Tasik Dayang Bunting literally translates as the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. If you believe in legend, you will hear preposterous accounts of how a fairy came to earth and fell in love, got pregnant and later found out she was cast a love spell. She later threw the baby in the lake and returned to fairyland. The boatman will even stop in the middle of the sea at a specific spot to show you a particular angle of the hills on that island that resembles a pregnant woman lying on her back. If you ask me, I'd say screw the legend and just enjoy the natural beauty of this allegedly largest natural lake around.
Visiting this lake is part of the island-hopping package. For RM25(or RM35 in our case since the agent took a whopping RM10 extra each), you will be boated to three different locations, two of them islands. So Tasik Dayang Bunting is located conveniently on Pulau Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden), which will be the first island you are taken to. Once aboard the island, it requires you about 400 meter climb up and down the hill before you eventually reach the lake, cradled right in the middle of the island.
A word of advice: the elders and people with feet or knee problem may want to reconsider the hike. It is quite challenging and by the time you are done having fun on that lake, you will need to go through the same climbing ordeal. I'd do it for love, but if it wasn't for Mr Khan, I would well remember my vow some time ago never to put myself through that hassle again.
Once there, you will find there a small booth that rents out life jackets and some cycling boats, whatever the name is. The small booth is located on a platform made of toughened bottled plastic, or something like that, and that's where the cycling boats are docked too. The platform is strong yet gives you a floating feeling. You are free to swim in the 20 meter deep lake. The water is somewhat murky, and I know of many people who would get giddy at the idea of something lurking underwater. So if you are one of those people, save yourself the trouble. Otherwise, it's a great experience to take a dip.
The boatman will give you an hour at the lake, so with the climb up and down taken into account, you only have about half and hour on the lake. Plan your time well so as not to be abandoned by your boat.
There are plenty of monkeys on this island and they can get quite violent if you are carrying food. Avoid carrying food in your hands and just put them all in your bag. Don't be fooled by their cuteness.
Whether you are going there in the morning or afternoon, the sun can get quite harsh on your skin. For snow queens like me, several layers of sunblock are necessary. For those looking to get a tan, this is your moment.
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