Port Dickson - Tanjong Tuan (Cape Rachardo) & Blue Lagoon

The oldest lighthouse in the country, originally built by the Portugese in the 16th century. After the conquest of Malacca by Portugal in 1511, they wanted to build a lighthouse to guide its ships. Tanjung Tuan was chosen and the cape was named Cape Rachado by them.

The lighthouse still holds vigil today but no longer just a vantage point to view trade or enemy ships sailing close to the coast. It now houses a revolving MEASAT Radar used for transmissions and communications.




More than just famous for its lighthouse, this site is a conservation area for migrating birds. Cape Rachado is well known as a popular stopover point for migrating raptors especially honey buzzards. Other birds that stop here during their annual winter migration include swifts, hawks, and eagles, which can be spotted between September and March every year.
See entry on Raptor Watch.

To reach the lighthouse, take a short uphill trek. Keep your eyes open for there are many things to see along the way.



View of the Straits from the lighthouse surroundings.




Wildflowers around the lighthouse.




We stopped over at the once-famous Blue Lagoon (nothing to do with the movie of the same title) to watch the sun set.



Banana boat...




Here's something different... at least for me it was... a view of Moggie in my frame, and Moggie in viewfinder.