Nikoi Island
5 Dec 2024 - 7 Dec 2024
The camps offered by Into The Wild aim to train up a squad of little heroes capable of responding to wilderness emergencies. They were created for kids who climb and fall out of trees, ride their bikes too fast, lean too far over to see what's in the pond, have to touch everything and believe a swing is a rocket ship bound for Mars. You know the kids we're talking about, and they seem to love Nikoi. Expect your youngsters to come home more knowledgeable, dirty, (fake) bloody, and happy. This upcoming Singaporean school holidays, we are running our first ever camp with Into The Wild, and their first one overseas. In this 2 and a half day camp, kids will learn essential survival skills and how to thrive while being stuck on a desert island. Leadership and teamwork are key themes, helping them manage the stresses of a castaway life and keep their pals safe. Meanwhile, mum and dad can kick back and enjoy luxury island living - no survival skills required for the grown-ups! Special rates for families with kids enrolled in the camp: - Come for 2 night camp and enjoy 20% off accommodation - Extend an extra night and and one night accommodation is on us For bookings or more information drop us an email at [email protected]. Download the camp flyer Back to Events
Cempedak Island
18 Oct 2024 - 21 Oct 2024
Prepare to embark on a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation as the first ever ‘Island Wellness Retreat’ takes over Cempedak Island from Friday, October 18 to Monday, October 21, 2024. Hosted by seasoned wellness professionals, this exclusive retreat offers a mix of both relaxation and celebration amidst the natural beauty of one of Indonesia's hidden gems. This four-day, three-night retreat is designed to offer participants a holistic escape from the stresses of everyday life, while still embracing the energy of a beach festival. Guided by two distinguished experts, attendees will immerse themselves in a diverse array of transformative experiences, including guided meditation, ice bathing, breathwork sessions, soul-soothing sound healing, revitalising yoga and the powerful practice of EFT tapping. The retreat will begin with a beach fire ceremony on the first evening, and conclude with celebrations at the bar on the last. "I see The Island Wellness Retreat as being more than just a healthy getaway; it's a once in a lifetime chance to join a group of like minded individuals on a tropical island privately booked just for them," explains Mae Kwan, organiser of the event. "We've curated a program that brings together an array of holistic healing practices, whilst also making use of the island and its natural beauty. It will be the perfect escape for any couples, friends or solo travellers who want to reconnect with themselves and the outdoors." Mae Kwan David Jacob Mae Kwan is a wellness creative and the founder of MASE Lifestyle, a wellness consultancy based in Singapore, who believes in the power of aligning our minds, bodies and spaces to achieve our own individual definitions of balance. Joining her as co-leader of the retreat is David Jacob, an ice bath and breathwork facilitator, as well as Tamsin Bradshaw, a transformation coach who will be leading the opening fire ceremony. The Island Wellness Retreat offers both early bird and standard rate packages. Early bird rates, available until the end of June, offer a 20% discount on double occupancy and individual occupancy bookings. Standard rates will apply from July onwards. Early Bird Rates (Available until June 30, 2024): *Double Occupancy: $2,200 per couple Individual Occupancy: $1,750 per individual Standard Rates (From July 1, 2024): *Double Occupancy: $2,640.00 per couple Individual Occupancy: $2,100.00 per individual Extended Stay Rates Should you wish to extend your stay, additional nights before or after the retreat are available at a discounted rate for participants: *Double Occupancy: $600.00 per couple Individual Occupancy: $485.00 per individual *Double occupancy can be arranged as 1x king bed, or 1x king bed and an additional single bed in the lounge All rates are inclusive of wellness activities, accommodation, transfers and daily board. For more information and bookings, please contact [email protected]. The full flyer can be downloaded here. Back to Events
Cempedak Island
10 Oct 2024 - 11 Oct 2024
