Onnie Baldwin (January 2006, January 2007)

We have just returned from one magical week on Sayang. As I sit here and try to put into words what it was like for us, I struggle. It was perhaps the best vacation we have ever had, but the question of how to explain what made it so is not easy to answer.

There are the concrete things that went into the making of the experience. The boat is beautiful. The minute we approached Sayang, we felt special to be getting on such a gorgeous vessel. Our respective rooms were better than we expected, each one full of comfort, and of course we were pleased with the private baths in each stateroom. The ship glides through the water with ease and the crew was gifted in their handling of the boat. Ratna can cook like few people in the world. We’ve dined in marvelous places all over the world, but in very few places have we had consistently delicious meals, always made to meet the criteria we discussed with Ratna before our trip. We were never allowed to get ourselves a drink, carry a suitcase, return a plate to the galley – lift a finger. And yet three times a day the table was beautifully set and we were served wonderful meals and at lunch and dinner accompanied by magnificent wines that went well with the meal. Each day melted into the next as our needs were met and our wishes fulfilled by Ratna and Paul. Everything was done for us.

But it was more than that and the more part I can’t explain anymore than to say that we melted together as old friends with the crew who were people we had never met before we put foot on the boat. There was never tension for the seven days we were there and each day brought us new and exciting experiences. We have just arrived home and we find our minds still on Sayang enjoying the total experience provided to us by Ratna and Paul. I can only say that anyone having the privilege to sail on Sayang has a magnificent surprise ahead of him or her.

Thank you for introducing us to this memorable experience.

Sincerely,
Onnie Baldwin (January 2006)