TRAVEL: Nikoi, the island hideaway where no-one need ever grow up says Charley Larcombe.

There is an island full of children’s chatter. Of stories and legends made up of wooden swords and imagination, with little WiFi and lots of fun to be had from making dens and dragon-hunting. It is a place of salty skin and sea-tangled hair, of sun-kissed cheeks aching from laughter where a Peter Pan-like character called Yogi calls out to a tribe of Villebrequin short-wearing Lost Boys who emerge from driftwood houses to follow him on adventures.
It is also a place of bespoke cocktails, freshly-caught seafood and guitar music played by moonlight. There are torch-lit paths winding through Jurassic-like jungle to hidden seats looking over the Riau Archipelago, where thirst is slaked by cold local beers and where lazy muscles are reduced to oily-suppleness in a tented spa with natural air conditioning. It is surrounded by an idle sea, gently lapping at the shores of white sand encouraging you to snorkel over underwater forests and spy, not mermaids, but gloriously-coloured rainbow fish. It’s where South China Sea pirates stored bounties or fishermen rested between long-trawls or where water nymphs dropped anchor and enjoyed the shallows of the reefs. This is an island overflowing with daydreams and bed-time stories. This is Pulua Nikoi.

It isn’t a secret. If you’ve been in Singapore for any time at all, you would’ve heard talk of this little slither of paradise not even a flight away from the centre of Singapore. You and your family and friends can leap on the ferry at Tanah Merah late afternoon on a Friday and be on Nikoi by 8pm. Stay for a week if you can, but even just a weekend is enough to totally lose track of time and settle easily into island life. Nikoi is a conservation hub that extols the virtues of barefoot luxury, where every detail is conscious of the guests but also the impact on the environment. Plus it’s an adventure playground for the smalls. It really ticks so many boxes.

The villas are built to be your home-away-from-home – and with only 15 on the island, you’re guaranteed privacy. They’re sprawling driftwood and ylang ylang houses with bunkbeds perfect for kids’ sleepovers and elegant first floor suites where parents can escape to king-sized beds and views over the beach. There are day beds and sundowner chairs and low slung seating just waiting to be collapsed in with a good book or for morning coffee to prepare you for a day of adventures. There are sea otters that play on the lawns, slow-moving monitor lizards that languor in the shade and butterflies that follow you down your private path onto the sand. In touch with its eco-tenet, you won’t find energy-guzzling mini fridges or wasteful snacks – but everything is but a quick call away. Your only real touch of modern tech’ is the iPod dock, ideal for some easy-listening reggae flowing through your room.

For those who just want to wriggle their toes in the sand and only move from the sun lounger at meal times, the beautiful beach on the west coast or the secluded pool to the other side of the island are perfect spots. Yet for those who go a little stir crazy after 20 minutes of sun bathing, there is plenty on offer – even if the island is only 15 hectares in size.
How about an early morning knock about on the grass tennis courts where you can feel the dew beneath your feet? Or a pre-lunch game of croquet or boule? Maybe something a little more strenuous? There’s rock climbing on the island and jungle paths to explore on foot, but the staff can also organise mountain bike trails or kite-surfing on Bintan, only a 20-minute boat ride away.

I’m a water baby so I immediately grabbed the snorkel mask – they provide them for all ages and sizes – and swam straight from the beach where the reef is home to lots of Nemos and Dorys. The coral itself isn’t glorious but there’s plenty of fish to swim with and you don’t need to leave the shore too far behind to be amazed. I also dragged down one of the kayaks to skim across the waves and explore the island from the water, but there are boats too – from lasers for the kids, to catamarans that can be prepared for island hopping. For the divers in the group, daily trips can be booked, but you need to have your PADI qualifications as the team on the island don’t offer courses. If all of that has been a little exhausting, book in for a massage. There is an extensive treatment menu in the tented spa and you can peruse the list whilst sipping on ginger tea.

Wait, where are the kids? Don’t worry, whilst you’ve been enjoying yourself, your little ones have stepped into a truly magical world. The ‘kids club’ is little more than a haphazard shack with no plastic toys, TV screens or iPads in sight. Instead there are rope swings, bows and arrows whittled from bamboo, a small football pitch with makeshift goal posts. Each day the staff, headed up by the famous Yogi, take the kids on nature trails and treasure hunts, pier jumping into the crystal clear waters, fishing with nothing but a piece of string tied to a thin wooden pole. It is all so pure and simple, so wholesome that it harks back to past childhoods. It all makes for twinges of nostalgia.

It’s worth noting that I visited with The Boyfriend; a weekend escape just for the two of us, away from it all. We had visited the adult-only sister island, Cempedak a couple of months before (read the article here) and so we had our expectations. Unsurprisingly, we absolutely adored the life and atmosphere that the children added to Nikoi. There was always lots of giggling and chatter, but you never felt like you were being disturbed or that it was killing any romantic moment – it was just fantastic to see sun-tanned children enjoying the island so much.

