I joined the company back in 2009. I was just high school graduate. I joined as a temporary Excursion guide. Banyan Tree gave me so much opportunities for me to build a career and grow with the company.
Working here feels definitely like home. This is what i will miss the most. End of the day family is what is matters. Banyan tree had truly become a family which matters.

To my future self, the journey was a mirror of my inner strength, awakening courage in me when others thought I was powerless

That unforgettable morning during AWS 2025: The gentle light of breakfast, the warmth of Mrs. Ho’s presence, and the inspiring flow of conversation that felt both profound and effortless. Every exchange about life and business carried a spark of growth, a lesson wrapped in grace, and a reminder of what it means to lead with vision and humanity. I left the table not nourished but uplifted.

I didn’t know what I was missing until I got here.
The team is real, supportive, and human.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you love what you do.
Now I know why it's called the sanctuary for the senses!

Mujuthaba Abdulla, Sous Chef, this remarkable 11-year journey with Angsana Velavaru/Banyan Group has gifted you growth, resilience, and the pride of transforming passion into a lasting legacy.

The sights that will stay in my memory from my 8 years as Assistant Chief Steward with Angsana Velavaru/Banyan Group are the sparkling ocean horizons, the teamwork that kept our kitchens alive, and the joy reflected in every guest’s smile.

What I will miss most is the strong sense of family at Angsana Velavaru. Over the past 10 years, this workplace has been more than just where I worked, it became a second home. The care, support, and teamwork of my colleagues made me feel truly valued and connected. It matters because those bonds are rare, and they created memories and relationships I will always carry with me.

I once stayed at Cassia Bintan and hired a local driver. As we drove, he shared his life story, then said, “Whoever built the resort here must have had good karma, thousands of lives depend on it.”

He spoke of how he might not have a job if the resort didn’t exist. He didn’t know I worked here, but his words reminded me why I do what I do. That someone is quietly grateful for our presence

At a Yogyakarta market, I saw a sign: “Urip Sejatine Gawe Urup" - true life is to ignite light in others. That quiet truth lived in every soul I met at Garrya Bianti - from a woman, motherly in spirit, who shared her jamu wisdom with selfless care, to the gentle kindness offered by many.

I left with a grateful heart, reminded that connection is real and asking how I, too, might become a light.