Remote-and intimate, is-all about the experience.
It’s been called The Maldives of Asia.
New Eden. However way you cast it, Bawah Reserve is best described as fesson in blissful, wild abandonment.
Though it spans 300 hectares, much ‘Of it remains enveloped in lush tropical forest, hence why.since it opened in 2017, Bawah accolades for offering carefree luxury in the midst of tranquil private island, Bawah Reserve is part ofthe 255 islands in the Anambas clusterin the Riau Archipelago. Though 260km northeast of Singapore, Bawah’s existence was only.known to dedicated
sailors, which was how owner Tim Hartnoll found it through this twin passions. Determinedto preserve-as._ much of Bawah’s natural possible, it wilhtake five years for him and Singapore architectSim Boon Yang to réalise the Bawah of their vision.
This blueprint that woultforego heavy machinery, constructing by hand.and. using as much sustainable material could.
And this is why. Bawah is every explorer’s dream come true. Within its six islands, thtee lagoons and
»13 beaches that make up the luxury. retreat that is Bawah Reserve, guests
have every opportunity to explore
nature, appreciate the remoteness and bask in the intimate tranquillity in both: luxury and comfort. The adventure starts with the island transfer. Guests arrive into Bawah Reserve from Batam via an 80-minute private seaplane journey from Hang Nadim Airport. You know you’re off to laidback start when even the captain goes barefooted in the cockpit.
As the plane makes the approach to. the resort, it tips its wings just slightly for you to get your first glimpse of the feserve. And whata glimpse it is! Multi- -hued crystalline waters call out to you from beneath; their shallow water corals
mottled.carpet of moss green. And then you make.a’splash entrance.as the ‘plane lands on the waters, announcing your arrival te the awaiting resort team at the jetty. The resort’s tagline: “Do as much or as little as you wish” will béYoutr island playbook. With wifi limited’td room ‘only, Bawah éncourages you’to explore and to reconnectaTheré are to lookout points, where guides:can point out torthe local flora and fauna; private picnic to enjoy-at any two of the beaches, where access is strictly yours; sunsetisland cruises to seeksthe nique in all’ofBawah Reserve’s islands;‘daily pampering at the Aura Spa; water activities that range from kayaking NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2018 Pd
paddleboarding and snorkelling; irgazing at jaw-dropping, licorice- ‘black skies and snuggling up for er the star:
till worthwhile. At the 11 overwater villas, you can jump right off from the deck into the lagoon. for aswim every morning. The 21 beach fronting suites offer easy access to the ».waters while the three garden suites
erfect for familyor group of Aailivingroom and
35 intimate ehvillas you choose is:equallyie inviting. Each is Handbuilt,some.from
sustainable bamboo, others ‘bamboo and recycled teak. have his-and-hers vanity. ar
call you évery evening in their recycled
Everywhere you look, effort in which founde) painstaking! resort’s desigr
water, rainwateriscollected fromthe roof gutters and harvested and treated
water that runs in guests’ heated by solar energy,
is treated and recycled
“We are not just building resort, we are building town,” Hartnoll said as he gave back of the house tour of the resort, pointing out to the generator room, the water treatmentplant and sites where FErOU
underwater cables and pipes run the resort selfsustainable. is Still lot to do.
We hope to grow more of our fruit and» vegetables in the garden to rely less on
stuff coming we are working environment,” entirely on
from the mainland. And
towards he says. also run renewable energy microgrid
that harnesses energy from multiple sources solar, wind and hydropower.
In the rooms and restaurants, treated water is bottled in glass that can be washed afd’teused. Bamboo straws replace plastic ones, while amenities
shampoos, shower gels and body lotions ae stored in refillable bottles. Food waste and paper are composted and all otherwaste is recycled and sent back toBatam. Even guest bath towels weré specifically.” selected for its quick-drying and:quick Jaundering time against typical terrycloth towel (though this available should aguest one). So popular
with guests that they run out at the resort boutique as soon as they are stocked!
Bawah has four F&B outlets that, despite its remoteness that prove to be achallenge in supply logistics, celebrate the richness of the archipelago. At Treetops, the elevated main dining venue overlooking one of the lagoons, locally caught fish are always on the menu and Chef Roberto gives his own spin to bring the food up notch.
Tongkol, akin to tuna, is cleverly used in Bawah’s version of the nicoise salad while grilled Red snapper or Giant trevally is served with three local condiments, one of which is an Indonesian favourite sambal matah.
At the Boat House that overlooks the eastern lagoon, the vibe is more pub-style with fish and chips, burgers and chargrilled seafood served amidst swing chairs and wicker daybeds. At the Jules Verne Bar and the Grouper, tropical fruits such as honeydews and watermelons are turned into ice cold designer drinks that are perfect thirst quenchers in the island heat.
As Bawah Reserve is an all-inclusive resort, it does take the worry off you so you can enjoy everything the resort has to offer (meals, non-motorised water sports, non-alcoholic drinks, roundtrip transfers are all included).
This also means daily pampering at the Aura Spa, with foot reflexology, body massages and scrubs to enjoy.
There is still much Bawah Reserve
can offer, says Hartnoll. “We draw inspiration from all over the world in terms of sustainability and remote
locations, from places like the Green School in Bali to Richard Branson’s Necker Island. There is sustainable
learning across the globe and anything we can pick up and
implement, we will do it!”
Source: MUHIBAH, the Royal Brunei Airlines in-flight magazine, 2018 Nov-Dec, pages 40-44. Text recovered from the scanned page by OCR and lightly corrected; spelling may differ from the printed edition.