This October we are welcoming back Penny Williams, a self-proclaimed 'Culinary Sorceress, Chef and Adventurer', and a dear friend of ours. Penny has been advising our culinary team for years, helping fine-tune our recipes and spruce up our menus. This visit, she'll be opening the kitchen to our guests with two unique experiences for you to partake in. About PENNY Penny Williams is the owner and Executive Chef of Bali Asli Restaurant and a dear friend of Nikoi and Cempedak Islands. While traveling through Asia in the 1990s, Penny discovered a 'taste' for the local cuisine. She went on to pursue an impressive career that included an apprenticeship at the Savoy and roles in some of Sydney's cutting-edge restaurants such as Restaurant 41, Boathouse at Black Wattle Bay, and Bather’s Pavilion. Her journey then took her back to Asia when she accepted a three-year posting as Executive Chef at the Alila Manggis hotel in Candidasa, Bali. Here, she fell in love with the amazing freshness and vitality of the produce available at her doorstep and the way the Balinese work with it to create a unique tapestry of flavors. She founded Bali Asli in 2011 a restaurant and culinary school in East Bali that promotes Balinese cuisine and culture without exploiting it or its people. Over the years, Penny has traveled regularly from her award-winning restaurant in Bali to spend time with Dika and his team, crafting new recipes and experimenting with different flavor combinations to add to the menu. PENNY on CEMPEDAK While she's on Cempedak Island, Penny will host two exclusive events which you can get involved in: Indonesian Cooking Class 10th October, 2024 Using local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Penny will guide you through some of the dishes she and the team have developed on the island over the years. After the hard work is done, sit back and enjoy your work with lunch made by... you! Workshop: Indonesian Jamu and other magical potions 11th October, 2024 This Culinary encounter will ignite your passion for natural medicines. We will introduce you to many of the plants and spices that grow locally and can be used to make traditional potions. The session will start with a guided walk around the island, followed by the workshop back in our dining area. As you discover the medicinal and magical qualities of these ingredients, you will make a selection of “Jamu” or medicinal potions to sample. If you are visiting Cempedak during Penny's stay, send us an email in advance to book in for the activities. Back to Events
Nikoi Island
26 Sep 2024 - 2 Oct 2024
We're excited to announce that Tom Kime, the award-winning cookbook author, renowned chef, and private cook to international celebrities (he even hosted Jamie Oliver's wedding!), will be gracing Nikoi Island for a week-long series of extraordinary gastronomic events. About Tom Kime Meet Tom Kime, the culinary maestro who’s been guided by legends like Rick Stein, Ruth Rogers, and David Thompson. Tom’s expertise spans the globe, bringing authentic cooking methods and diverse, flavourful dishes straight to your plate. He has been quoted to be "smitten by the Asian notion of balancing flavours. He offers an exciting array of dishes - a veritable kaleidoscope of sweet, sour, salty & spicy flavours that combine, and recombine, to create food that is both subtle, yet lively." -Elizabeth Andoch: Author Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese kitchen. Tom’s impressive career includes stints at Michelin-starred spots like Le Pont de la Tour and The River Café in London. His street food and sustainable cooking skills shone at Fish & Co., a sustainable seafood restaurant in Sydney, and as Head Chef for Macquarie Bank at 50 Martin Place, Sydney. But Tom isn’t just a kitchen wizard - he’s also penned six cookbooks, including "Fish Tales," which won the World Gourmand Award for Best Sustainable Book. You might’ve seen him on TV shows like "Ready Steady Cook" or his own series, where he shares his passion for food and makes you feel like you’re part of the culinary adventure. Tom's Philosophy Tom Kime’s cooking philosophy is all about authenticity and sustainability. He’s dedicated to preserving the integrity of traditional recipes while adding his own creative flair. He creates his dishes around a balance of hot, sweet, salty, and sour - guaranteed to excite your taste buds. Beyond creating delicious food, Tom is a passionate advocate for sustainable practices. He emphasizes sourcing ingredients responsibly and minimizing waste. His work at Fish & Co. and his award-winning book "Fish Tales" are testaments to his commitment to these principles. Tom on Nikoi While he's on Nikoi Island, Tom will host an array of exclusive events which you can get involved in. His cooking demonstrations and classes are not to be missed for anyone looking to add a recipie or to to your repertoire. A highlight of the week will be our first-ever Street Food Style Night. Tom, the 'street food aficionado' (as described by Rick Stein), will transform Nikoi Island into a bustling Asian market. Expect bold flavours, exciting aromas, and a vibrant atmosphere as Tom works with our team to serve up an array of dishes from different stalls. See below for a full list of the experiences he has planned for the week. Tom's plan for the week includes: Thursday, 26 September: Afternoon Cooking Demonstration *Friday, 27 September: Dinner on the beachSaturday, 28 September: Street Market NightSunday, 29 September: Cooking Class over Lunch *Monday, 30 September: Afternoon Cooking Demonstration *Tuesday, 1 October: Dinner on the BeachWednesday, 2 October: Cooking Class over Lunch * * Chargeable activity If you are visiting Nikoi during Tom's stay, ask the team about his events to book your spot. Back to Events