However, to get actual feedback on what it’s like to holiday on Nikoi with the clan, I turned to a friend. After all, maybe I was just looking at the rose-coloured ideal from my fortunate position where I wasn’t dealing with the spats and the moaning and nappies etc. of family-life.
“Nikoi doesn’t take the cookie-cutter approach with the children; everything just feels so authentic,” recalls Sara Conneely who has been to the island with her husband and two children, Tomas and Caitlin on a couple of occasions. “The kids have total freedom and you feel relaxed with this because the staff are so natural with them; they remember names and greet them like old friends. The children’s club may ‘only’ consist of four posts and a thatch roof, but it’s by far superior to other clubs that use technology to keep kids entertained. The activities like jetty jumping and marshmallow roasting over the beach fires are all overseen by the staff, which leaves parents free to unwind and just listen to the ocean. Its close location to Singapore is, obviously, a huge relief as there’s no travelling drama. Nikoi is a place of childhood dreams. Happy kids; happy parents.” Sounds pretty ideal, huh?

“Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough”. So, close your eyes, keep wishing and spread a little of that dollar-sign pixie dust and hopefully there will be a week free to head there. Just one thing, JM Barrie was wrong about directions to Peter Pan’s Neverland – it’s not “…the second star from the right and straight on ‘til morning”. It’s a three-hour door-to-door trip from Singapore to an island perfect for children who never wish to grow up.

Avid traveller and Chill, Chat, Connect speaker Phil Biggin shares his globe-trotting stories ahead of next week’s event.

How much do you travel?
I travel extensively for work, from the UK and Europe, to the Middle East and Africa, Australia and all over Asia. I am sure everyone who travels for business will agree, it’s not necessarily the air travel itself that’s exhausting, it’s all the waiting around and dead-time in airport lounges and driving to and from your workplace. That said, I would miss it, so I do try and manage my time as effectively as possible so I can enjoy it.

What’s the first thing you pack when going on a business trip?
My skipping rope. It’s small and yet keeps off the pounds – the key here though is the motivation to actually use it.

Best place you’ve ever stayed?
That’s a tough one. Rio was amazing; as was Koh Samui for our first Christmas after moving to Singapore; but I think I am going to have to say Rock, a small village in Cornwall, England.

Strangest meal?
I once had to eat goats’ eyes at a banquet in Ethiopia – long story, but not a happy ending.

Best app?
We always download the local apps – they’re actually written by locals so they have some insider info. The Lonely Planet guides are pretty awesome too.

Where most lived up to the hype?
Vegas every time! I’ve been there so often but every time, it just gets more and more crazy – I love it!

Where do you go to relax?
Beach, beach and then the beach! Boat, beer and a book – what else do you need? This infuriates my wife though as she always wants to be on the go – so, a compromise is often reached; if not, it’s off exploring I go.

Phil Biggin, Head of Sales Enablement BT Global Services Asia, Middle East, Africa & Turkey will be the guest speaker discussing Paradoxical Thinking at ANZA’s Chill, Chat, Connect on Thursday 15 March. Book tickets here!

Lee Carsley, ANZA’s Wandering Yogi, tells a tale of two cities during her time in Chicago; a place that, despite a notorious crime rate, boasts bombastic architecture and unassuming people.

Last year, a mere 1.5million overseas tourists made it to Chicago, the third largest city in America; the cosmopolitan made famous by the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama; the city of skyscrapers made lowly by tragic headlines of crime. Having not long returned from a visit myself – and despite this pitted history – I’m writing to encourage you to give it a go! Next time you’re over in the land of Stars and Stripes, check out this melting pot of a city, which is anything but boring.

THE SKYLINE THAT GOD BUILT
There are some spectacular buildings in Singapore – Marina Bay Sands, the Bishan Community Library, and the brutalist calculator building of the OCBC to name just a few.
But Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper. Those super-talls juxtaposed against the flatness of Lake Chicago certainly make you pause for breath. From early Art Deco designs by Louise Sullivan and Holabird & Root, to the contemporary super-talls by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Rahman Khan, a tour of Chicago architecture is a reveal of global building design from the past 80 years. From the Chicago Board of Trade which sports a 30ft statue of Ceres (the Roman goddess of grain) on top, to the Willis Tower built originally for Sears & Roebuck (the company that did to mail order and retail shopping, what Amazon and Lazada had to do together to change online retail), there is something for any architecture buff or novice enthusiast (such as myself).
Most noticeable about buildings in the Chicago main area is the complete lack of signage on them. With the exception of one – the Trump Tower. This building, designed by Adrian Smith (the man responsible for the world’s tallest tower, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa), is a condo hotel, and one of the few left standing in America that has kept its name since you-know-what.
Also worth a visit is the Apple store on the corner of North Michigan Avenue, overlooking the Chicago River. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie architecture, it is the only Apple store in the world to deviate from the minimalist box formula.
The best way to see Chicago architecture is via a boat tour like those run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, a not-for-profit that does amazing work bringing Chicago building design to life. Once you’ve got an idea of the landscape, I then recommend taking a walking tour Downtown (many are free, you only have to tip: freetoursbyfoot.com/chicago-tours/), or simply go on your own.

