SHIBUI Issue 8

slow stay Australia

ISLAND DREAMING private. wild. remote.

make a scene!

BALI slow made in

cambodia slow travel

sumBA! slow. fair. worldly. kind.

shibui store TRAVEL IN TIME WITH TRADITIONAL CULTURES. slow SLOWLY… made S H I B U I 1

SHIBUI hello

SHIB-OOM! Just as Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic, SHIBUI & Co. was announced WINNER, ‘Best Cultural Tourism Publisher’

by Acquisition International (UK). A serendipitous moment, but nothing short of a wonderful sign of encouragement to keep the SHIBUI spirit alive.

We take this space to thank our wonderful global community for their valuable contribution and ongoing support. The time is (still) now!

ANNOUNCEMENT

WINNER

Acquisition International, 2020 Business Excellence Awards (United Kingdom).

“Whilst it is certainly a challenging time for businesses of all shapes and sizes, there are still causes for celebration to be found in every industry and sector. Indeed, even now, we endeavor to recognise those that are, and have been doing, incredible things. After all, success can be found anywhere – whether a large international conglomerate or single-person firm. That was really the goal of the Business Excellence Awards when they were launched over half a decade ago: to shine a spotlight on some of the quiet achievements of entrepreneurs, managers, owners and founders around the world.

Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work.”

To learn more about our award winners and to gain insight into the working practices of the 'best of the best', please visit acq-intl.com Steve Simpson, Awards Coordinator, Acquisition International, UK, 2020.

new year. old world.

stay strong

Surrender. Focus. Cherish. Grow. There is not a day that passes without a moment to acknowledge the extraordinary situation our world is currently braving.

Lost lives, lock downs or living in the moment… humanity is still being shaken.

So to spin the world with extra love, we lead into this edition with a talented team of globe makers in London, who are hand-painting our beautiful, big, old world with much needed care and devotion.

Closer to home (Australia)… we escape to a tiny, private island slow stay experience in the 'Tassie' wilderness, slow travel on a wild adventure on horseback in Sumba, and… we discover cultural resilience with slow made ingenuity in Indonesia and exceptional human-KINDness in Cambodia.

And for the worldly hearts who love artisan-made, SHIBUI store is at the end of this edition's inspiring journey.

While world travel still remains a distant thought, faraway family and friends are close in mind. Until next edition, stay strong, keep well and stay connected. #shibuilove Editor-in-Chief / Curator Photo Jade Fenster

‘Best Cultural Tourism Publisher’

HOSTED BY ISSUU GLOBAL DISTRIBUTOR PRESS READER FOLLOW US @shibuiandco SUBSCRIBE shibuiandco.com SHOP shibuiandco.com/store

ENQUIRIES Email hello@shibuiandco.com | Phone +61 434 385 841 SPECIAL THANKS to the following amazing humans: Beck Scougall, Chloe Rose Quinn, Emilie Ristevski, Gopal, Jade Fenster, Kate Alstergren, Kate Davis, Kate Pilcher, Janet Onfray, Janine Garrett, Jean Howe, Sundar, Tim Fijal, William Ingram and every single artisan working behind these inspirational stories…

SHIBUI Issue is a quarterly, global, e-magazine owned and published by SHIBUI & Co. All content is copyright and lawfully protected worldwide. In all instances, complete content or parts-there-of extracted from this publication for re-distribution or circulation must be accurately accredited to both the publisher, SHIBUI & Co. and contributing photographers. SHIBUI & Co. curates 'socio-enviro' responsible travel content to help preserve 'slow world' cultures and empower indigenous communities in the modern world. Awarded 'Best Cultural Tourism Publisher', Acquisition International, UK. SHIBUI Issue 8 January 2021 | © SHIBUI & Co. All rights reserved.

hello S H I B U I

3

SHIBUI hello

SHIB-OOM! Just as Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic, SHIBUI & Co. was announced WINNER, ‘Best Cultural Tourism Publisher’

by Acquisition International (UK). A serendipitous moment, but nothing short of a wonderful sign of encouragement to keep the SHIBUI spirit alive.

We take this space to thank our wonderful global community for their valuable contribution and ongoing support. The time is (still) now!

ANNOUNCEMENT

WINNER

Acquisition International, 2020 Business Excellence Awards (United Kingdom).

“Whilst it is certainly a challenging time for businesses of all shapes and sizes, there are still causes for celebration to be found in every industry and sector. Indeed, even now, we endeavor to recognise those that are, and have been doing, incredible things. After all, success can be found anywhere – whether a large international conglomerate or single-person firm. That was really the goal of the Business Excellence Awards when they were launched over half a decade ago: to shine a spotlight on some of the quiet achievements of entrepreneurs, managers, owners and founders around the world.

Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work.”

To learn more about our award winners and to gain insight into the working practices of the 'best of the best', please visit acq-intl.com Steve Simpson, Awards Coordinator, Acquisition International, UK, 2020.

new year. old world.

stay strong

Surrender. Focus. Cherish. Grow. There is not a day that passes without a moment to acknowledge the extraordinary situation our world is currently braving.

Lost lives, lock downs or living in the moment… humanity is still being shaken.

So to spin the world with extra love, we lead into this edition with a talented team of globe makers in London, who are hand-painting our beautiful, big, old world with much needed care and devotion.

Closer to home (Australia)… we escape to a tiny, private island slow stay experience in the 'Tassie' wilderness, slow travel on a wild adventure on horseback in Sumba, and… we discover cultural resilience with slow made ingenuity in Indonesia and exceptional human-KINDness in Cambodia.

And for the worldly hearts who love artisan-made, SHIBUI store is at the end of this edition's inspiring journey.

While world travel still remains a distant thought, faraway family and friends are close in mind. Until next edition, stay strong, keep well and stay connected. #shibuilove Editor-in-Chief / Curator Photo Jade Fenster

‘Best Cultural Tourism Publisher’

HOSTED BY ISSUU GLOBAL DISTRIBUTOR PRESS READER FOLLOW US @shibuiandco SUBSCRIBE shibuiandco.com SHOP shibuiandco.com/store

ENQUIRIES Email hello@shibuiandco.com | Phone +61 434 385 841 SPECIAL THANKS to the following amazing humans: Beck Scougall, Chloe Rose Quinn, Emilie Ristevski, Gopal, Jade Fenster, Kate Alstergren, Kate Davis, Kate Pilcher, Janet Onfray, Janine Garrett, Jean Howe, Sundar, Tim Fijal, William Ingram and every single artisan working behind these inspirational stories…

SHIBUI Issue is a quarterly, global, e-magazine owned and published by SHIBUI & Co. All content is copyright and lawfully protected worldwide. In all instances, complete content or parts-there-of extracted from this publication for re-distribution or circulation must be accurately accredited to both the publisher, SHIBUI & Co. and contributing photographers. SHIBUI & Co. curates 'socio-enviro' responsible travel content to help preserve 'slow world' cultures and empower indigenous communities in the modern world. Awarded 'Best Cultural Tourism Publisher', Acquisition International, UK. SHIBUI Issue 8 January 2021 | © SHIBUI & Co. All rights reserved.

hello S H I B U I

3

CONTENTS 70 WHERE LIFE IS 'INDAH' Natural, sustainable and incredible, the team at Make A Scene! Bali combine traditional craftsmanship with wild imagination to create theatrical designs for the world stage, without being wasteful.

SLOW TRAVEL

58 RIDING ON SUMBA TIME! This is not just a picture-perfect holiday postcard waiting to be taken. This is a Globetrotting horse-riding holiday of a lifetime, and Sumba may just be the best kept secret on the planet!

SLOW STAY SLOW MADE

7 ON TOP OF A BEAUTIFUL (SLOW) WORLD A devoted team of artisans have picked up their brushes to hand-paint our beautiful, old world with the most delicate care and detail. Bellerby & Co. Globemakers are located in London, but their bespoke artwork is sort after all over the world.

SHIBUI. A JAPANESE WORD USED TO DESCRIBE AN UNDERSTATED, CLASSIC KINDA COOL. IT’S AN ENRICHED BEAUTY ACHIEVED THOUGH MINIMALISM AND PURPOSE RATHER THAN ADORNMENT AND EXTRAVAGANCE. ITS VALUE MUST BE DISCOVERED AND UNDERSTOOD RATHER THAN BOUGHT OR WON.

30 HUMANITY IS ONE OF A HUMAN-KIND From corporate-chasing career girl in America, to a not-for-profit organisation founder in third world Cambodia, Kate Davis from Collective Humanity has cultivated everything in her power to inspire fair-trade equality for traditional communities in Cambodia.

50 THOUSANDS OF ISLANDS WOVEN IN TIME With over 17,000 islands to call home, Indonesia is a cultural fascination.

From batik to betel nuts and every island culture in between, this region has some of the world's poorest places but is so rich with island life traditions. Threads of Life are working directly on islands from Kalimantan to Timor, to help empower artisan communities and preserve these ancient cultures.

