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H&H’s Gemma experiences “the greatest evening of my life”, riding along 7km of unspoilt beach at Nihi Sumba on a local Sumba pony

“WITHOUT doubt, this is the greatest evening of my life,” I thought to myself as I galloped along 7km of deserted, unspoilt beach deep in a southern corner of Indonesia. A burning golden sunset cast the most beautiful light I’d ever seen, with only the sound of the Indian Ocean and the hoof beats of my native Sumbanese pony to accompany it.

This place is special, and it belongs to the natives of the island of Sumba and Nihi, a sanctuary that prides itself on privacy and personal restoration - it was voted best hotel in the world in 2016 and 2017 and remains firmly in the top 10 of many lists today.

During my six-night stay at this resort, which is owned by Christopher Burch, with top-notch hotelier James McBride at the helm, I made the conscious effort to soak up every second of this unique experience.

The point of my visit is to sample a newly launched equine wellness package, Ride & Recharge.

“Whether you seek thrilling rides, a tranquil wellness retreat or moments of

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