Schapelle Secret Vietnam reunion
The convicted drug smuggler reunites with her Balinese boyfriend
Even with her famous face disguised behind huge reflector sunglasses, a bikini-clad Schapelle Corby couldn’t hide her joy at being reunited with Ben Panangian, the handsome surfer she credits with helping her survive nine years in Kerobokan jail.
Ben, 37, flew from Bali to Singapore, where he met up with Schapelle – the woman he’s been pining for ever since she was deported from Indonesia in May last year. The pair then enjoyed a romantic fortnight at a beachfront resort in Vietnam.
“I didn’t recognise her immediately, but when she took her sunnies off, I knew it was Schapelle,” says an Aussie holidaymaker who was staying at the same resort on My Khe Beach, near Da Nang, with her husband.
“She seemed so happy, and wherever she was he was by her side. It was actually really nice to see. If I hadn’t realised who she was, I would’ve just thought they were a couple of young honeymooners.
“He seemed to dote on her.”
LONGTIME LOVES
One close friend of Schapelle’s told Woman’s Day last week that Schapelle was “beyond excited” at the prospect of seeing Ben, but was “nervous” about boarding a flight as it was the first time she’d been on a plane since leaving Bali.
“She’s missed Ben desperately. They’re soulmates and it broke both their hearts to be separated for such a long time.
“I know they speak all the time on the phone, but it’s not the same. She’s been looking forward to this for ages.”
Schapelle, who will celebrate her 41st birthday in July, met Ben in 2006 at a church service in Kerobokan Prison, where he was also serving time for drug possession, and love blossomed.
When she was granted parole just over four years ago on the condition she remained in Indonesia, Ben lived around the corner from the house Schapelle shared with her brother Michael, and the couple were often seen at the beach or at bars in Kuta.
One friend even claimed Schapelle was reluctant to leave the Indonesian resort island that had been her prison for so many years because she couldn’t bear the thought of starting her new life without Ben.
STARTING A FAMILY
And he has made no secret of how much he’s missed her, revealing last year he was “lonely” without her by his side, and confessing he wasn’t sure when or if they’d be able to see each other again.
Ben, who runs a stand-up paddleboard business in Bali, admitted he dreamed of reuniting with Schapelle, but like his long-time girlfriend, he says he lives one day at a time.
Both have told friends they hope to have children one day.
‘It broke their hearts to be separated for such a long time’