A project of passion, this elegant Phinisi promises a dream quest to the Eastern Indonesian archipelago. OUR STORY
On one night in 2018, Restu Maya Sari stood on the stern of a traditional wooden phinisi boat, in a Komodo Islands trip. She realized that the whole experience transpires to be much more than a cruise ship diary, it was a combination of heart-warming people, an authentic “soul-enrich
ing” local culture, gorgeous shores with picturesque islands; homes of the great Komodo dragons. Since that, she had this insisting dream to manifest her quest to honor Indonesia’s age-old seafaring ways and promote the marine diversity of the archipelago to the rest of the world with her own traditional wooden phinisi vessel. As people said “you will when you believe”; Restu proceeded to spend time sketching plans of “Gammara”, a name that she chose for the boat that had relentlessly invaded her thoughts. In the local language, Gammara means beautiful. Despite many offers of financial backing from interested investors, she was wary of joining forces with someone who did not fully understand her passion. As it so happened, the right person was there all along, a close French/Italian friend with a great mix of strong hospitality background, rich with independent business expertise, someone who dares to challenge himself in disruptive ideas, and at the same time had a deep heart bond with this archipelago. A door led to another, every aspect of this once seemingly far-fetched plan then started to fall into place as if it was simply meant to be. A chance meeting with a master boat builder and the opportunity to purchase sustainably sourced wood took things to the next level.
“LIFE INSPIRES US IN UNPREDICTABLE WAYS … LIKE WHEN THE EASTERN OCEAN WHISPERED A DREAM THAT I COULD NOT REFUSE.”
While Gammara was under construction, Restu and her partner took their time in working on the logistical list of operating a phinisi in the most authentic way possible. They out-poured every dream imaginable in all little details and create the Soul of Gammara which could be felt by those who step into to this dream boat. One and a half year of behind-the-scenes work and striving to uphold the integrity, Gammara will be ready for her maiden voyage in July 2019. Restu literally followed her heart and was rewarded with a fine hand-crafted, eco-friendly live aboard that was designed to showcase the true beauty of East Indonesia by sea.
