ENGAGE YOUR
SENSES By Paul Massingham
he essence of travel is discovery, that unnerving ache that is only dampened when we open the mind to new vistas and unexplored cultures. Originally the domain of explorers, seaman, cartographers and botanists, spurred on by the desire for riches, spices and precious metals to be traded across the globe. Contemporary travellers still search for new horizons, the path less travelled on an ever shrinking stage yearning for that experiential masterpiece that will be the focus of social media and dinner parties for years to come. Reluctant as I am to share this storyline it is one that in reality only a few will follow and as such I am secure in the knowledge that it is the story rather than the experience that will grow in stature. Driven by the popularity of Vietnam and validated by the return of my son from a recent holiday I cast my eye across the old hard cover atlas that has been the centrepiece of my travels for more than 25 years. Whilst the obvious and now almost popular place names jumped off the page at me, a spec in the South China Sea seemed almost lonely and isolated. Intrigued, the search began to uncover and devour every available piece of information about this as yet unheard of spec. It goes without saying that learning and researching are vital components of the travellers tool kit. The Con Dao Islands are an archipelago of 15 islands approximately 230 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the middle of the South China Sea. Whether you decide to travel by sea or air you will most certainly know that your adventure has begun when you depart Ho Chi Minh. As we strolled across the tarmac the 68 seat Vietnam Airlines ATR72 stood proud, nose in the air looking like a throwback to an Indiana Jones sequel. At least that was the story-board beginning to my Vietnamese adventure, the reality was a little more sophisticated but none the less just as exhilarating. The 45 minute flight to Con Son, the largest of the islands was a roller coaster thrill ride of high seasonal winds and spectacular oceanic vistas. Safely on the ground, stirred and shaken, I was immediately taken by the warm air to a far more comfortable state of mind.
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For the true traveller, as opposed to the tourist, it is essential to submerge yourself in a sensory pool of smells, sounds, tastes and tactile experiences, for that reason we headed to the Six Senses Resort Con Dao. Almost hidden from the road this stunning environmentally friendly resort will captivate and entrance you in every imaginable way. Set against an azure sea and a beautiful white sandy beach, Six Senses accommodation is a unique combination of luxurious simplicity. Built in traditional Vietnamese style with local materials and craftsmanship the resort provides privacy and access to the idyllic beachfront setting. Add to this the truly international staff and the diversity of the guests’ nationality and you are completely removed from the everyday Australian lifestyle. A confession of sorts is in order, if on reading the introduction you were expecting a rustic exploration of local home grown culture, in some ways you may feel aggrieved at the notion of a luxurious resort being labelled a traveller’s delight. However although some may argue that travelling is everything but five star resorts I urge you to open your mind and your future plans to this amazing opportunity. The accommodation is exquisite; it truly delivers the comfort you expect, not in a modern contemporary Versace way but in a design that is truly unpretentious. Equally the private pool to our Beachside Villa somehow only added to the relaxed ambiance. To really test your boundaries on the entire experiential notion of travelling, each Villa also comes with its own Butler. Yes I know, how can that not be pretentious? Well it’s important to acknowledge that the Vietnamese are a gentle exceptionally gracious and humble lot. In the Six Senses offering they provide the service, again not as you imagine at the Palazzo, but in a local gracious way to ensure you feel at ease and find your way without fuss. There is no bell or bowtie, just the most amazing person, who soon becomes one of your best friends. If you want to dive deeper into the local culture there is a cooking school where you will learn from a local, using local