With Flying COLOURS

A mere two hours from Singapore, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa packs all the fresh charm of Pearl Island with a uniquely whimsical yet luxurious style. Themed as a former natural sciences academy and dressed to the nines with faculty-inspired buildings, fantastical antiques and retro beauty, the fictional "Lamarck University" is a must visit. We enrolled ourselves in a memorable three-night stay and share the highlights of our "course calendar" below

- IAN LEE

DAY ONE

1530: After a one hour and 40 minute flight and a 20 minute car ride, my companion and I arrive at the main lobby of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa — designed to look like a university library with books and sports trophies, it is imbued with all the creative magic of famed architect and interior designer, Bill Bensley, and we immediately feel a part of Lamarck University’s “campus community”. We make our way to our room, which is housed in the “Department of Conchology & Botany”, decorated with beautifully illustrated vintage prints of seashells. Naturally, the room comes with a balcony with a stunning view of the beach and the sea. Alas, my travel partner and I quickly crawl out of our shells for the first activity proper on our “timetable”.

1630: We get to JW Garden, ready for our cooking class. Fortunately for me (I’ve never cooked anything in my life), today’s course only requires us to assemble fresh Vietnamese spring rolls with precooked ingredients — phew! We follow the professionals who clearly outline the steps: spritz rice paper sheets with water, place desired ingredients (vegetables, pork, prawns, rice vermicelli, and fried crispy sticks) on top, roll very tightly, plate with a bowl of sauce, and ta-da!