A TANGIBLE HISTORY LESSON
The historical and present day calamity of the crime in this city is an unavoidable fact. It doesn’t help that Chicago lawlessness has been romanticised for decades. Think the musical of the same name, which traces the lives of two women jailed for murdering their husbands in the time of Prohibition, led astray by jazz; or big budget movies about gangsters like Kevin Costner’s The Untouchables or Johnny Depp in Public Enemies, which create romantic anti-stories of gang life, short though they may be.
Frank ‘The Enforcer’ Nitti, Louie ‘Two Gun’ Alterie, ‘Diamond Joe’ Esposito, Al Capone and John Dillinger. The names reek of brutality and booze. The city would prefer this history to just go away, but if you do want to find out more, you’ll need to go the City in Crisis Exhibit in the Chicago History Museum, where Al is wedged in between the Great Fire and the 1968 convention. Or just ask for a history lesson from some of the locals.
Chicago is sadly the violent crime city capital of America; gangs are rife, and are now cross-generational. A pervasive ‘no-snitch’ code makes solving murders difficult. Many tourists often ask if it’s safe to walk around the city – and the answer is, it depends on where. But that is pretty much the same as for all major cities. As with any time you travel, be aware of your surroundings.
This is also the birthplace of US trade unionism, and where Abraham Lincoln got his first taste of Republican conventions, going on to become one of the most famous US presidents of all time (he would never move to Chicago though, as he believed he would die of consumption due to the weather). The Great Fire of 1871 – you’ll get the full story on any tour you take – laid the foundations for a grand rethinking of the structure of the city, which in turn effected change in global city planning and architecture. And lastly, it was home to the President that put this city on the map – Barack Obama.
It is a metropolis rich in history – both the good and bad – and that proves very interesting for a visit.

A SPORTING CHANCE
Sport plays a major part in the culture of the city. From the hapless soccer side, the Chicago Fires, to the well-known baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, you can scarcely strike up a conversation with a Chicagoan without veering onto the topic of league tables.
I was in town during the World Series playoffs (baseball, for the uninitiated). These are akin to the preliminary finals of AFL; all screens in any bar have nothing else on them. Everyone has a seemingly well-informed opinion on which team will win and why. The Chicago Cubs had finally won the World Series in 2016, the first time since 1908, ending the longest losing run in US professional baseball history – it was time to see whether they could do it again.
If you visit during the playoff time of year, it’s a great opportunity to explore the many bars and restaurants that make up the Chicago scene. Ask someone about what’s happening on the screen and, poof, instant best friend. I ended up almost front row in Wrigley Stadium, watching a game between the LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs (they lost), with a ticket provided by a friendly scalper I met in a bar.
I stayed around Lincoln Park (picked purely because I wear a nail polish by OPI, called Lincoln Park after Dark, but also because it has low crime rates). It teemed with vibrant and eclectic food places. Bars with handcrafted beers and exotic cocktails. Breakfast diners were sat next to health food spots selling acai bowls and kombucha. And everyone seemed to know everyone else. Sit down long enough and you will see the community of the area coalescing over a meal, then disbanding to their familial duties of walking the dog, taking the kids home to bed, heading over to their parents’ place.
There are museums to rival the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the MOMA in San Francisco, the Natural History Museum of New York. There are cool-cat jazz clubs and comedy venues which are better than those found in LA.
Chef, Anthony Bourdain once said Chicago is “one of America’s last great ‘no bulls***’ zones. Pomposity, pretentiousness, putting on airs of any kind, douch-ery and lack of a sense of humour will not get you far in Chicago.” My kind of city. I suggest you visit to see if it’s yours too.

ANZA’s annual Volunteer of the Year Awards is now accepting nominations – cast your vote!

ANZA’s Volunteer of the Year Awards – fondly known as VOYA – is a rare opportunity to shine a light on the often unsung heroes who so generously dedicate their time, resources and passion to the community here in Singapore.

Excitingly nominations are now open! Click here to champion that ANZA member who you feel goes above and beyond. Whether it’s organising your sport group week-in, week-out; dedicating hours to helping the kids beat their personal best; tirelessly drumming up support and funds for ANZA charities or contributing their experience and expertise to improving the community – give them a shout out.

ANZA is built on the work of its volunteers – and we want to take this occasion to celebrate them. People may not commit their precious time and energy for the pat on the back, but it’s always good to show our appreciation and gratitude.

Nominate here.

Last year’s winner of The Outstanding Contribution to ANZA Award, Cara D’Avanzao, ANZA Soccer.

What did you love about your volunteering work?
“I loved being on the ANZA Soccer committee, which is filled with interesting, motivated, fun parents who want to make the programme better and better. And I loved coaching the kids, who, whether skilled or beginners, clearly love doing their best and supporting their teammates on the pitch. I have always enjoyed playing soccer, and volunteering lets me pass on this enthusiasm to my sons. It also shows them the importance of putting time and effort into the things you consider important.”

The annual ANZA Volunteer of the Year Awards is an invitation-only event held at the Australian High Commission, Wednesday 23 May.