I can’t believe today is day 100 of project CINLOC! So far it’s been a pretty crazy ride and we didn’t even start building yet. Turns out that designing a new boutique hotel takes a lot more time than we imagined. Bu as we (hopefully) get this opportunity only once we want to make sure that we design the perfect place for you to spend your well-deserved holidays. The good news is that the finish line of the designing process is in sight and soon we will share the final drawings with you very soon!
Because I haven’t been posting any updates for a while I started to receive several messages from people who were getting a bit worried. I’m happy to tell you that there is nothing to worry about and that we are doing fine!
My favorite adventure
While Xmas was waiting for us around the corner, I suddenly got really aware of the fact that this was the first Holiday Season were we didn’t had to work. And this would be the last Xmas and New Years that it would be just the two of us. Maybe it was time to go on a little adventure….
I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to live a life of adventure. I want to swim with whales, and see the sunset from all corners of the world. I want to take in the fresh air and try food I can’t even pronounce. My bucket list is longer than my favorite playlist. But loving my Sunshine is my favorite adventure. (Thank you Andreas for showing me that love is the greatest adventure I could ever embark on. There’s no better way to have a fulfilled life than to have such a beautiful, strong, and funny person by my side. )
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
We had a wonderful Xmas Eve with our staff. Although it never really feels like Xmas here as I’m still wearing a bikini and drinking out of a coconut, we always try to make something special out of it. We made a big Xmas diner in our improvised kitchen which once used to be our beautiful Pool Villa. It was pouring rain nonstop for hours and the roof was leaking but it all didn’t matter. We are all there; some Moslims, one Hindoe, two Atheists and a few Christians sitting together at one table, as one family, celebrating X-Mas.
And while they were unwrapping their presents I looked around the table and I felt so proud and so grateful. Although a lot has changed none of our staff decided to resign and look for another job. After all what happened in the last months, we were still here, we were still smiling and we were still sitting together. Of course we are all a bit traumatized from the earthquake and we still don’t like it when someone is tapping their feet under the table as it feels like the start of another earthquake, but we somehow managed to continue our lives.
Magical Magnetic Island
A week before Xmas we booked a last minute ticket to Australia and went to visit our dear friend Nadine. She is one of my special people and definitely one of a kind. She’s the friend that will laugh at you when you fall, but is also the first one to pick you up. She’s the friend that knows your deepest, darkest secrets but never judges you. We haven’t seen each other for more than 2 years but as soon as I see her it feels like yesterday.
We spend an amazing week on Magnetic Island and filled our days in great company. A big thank you to my bestie and her captain Robby, crazy sister Shereen and her husband Robert, her lovely cousin Alicia and boyfriend Jamie for all the amazing memories and adventures. It was the perfect end to a not so perfect year.