TREASURE ISLAND
JUST A HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP FROM THAILAND, THIS PRISTINE ISLAND HIDEAWAY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IS ABOUT AS FAR AWAY FROM MODERN LIFE AS YOU COULD POSSIBLY GET
Surrounded by ocean solitude and bathed in balmy tropical sea breezes, these unspoilt powdery beaches and lush jungle landscapes evoke romantic images of Robinson Crusoe and other fabled island castaways. They’re situated on a collection of five small Indonesian islands 150 miles northeast of Singapore, halfway between the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, where an ecologically sound resort destination has been carefully developed with the priority of preserving their natural beauty. Scheduled to be unveiled in June, Bawah Island consists of just 35 tented safari and over-water eco villas, allowing a maximum of only 70 guests at any one time. Immersing yourself in this island paradise involves a journey of barely two hours from Singapore – by ferry to Batam, followed by private seaplane to Bawah. Once there, modern-day Robinson Crusoes can indulge in a tropical island experience that combines luxury with ecological enrichment.
The islands’ 300 acres of natural environment were treated with kid gloves during the resort’s construction, and continues to be nurtured. No heavy machinery was allowed in construction, so every mechanical process – from recycling stones to breaking boulders for building material – was done by hand. There’s a firm stand against the use to pesticides to protect the islands’ array of flora and fauna, and abundance of butterflies and birds. Bawah is also an official marine conservation area in which fishing, anchoring and collection of marine life is forbidden, allowing fish and corals to flourish in the sparkling clear lagoons.
The resort itself has an ecological attention to detail, with recycled driftwood, teak and bamboo used to create unique finishes, with bath and showers made of recycled copper. Features include a treetop clubhouse with a viewing balcony, yoga pavilion, beachfronted infinity pool and a spa offering treatments incorporating local techniques and exclusive products. Aspiring Robinson Crusoes with a yen to explore can choose from an array of experiences harmonious with nature including snorkelling in crystal clear waters, or hiking through primary forest – which has never been cut or burnt – beneath a canopy of trees as high as 80 metres.