One of the good things about creating and developing websites for businesses is that we get to learn a lot from our clients. How their business works and the ins and outs of their industry.
Best of all, sometimes we get to enjoy the little ‘perks’ of doing business with them.
A case in point is the affable couple - Ryoko and Jamie Scott - who own a yacht charter and speedboat service business in Langkawi called Crystal Yacht Holidays.
We met them when we were in Langkawi in early April. They wanted us to help revamp their website, after being recommended by a friend of theirs on the island.
Like any website project we take on (be it a website development project or a web copywriting project), the first thing we ask is for a walk-through of their business. This could mean anything from getting to know their products and services from top to bottom or getting a direct tour of their business premises, so that we understand what exactly makes them and their business unique. This helps us strategise the web project - we are then sure of who we are targetting online.
Here we are, taking a breather from business on Ryoko and Jamie’s yacht, Tiki.
As the Scotts run a cruise business, we were lucky to be given a real experience of a walk-through - by joining their famous 3-hour sunset cruise aboard their yacht, Tiki.
We were met on board by Ryoko herself who told us to enjoy the cruise, which included a BBQ dinner and a spectacular Langkawi sunset. In addition, the crew were friendly and kept plying us with a free flow of drinks especially beers! (Yes, this is duty-free Langkawi, where chocs and alcohol are unbelievably cheap!)
Tiki is skippered expertly by Captain Phil from New Zealand.
With calm-water sailing aboard a beautifully maintained yacht of Crystal Yacht Holidays, the evening cruise was serene and afforded us all fantastic views of the outlying islands near the southwestern tip of Langkawi, just off Awana Porto Malai.
See that net in the water? That’s the salt water jacuzzi…
In no time, the yacht crew had lowered a huge net into the water. This was the famous salt water jacuzzi! With one end of the net hooked to a pole fixed to the yacht, everyone was invited to jump into this natural sea water jacuzzi! You’d be safe as you’d be hanging onto the net (trying not to let the surf wash you along) and with the other hand, nursing an ice cold beer!
We joined the rest of the guests and changed into our swimming gear and proceeded to jump into the salt water jacuzzi. It was one of the best things we’ve done in a long time!
When we got back up on the yacht, the crew were busy setting up a BBQ, grilling chicken, beef and fish so we could all be served piping hot food. By then we were ravenous! Once the crew had set up the dinner buffet (complete with batik table cloth and proper crockery), everyone tucked in heartily.
With dinner over, everyone settled down to watch the greatest show on earth - Mother Nature’s beautiful orange sun setting into the horizon. The sky turned gold, and the sun, resembling a large yolk, slowly sank into the horizon. Cameras were brought out and everyone started snapping the moment.
Captain Phil gently maneuvered the yacht to meander between the islands (did you know Langkawi has some 99 islands around it?), giving everyone time to sit around chatting while relaxing with dessert and yes, you guessed it, more drinks.
When we got back to the Awana jetty around 8pm, it was dark with a light drizzle but nothing could dampen the amazing experience that we had.
Ryoko and Jamie Scott of Crystal Yacht Holidays.
Of course we met Ryoko and Jamie the day after, for a discussion on how we would be organising, writing and developing their website. But ah, if only all our walk-throughs were as enjoyable as this. That’s why we love working with our clients in Langkawi. They usually run tourist-centred businesses (read: fun and exciting stuff) and this means our walk-through(s) are usually out of this world.
By the way, Ryoko and Jamie have been in this cruise business for almost 20 years in Langkawi and they’re famous people all right. They have been given the thumbs-up by The Star on many occasions.
If you are in Langkawi and want something unique, try their Sunset Dinner Cruise. It comes highly recommended!
P/S: Yes, their website’s completed - from web design to web copy and lots more. We sure enjoyed creating this website for the Scotts!