Pulo Cinta Eco Resort
In
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Indonesia is a region we have spent nearly 6 months exploring and it keeps us coming back for more! Our Indonesian adventure started like many others, exploring the lush green rice terraces of Bali and staying up late drinking rice wine with the locals in the soul searching scene of Ubud, as well as uncovering our passion for diving (and drinking a little more than rice wine) in the Gili Islands.
Since then, we have ventured as far as Raja Ampat, West Papua which neighbours Papua New Guinea, and visited places such as Lombok, Flores and the Komodo Islands. In the summer of 2017, our second home called us back to this corner of the World once more, this time visiting central Sulawesi with Pulo Cinta Eco Resort which lies in the Gulf of Tomini.
The morning after an overnight layover in Java, we made our way to the quaint and so distinctively Indonesian town of Gorontalo where we awaited our transfer to the secluded island. About 2 hours into the drive, our driver pointed into the deep distance of the ocean. Perched sensationally on the shores of Sulawesi, we caught our first glimpse of Pulo Cinta Eco Resort.
Disembarking our boat transfer to the most ripe and marine rich reef, our eyes were wide as we ogled over the ocean villas that branch so dramatically across the crystal clear cobalt blues with theatrical, 360 degree panoramic views of the Celebes Sea.
The resort really is one of a kind, lying as the only structure against the backdrop of blues for days, with undisturbed, unobstructed views of the utopia that are the seas of Sulawesi.
Pulo Cinta translates to Love Island; Maldive-esque it still maintains a raw, authentic, eco-friendly edge, with ocean villas and boardwalks spanning across the reef to create an enchanting, love heart shaped spectacle.
Using our drone to capture the love from the air, the birds weren't the only ones lucky enough to witness the heart shaped scene as they gracefully arc across the landscape. Indeed, you could almost hear the faint sweep of their wings clipping the air as you lapped up the sunlight and sparkles of the sea in the privacy of your front and back marine garden, occasionally hanging out with the reef sharks that swirl and swoon over the sandbank.
Every morning we awoke to bright blue skies and salty seas, taking the paddleboard to meander through the reef and weave in and out of the multi tonal blues, before breakfast was served either in-villa or on the sandbar, the pinnacle of the resort.
Arriving to drier land as salty souls once more, we took advantage of the speedboat to explore the local area, visiting snaking sandbars and isolated islets along the way in between snorkelling the warm waters.
It was a special experience to visit the local villagers that nestle above the seas in a stilt housed fishing community. Hopping aboard the walkways, we were greeted with innocent eyes and warm hearts, something that is so special about the Indonesian people who have always welcomed us with open arms and beaming smiles. For some, this way of life is all they know and all they will ever know. It is places like this that remain in our hearts and minds forever and in some respects, they are some of the luckiest people alive to guard their culture so closely, living simply and oh so happily amongst their loved ones, tucked away from the dark, disturbed development and tainted technological advances that the other side of the World rely so heavily upon. With only a brief glance from one gaping jaw to the next, these seafarers who call the seas of Sulawesi home are wired with purity and pride.
Sulawesi is the 11th largest island in the World and it would take a lifetime to truly discover the densely rainforested tropics and seemingly endless horizons. We are humbled to have stepped foot in the region with Pulo Cinta Eco Resort and will for sure be back to experience even more of its magic.
Experience the shores of Sulawesi with Pulo Cinta Eco Resort
Website | www.pulocinta.com
Instagram | @pulocinta
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