If It Floats Your Boat
PORTFOLIO Magazine|September 2018

Rascal is the best place in which to disappear for a few days, to commune with nature, to speak to people only as you please, and to be reminded that in the close confines of a boat theres no such thing as a small talk

Marc Almagro
If It Floats Your Boat

Large parties are intimate, and small ones don’t offer much privacy. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s character obviously didn’t form that observation while sailing on a luxury yacht - I decided after spending three nights on Rascal, a modern phinisi built for leisure travelers, adventure divers and, with the owner-operator’s newly formed partnership with Conservation International, marine scientists.

There were six of us guests on board, and ten crew members to see to our needs, a ratio that promised great comfort if nothing else. We made up a diverse group, brought together by a need to get away for a while, hopefully someplace exotic, luxurious, and out of roaming-call range.

Someone in our party, we learned soon enough, was eager to explore the seabed, another to work on her tan, and yet another to catch up on her reading, but somehow always retreated to her cabin for a nap. A blogger and her photographer-partner wanted to do a number of things. Meanwhile, I was prepared to get out of everyone’s hair, sit in a corner, and read.

Our flights converged at Bandar Udara Komodo, a ‘work-in-progress’ in Labuan Bajo – a small farming village on its way to becoming a busy port town where expeditions to the nearby islands of Rinca, and Komodo, and the islets around Flores were launched. We got off the plane, walked across the tarmac and waited with the rest of the crowd in the air-conditioned arrival hall until our luggage appeared one by one on the temperamental conveyor belt.

Cold towels appeared as we waited for the transfer to Rascal, which was docked at the Labuan Bajo Port, a random collection of sheds and covered paths at the bottom of what will likely become the main tourist drag. Give it time. There was grime and confusion and heat, and it was a great relief to see all of us finally collected on a speedboat and on our way to the phinisi.

LUXURY ON THE WATER

This story is from the September 2018 edition of PORTFOLIO Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2018 edition of PORTFOLIO Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PORTFOLIO MAGAZINEView All
To Have And To Hold
PORTFOLIO Magazine

To Have And To Hold

Marquis QSquare has opened its major showroom at a new location in Marina Square.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2021
Meet Brenda Kang Of Revival Vintage Jewels
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Meet Brenda Kang Of Revival Vintage Jewels

Popular luxury labels reign supreme in Singapore, but when it comes to jewellery, attitudes are slowly changing, shares Brenda Kang of Revival Vintage Jewels. She reveals that jewellery lovers are unable to resist the charm of vintage and the allure of next generation jewellers.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
A New Pony In Town
PORTFOLIO Magazine

A New Pony In Town

The Pagani Huayra R may well be a high-tech car disguised as a hypercar.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021
Modern And Luxurious Good Class Bungalow
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Modern And Luxurious Good Class Bungalow

Marquis HQO, together with veteran design consultant Patty Mak, come together to breathe life into this modern and luxurious good class bungalow

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
Bell & Ross's BR 05 -  It's Hip To Be Square
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Bell & Ross's BR 05 - It's Hip To Be Square

The playful shapes of the BR 05 has allowed Bell & Ross to create designs they can proudly call their own

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
The Lexus ES In Focus
PORTFOLIO Magazine

The Lexus ES In Focus

The numbers don’t lie: With a cumulative sales total of over 2.65 million units worldwide, the Lexus ES is a gamechanger in the Lexus range. What’s more, it enjoys the distinction of being the best-selling Lexus sedan in Singapore.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
As Good As It Gets
PORTFOLIO Magazine

As Good As It Gets

As I’m writing this, Thanksgiving is just round the corner – in 10 days to be exact – and my Thanksgiving dinner plans are still up in the air. Do I take the risk and put in my dinner reservations and have a contingency takeaway dinner plan if Covid dining restrictions are still limited to two?

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
Festive Feasting For The Holidays
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Festive Feasting For The Holidays

Presenting some of the season’s most sumptuous delights, which can be enjoyed at home or at these top tables and hotels

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
BENDING TIME
PORTFOLIO Magazine

BENDING TIME

Nathan Yong’s collection of stone art titled ‘Farewell to Reason’ reflects the artist and designer’s search for irreverence, simplicity, and beauty

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
Restaurants And Chefs That Are Bringing All New Dining Experiences
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Restaurants And Chefs That Are Bringing All New Dining Experiences

A selection of familiar restaurants and chefs that are bringing all new dining experiences

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2021