92 ONE ISLAND, WORLDS AWAY Furtherest from madding crowds, remote as the eye can see and as wild as the Tasman Sea can throw… Satellite Island is a tiny slice of Australian wilderness anchored on the eastern side of Tasmania. Private, cosy and peaceful. A precious, little getaway.

GLOBAL SENSE

44 KEEPING THE KINDNESS ALIVE Kindness comes in many forms, but for another artisan community in Siem Reap, Cambodia, SAARTI handmade candles are their guiding light.

84 FINDING YOUR TRUE AUM If you're a yogi or on a spiritual journey, you may already have some. Aum Rudraksha Designs in Bali have been granted one powerful mission… to help restore peace in others by sharing Rudraksha seeds to the world… one precious mala at a time.

GLOBAL STORYTELLER

16 WHERE IN THE WORLD? Australian photographer, storyteller and author, Emilie Ristevski has over one million followers on Instagram, which is not surprising when you look at her breathtaking photography.

SHIBUI STORE

104 Artisan made for worldly hearts.

For optimum viewing, download either of these free apps to your reading device…

COVER IMAGE: The Gapura entrance gate was especially commissioned to celebrate Potato Head Bali being declared climate neutral by the United Nations. Hand-crafted by Make A Scene! Located at Potato Head in Seminyak, Bali. Photo by Tommaso Riva for Potato Head Bali. (Page 70) PREVIOUS PAGE: Artist at work in the studio at Bellerby & Co. Globemakers in London. (Page 7).

4

S H I B U I contents

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rudraksha beads are the seeds of life at Aum Rudraksha Designs. (Page 84); Partnering artisan weaver in Cambodia working with Collective Humanity. (Page 30); Chloe Rose Quinn is the creative director behind Make A Scene! (Page 70); Founding owners of Globetrotting, Kate and Steven Pilcher with their youngest globetrotter, Poppy. (Page 58).

CONTENTS S H I B U I

5

CONTENTS 70 WHERE LIFE IS 'INDAH' Natural, sustainable and incredible, the team at Make A Scene! Bali combine traditional craftsmanship with wild imagination to create theatrical designs for the world stage, without being wasteful.

SLOW TRAVEL

58 RIDING ON SUMBA TIME! This is not just a picture-perfect holiday postcard waiting to be taken. This is a Globetrotting horse-riding holiday of a lifetime, and Sumba may just be the best kept secret on the planet!

SLOW STAY SLOW MADE

7 ON TOP OF A BEAUTIFUL (SLOW) WORLD A devoted team of artisans have picked up their brushes to hand-paint our beautiful, old world with the most delicate care and detail. Bellerby & Co. Globemakers are located in London, but their bespoke artwork is sought after all over the world.

SHIBUI. A JAPANESE WORD USED TO DESCRIBE AN UNDERSTATED, CLASSIC KINDA COOL. IT’S AN ENRICHED BEAUTY ACHIEVED THOUGH MINIMALISM AND PURPOSE RATHER THAN ADORNMENT AND EXTRAVAGANCE. ITS VALUE MUST BE DISCOVERED AND UNDERSTOOD RATHER THAN BOUGHT OR WON.

30 HUMANITY IS ONE OF A HUMAN-KIND From corporate-chasing career girl in America, to a not-for-profit organisation founder in third world Cambodia, Kate Davis from Collective Humanity has cultivated everything in her power to inspire fair-trade equality for traditional communities in Cambodia.

50 THOUSANDS OF ISLANDS WOVEN IN TIME With over 17,000 islands to call home, Indonesia is a cultural fascination.

From batik to betel nuts and every island culture in between, this region has some of the world's poorest places but is so rich with island life traditions. Threads of Life are working directly on islands from Kalimantan to Timor, to help empower artisan communities and preserve these ancient cultures.

92 ONE ISLAND, WORLDS AWAY Furtherest from madding crowds, remote as the eye can see and as wild as the Tasman Sea can throw… Satellite Island is a tiny slice of Australian wilderness anchored on the eastern side of Tasmania. Private, cosy and peaceful. A precious, little getaway.

GLOBAL SENSE

44 KEEPING THE KINDNESS ALIVE Kindness comes in many forms, but for another artisan community in Siem Reap, Cambodia, SAARTI handmade candles are their guiding light.

84 FINDING YOUR TRUE AUM If you're a yogi or on a spiritual journey, you may already have some. Aum Rudraksha Designs in Bali have been granted one powerful mission… to help restore peace in others by sharing Rudraksha seeds to the world… one precious mala at a time.

GLOBAL STORYTELLER

16 WHERE IN THE WORLD? Australian photographer, storyteller and author, Emilie Ristevski has over one million followers on Instagram, which is not surprising when you look at her breathtaking photography.

SHIBUI STORE

104 Artisan made for worldly hearts.

For optimum viewing, download either of these free apps to your reading device…

COVER IMAGE: The Gapura entrance gate was especially commissioned to celebrate Potato Head Bali being declared climate neutral by the United Nations. Hand-crafted by Make A Scene! Located at Potato Head in Seminyak, Bali. Photo by Tommaso Riva for Potato Head Bali. (Page 70) PREVIOUS PAGE: Artist at work in the studio at Bellerby & Co. Globemakers in London. (Page 7).

4

S H I B U I contents

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rudraksha beads are the seeds of life at Aum Rudraksha Designs. (Page 84); Partnering artisan weaver in Cambodia working with Collective Humanity. (Page 30); Chloe Rose Quinn is the creative director behind Make A Scene! (Page 70); Founding owners of Globetrotting, Kate and Steven Pilcher with their youngest globetrotter, Poppy. (Page 58).

CONTENTS S H I B U I

5

slow made

ON TOP OF A BEAUTIFUL

(SLOW) WORLD SLOW made BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS destination LONDON, ENGLAND interview with Jade Fenster (Co-owner)

U S D 5 5 F O R A P A C K O F 5 A S S O R T E D M A S K S

F R E E S H I P P I N G W O R L D W I D E

Support Local Artisans https://www.studiobagru.com/masks

BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS ARE LOCATED IN LONDON, BUT THEIR BESPOKE ARTWORK IS BEING SORT AFTER ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

100% Cotton Face Masks made by artisans in Bagru, hand block printing every mask using generations-old techniques

A VERY DEVOTED TEAM OF ARTISANS HAVE PICKED UP THEIR BRUSHES TO HAND-PAINT OUR BEAUTIFUL, OLD WORLD WITH THE MOST DELICATE CARE AND FINEST ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

FROM ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY TO MODERN TIMES, EVERY GLOBE IS CUSTOM-CRAFTED TO CAPTURE A SENTIMENTAL STORY THAT WILL SPIN IN TIME WITH IT'S BEHOLDER, FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

7

slow made

ON TOP OF A BEAUTIFUL

(SLOW) WORLD SLOW made BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS destination LONDON, ENGLAND interview with Jade Fenster (Co-owner)

U S D 5 5 F O R A P A C K O F 5 A S S O R T E D M A S K S

F R E E S H I P P I N G W O R L D W I D E

Support Local Artisans https://www.studiobagru.com/masks

BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS ARE LOCATED IN LONDON, BUT THEIR BESPOKE ARTWORK IS BEING SOUGHT AFTER ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

100% Cotton Face Masks made by artisans in Bagru, hand block printing every mask using generations-old techniques

A VERY DEVOTED TEAM OF ARTISANS HAVE PICKED UP THEIR BRUSHES TO HAND-PAINT OUR BEAUTIFUL, OLD WORLD WITH THE MOST DELICATE CARE AND FINEST ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

FROM ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY TO MODERN TIMES, EVERY GLOBE IS CUSTOM-CRAFTED TO CAPTURE A SENTIMENTAL STORY THAT WILL SPIN IN TIME WITH IT'S BEHOLDER, FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

7

Photo Ana Santl Photo Ana Santl

ABOVE: Founding owner of Bellerby & Co. Globemakers, Peter Bellerby.

NEW YEAR, NEW WORLD… OR OLD WORLD? BEING THE ARTISAN MASTERS FOR PAINTING WORLD GLOBES, HOW ON EARTH WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘GLOBAL CHANGE’ POST 2020?

8

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

I think we will see a lot of change and hopefully some lasting ones for the better. Most have really slowed down for the first time in adult life. In London, most people don’t see much of home life between Monday and Friday. This year, we were granted with all this time, which opened up a new appreciation for many things.

From learning to cook, to taking more pride in self, home and surrounds.

Appreciating loved ones and the local community more. Speaking to neighbours for the first time has broken down busy-ness to create an old-world feeling. That warm community spirit had previously been lost in many areas in London for sure.

