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On a sailing boat made for two
A sailing vessel built for two has began operations in the Indonesian archipelago.
There is only one cabin on the 31m Alexa and cruises are individually tailored to the booking couple’s wishes.
Options include surfing in Sumbawa, trekking and diving in Komodo National Park or swimming with dolphins in the Flores Sea.
Guests can fish for their supper, help the chef prepare a gourmet meal or enjoy a massage from the on-board spa therapist.
"The design of the Alexa mixes the traditional with the new," said Veronika Blomgren, the cruise concept’s creator and founder of the Oazia brand.
Of traditional phinisi boat design, the Alexa once carried cargo between Sumba, Flores, Sumbawa and Sulawesi, and is now docked in Flores, where cruises customarily begin. Bali is also an option for departures.
Blomgren said: "The main deck offers several open lounge areas and on the lower deck is a library stocked with travel books and maps, along with a big screen TV for viewing movies on rainy nights."
Blomgren, who was born in Russia and trained in art, design and architecture in Stockholm, settled in Bali eight years ago, opening Oazia Spa Villas and more recently Spa Vodka Lobster Bar and the adjacent Oazia Fashion Selection.
Talika Oazia private cruises, a joint venture with Talika, a French cosmetics brand, is currently converting two additional phinisi vessels for completion in 2014.
Ian Jarrett
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