TheGreatEscape
124 AsiaSpa July/August 2017
may see larger fish zooming around hunting
for their own meal.
But when the first dish of the tasting
menu is served, your nose will lead you back
to the table: a treasure trove of bite-sized
appetizers with the most promising aromas.
The mains that follow are just as toothsome.
They can be yellow fin tuna, Angus beef
and red mullet, or in my case artichoke
with goat’s cheese and morel mushrooms,
zucchini flower with roasted eggplant
and tomato jam, and the delicious forest
mushroom risotto from the vegetarian menu.
Chef de cuisine Bjoern van den Oever, who
also heads the Aquarium Restaurant above,
is known for his creativity and changes the
menus based on season and his inspiration.
Both lunch and dinner are available but I
am recommended to arrive at 6pm – great
advice as you can witness the transition
between day and night, which is nothing
short of spectacular.
REST AND RESET
Those with a thirst for adventure will enjoy
the excursions and water sports, but the
isolated paradise also provides an ideal
setting for ‘me’ time. The resort has a
range of wellness programmes to help you
return to balance physically, mindfully and
spiritually. So even though there is Wi-Fi
throughout, try to unplug for a day or two – if
not for the entire holiday – and take some
time truly for yourself.
Begin your day with sunrise yoga to
gently awaken the body and senses, then
head to Duniye Spa for a wellness breakfast
to load up on healthy selections like the
banana berry bowl and tuna bento, as
well as an array of fresh pressed juices and
smoothies. You can also book a wellness
lunch to sample scrumptious, healthy dishes
- the Asian infused broth with soba noodles
and crispy lotus root is a favourite, while the
soya milk and banana ice cream satisfies the
sweet tooth without guilt.
Several visits to the Duniye Spa are also
necessary to complete your getaway. ‘Duniye’
means ‘universe’, which reflects the spa’s
holistic approach. Not simply a place to
relax, the spa focuses on holistic well-being,
from head to toe and from the inside and out.
The treatment rooms are housed in the over-
water spa villa connected to the reception by
a bridge, which creates the feeling you are
stepping into a sanctuary of bliss.