It feels like people have stopped with time to think about what is really important to them. Like, appreciating loved ones and good friends, starting a new hobby, or reshaping a career path that aligns with passion over what pays the most. There is a better understanding of less is more and that happiness is not about being driven

by money. Travel is no longer taken for granted. How lucky we have been to travel where and when we have.

But on the flip-side, it’s been wonderful to experience our home city, without the excess crowds. Londoners really took back their streets to enjoy this city in ways that were never possible before. During lock down I saw people having picnics in front of Buckingham Palace, and laying to relax on the Thames shore at low tide, like it was a beach. It was really nice to see these areas, usually so chaotic with tour groups, traffic and people taking selfies, just looking so peaceful. The skies have been so blue and the nights really quiet in a lovely way.

I hope in years to come, we see more and more opportunities for small businesses to thrive. There has been a real burst of artisanal makers popping up, creating quality products the traditional way. Sourdough bread making, craft beer and spirits, local coffee roasters are really popular now.

SPINNING IN NOSTALGIA WITH WILD ADVENTURE STORIES MAPPED BY GREAT EXPLORERS NAVIGATING THEIR WAY AROUND THE WORLD, WHEN MYTH PROJECTED THE EARTH FLAT. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS. HOW HAS THIS OLD-WORLD CHARMER AND CRAFT FORGED ITS WAY FROM A LITTLE LANE IN LONDON INTO MODERN DAY LIFE AROUND THE GLOBE? Peter Bellerby is the founding owner of Bellerby & Co. Globemakers and brings such love for world maps and geography. He always says he thinks it is only natural to want to know more about the planet we live on.

Globe-making for him started as a hobby. He wanted to find a gift for his fathers 80th birthday. The options at the time were either poor replicas or priceless antiques. He sensed that the art of traditional Globe-making had disappeared, which inspired Peter to go about making his own. His original plan was to make one for his father and one for himself, but after 2 years of trying to teach himself, hundreds of failed globes later, almost going bankrupt and selling his house and car, Bellerby & Co. Globemakers was born. > Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

9

Photo Ana Santl Photo Ana Santl

ABOVE: Founding owner of Bellerby & Co. Globemakers, Peter Bellerby.

NEW YEAR, NEW WORLD… OR OLD WORLD? BEING THE ARTISAN MASTERS FOR PAINTING WORLD GLOBES, HOW ON EARTH WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘GLOBAL CHANGE’ POST 2020?

8

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

I think we will see a lot of change and hopefully some lasting ones for the better. Most have really slowed down for the first time in adult life. In London, most people don’t see much of home life between Monday and Friday. This year, we were granted with all this time, which opened up a new appreciation for many things.

From learning to cook, to taking more pride in self, home and surrounds.

Appreciating loved ones and the local community more. Speaking to neighbours for the first time has broken down busy-ness to create an old-world feeling. That warm community spirit had previously been lost in many areas in London for sure.

It feels like people have stopped with time to think about what is really important to them. Like, appreciating loved ones and good friends, starting a new hobby, or reshaping a career path that aligns with passion over what pays the most. There is a better understanding of less is more and that happiness is not about being driven

by money. Travel is no longer taken for granted. How lucky we have been to travel where and when we have.

But on the flip-side, it’s been wonderful to experience our home city, without the excess crowds. Londoners really took back their streets to enjoy this city in ways that were never possible before. During lock down I saw people having picnics in front of Buckingham Palace, and laying to relax on the Thames shore at low tide, like it was a beach. It was really nice to see these areas, usually so chaotic with tour groups, traffic and people taking selfies, just looking so peaceful. The skies have been so blue and the nights really quiet in a lovely way.

I hope in years to come, we see more and more opportunities for small businesses to thrive. There has been a real burst of artisanal makers popping up, creating quality products the traditional way. Sourdough bread making, craft beer and spirits, local coffee roasters are really popular now.

SPINNING IN NOSTALGIA WITH WILD ADVENTURE STORIES MAPPED BY GREAT EXPLORERS NAVIGATING THEIR WAY AROUND THE WORLD, WHEN MYTH PROJECTED THE EARTH FLAT. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT BELLERBY & CO. GLOBEMAKERS. HOW HAS THIS OLD-WORLD CHARMER AND CRAFT FORGED ITS WAY FROM A LITTLE LANE IN LONDON INTO MODERN DAY LIFE AROUND THE GLOBE? Peter Bellerby is the founding owner of Bellerby & Co. Globemakers and brings such love for world maps and geography. He always says he thinks it is only natural to want to know more about the planet we live on.

Globe-making for him started as a hobby. He wanted to find a gift for his fathers 80th birthday. The options at the time were either poor replicas or priceless antiques. He sensed that the art of traditional Globe-making had disappeared, which inspired Peter to go about making his own. His original plan was to make one for his father and one for himself, but after 2 years of trying to teach himself, hundreds of failed globes later, almost going bankrupt and selling his house and car, Bellerby & Co. Globemakers was born. > Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

9

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

10

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

>

WORLD HISTORY CONTINUES IN A MILLION SHADES. HOW DOES ONE PAINT THE WORLD? AND SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW, HOW MANY COUNTRIES MAKE UP THE GLOBE? One can paint the world however they like, which is part of the beauty.

There is no set of rules. How many countries? That’s a sensitive question worthy of an expert to write a proper article to give it full justice.

The United Nations (UN) as the most influential international organisation is often considered a good starting point for correct statistics. There are currently 193 UN members, regarded as independent countries recognised worldwide.

Becoming a part of the UN is not that easy and an interesting topic to read up on. It’s such a complicated procedure to ensure that all UN members are recognised as holding firmly established diplomatic relations with the vast majority of other territories.

Many countries have such a complex history of definition, Taiwan and Kosovo for example. The Holy See (Vatican City State) is another very interesting story. Palestine nowadays is recognised by 138 countries.

The world is forever changing so it’s a fascinating thing to be involved with the cartography of maps and disputed borders every day. >

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

11

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

10

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

>

WORLD HISTORY CONTINUES IN A MILLION SHADES. HOW DOES ONE PAINT THE WORLD? AND SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW, HOW MANY COUNTRIES MAKE UP THE GLOBE? One can paint the world however they like, which is part of the beauty.

There is no set of rules. How many countries? That’s a sensitive question worthy of an expert to write a proper article to give it full justice.

The United Nations (UN) as the most influential international organisation is often considered a good starting point for correct statistics. There are currently 193 UN members, regarded as independent countries recognised worldwide.

Becoming a part of the UN is not that easy and an interesting topic to read up on. It’s such a complicated procedure to ensure that all UN members are recognised as holding firmly established diplomatic relations with the vast majority of other territories.

Many countries have such a complex history of definition, Taiwan and Kosovo for example. The Holy See (Vatican City State) is another very interesting story. Palestine nowadays is recognised by 138 countries.

The world is forever changing so it’s a fascinating thing to be involved with the cartography of maps and disputed borders every day. >

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

11

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

THE WORLD IS DEFINITELY A CHANGED PLACE SINCE 2020. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE (AND COMPANIES) WILL REGARD OLD WORLD TRADITIONS AS THE ‘NEW WORLD’ WAY? I think the shift is already happening.

We have seen many wood and metal working studios pop-up in London in the past few years. So many people have quit corporate jobs to work with their hands, compared to 20+ years ago. There was definitely a growing desire to become more resourceful and sustainable, with more DIY 12

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Andy Lockley

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT A GLOBE THAT MAKES THESE WORLDLY CHARACTERS STILL SO IN-DEMAND? A globe is a nostalgic object and work of art. A very good globe is a keepsake to last a lifetime and even pass onto future generations. Just like the demand for a beautiful painting or antique, people aspire to fill their homes with pieces they love that tell a story.

Our globes are handmade with much love, detail and care, passing through at least 5 pairs of hands from start to finish. Our globemakers are very proud of their work and no two globes are ever the same. That is the beauty of artisan-made… each globe made by Bellerby & Co. is custom designed and one of a kind.

projects and skills learnt during the pandemic.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A MASTER GLOBE MAKER? It takes a lot of passion and stubbornness to learn to be a very good, ‘traditional’ globe-maker. Our artisans train their hands through months, if not years of trial and error and practice. They must know the exact way to manipulate delicate, wet paper. If maneuvered too much, the paper will rip, ripple, tear or bubble, and if it is not stretched and moved enough, panels will not match up exactly. We have had apprentices work with us upwards of a year, who never quite mastered the techniques required. Some really wanted to do this job but just never quite had the right eye for detail, perfectionism and persistence needed. It’s an interesting craft really, because one never knows until spending a few months trying, whether they love it, hate it or have the ability to really excel!

