Being a distant island fanatic and somebody who loves bespoke sustainable luxurious, Indonesia’s Bawah Reserve has all the time been on the prime of my listing. My husband Anush and I lately traveled to Singapore and knew we needed to go the additional mile to make our dream journey to this pure haven a actuality.
ISLANDS AND BEACHES AND LAGOONS, MY GOD
Whereas most luxurious personal island resorts are normally unfold over one island, Bawah Reserve is a whole nature reserve spanning six islands, three lagoons and 13 seashores in Indonesia’s Anambas archipelago. The journey to this unspoiled paradise is kind of the journey, but it surely’s seamless because of Bawah’s door-to-door concierge service. We had been picked up from our resort in Singapore at daybreak in a luxurious switch and dropped off on the ferry terminal in Singapore. From right here we’re accompanied by a Bawah consultant to make sure a clean border crossing from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia. Once we arrive in Batam, one other luxurious transport takes us to the close by airport the place Bawah’s personal seaplane awaits us. The journey from Batam to Bawah is a fast 75-minute seaplane trip. Because the aircraft glides over the Bawah Archipelago and lands straight on probably the most pristine lagoon, our pleasure builds.
As we go down the lengthy pier and are greeted by pleasant workers, we have now a second to admire the idyllic surroundings round. The blue lagoon teeming with coral towards the plush forested hills is really breathtaking. We meet our Visitor Expertise Supervisor Rian who guides us to our room. Alongside the best way, he mentions that all the resort is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo and different domestically sourced pure supplies.
We’re in a classy bungalow over the water with a panoramic view of the lagoon. At first look, I discover how the villa’s design blends seamlessly with its pure environment—embellished with items from native artisans, akin to woven hand followers, beaded containers, and a copper tub. Beloved the open ethereal format and huge outside patio. One in every of our favourite little particulars of the villa are the customized title plates on the outside, which we are able to hold as a memento.
After settling in, we head to the jetty for an uncommon sundown lagoon cruise. It’s a excellent introduction to the reserve because the cruise takes us alongside the shores of six islands. For dinner we go to the Tree Tops restaurant on the cliff. The very first thing that catches my consideration as we enter this stunning hideaway nestled among the many bushes is the panoramic view of the jetty and lagoon. Handmade chandeliers within the form of jellyfish are the crowning design element of the restaurant. We love when a resort not solely pays consideration to design particulars, but additionally celebrates the work of native artisans at each flip. The dish that stands out from our feast is the Indonesian flatbread served with hen curry and wrapped in banana leaves.
GLASS KAYAK FOR THE CATCH OF THE DAY
Waking as much as the sound of the waves, ingesting nice native Indonesian espresso on our personal deck is one thing we might positively get used to! We determined to discover the primary island for the day. We’re all the time searching for locations that make us reconnect with nature, and Bawah Reserve is correct up that alley. We begin by mountaineering to Bawah’s most pristine seashore, Coconut Seaside. This turned out to be our private favourite in all the protect, with its surreal Robinsonian vibes. Though there are not any facilities on this seashore, it was completely my fashion of seashore — uncooked and untouched. Returning to the resort’s fundamental seashore, we discover the home reef in glass kayaks. The clear, heat water gives wonderful visibility and we spot turtle, blacktip sharks and rays gliding alongside the colourful coral gardens.
After nightfall, we head to the Boathouse restaurant on the seashore for a barbecue dinner. Each Anush and I like seafood, so we had been eagerly anticipating this meal. Right here we are able to select from a spread of contemporary catch and what we wish grilled for us. Prawns and squid stand out as favorites. The entire setting of the dinner is so romantic, with the sorbet coloured sky, the light ocean breeze and our toes within the sand.
PRIVATE DINING, SUNRISE AND SUNSET
We begin our final full day with a bucket listing expertise: breakfast on a paddle board on the sandbar. It was a dream to take a seat on the sting of the sandbar and luxuriate in our scrumptious breakfast whereas the occasional stingray or reef shark glided alongside the shore. As soon as once more we selected our favourite, Bawah’s Well being bowls— dragon fruit smoothie, matcha chia and tropical granola are nice choices.
With a day tropical downpour, we head to their spa for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. As a part of our all-inclusive reserving, we’re pleasantly stunned to be taught that we get a spa therapy per particular person, per day. Bawah has two spas on property, Aura Spa and Hill Spa. Within the latter, we each go for the “Barely There” therapeutic massage, which is an ideal mix of Balinese and Swedish therapeutic massage.
Because the night approaches, we take pleasure in a personal sundown and seashore dinner hosted at Elang, Bawah’s personal island. Non-public dinner on a personal island in a personal reserve? This actually needs to be a dream! On the deck of Elang’s most prized villa, Lychee, we sip our spritz and pattern hors d’oeuvres as we watch the sky soften into pastel hues. Simply once we thought that environment could not be beat, we had been amazed by the dinner arrange at Elango’s lagoon. The menu is totally tailor-made to our preferences—all the favourite coastal Indonesian eating places in small parts so we are able to style many delicacies. Our favorites are Sate Lilit Ikan (coral trout satay), Otak Otak Udang (tiger prawns wrapped in banana leaves) and Ayam Rendang (hen in roasted coconut and rendang spices). Every little thing in regards to the dinner – the enchanting setting, the distinctive menu, the corporate – made it a culinary expertise we’ll cherish for years to come back.
NOT BYE, BUT SEE YOU LATER, BAWAH
Our keep within the Bawah reserve remained in the most effective reminiscence due to the sensation of peace and seclusion. With a restricted variety of friends, there’s by no means a sense of crowding, which permits us to totally immerse ourselves within the magnificence and tranquility of the environment. The workers’s real hospitality and a focus to element make us really feel at residence. Leaving Bawah Reserve is so bittersweet, however we go away with a deep appreciation for the pure fantastic thing about the islands and their dedication to sustainability. It’s a place that captures the center and leaves a long-lasting impression—we hope to return sooner or later and expertise its magic once more.