/Pink Beach (Long Beach)-1-v4.webp)
/Sebayur Island (Turtle Point)-1-v4.webp)
Jude Stanton
Auckland, NZ
Silent Power of the Abizar
There’s a difference between luxury and presence. Abizar has the latter in abundance. Sailing between Kanawa and Taka Makassar, the sails caught the wind just after sunrise—the only sound was canvas filling and water parting. We were on a babymoon, and the boat’s calm was exactly what we needed. The Master Suite’s king bed faced a large porthole, so we woke to shifting light on the water. The crew anticipated needs—extra towels, chilled water—without intrusion. Snorkeling at Kanawa revealed coral gardens teeming with anthias and clownfish. The dive guide, Pak Dedi, was patient and knowledgeable. Evenings were spent on the upper deck with tea or wine, watching flying fish skitter across the surface. The boat’s diesel generator ran briefly each evening, but otherwise, silence reigned. One small note: the shower drain occasionally backed up. But such is life at sea. Abizar felt less like a vessel and more like a sanctuary.