IS LOVE OF TRAVEL A PREREQUISITE TO BECOMING AN ARTISAN GLOBE MAKER? IF SO, HAS THERE BEEN A TRAVEL EXPERIENCE OR STORY THAT WAS SO POWERFUL IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? CAN YOU SHARE A FASCINATING TRAVEL STORY THAT HAS BEEN INTERPRETED INTO ONE OF THESE GLOBES? We made a globe for a very well known band who had spent years travelling the world to perform. Their band manager sent us what looked like hundreds of pages of tour routes.

We plotted each route on the map from tour start to tour end point.

Requests are often made to track and trace family histories across the globe.

They’re inspiring tales to record origin of families, like when grandparents travelled from other countries by sea with the movement of generations that follow.

We have such an eclectic range of people requesting our globes, from avid travel junkies to people who have worked on everything that travels, from flying planes to sailing submarines, yachts or Navy ships, wanting to trace back family histories or top secret missions. There are many non-disclosure agreements signed as well.

Realistically a Globemaker is an artist and craftsperson first and foremost, but most who are drawn to working with us love travel and appreciate that they are viewing the world each day.

Every trip I have ever taken has changed me as a person. My first time to India was the biggest eye opener.

I travelled with no expectations and was completely overwhelmed by the colours, sights, smells and architecture. It was amazing! The first time somewhere is exciting, but I love going back again to relax into the place more and experience things on deeper levels.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE COMMISSIONED PROJECT AND HOW FAR DO THESE ROAMING GLOBES GO? We have globes in every corner of the world. From New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Russia, the Middle East, all over Asia, Europe, Central, South and North America. One now sits on a private Island close to Papeete and one even travelled as far as Antarctica to sit at a research station. We are always > Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

13

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

THE WORLD IS DEFINITELY A CHANGED PLACE SINCE 2020. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE (AND COMPANIES) WILL REGARD OLD WORLD TRADITIONS AS THE ‘NEW WORLD’ WAY? I think the shift is already happening.

We have seen many wood and metal working studios pop-up in London in the past few years. So many people have quit corporate jobs to work with their hands, compared to 20+ years ago. There was definitely a growing desire to become more resourceful and sustainable, with more DIY 12

S H I B U I slow made in england

Photo Andy Lockley

Photo Paul Marc Mitchell

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT A GLOBE THAT MAKES THESE WORLDLY CHARACTERS STILL SO IN-DEMAND? A globe is a nostalgic object and work of art. A very good globe is a keepsake to last a lifetime and even pass onto future generations. Just like the demand for a beautiful painting or antique, people aspire to fill their homes with pieces they love that tell a story.

Our globes are handmade with much love, detail and care, passing through at least 5 pairs of hands from start to finish. Our globemakers are very proud of their work and no two globes are ever the same. That is the beauty of artisan-made… each globe made by Bellerby & Co. is custom designed and one of a kind.

projects and skills learnt during the pandemic.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A MASTER GLOBE MAKER? It takes a lot of passion and stubbornness to learn to be a very good, ‘traditional’ globe-maker. Our artisans train their hands through months, if not years of trial and error and practice. They must know the exact way to manipulate delicate, wet paper. If maneuvered too much, the paper will rip, ripple, tear or bubble, and if it is not stretched and moved enough, panels will not match up exactly. We have had apprentices work with us upwards of a year, who never quite mastered the techniques required. Some really wanted to do this job but just never quite had the right eye for detail, perfectionism and persistence needed. It’s an interesting craft really, because one never knows until spending a few months trying, whether they love it, hate it or have the ability to really excel!

IS LOVE OF TRAVEL A PREREQUISITE TO BECOMING AN ARTISAN GLOBE MAKER? IF SO, HAS THERE BEEN A TRAVEL EXPERIENCE OR STORY THAT WAS SO POWERFUL IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? CAN YOU SHARE A FASCINATING TRAVEL STORY THAT HAS BEEN INTERPRETED INTO ONE OF THESE GLOBES? We made a globe for a very well known band who had spent years travelling the world to perform. Their band manager sent us what looked like hundreds of pages of tour routes.

We plotted each route on the map from tour start to tour end point.

Requests are often made to track and trace family histories across the globe.

They’re inspiring tales to record origin of families, like when grandparents travelled from other countries by sea with the movement of generations that follow.

We have such an eclectic range of people requesting our globes, from avid travel junkies to people who have worked on everything that travels, from flying planes to sailing submarines, yachts or Navy ships, wanting to trace back family histories or top secret missions. There are many non-disclosure agreements signed as well.

Realistically a Globemaker is an artist and craftsperson first and foremost, but most who are drawn to working with us love travel and appreciate that they are viewing the world each day.

Every trip I have ever taken has changed me as a person. My first time to India was the biggest eye opener.

I travelled with no expectations and was completely overwhelmed by the colours, sights, smells and architecture. It was amazing! The first time somewhere is exciting, but I love going back again to relax into the place more and experience things on deeper levels.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE COMMISSIONED PROJECT AND HOW FAR DO THESE ROAMING GLOBES GO? We have globes in every corner of the world. From New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Russia, the Middle East, all over Asia, Europe, Central, South and North America. One now sits on a private Island close to Papeete and one even travelled as far as Antarctica to sit at a research station. We are always > Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

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Photo Alun Callender Photo Jade Fenster

Photo Ana Santl

A woman recently commissioned a globe in memory of her daughter who passed away. They had always loved travelling. During the time they were holding out for a life-saving lung transplant they saw our globes on a news story on TV. It took almost three years wait for a transplant, but sadly the daughter was so weakened by the wait, she did not survive the surgery.

A year later her wonderfully kind and fascinating mother began to write the memoir. It was bought by a major literary agent and is being published in April this year (2021). When she signed the contract she decided to celebrate the moment and commissioned a globe to honour her daughter and the book. There were 14

S H I B U I slow made in england

so many touching things painted on the globe, I cried a few times during the process. With the finished globe, she surprised her husband and he was overcome with emotions as it was a personalised memory connection to his late daughter. It was really special to be part of that process and story.

I will remember her always!

WHAT IS THE LARGEST GLOBE BELLERBY & CO. HAVE MADE AND WHERE IS THIS BIG WORLD SPINNING NOW? Our largest globe is the Churchill Globe. It is 127cm (50 inches) in diameter. There are a few in America (Florida, Texas and Connecticut), one in Mexico, Russia, Jordan, Germany, Kenya, two are in the UK and one we are working on as I write this, is going to Italy.

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

Photo Montblanc and Theresa Kaindl

surprised by the far-reaching places our customers house our globes.

AS AN ARTISAN PAINTING THE WORLD, DO YOU OFTEN FIND YOURSELF DREAMING ABOUT TRAVEL? WHAT WOULD BE A MOST INTRIGUING PLACE TO VISIT? I have been very lucky to travel the world quite a lot and use the photos I take in the studio to inspire my travel research. I’m constantly learning about different places, cultures, traditions, food and wildlife, etc., which inspires me to want to explore so much more of the world.

LEFT: Co-owner of Bellerby & Co. Jade Fenster on her most recent visit to Rome in 2020.

"This was the first time I have seen Rome so empty.

To enjoy the Trevi Fountain alone at midday, during summer was pure joy. I had rooms in the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel to myself. There were no queues to see the Pantheon. But… to witness the honest reality of local businesses suffering from the lack of tourism in 2020 was unsettling. I felt so very lucky to experience such a strange time in a favourite city.

For the past few years I have been enjoying trips to eastern Europe. There are still so many beautiful cities and places less known in that part of the world.

I did have a trip planned to Cuba in 2020, but like so many, travel plans were cancelled. I'd also hoped to visit Japan for the first time. And I would also love to see more of South America… Argentina, Peru, Colombia…

I cannot wait to travel again! bellerbyandco.com

|

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

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Photo Alun Callender Photo Jade Fenster

Photo Ana Santl

A woman recently commissioned a globe in memory of her daughter who passed away. They had always loved travelling. During the time they were holding out for a life-saving lung transplant they saw our globes on a news story on TV. It took almost three years wait for a transplant, but sadly the daughter was so weakened by the wait, she did not survive the surgery.

A year later her wonderfully kind and fascinating mother began to write the memoir. It was bought by a major literary agent and is being published in April this year (2021). When she signed the contract she decided to celebrate the moment and commissioned a globe to honour her daughter and the book. There were 14

S H I B U I slow made in england

so many touching things painted on the globe, I cried a few times during the process. With the finished globe, she surprised her husband and he was overcome with emotions as it was a personalised memory connection to his late daughter. It was really special to be part of that process and story.

I will remember her always!

WHAT IS THE LARGEST GLOBE BELLERBY & CO. HAVE MADE AND WHERE IS THIS BIG WORLD SPINNING NOW? Our largest globe is the Churchill Globe. It is 127cm (50 inches) in diameter. There are a few in America (Florida, Texas and Connecticut), one in Mexico, Russia, Jordan, Germany, Kenya, two are in the UK and one we are working on as I write this, is going to Italy.

