Next Up: South East Asia – Banwa, Nihi, Bali and Singapore

Right.  I’ve been back from Rwanda for 48 hours.  That can only mean one thing: I have another trip less than 10 days away.

Anyone would think I’m deliberately structuring my life to qualify as a tax exile, but alas, there is no master plan here.  Just the usual routine of bouncing from country to country in the name of “research” and a vague quest to understand… something.  What that something is remains unclear.  Probably just trying to fill the emotional void left by a lack of hugs during childhood.

Anywho, for the first time in nearly a decade, I’m heading back to South East Asia.  Rightly or wrongly, I’ve always viewed much of the region as an entry point into the luxury market.  There are some good properties there.  But very few have ever quite reached the absolute summit of the luxury pile.  What South East Asia does offer is generally excellent service, sensible pricing, and weather that doesn’t try to kill you. Although, I once had to evacuate Amanpulo in a wheelchair during a typhoon, thanks to the impeccable timing of some absolutely crippling back pain. Not my most dignified departure.

This trip is partly an attempt to see if two properties in particular might break that ceiling: Banwa and Nihi.

Banwa has been on my radar for years.  Every time I see it, I think it looks fantastic.  Every time I look at how to actually get there, I close the laptop and move on with my life.  Fortunately for me, the children are now old enough to experience suffering alongside their father.  So the journey goes something like this: fly to Singapore, connect to Manila, stay the night, then the next day take another flight, followed by what I believe is a boat, a car, possibly a seahorse, and perhaps a ceremonial paddle canoe whilst riding a unicorn.  Exact details remain unclear.

After Banwa we head to Nihi, another place that has long intrigued me but never quite convinced me.  The villas have always looked meh.  But as I’ve travelled more over the years, I’ve started to care less about the room itself and far more about the overall experience.  And Nihi is a place people seem to talk about in the same way cults talk about the rapture.  I’m sure it’s all nice and friendly.

By complete accident, it also turns out I booked one of their new villas that opens three days before we arrive.  Which means we are among the very first guests, and unofficial members of the snagging team.  Lucky us, I guess.

Then, because I am the world’s most generous husband, we are stopping in Bali.  Since you already have to pass through Bali to get to Nihi, Lucie suggested we might as well stay a few nights.  A place I previously visited, disliked immensely, and swore never to return.  But sacrifices must be made in a marriage.  Three nights at Bulgari Bali.  Has anyone ever suffered more for love?

Finally we end in Singapore with a split stay between Raffles Singapore and the new Raffles Sentosa.  Everyone seemed to enjoy my very serious, deeply analytical review of Disneyland Paris last time.  So I will be continuing the tradition with a VIP pass at Universal Studios.  Thrilling, edge-of-your-seat luxury travel journalism.