Nikoi Island
31 Aug 2024 - 5 Oct 2024
From Jakarta, Indonesia Artist-in-Residence Residency Period: 31 August - 5 October, 2024 Lusiana Limono Lusiana Limono is an artist and textile crafter who has a high interest in environmental issues and handmade tradition in the form of craft. She aims to use craft as a language of expression in works and knowledge production processes. Being an MA graduate from IKJ Postgraduates, she is interested in the role that cloth and domestic objects play in creating opportunities for a deeper connection between people and their sense of place, wellbeing and identity. She looks at the traditions of both textile crafting and wearable goods to create her work, exploring the intersections of labor, mindfulness, and culture. She is currently a creative director at KAIT Handmade studio, an explorative textile studio. She is the co-founder of MaPaQuilts and Kriya Kontemporer Indonesia. MaPaQuilts is a Malang-based community which brings together women quilters. Kriya Kontemporer Indonesia is a craft forum for craft scholars, practitioners, and professionals. Lusiana is closely affiliated with peretas.id and Sekolah Pemikiran Perempuan. Both are independent initiatives for women art workers in Indonesia and beyond. Some of the award highlights in recent years are Good Design Indonesia-Best (2017), Good Design Award in Japan (2018), ASEAN Foundation Weaving Tales Award (2021), and a dance film Kait (2022) was nominated for IMAJITARI 2023 official selection. Her recent solo exhibition Berbicara Melalui Kain (2023) was presented by Goethe-Institut Indonesien at Goethehaus Foyer, Jakarta. Intended Project and Workshops whilst on Nikoi The climate crisis is a global concern that needs urgent action. Industrialization and capitalism have driven excessive consumption and irresponsible production, with the textile industry being a major polluter. Traditional textile crafts, often led by women, play a crucial role in our lives and can help us rethink our approach to the climate crisis. Instead of fast fashion and rampant consumerism, Lusiana advocate for slow-made, handcrafted items that are intuitive and therapeutic. She believes this approach highlights our ability to control our own resources, like clothing, food, and shelter. Lusiana is inspired by the history of spices, once a key renewable resource in the archipelago, which have strong ties to women's roles in the home. During her residency on Nikoi Island, for her personal project, she will use local materials like fibers and packaging waste to create works that reflect the concept of "home." Home is more than just a physical space; it's a site of cultural knowledge and emotional connection. The project aims to raise awareness of Earth as our threatened home due to our production and consumption patterns. By blending traditional practices with new materials and ideas, she hopes to inspire a sustainable future. Lusiana will also be hosting workshops for guests, staff and the local community whilst on the island. These will explore importance of sustainability in the textile industry through looking at resources that can be found in the domestic and everyday spaces. Participants will create natural camphor with spice ingredients and colorful textile scraps from natural dyes. If you are on Nikoi when Lusiana is there, check in with the team or swing by Ubah Rumah to see the schedule of her workshops. What is Ubah Rumah? Ubah Rumah, which means ‘Home of Change’, was inspired by the nomadic culture of the indigenous Orang Laut community and the maritime history of the region- both of which are relatively undocumented. The program commenced in November 2022 and, since then, an artist and two researchers have completed residency periods on Nikoi Island. During these periods, they developed their own projects, conducted workshops with guests, engaged staff and visited local communities on Bintan to discover more about the local history and culture. Find out more on the Ubah Rumah website and Instagram. Back to Events
Cempedak Island
25 Aug 2024 - 25 Aug 2024
Kolek and Campang racing are traditional boat races that hold a special place in maritime culture here in the Riau Islands. Kolek races involve long, narrow boats powered by a team of rowers, while Campang races feature larger, multi-person vessels often adorned with colorful decorations. Both races showcase the rowing skills and teamwork of the participants, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere on the water. On August 25th, guests of Cempedak Island have the unique opportunity to witness a thrilling Kolek and Campang race near the island. This event promises an exciting display of local tradition and athleticism, offering an immersive experience into the rich cultural heritage of the region. All guests on Cempedak this weekend will be invited to attend and a boat will run to bring you to and from the event. Check in with the team on island if you're interested in going. Back to Events