Photo courtesy Bellerby & Co.

Photo Montblanc and Theresa Kaindl

surprised by the far-reaching places our customers house our globes.

AS AN ARTISAN PAINTING THE WORLD, DO YOU OFTEN FIND YOURSELF DREAMING ABOUT TRAVEL? WHAT WOULD BE A MOST INTRIGUING PLACE TO VISIT? I have been very lucky to travel the world quite a lot and use the photos I take in the studio to inspire my travel research. I’m constantly learning about different places, cultures, traditions, food and wildlife, etc., which inspires me to want to explore so much more of the world.

LEFT: Co-owner of Bellerby & Co. Jade Fenster on her most recent visit to Rome in 2020.

"This was the first time I have seen Rome so empty.

To enjoy the Trevi Fountain alone at midday, during summer was pure joy. I had rooms in the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel to myself. There were no queues to see the Pantheon. But… to witness the honest reality of local businesses suffering from the lack of tourism in 2020 was unsettling. I felt so very lucky to experience such a strange time in a favourite city.

For the past few years I have been enjoying trips to eastern Europe. There are still so many beautiful cities and places less known in that part of the world.

I did have a trip planned to Cuba in 2020, but like so many, travel plans were cancelled. I'd also hoped to visit Japan for the first time. And I would also love to see more of South America… Argentina, Peru, Colombia…

I cannot wait to travel again! bellerbyandco.com

|

Bellerby & Co. Globemakers S H I B U I

15

storyteller

AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER, STORYTELLER AND AUTHOR, EMILIE RISTEVSKI HAS OVER ONE MILLION FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM, WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING WHEN YOU LOOK AT HER BREATH-TAKING WORK.

WHERE IN THE WORLD? with gLOBAL STORYTELLER Emilie Ristevski

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S H I B U I global storyteller

HER DREAM-LIKE IMAGERY HAS TAKEN HER TO ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, FROM REMOTE VILLAGES IN SOUTH AMERICA TO WILD LANDSCAPES IN ICELAND, NAMIBIA AND EVERYWHERE IN-BETWEEN. SHE HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH SOME IMPRESSIVE BRANDS INCLUDING ADOBE AND LONELY PLANET. EMILIE'S WORK INSPIRES A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET WE CALL HOME.

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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storyteller

AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER, STORYTELLER AND AUTHOR, EMILIE RISTEVSKI HAS OVER ONE MILLION FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM, WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING WHEN YOU LOOK AT HER BREATH-TAKING WORK.

WHERE IN THE WORLD? with gLOBAL STORYTELLER Emilie Ristevski

16

S H I B U I global storyteller

HER DREAM-LIKE IMAGERY HAS TAKEN HER TO ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, FROM REMOTE VILLAGES IN SOUTH AMERICA TO WILD LANDSCAPES IN ICELAND, NAMIBIA AND EVERYWHERE IN-BETWEEN. SHE HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH SOME IMPRESSIVE BRANDS INCLUDING ADOBE AND LONELY PLANET. EMILIE'S WORK INSPIRES A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET WE CALL HOME.

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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WOW! WE ARE TOTALLY LOST IN TRAVEL DREAMS JUST LOOKING AT YOUR BEAUTIFUL INSTAGRAM PAGE. WITH AN ENVIABLE COLLECTION OF DESTINATIONS, STUNNING IMAGERY AND OVER 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS, CAN YOU SHARE HOW @HELLOEMILLE BEGAN AND WHERE YOU IMAGINE YOUR VISUAL STORYTELLING TO TAKE YOU FROM HERE? My photography career has been a very long and intuitive journey, @helloemilie began through exploring a sense of curiosity and finding my own creative outlet. As a freelancer I pour my heart and soul into everything I do, my photographic work has become an extension of myself. It reflects how I view the world and over the years I have developed a strong focus on sharing meaningful content around sustainability and caring for our planet Earth. >

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S H I B U I global storyteller

PREVIOUS PAGE: Petra, Ma`An, Jordan... Wonders of the world. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi...

Barefoot and wandering through this beautifully endless landscape; Morocco... The feeling of being completely lost in the wonders of our world; Home... Sometimes the simplest things are all you need.

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

19

WOW! WE ARE TOTALLY LOST IN TRAVEL DREAMS JUST LOOKING AT YOUR BEAUTIFUL INSTAGRAM PAGE. WITH AN ENVIABLE COLLECTION OF DESTINATIONS, STUNNING IMAGERY AND OVER 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS, CAN YOU SHARE HOW @HELLOEMILLE BEGAN AND WHERE YOU IMAGINE YOUR VISUAL STORYTELLING TO TAKE YOU FROM HERE? My photography career has been a very long and intuitive journey, @helloemilie began through exploring a sense of curiosity and finding my own creative outlet. As a freelancer I pour my heart and soul into everything I do, my photographic work has become an extension of myself. It reflects how I view the world and over the years I have developed a strong focus on sharing meaningful content around sustainability and caring for our planet Earth. >

18

S H I B U I global storyteller

PREVIOUS PAGE: Petra, Ma`An, Jordan... Wonders of the world. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi...

Barefoot and wandering through this beautifully endless landscape; Morocco... The feeling of being completely lost in the wonders of our world; Home... Sometimes the simplest things are all you need.

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

19

audience on the importance of our natural world. I truly love being able to share the world through my lens and allowing others to see the magic hidden all around us.

Knowing I have encouraged others to see the world in a new light, and to reignite their connection with nature and our planet is something really special.

Being a creative freelancer is an extremely exciting yet also terrifying journey with never really knowing what is next. I do have an endless list of personal projects I’ve been dreaming of creating and I am inspired to see how my storytelling will grow and shift over the coming years.

YOU TRAVEL, YOU TAKE PHOTOS, YOU ARE A CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND YOU'VE ALSO RECENTLY LAUNCHED YOUR FIRST BOOK. CONGRATULATIONS EMILIE! WITH ALL OF THIS CREATIVE ENERGY TO INSPIRE, HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR STORYTELLING HELPS INFLUENCE THE WORLD? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? My work is about finding the beauty in our world and I am always looking to find ways to conserve and capture the things that often go unseen.

With pieces of my mind and heart scattered all over the globe, I felt the urge for my images to do and say more with the hope that I can encourage a greater awareness of Earth’s beauty and ever present fragility.

It is through my storytelling that I hope to inspire and educate my

YOU HAVE A GREAT EYE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN, BUT WHAT CAME FIRST... PHOTOGRAPHY, CREATIVE DIRECTION OR WANDERING THE WORLD? I’ve always had an innate love of creativity. Growing up I experimented with different art forms and mediums, from painting, drawing, ceramics or anything where I could create and let my imagination become tangible.

My love for photography came when I discovered black and white film photography in a tiny dark room.

I remember the moment I saw my first photograph develop in the chemicals right before my eyes, I was immediately fascinated and it opened up a whole new world for me.

I love how these different creative pursuits merge together, with each set of skills helping to balance each other out, while allowing me to create in a new way. At times I don’t think I could ever be defined as just purely a photographer or simply doing one thing as there are so many different elements which go into my work.

YOU ARE AUSTRALIAN. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE ARE YOU BASED AT THE MOMENT? Home will always be Australia, somewhere between the mountains and the ocean. I am currently based in northern NSW and grew up in several different regions along the east coast of Australia, but in someway have always been surrounded by nature.

This is where my love and connection > to the natural world originated.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Klein-Aus Vista, Namibia… Moonrise over the deset plains. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt...

Dreams really do come true.

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S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

21

audience on the importance of our natural world. I truly love being able to share the world through my lens and allowing others to see the magic hidden all around us.

Knowing I have encouraged others to see the world in a new light, and to reignite their connection with nature and our planet is something really special.

Being a creative freelancer is an extremely exciting yet also terrifying journey with never really knowing what is next. I do have an endless list of personal projects I’ve been dreaming of creating and I am inspired to see how my storytelling will grow and shift over the coming years.

YOU TRAVEL, YOU TAKE PHOTOS, YOU ARE A CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND YOU'VE ALSO RECENTLY LAUNCHED YOUR FIRST BOOK. CONGRATULATIONS EMILIE! WITH ALL OF THIS CREATIVE ENERGY TO INSPIRE, HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR STORYTELLING HELPS INFLUENCE THE WORLD? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? My work is about finding the beauty in our world and I am always looking to find ways to conserve and capture the things that often go unseen.

With pieces of my mind and heart scattered all over the globe, I felt the urge for my images to do and say more with the hope that I can encourage a greater awareness of Earth’s beauty and ever present fragility.

It is through my storytelling that I hope to inspire and educate my

YOU HAVE A GREAT EYE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN, BUT WHAT CAME FIRST... PHOTOGRAPHY, CREATIVE DIRECTION OR WANDERING THE WORLD? I’ve always had an innate love of creativity. Growing up I experimented with different art forms and mediums, from painting, drawing, ceramics or anything where I could create and let my imagination become tangible.

