ mile Jalan Skudai. A 2km scenic, drive on the coast road from Johor Baru city centre will lead you to Johor Baru’s largest recreational park. From the Plus North-South Highway, exit at Skudai toll gates and drive from the Skudai Highway through the Danga Bay Interchange to the Johor Baru waterfront.

Fast Facts

Danga World, which features a Petting Zoo and Theme Park, opens from 3 pm daily. Animal shows are at 8.30 pm and 10 pm.

The dinner cruise on board Danga Cruise 8 departs at 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For enquiries and reservations for groups, sightseeing or private events on board Danga Cruise 8, call its hotline at 017-7039988. For more info, visit website : www.dangabay.com

Abd Rahaman Rasid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com

Source: The New Straits Times, December 30, 2008.