Sunday Blog 183 – 4th May 2025
Why does travel cast such a spell over me? Each time I travel, I imagine that this time, I’ll understand the mystery at last. Is the answer held in my body? The night before I travel I always remind myself that “it’s my last night in my own bed.” And I conjure images of where I will sleep that night.
My collection of cells that is my body walks up the ramp to the plane, off at the other end, to gather up the baggage and bundle myself into a taxi. And then here are my collection of cells, out of the taxi, into the hotel room, into my temporary bed. Overnight, my cells coalesce, a switch is thrown and I catch up with where I am.
This week I’m staying at gorgeous Nalini Resort in Amed in Bali, and I tell myself the trick about travelling to beautiful places is to be here while you’re here.
Don’t miss a moment of the bright morning light, the cool depths of the pool, all white tiles and turquoise water. The gentle trickle of the infinity pool as the water reaches the edge and laps over. The pavilion in the centre of the pool you get to by a narrow bridge to seek the precious early morning shade. The pair of triangle pillow cushion daybeds laid out in welcome on the pavilion, flanking the small idiosyncratic table which still holds the imprint of the hands that made it. A place to rest the journal and scratch out some words, every now and then looking up. There, two large leaves landed on the ground, divorced from their tree, curved up at edge and seesawing on the pool tiles in the wind. And through it all the endless call of the sea. Waves splash on the shore, now gently, now a thud, and then the glittering clatter of the stones, tumbled and tumbled and tumbled in the backwash of the wave.
Breath in, travel. Breath out, arrive. Breath in, be here. Breathe out, be here. Be ready to leave graciously when the time comes. Despite what I tell myself this will be more difficult than usual. I mean, look at this place.