My love for photography came when I discovered black and white film photography in a tiny dark room.

I remember the moment I saw my first photograph develop in the chemicals right before my eyes, I was immediately fascinated and it opened up a whole new world for me.

I love how these different creative pursuits merge together, with each set of skills helping to balance each other out, while allowing me to create in a new way. At times I don’t think I could ever be defined as just purely a photographer or simply doing one thing as there are so many different elements which go into my work.

YOU ARE AUSTRALIAN. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE ARE YOU BASED AT THE MOMENT? Home will always be Australia, somewhere between the mountains and the ocean. I am currently based in northern NSW and grew up in several different regions along the east coast of Australia, but in someway have always been surrounded by nature.

This is where my love and connection > to the natural world originated.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Klein-Aus Vista, Namibia… Moonrise over the deset plains. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt...

Dreams really do come true.

20

S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

21

“

AUSTRALIA WILL ALWAYS BE HOME. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE OCEAN. THIS IS WHERE MY LOVE AND CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD ORIGINATED.

”

EMILIE RISTEVSKI

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S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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“

AUSTRALIA WILL ALWAYS BE HOME. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE OCEAN. THIS IS WHERE MY LOVE AND CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD ORIGINATED.

”

EMILIE RISTEVSKI

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S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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BEFORE WE WANDER TOO FAR FROM HOME, DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE IN AUSTRALIA THAT YOU LOVE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOST? Australia is full of endless diversity, from the desert outback to the untouched beaches and tropical rainforests, the snowy mountain ranges and all the wide open spaces in-between.

There is an endless list of destinations I have yet to experience and each time I explore somewhere new it feels like my wish list keeps growing.

Tasmania is somewhere I keep wandering back to and has to be one of my favourite places to capture.

There is such a wild feeling which surrounds the Tasmanian landscape.

It’s somewhere you can escape to be in complete wilderness. A place like no other in Australia. >

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S H I B U I global storyteller

PREVIOUS PAGE: Uluru-Kata Tjura National Park, Northern Territory, Australia... The dreamy outback; CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia... "A land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, her beauty and her terror. The wide brown land for me."- Words by Dorothea Mackellar; Satellite Island, Tasmania, Australia... You, me and the sea... The magic of staying on your own island. Satellite Island is a place where time stands still and you are able to enjoy the simple things. Wooden row boats and waking up to the sound of the sea. I am so in-love with the Tasmanian wilderness which surrounds this little island off an island. (Flick to page 92 to escape to our slow stay feature about Satellite Island.)

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

25

BEFORE WE WANDER TOO FAR FROM HOME, DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE IN AUSTRALIA THAT YOU LOVE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOST? Australia is full of endless diversity, from the desert outback to the untouched beaches and tropical rainforests, the snowy mountain ranges and all the wide open spaces in-between.

There is an endless list of destinations I have yet to experience and each time I explore somewhere new it feels like my wish list keeps growing.

Tasmania is somewhere I keep wandering back to and has to be one of my favourite places to capture.

There is such a wild feeling which surrounds the Tasmanian landscape.

It’s somewhere you can escape to be in complete wilderness. A place like no other in Australia. >

24

S H I B U I global storyteller

PREVIOUS PAGE: Uluru-Kata Tjura National Park, Northern Territory, Australia... The dreamy outback; CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia... "A land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, her beauty and her terror. The wide brown land for me."- Words by Dorothea Mackellar; Satellite Island, Tasmania, Australia... You, me and the sea... The magic of staying on your own island. Satellite Island is a place where time stands still and you are able to enjoy the simple things. Wooden row boats and waking up to the sound of the sea. I am so in-love with the Tasmanian wilderness which surrounds this little island off an island. (Flick to page 92 to escape to our slow stay feature about Satellite Island.)

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

25

HOW DID TRAVEL BECOME A CAREER AND WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE ASSIGNMENT? Focusing on travel as a career was never intentional and while studying design at university I always imagined myself somehow in the design world.

However, as photography was something I kept coming back to I fell more and more in love with the process behind creating imagery and the ability to tell stories.

My most enjoyable travel assignments are the ones where I have ended up exploring places I never knew existed.

There are so many parts of our world I am inspired by and I am drawn to the more unknown places. My focus more recently has been to travel less, yet more meaningful.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY YOU VISITED AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD? New Zealand will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first places I visited on assignment and somewhere I will continue to return to.

It’s hard to narrow down to my favourite places. Namibia and other remote locations throughout the Middle East have also always intrigued me and awaken my curiosity.

We live in such a beautifully diverse world and there are so many hidden landscapes and incredible cultures to discover. There is something about the unknown and realising how little we understand about this world that continues to inspire me to keep telling stories.

IS THERE ONE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS SO PROFOUND IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? In 2019 I had the opportunity to explore Greenland, an extremely harsh and remote assignment where I had the chance to experience and photograph remote communities and environmental issues firsthand.

It’s assignments like this that truly remind me of how incredibly special our planet is, yet it also brought on a complex sense of guilt which lead me to question how I am able to travel to experience places like these at all.

Travel in general has allowed me the opportunity to experience things I could never dream of. Always being in motion, I’ve learned the importance of being present, taking time to slow down and to capture the in-between moments that surround us. The connection I have formed with nature and travelling throughout our natural world has taught me to keep an open heart, to live with less and to always find gratitude in the smallest of things. >

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Lapland, Finland… Keeping cosy; Deadvlei, Namibia… Tree skeletons lost in the Namib Desert; Home... Tea-time while preparing to fly off to my next adventure!

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S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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HOW DID TRAVEL BECOME A CAREER AND WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE ASSIGNMENT? Focusing on travel as a career was never intentional and while studying design at university I always imagined myself somehow in the design world.

However, as photography was something I kept coming back to I fell more and more in love with the process behind creating imagery and the ability to tell stories.

My most enjoyable travel assignments are the ones where I have ended up exploring places I never knew existed.

There are so many parts of our world I am inspired by and I am drawn to the more unknown places. My focus more recently has been to travel less, yet more meaningful.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY YOU VISITED AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD? New Zealand will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first places I visited on assignment and somewhere I will continue to return to.

It’s hard to narrow down to my favourite places. Namibia and other remote locations throughout the Middle East have also always intrigued me and awaken my curiosity.

We live in such a beautifully diverse world and there are so many hidden landscapes and incredible cultures to discover. There is something about the unknown and realising how little we understand about this world that continues to inspire me to keep telling stories.

IS THERE ONE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS SO PROFOUND IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? In 2019 I had the opportunity to explore Greenland, an extremely harsh and remote assignment where I had the chance to experience and photograph remote communities and environmental issues firsthand.

It’s assignments like this that truly remind me of how incredibly special our planet is, yet it also brought on a complex sense of guilt which lead me to question how I am able to travel to experience places like these at all.

Travel in general has allowed me the opportunity to experience things I could never dream of. Always being in motion, I’ve learned the importance of being present, taking time to slow down and to capture the in-between moments that surround us. The connection I have formed with nature and travelling throughout our natural world has taught me to keep an open heart, to live with less and to always find gratitude in the smallest of things. >

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Lapland, Finland… Keeping cosy; Deadvlei, Namibia… Tree skeletons lost in the Namib Desert; Home... Tea-time while preparing to fly off to my next adventure!

26

S H I B U I global storyteller

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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“

WE LIVE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE WORLD AND THERE ARE SO MANY HIDDEN LANDSCAPES AND INCREDIBLE CULTURES TO DISCOVER. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE UNKNOWN AND REALISING HOW LITTLE WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS WORLD THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME TO KEEP TELLING STORIES.

”

EMILIE RISTEVSKI

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S H I B U I global storyteller

IN THIS GREAT VOID OF NO TRAVEL, HOW HAS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC IMPACTED (OR INSPIRED) YOU? DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO NEXT WHEN THE WORLD OPENS UP? Initially the pandemic hit my industry as a big shock, a huge amount of my travel plans and upcoming projects were cancelled instantly. However it’s the slowing down and having the time to reflect which has allowed me to work on more meaningful projects.

I was also kept busy with the release of my debut internationally published photography book, Forever Wandering. (See page ??) It’s been a labour of love over many years and is such an overwhelming feeling to know people will be able to hold my book in their hands and be transported to the hidden wonders of our world through my photography.

At a time when our approach to travel is changing, and restoring nature’s balance is more pressing than ever, Forever Wandering is a visual insight into our natural world, telling a meaningful story of how we can find a deeper connection with our universe – and ourselves.

I have no idea where I will go once the world opens up but I have an ever-growing list of places I am dreaming of photographing one day, and I am drawn to the more remote destinations. Places like Bolivia and Mongolia are high on my list. Although I’m not in a rush as I’m actually enjoying slowing down and exploring more of my homeland. I envision lots of road trips throughout the outback and to more of the lesser known destinations throughout Australia.

