/Pink Beach (Long Beach)-1-v4.webp)
/Sebayur Island (Turtle Point)-1-v4.webp)
Isaac Foster
Auckland, NZ
Silence and Space in Komodo
After years of fast-paced travel, I sought stillness — and found it aboard the Barakati Cruise. The yacht’s design favours quiet elegance: no neon, no loud music, just the creak of wood and the slap of waves. I spent mornings on the foredeck with a notebook, watching flying fish skitter across the surface. We anchored at Sebayur Island, where I swam alone for an hour, surrounded by coral bommies and clownfish. Later, a short hike on Rinca brought us near komodos basking on the trail — our guide held us back with a calm hand, explaining their hunting behaviour in hushed tones. The Master Suite had blackout curtains and excellent sound insulation, crucial after long days. The crew anticipated needs — a cold towel after the hike, a glass of sauvignon blanc at dusk — without intrusion. One night, anchored off Padar, the sky erupted in stars, unobscured by light. I’d have liked a dedicated yoga mat on deck, but that’s a personal preference. Barakati doesn’t sell experience. It offers presence — and that’s rare.