{"id":229947,"date":"2024-08-15T18:17:48","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T18:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/15\/bawah-reserve-x-jyotsna-shankar\/"},"modified":"2024-08-15T18:17:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T18:17:48","slug":"bawah-reserve-x-jyotsna-shankar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/15\/bawah-reserve-x-jyotsna-shankar\/","title":{"rendered":"Bawah Reserve x Jyotsna Shankar"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Being a remote island enthusiast and someone who loves bespoke sustainable luxury, Indonesia\u2019s Bawah Reserve<\/a> has always been on the top of my bucket list. My husband, Anush, and I recently traveled to Singapore and knew we had to go one step further to make a dream trip to this nature refuge a reality.<\/p>\n

ISLANDS AND BEACHES AND LAGOONS, OH MY<\/h2>\n

\"Bawah<\/p>\n

While most luxury private island resorts usually span one island, Bawah Reserve is an entire nature reserve that spans six islands, three lagoons and thirteen beaches in Indonesia\u2019s Anambas Archipelago. The journey to get to this unspoiled paradise is quite the adventure but is made seamless, thanks to Bawah\u2019s door-to-door concierge service. We\u2019re picked up from our hotel in Singapore at the break of dawn in a luxury transfer and dropped off at the Singapore ferry terminal. From here, a Bawah representative accompanies us to ensure a smooth border crossing from Singapore to Batam in Indonesia. Once in Batam, another luxury transfer whisks us away to the nearby airport where Bawah\u2019s private seaplane awaits us. The journey from Batam to Bawah is a quick 75-minute seaplane ride. As the plane glides over the Bawah archipelago and lands directly on the most pristine lagoon, our excitement intensifies.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

As we make our way down the long pier and the warm staff welcomes us, we have a moment to admire the idyllic landscape all around. The blue lagoon teeming with corals against the lush forested hills is truly breathtaking. We meet our guest experience manager Rian who guides us to our room. He mentions along the way that the entire resort is handcrafted using eco-friendly bamboo and other locally sourced natural materials.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

We\u2019re in a chic overwater bungalow with panoramic views of the lagoon. At first glance, I notice how the design of the villa blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings\u2014adorned with pieces from local artisans, such as woven hand fans, beaded storage bins and a copper bathtub. I loved the open airy layout and the large outdoor deck. One of our favorite little details of the villa is the personalized name boards on the exterior, which we can keep as souvenirs.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

After settling in, we make our way to the jetty for a whimsical sunset cruise along the lagoon. It\u2019s the perfect introduction to the reserve as the cruise takes us along the shores of the six islands. For dinner, we head to the clifftop restaurant Tree Tops. The first thing that catches my attention, as we walk into this gorgeous hideaway nestled in the trees, are the panoramic views of the jetty and lagoon. The handcrafted jellyfish chandeliers are the crowning design detail of the restaurant. We love when a hotel not only pays attention to design details but also celebrates the work of local artisans at every turn. A dish that stands out from our feast is the Indonesian flatbread served with chicken curry and wrapped in banana leaves.<\/p>\n

GLASS KAYAKING TO CATCH-OF-THE-DAY<\/h2>\n

\"Bawah<\/p>\n

Waking up to the sound of the waves, while sipping on some delicious local Indonesian coffee on our private deck is something we could sure get used to! We decide to explore the main island for the day. We always seek out destinations that make us reconnect with nature and Bawah Reserve is right up that alley. We start with a hike to Bawah\u2019s most pristine beach, Coconut Beach. This turns out to be our personal favorite of the entire reserve, with its surreal Robinson Crusoe vibes. While there are no facilities on this beach, it was absolutely my style of beach\u2014raw and unspoiled. Making our way back to the resort\u2019s main beach, we explore the house reef on glass kayaks. The clear, warm waters provide excellent visibility and we spot a turtle, black tipped sharks and stingrays gliding along the vibrant coral gardens.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

As dusk falls, we head to the beachside restaurant Boathouse for a barbeque dinner. Both Anush and I love seafood, so we\u2019d eagerly anticipated this meal. Here, we get to choose from an array of the fresh catch and what we want grilled for us. The prawn and calamari stand out as favorites. The whole ambiance of the dinner is so romantic, with a sorbet-colored sky, gentle ocean breeze and our toes in the sand.<\/p>\n

PRIVATE DINING, SUNUP AND SUNDOWN<\/h2>\n

\"Bawah<\/p>\n

We kick off our final full day with a bucket list experience: breakfast on a standup paddleboard on a sandbar. It was a dream to sit on the sandbar\u2019s edge and enjoy our delicious breakfast while the occasional stingray or reef shark glided along the shore. Once again, we went with our go-to, Bawah\u2019s health bowls\u2014dragonfruit smoothie, matcha chia and tropical granola are all delicious options.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

With an afternoon tropical downpour, we head to their spa for some much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation. As part of our all-inclusive reservation, we\u2019re pleasantly surprised to learn that we get to have a spa treatment per person, per day. Bawah has two spas on property, Aura Spa and Hill Spa. At the latter, we both opt for the \u201cBarely There\u201d massage which is the perfect mix of Balinese- and Swedish-style massage.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

As evening sets in, we enjoy a private sundowner and beach dinner organized on Elang, Bawah\u2019s own private island. A private dinner on a private island in a private reserve? This really ought to be a dream! On the deck of Elang\u2019s most prized villa, the Lychee, we sip on our spritz and sample hors d\u2019oeuvres while watching the sky soften into pastel shades. Just when we thought that vibe couldn\u2019t be beat, we\u2019re awestruck by the dinner setup along Elang\u2019s lagoon. The menu is entirely personalized to our preferences\u2014all coastal Indonesian favorites in small portions so that we can sample a number of delicacies. Our favorites are the Sate Lilit Ikan (coral trout satay), Otak Otak Udang (banana leaf wrapped tiger prawns) and Ayam Rendang (chicken in roasted coconut and rendang spices). Everything about the dinner\u2014the enchanting ambiance, the exquisite menu, the company\u2014made it a culinary experience we\u2019ll cherish for years to come.<\/p>\n

NOT GOODBYE BUT SEE YOU LATER, BAWAH<\/h2>\n

\"Bawah<\/p>\n

Our stay at Bawah Reserve is most memorable because of the sense of peace and seclusion. With a limited number of guests, there\u2019s never a crowded feeling, which allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty and tranquility of the environment. The staff\u2019s genuine hospitality and attention to detail makes us feel right at home. Leaving Bawah Reserve is so bittersweet, but we depart with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the islands and their commitment to sustainability. It\u2019s a place that captures the heart and leaves a lasting impression\u2014we hope to return someday to experience its magic once again.<\/p>\n

\"Bawah
\n \"Bawah\n <\/div>\n

About the author: Jyotsna Shankar is a San Francisco-based content creator, always in search of her next tropical island adventure. Follow @jyo_shankar<\/a> for bucket list destinations, luxury hotels and travel tips. To see Jyo\u2019s perfect beach vacation packing list, read her tropical essentials guide<\/a>.<\/h4>\n

\"Bawah<\/p>\n

Want more tropical travel ideas? Keep reading\u2026<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n