DUNIA BARU DIARY

Day 1

"The onboard cruise director, Carl, greeted us at the airport with refreshingly-chilled, personalized water bottles and escorted us to the yacht which was waiting in a nearby bay in Labuan Bajo, Flores. As we approached the yacht, the happy, smiling crew were standing on deck waving. As I stepped on board I was handed a delicious fruit smoothie – the first of many during the trip. After we excitedly discovered our beautiful cabins and freshened up, we assembled for an incredible lunch while we cruised into Komodo National Park."

Day 2

"Today the crew organised an enchanting beach set up on Tatawa Besar, where they had laid out a selection of toys including kayaks and SUPs. We enjoyed the water, the stunning scenery and the total seclusion while some of the group spent time snorkelling and scuba diving. We ate another delicious lunch while we cruised to Gili Lawa Bay, where we were able to go snorkelling and diving again. At sunset we went on a hike to be able to look out over Komodo Island. At the top the crew handed us cool towels and a crisp glass of champagne. Nothing has ever felt better! Once back on board we had a candlelit dinner on the top deck and spent the remainder of the evening star gazing. It is hard to describe the peace and serenity of the place."

Day 3

"From breakfast, we headed onto Komodo Island itself, home of the famous dragons. I was nervous about them, but the knowledgeable guides soon put us at ease with their obvious expertise and reassured us that they will keep us safe. We learned about the many types of bacteria that they have in their saliva and the way they hunt. There were different hikes to choose from around the island ranging from very short to longer walks. Having chosen a medium length loop, we set off. Not far into our walk, the guide spotted a dragon in the distance, and we waited quietly as it came closer. It was absolutely incredible to see; it’s a creature unlike anything else we’d seen. Along the walk we saw 4 or 5 dragons, including a young baby. The guide showed us their nests and explained that baby dragons climb up trees when they are born to avoid being eaten by adult dragons. They stay there for up to two years before they come back down to live on the ground.

We moved to Padar in the afternoon and as the sun set we went on a hike up to a breathtaking viewpoint from which three beaches, each with a different coloured sand, were visible. Again, the crew supplied us with cool towels and champagne. We toasted each other and the crew as the sky changed colours. It was nothing short of magical. Hiking at home just won’t match up to this! We ended the evening with a sociable dinner around the teppanyaki grill which gave a chance to see chef Nyoman in action."

Day 4

"In the morning the scuba diving guides led the group on dives. For those that were new to diving there was an opportunity to learn the basics with an introduction to diving in the shallower water near a tiny island. In the afternoon we headed towards Hattamin and the crew put out the huge inflatable slide. It was a chance to enjoy the water toys – some of the group were racing around on jet skis while others were enjoying relaxing, traditional Balinese massage on the private deck area by the principal cabin. Heavenly.

While we were busy having fun the crew had been hard at work on a small nearby island creating our dining experience for the evening: a private beach barbecue. The table set up, which was lit by candles and surrounded flaming torches, was beautiful. We feasted on delicious barbecue dishes and chatted about the adventures we’d enjoyed so far."

Day 5

"Today we got to see Dunia Baru with her sails up. It was very impressive to watch the crew work together and see how the sails unfolded. Some dolphins obviously thought so too, as they joined us and played around nearby while we watched.

In the evening the crew organized a traditional Balinese themed evening, with a huge array of Balinese food. We even had Balinese sarongs to wear. After dinner we had a party on the deck to celebrate our brilliant experience and time on board."

Favourite Place on Board

"The little lounge area aft of the primary cabin. It is such a peaceful area, walking out there as you first wake up to look at the scenery before the day starts. Or relaxing there before dinner and watching the amazing sunsets."

Highlight of the trip

"The beach BBQ, the crew went to so much effort to create this amazing evening on the beach. They carved steps in the sand to walk up to the beautifully laid table, all beautifully lit by lanterns. We then had the most amazing meal with the chef cooking up a storm of slow roasted pork belly which was cooked on a spit for hours on the beach, wagyu steak and lobster. To top it all off it ended with a surprise firework display. It was magical and an incredible evening spent with everyone. The sky there is so clear you can see the milky way."