Conceived alongside Regenerative Travel, the inaugural all-female residency programme invites artists, conservationists, and culinary storytellers to explore ecological restoration across Cambodia’s marine landscapes.
Nestled within the turquoise reaches of Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, Song Saa Private Island, the country’s founding ethical coastal sanctuary and recipient of the Regenerative Wellness Travel Destination of the Year accolade at the Destination Deluxe Awards 2026, has announced the debut of the Living Systems Residency in partnership with Regenerative Travel.
Taking place across a twelve-day immersion from 28 October to 8 November 2026, the programme marks the very first regenerative residency to be convened entirely by women, exploring the vital intersections between ecological restoration, creative expression, community wellbeing, and regional culture. Conceived and co-curated by Melita Koulmandas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Song Saa Private Island, and Amanda Ho, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Regenerative Travel, the residency aims to establish an enduring model for positive impact that transcends the immediate fortnight and resonates throughout the decade ahead.
For discerning travellers who frequently turn to us for visionary journeys across Southeast Asia, Song Saa, meaning “the sweethearts” in Khmer, has long represented an exquisite blend of heartfelt Cambodian hospitality and conscientious environmental stewardship. Since opening in March 2012 as Cambodia’s premier ethical coastal escape, the retreat has protected a dedicated marine reserve while utilising the Song Saa Foundation to bolster educational infrastructure, local healthcare, and sustainable livelihood projects across surrounding island villages.
The Practitioners in Residence
Rather than operating in isolation, each invited practitioner is paired directly with a Cambodian counterpart, drawing creative momentum from the resort’s working farm, marine sanctuary, and established community relationships.
The cohort represents an international synthesis of creative and ecological disciplines, beginning with Hong Kong-based artist and spiritual teacher Gedvile Grace Bunikyte, who employs a minimalist geometric visual language to express ideas that elude conventional spoken discourse. She is joined by Bhavna Shivayogimath, a visual artist and filmmaker based in Berlin whose interdisciplinary portfolio encompasses painting, murals, photography, and film exploring the nuances of identity, gender, and urban spaces. Bringing twenty-five years of direct frontline ocean and marine conservation experience to her creative practice is Brazilian performance artist and storyteller Barbara Veiga, alongside Nithiya Laila, a Hong Kong-based culinary anthropologist, chef, and documentary storyteller dedicated to revitalising indigenous Asian flora by returning native edible plants to regional gardens and dining tables. The fifth female practitioner completing the inaugural ensemble will be officially unveiled by the resort in due course.
Immersive Cohort Weekend and The Living Systems Dinner
While the opening ten days of the residency are strictly set aside for independent field research, collaborative exchanges, and creative project development, the programme broadens its scope between 6 and 9 November 2026 for an intimate, guest-facing three-night Cohort Weekend.
During this weekend retreat, guests can take part in participatory sessions alongside the residents, explore the island’s marine reserve, tour the working farm, and indulge in Song Saa’s holistic wellbeing experiences, which range from morning yoga sessions to sacred Buddhist ceremonies.
The residency culminates on the evening of 8 November with the inaugural Living Systems Dinner, a communal gathering conceived by the chef in residence and enriched by creative contributions from every practitioner. Drawing direct inspiration from locally harvested ingredients and the surrounding waters, the feast unites residents, invited guests, and members of the wider island community in a collective celebration of ecological harmony and meaningful connection.
Coastal Luxury
Comprising 24 private pool villas inspired by traditional Cambodian design aesthetics, Song Saa Private Island has garnered international acclaim. Reaching the secluded archipelago is accessible via Cambodia’s two principal aviation hubs, Siem Reap (SAI) and Phnom Penh (KTI). Travellers arriving into Siem Reap can take a direct 45-minute domestic flight to Sihanoukville International Airport, whereas those departing Phnom Penh can journey via the expressway directly to Sihanoukville Port in approximately 2.5 hours. From the dedicated Song Saa Lounge at Sihanoukville Port, the island sanctuary is reached via a scenic 45-minute speedboat voyage, with transfers scheduled thrice daily during daylight hours alongside bespoke private boat transfers available by prior arrangement.
Visit here for more on Song Saa Private Island.
Images: Song Saa Private Island