LEFT: Mother Nature... Golden daze.

WHAT IS YOUR ‘MUST DO’ TRAVEL TIP THAT YOU CAN’T WANDER WITHOUT? My must do travel tip is to always aim to travel lighter, more consciously and like a local. More recently I’ve been reassessing ‘why’ and the reasons behind our choices for travelling in the first place.

Travelling in general is a privilege and it feels like before the pandemic it was more accessible than ever before, so I think we are in a time where it’s crucial to be conscious of our choices and the impact they may have. I’ve been able to work with clients who specifically focus on sustainable tourism, in the hope to inspire people to be open minded and consider choices from a new perspective.

But my biggest tip would be to always try to connect with locals in anyway you can, aim to support local businesses or smaller boutique accommodation or guides which will be able to connect you with authentic experiences and most importantly, give back to the local community.

My favourite travel memories always seem to involve the incredible locals I’ve met around the world.

IN A FEW YEARS FROM NOW HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL VIEW THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN REFLECTION? 2020 was a year full of uncertainties in so many ways, but in reflection I hope I can look back to see it as the year of growth. A year we all needed to move forward and accept the need for change. Ironically, I have been feeling really grateful for the time which has allowed me to slow down from the chaos of our world. Anything that allows us to truly slow down inspires patience and the possibility to see and understand how interconnected we all are on our beautiful planet. @helloemilie

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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“

WE LIVE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE WORLD AND THERE ARE SO MANY HIDDEN LANDSCAPES AND INCREDIBLE CULTURES TO DISCOVER. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE UNKNOWN AND REALISING HOW LITTLE WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS WORLD THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME TO KEEP TELLING STORIES.

”

EMILIE RISTEVSKI

28

S H I B U I global storyteller

IN THIS GREAT VOID OF NO TRAVEL, HOW HAS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC IMPACTED (OR INSPIRED) YOU? DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO NEXT WHEN THE WORLD OPENS UP? Initially the pandemic hit my industry as a big shock, a huge amount of my travel plans and upcoming projects were cancelled instantly. However it’s the slowing down and having the time to reflect which has allowed me to work on more meaningful projects.

I was also kept busy with the release of my debut internationally published photography book, Forever Wandering. (See page ??) It’s been a labour of love over many years and is such an overwhelming feeling to know people will be able to hold my book in their hands and be transported to the hidden wonders of our world through my photography.

At a time when our approach to travel is changing, and restoring nature’s balance is more pressing than ever, Forever Wandering is a visual insight into our natural world, telling a meaningful story of how we can find a deeper connection with our universe – and ourselves.

I have no idea where I will go once the world opens up but I have an ever-growing list of places I am dreaming of photographing one day, and I am drawn to the more remote destinations. Places like Bolivia and Mongolia are high on my list. Although I’m not in a rush as I’m actually enjoying slowing down and exploring more of my homeland. I envision lots of road trips throughout the outback and to more of the lesser known destinations throughout Australia.

LEFT: Mother Nature... Golden daze.

WHAT IS YOUR ‘MUST DO’ TRAVEL TIP THAT YOU CAN’T WANDER WITHOUT? My must do travel tip is to always aim to travel lighter, more consciously and like a local. More recently I’ve been reassessing ‘why’ and the reasons behind our choices for travelling in the first place.

Travelling in general is a privilege and it feels like before the pandemic it was more accessible than ever before, so I think we are in a time where it’s crucial to be conscious of our choices and the impact they may have. I’ve been able to work with clients who specifically focus on sustainable tourism, in the hope to inspire people to be open minded and consider choices from a new perspective.

But my biggest tip would be to always try to connect with locals in anyway you can, aim to support local businesses or smaller boutique accommodation or guides which will be able to connect you with authentic experiences and most importantly, give back to the local community.

My favourite travel memories always seem to involve the incredible locals I’ve met around the world.

IN A FEW YEARS FROM NOW HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL VIEW THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN REFLECTION? 2020 was a year full of uncertainties in so many ways, but in reflection I hope I can look back to see it as the year of growth. A year we all needed to move forward and accept the need for change. Ironically, I have been feeling really grateful for the time which has allowed me to slow down from the chaos of our world. Anything that allows us to truly slow down inspires patience and the possibility to see and understand how interconnected we all are on our beautiful planet. @helloemilie

Emilie Ristevski S H I B U I

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slow made

HUMANity

takes one of a SLOW made Collective Humanity destination cambodia

interview with KATE DAVIS (Founder & Executive Director) photography contributed by Brandon Hill and Elaine McKellips videographer Gentry Faith Wilson

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S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

31

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

humanKIND

slow made

HUMANity

takes one of a SLOW made Collective Humanity destination cambodia

interview with KATE DAVIS (Founder & Executive Director) photography contributed by Brandon Hill and Elaine McKellips videographer Gentry Faith Wilson

30

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

31

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

humanKIND

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S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Founder and Executive Director, Kate Davis.

YOU VISITED A FEW OTHER COUNTRIES DURING THE SAME TRIP, BUT CAMBODIA TOOK A STRONG HOLD TO AWAKEN YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL. WHAT HAPPENED EXACTLY? OR, WAS IT ONLY ONCE YOU RETURNED TO REALITY THAT THE ‘COLLECTIVE HUMANITY’ CONCEPT CAME TO MIND? The time I spent in Cambodia had a huge impact on me. From learning about the relatively recent genocide… one quarter of the entire population of Cambodia were killed… to being approached by a little girl living on the streets, carrying her newborn sister and begging for milk money to feed the baby. As cliche and maybe naive as it may sound, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had never seen poverty at that scale.

Nor had I experienced such kindness as I did with the Khmer people.

Looking back, I know this experience planted the seed and that something beautiful would bloom. On returning >

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

HONESTLY KATE, YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY SHOWS GREAT COURAGE AND EVIDENCE THAT HEART CAN RULE OVER HEAD TO LEAD A MORE FULFILLING WAY FORWARD. FROM A CORPORATE CAREER IN AMERICA TO FOUNDING A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION IN THIRD WORLD CAMBODIA, HOW DID THAT INSTINCTIVE URGE JOLT YOU AWAY FROM YOUR ORIGINAL PATH? Thank you. That is so kind to say!

You know, early in life I learnt to lean heavily on my intuition, so when I feel a strong sense that something is right, or wrong, I do tend to trust that. Even if it seems crazy to others, I believe we are all blessed with an internal guidance system and if we listen and respect our inner wisdom, we can lead a more fulfilling life.

After the life-changing events that I experienced while travelling in SE Asia, I knew deep down that I could not go back to my corporate career and ‘normal’ American life. I’d come face-to-face with extreme poverty and could no longer ignore the fact.

My trip to Cambodia ignited a spark so strong, I knew I was destined for a different path. I needed to follow my heart, which meant returning to Cambodia to better understand gender equality and women's rights within this region. A big decision that ultimately led to the launch of Collective Humanity.

Business partner, Chomnab.

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

WE LOVE THIS STORY!

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

KATE'S JOURNEY IS AN HONEST PERSPECTIVE THAT REMINDS US THAT HUMANITY CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH COLLECTIVE UNITY AND KINDNESS. HER STORY ALSO VALIDATES A COMMON THOUGH NOT OFTEN PRACTICED AFFIRMATION... 'FOLLOW YOUR HEART.'

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

FROM A CORPORATE-CHASING, CAREER GIRL IN AMERICA, TO A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION FOUNDER IN THIRD WORLD CAMBODIA, KATE DAVIS HAS CULTIVATED EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO INSPIRE FAIR-TRADE EQUALITY FOR TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN CAMBODIA.

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

33

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S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Founder and Executive Director, Kate Davis.

YOU VISITED A FEW OTHER COUNTRIES DURING THE SAME TRIP, BUT CAMBODIA TOOK A STRONG HOLD TO AWAKEN YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL. WHAT HAPPENED EXACTLY? OR, WAS IT ONLY ONCE YOU RETURNED TO REALITY THAT THE ‘COLLECTIVE HUMANITY’ CONCEPT CAME TO MIND? The time I spent in Cambodia had a huge impact on me. From learning about the relatively recent genocide… one quarter of the entire population of Cambodia were killed… to being approached by a little girl living on the streets, carrying her newborn sister and begging for milk money to feed the baby. As cliche and maybe naive as it may sound, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had never seen poverty at that scale.

Nor had I experienced such kindness as I did with the Khmer people.

