Cruise on SuperStar Libra with Malaysia’s Astronaut

Cruise on Superstar Libra with Malaysia’s Astronaut

Gaya Travel Magazine recently joined the 4-day-and-3-night ‘Cruise with Angkasawan (Astronaut)’ programme organised by Angkasawan Communications and Bagus Holidays Sdn. Bhd., which brought us to Phuket and Krabi in Thailand through the sea via Penang, Malaysia. 30 fans of Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (Malaysia’s astronaut) came together in this trip to holiday and spend time with Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar in person.

By Gaya Travel on April 30, 20134 minutes read

Cruise on Superstar Libra with Malaysia’s Astronaut

This programme is the first ever to be organised by Angkasawan Communications and Bagus Holiday Sdn. Bhd. It took place in a vessel named Superstar Libra that accommodates up to 1,406 passengers and houses 703 well-appointed cabins.

The hallway to the room

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Tiger Cave Temple, Khao Khanap Nam

Aonang Beach

At the upper open-air level, passengers will be able to find several food and beverage outlets, including fitness centre, lounge and a spa. There is also beauty saloon, a mini library and Child Care Centre that welcomes passengers from the age of one until below 12. Internet Cafe is also provided for guests to access the internet. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served on Level 7 of the ship.

The cruise departed at 5:00 p.m. on the first day from the Piers of Swettenham in Penang and arrived at Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand at 10:30 a.m. the next day.Before disembarking in Phuket, Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar delivered an inspiring presentation and shared his experience during his stint as an astronaut at the International Space Station.

Beachside scenery in Phuket

When we arrived in Phuket, passengers were allowed to get to the shore by taking small boats that shuttle them from the SuperStar Libra Cruise to the Patong jetty. Passengers were then free to stroll around the town or enjoy sun-bathing on Patong Beach.

Places of interest that we visited in Phuket were Wang Talang (to witness and purchase silver and pearl products and accessories), Phuket Town (to witness Sino-Portuguese architecture) and the Expo Market (for shopping).

Once all passengers returned to the ship in the evening, the cruise then navigated its way to Krabi, while guests enjoyed the evening with scrumptious buffet spread and called it a night.

During the third day, we disembarked at Krabi for sightseeing. Krabi is famous for its Tiger Cave Temple, Khao Khanap Nam (two limestone massifs) and the ever charming Ao Nang beach. To wrap up the third day, those who joined the programme dressed up in smart casual and evening wear for the Captain Gala Night Dinner.

The astronaut sharing his experience when in space

Superstar Libra

The trip ended on the fourth day when the ship returned to Penang. To sum it all up, the cruise was relaxing and enjoyable, though we did hope that the ground transfers in Phuket are more organised and better managed.

Surely, neither would this be the last cruise for the Gaya Travel journalists nor would it be the last trip that Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar will organise for his fans…

The cruise was an exciting experience for the fans and media to get up close and personal with Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor closely together with his wife, Datin Dr. Halina Mohd. Yunos, 32 (who was in her seven-month pregnancy at that time) and their beautiful daughter, Sophea Isabella,

The event – entitled ‘Cruise with the Angkasawan’ and held on the vessel called SuperStar Libra – was an inaugural event organised by Angkasawan Communications in collaboration with Bagus Holiday Sdn. Bhd. and supported by Empire Classique Furniture, Restaurant al-Rawsha, Dian
Pelangi Designer Boutique and Maswira Farish.

Throughout the entire trip, Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar and family cordially mingled with the fans and media.Before arriving in Phuket, Sheikh Muszaphar shared his experience while he was in space and challenges he had to face when having to compete with the other 11,425 Malaysians who applied to become the nation’s first astronaut.

The cruise provided an opportunity for Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar, his family and fans to visit attractions in Phuket such as Wang Talang, Phuket City, Expo Market and Patong beach. While in Krabi, the places visited were the Tiger Cave Temple, Khao Khanap Nam and Ao Nang Beach.
Due to the programme’s success, Dato’ Sheikh Muszaphar is upbeat in holding similar events for his fans in the future, albeit in different destinations.