Nikoi & Cempedak Islands
18 Aug 2024 - 18 Aug 2024
The bi-annual Bintan Jong race is back, and we are proud to be sponsoring it. Jongs are traditional model sailing boats raced in the shallow waters off the east coast of Bintan each year. Originally designed as vessels to send gifts out to sea, Jongs are small but impressive pieces of art that local craftsmen take great pride in building. The event, which brings together villagers from along the coast, celebrates the traditional culture of the region and provides a fantastic way for our guests to learn about the local way of life in Bintan. All guests on Nikoi and Cempedak this weekend will be invited to attend and a boat will run to bring you to and from the event. Check in with the team on island if you're interested in going. Back to Events
Nikoi & Cempedak Islands
17 Aug 2024 - 17 Aug 2024
August 17, 2024 Indonesian Independence Day, celebrated on August 17th, marks the country's proclamation of independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. This national holiday is a time for patriotic festivities, including flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, and community gatherings, and the celebrations come in full force on the islands. On Nikoi and Cempedak a whole day of fun and games are organized which staff, guests and our friends from Bintan are all invited to join in on. The festivities start with the a flag-raising ceremony, a staple of Independence Day celebrations across Indonesia, and is accompanied by the singing of the national anthem. Following this, you will be entertained by an arrary of local games including relay races, beach games, sack races and more. If you're on the island on August 17th, it'll be hard to miss the celebrations and we encourage you to get stuck straight in! Back to Events
Nikoi Island
6 Aug 2024 - 11 Aug 2024
From Singapore Researchers-in-Residence Residency Period: 6 August - 11 August, 2024 Dr. Alex Figueroa Dr. Alex Figueroa is an American herpetologist who has been living in Singapore for the last 11 years. His research interest centres around evolutionary ecology, where he is mostly interested in the evolutionary relationships among snakes, and the evolution and ecology of arboreal snakes (treesnakes). Recently, he has published a monographic checklist covering the amphibians and reptiles of Singapore. Over the years, Alex has also worked as a biological consultant, performing field surveys for various environmental impact assessments (EIA) in Singapore and the U.S. Currently, Alex is a research associate at the Lee Kong Chian Museum of Natural History where he works for the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature and continues doing research. Holly Siow Holly Siow is an ecologist with 13 years of professional expertise in biodiversity conservation, ecology, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) projects. She specializes in ensuring sustainable and ecologically sensitive practices in collaboration with clients. Holly's experience includes to research and application-based projects across diverse taxonomic groups. Her portfolio includes vulnerability assessments of mangrove ecosystems to climate change, meticulous macroinvertebrate surveys in freshwater and forest environments, botanical surveys of freshwater swamp forests, and herpetofauna population studies in natural habitats. Holly is an advocate for harnessing the power of biodiversity to address global challenges. She believes that restoring and preserving natural habitats, coupled with innovative nature-based strategies, is not just a scientific endeavour but a holistic solution to a myriad of environmental issues. What is Ubah Rumah? Ubah Rumah, which means ‘Home of Change’, was inspired by the nomadic culture of the indigenous Orang Laut community and the maritime history of the region- both of which are relatively undocumented. The program commenced in November 2022 and, since then, an artist and two researchers have completed residency periods on Nikoi Island. During these periods, they developed their own projects, conducted workshops with guests, engaged staff and visited local communities on Bintan to discover more about the local history and culture. Find out more on the Ubah Rumah website and Instagram. Back to Events
Cempedak Island
29 Jul 2024 - 29 Jul 2024
Head down to the shoreline for a showing on the big screen, under the stars with drinks and popcorn. Movies will be decided closer to the time, so ask the team on island what's playing (or better yet, get in early with a personal request). Please note this is a weather dependant event. Back to Events