The Luna2 Private Hotel

A geographically appropriate piece of architecture. The Luna2 is a beachfront hotel in Bali Indonesia designed by American architect David Wahl, with interiors by owner and interior designer Melanie Hall. Classified as 'private', this Balinese paradise only accepts one guest booking at a time for the five bedroom beachfront house. The interior design and landscape takes its cues from the same local culture I've been navigating over the last few weeks, however; the design shapes itself after the Western tourist culture that will briefly call it home. A retro avocado green kitchen with teak cabinetry and contemporary sectional furniture frame out the Audrey Hepburn and Andy Warhol inspired prints.

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I swam in a waterfall today.

Pundi Pundi

Aside from the benefits of commandeering wifi from across the way, the Pundi Pundi is a most excellent outdoor restaurant overlooking a far reaching rice paddy. The view is a straight up stunner. So good, the tourist paparazzi who frequent Ubud have their way with the landscape from dusk till dawn. A soda water for my lady!

The Truth Disclosed

'It was a strange and melancholy illusion, evolved half-consciously like all our illusions, which I suspect only to be visions of remote unattainable truth, seen dimly. This was, indeed, one of the lost, forgotten, unknown places of the earth; I had looked under its obscure surface; and I felt that when, to-morrow, I had left it for ever, it would slip out of existence, to love only in my memory till I myself passed into oblivion. I have that feeling about me now; perhaps it is that feeling which has incited me to tell you the story, to try and hand over to you as it were, its very existence, its reality - the truth disclosed in a moment of illusion.'

Lord Jim

Joseph Conrad

Indo

The second leg has begun! My compadres and I safely arrived in Bali yesterday and have already begun canvasing the island for Indonesian handicrafts. At first glance Bali took my breath away. I'm not sure why I maintained the idea that Thailand and Bangkok would be very much like Indonesia and Bali. To my great surprise, their cultures are distinct and shockingly different. Double the motorcycles and half the common sense of Khaosan road and its organized chaos.

Hinduism colours every pathway in a post-apocalyptic kind of way. This is a beautiful surf town with a heavy case of dictatorship hangover. Entire city blocks where every major surf brand has their own store front easily distracts me from a culture soon forgotten. For now. Because each street seems to yearn for what it once was. A peaceful secret.

We are staying at the gorgeous Puri Padi (pictured above). Outdoor lobby and dining rooms leads to the beautiful hacienda style space our foursome occupies; each with our own room and breathtaking balcony. I have never stayed in such an incredible place. And I say that with complete confidence. Geckos traverse the walls and the surrounding landscapes seem to hum.

Let me have another one tomorrow.

The world!

The King of Thailand

Over the last week I have become quite fond of the King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Since taking the throne in 1946, the King has endeared himself to the people of Thailand by caring for them like his own. This country is a democracy and has its parliament like our own in Canada. Corruption and greed run rampant in the government. So, it is the King who takes care of the people. He stands up for them. You can feel it in these streets how much they love him. They really do. His picture appears in every shop in stunning gold frames surrounded by flowers and sticks of incense. In a time of political uncertainty, these people are steadfast in their love for the king. He's something to hold on to. And that's beautiful.

Unfortunately, the King of Thailand is quite sick. His failing health and threat of political insurgence makes the future look bleak. But their love for him remains. A handsome man with a very pretty wife and the picture above - his meeting with The (Other) King - is the image in my mind. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Take care of each other.

The world!

The world!

The world.