Looking back, I know this experience planted the seed and that something beautiful would bloom. On returning >

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

HONESTLY KATE, YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY SHOWS GREAT COURAGE AND EVIDENCE THAT HEART CAN RULE OVER HEAD TO LEAD A MORE FULFILLING WAY FORWARD. FROM A CORPORATE CAREER IN AMERICA TO FOUNDING A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION IN THIRD WORLD CAMBODIA, HOW DID THAT INSTINCTIVE URGE JOLT YOU AWAY FROM YOUR ORIGINAL PATH? Thank you. That is so kind to say!

You know, early in life I learnt to lean heavily on my intuition, so when I feel a strong sense that something is right, or wrong, I do tend to trust that. Even if it seems crazy to others, I believe we are all blessed with an internal guidance system and if we listen and respect our inner wisdom, we can lead a more fulfilling life.

After the life-changing events that I experienced while travelling in SE Asia, I knew deep down that I could not go back to my corporate career and ‘normal’ American life. I’d come face-to-face with extreme poverty and could no longer ignore the fact.

My trip to Cambodia ignited a spark so strong, I knew I was destined for a different path. I needed to follow my heart, which meant returning to Cambodia to better understand gender equality and women's rights within this region. A big decision that ultimately led to the launch of Collective Humanity.

Business partner, Chomnab.

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

WE LOVE THIS STORY!

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

KATE'S JOURNEY IS AN HONEST PERSPECTIVE THAT REMINDS US THAT HUMANITY CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH COLLECTIVE UNITY AND KINDNESS. HER STORY ALSO VALIDATES A COMMON THOUGH NOT OFTEN PRACTICED AFFIRMATION... 'FOLLOW YOUR HEART.'

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

FROM A CORPORATE-CHASING, CAREER GIRL IN AMERICA, TO A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION FOUNDER IN THIRD WORLD CAMBODIA, KATE DAVIS HAS CULTIVATED EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO INSPIRE FAIR-TRADE EQUALITY FOR TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN CAMBODIA.

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

33

All photos courtesy Collective Humanity

I felt a sharp pull inside of my heart to do something and I just kept doing the next thing that felt right until eventually, Collective Humanity took shape as it is known today.

NEARLY EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE HAD TO CHANGE TO MAKE THIS VENTURE HAPPEN. HOW DID YOU DO IT AND ALSO KNOW WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT? HOW LONG HAS IT TAKEN YOU TO ADJUST TO THE CAMBODIAN WAY?

stressed when I am working in Cambodia compared to America.

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT ‘COLLECTIVE HUMANITY’?

(ESPECIALLY HOW YOU KNEW TO TAP INTO TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP TO HELP EMPOWER THE LOCAL ARTISANS.) Collective Humanity began with the desire to leverage American consumerism to help communities of women in need. The foundations were based on me gaining a real understanding on the issue around extreme poverty, (which is classified when income falls below $3 a day).

Sadly and in many cases, poverty can convert to human trafficking, bonded labor, lack of education, resources and so on. I learnt to realise that the most impactful way to help alleviate such poverty was to generate job creation to sustain economic growth for the community and country. I also wanted to build a business to empower women to gain autonomy for themselves and their children. Working with local artisans felt like a beautiful and powerful way to achieve this goal. >

TOP ROW: SUSTAINABILITY WITH NATURAL DYES AND TECHNIQUES The majority of our handwoven throws are hand-dyed using natural ingredients. The process is unbelievably beautiful to witness and this ancient technique is something we are incredibly proud to support.

BELOW: THE PROCESS OF LOOM WEAVING Once the cotton is ready the dyed cotton is taken to our weaving village. The weavers then began preparing their looms to weave by conducting these 6 steps. The weavers work in open air studios under their homes so that they can earn a dignified living and care for their children. Some homes have a variety of looms beneath them, where the women can work together and share child care and daily responsibilities.

All photos courtesy Collective Humanity

I often think that in a past life I must have been a Cambodian because their way feels effortless and incredibly natural for me. The societal

expectations of women make it hard to feel like I could ever fully adjust but my overall experience of Cambodian life is relaxed… or “come what may,” as the locals say.

When I first started Collective Humanity I confided to a friend in Cambodia about how overwhelmed I felt about finding a good way to help every little girl in the country with programs that could reach, scale and span far enough. I’ll never forget it. My friend laughed and said, “How American of you! Thinking you can or have to scale, scale, scale and help everyone. In Cambodia, we believe that if you can help one person, that one person can help another person and so on. So one by one is how we can help everyone.

Just worry about that ‘one’.”

Honestly, this view changed my entire way of thinking and strategy at Collective Humanity.

Cambodians do not hurry either, yet all is accomplished. They take time to sit, talk, eat, drink, rest and know when to pause and when it’s a good time to stop. In America it’s always been about progression and productivity.

The Cambodian way has stuck with me and it’s been interesting to note that I am most productive and less

Photo Brandon Hill

to America, I found myself standing outside a high end shopping mall and watched. Modern day consumerism was thriving but my thoughts went straight back to that little girl on the streets in Siem Reap. My husband and I continued walking and I remember saying, “I have to do something. How can this be? How can we live in a world where there is so much excess at the same time there is such extreme poverty?” This is when I asked myself if I could exist in this material world while knowing there was a little girl still begging and going to bed hungry… the straight answer… I couldn’t.

34

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

35

All photos courtesy Collective Humanity

I felt a sharp pull inside of my heart to do something and I just kept doing the next thing that felt right until eventually, Collective Humanity took shape as it is known today.

NEARLY EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE HAD TO CHANGE TO MAKE THIS VENTURE HAPPEN. HOW DID YOU DO IT AND ALSO KNOW WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT? HOW LONG HAS IT TAKEN YOU TO ADJUST TO THE CAMBODIAN WAY?

stressed when I am working in Cambodia compared to America.

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT ‘COLLECTIVE HUMANITY’?

(ESPECIALLY HOW YOU KNEW TO TAP INTO TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP TO HELP EMPOWER THE LOCAL ARTISANS.) Collective Humanity began with the desire to leverage American consumerism to help communities of women in need. The foundations were based on me gaining a real understanding on the issue around extreme poverty, (which is classified when income falls below $3 a day).

Sadly and in many cases, poverty can convert to human trafficking, bonded labor, lack of education, resources and so on. I learnt to realise that the most impactful way to help alleviate such poverty was to generate job creation to sustain economic growth for the community and country. I also wanted to build a business to empower women to gain autonomy for themselves and their children. Working with local artisans felt like a beautiful and powerful way to achieve this goal. >

TOP ROW: SUSTAINABILITY WITH NATURAL DYES AND TECHNIQUES The majority of our handwoven throws are hand-dyed using natural ingredients. The process is unbelievably beautiful to witness and this ancient technique is something we are incredibly proud to support.

BELOW: THE PROCESS OF LOOM WEAVING Once the cotton is ready the dyed cotton is taken to our weaving village. The weavers then began preparing their looms to weave by conducting these 6 steps. The weavers work in open air studios under their homes so that they can earn a dignified living and care for their children. Some homes have a variety of looms beneath them, where the women can work together and share child care and daily responsibilities.

All photos courtesy Collective Humanity

I often think that in a past life I must have been a Cambodian because their way feels effortless and incredibly natural for me. The societal

expectations of women make it hard to feel like I could ever fully adjust but my overall experience of Cambodian life is relaxed… or “come what may,” as the locals say.

When I first started Collective Humanity I confided to a friend in Cambodia about how overwhelmed I felt about finding a good way to help every little girl in the country with programs that could reach, scale and span far enough. I’ll never forget it. My friend laughed and said, “How American of you! Thinking you can or have to scale, scale, scale and help everyone. In Cambodia, we believe that if you can help one person, that one person can help another person and so on. So one by one is how we can help everyone.

Just worry about that ‘one’.”

Honestly, this view changed my entire way of thinking and strategy at Collective Humanity.

Cambodians do not hurry either, yet all is accomplished. They take time to sit, talk, eat, drink, rest and know when to pause and when it’s a good time to stop. In America it’s always been about progression and productivity.

The Cambodian way has stuck with me and it’s been interesting to note that I am most productive and less

Photo Brandon Hill

to America, I found myself standing outside a high end shopping mall and watched. Modern day consumerism was thriving but my thoughts went straight back to that little girl on the streets in Siem Reap. My husband and I continued walking and I remember saying, “I have to do something. How can this be? How can we live in a world where there is so much excess at the same time there is such extreme poverty?” This is when I asked myself if I could exist in this material world while knowing there was a little girl still begging and going to bed hungry… the straight answer… I couldn’t.

34

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

35

Photo courtesy Collective Humanity

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S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

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Photo courtesy Collective Humanity

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S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

Collective Humanity S H I B U I

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Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

The artisans already had their invaluable knowledge and skills but lacked a reliable connection to the broader market. It’s with thanks to my incredible business partner Chomnab, who has dedicated his life to helping artisan women thrive in Cambodia.

When I met Chomnab, he had been living and working in the artisan village for 5 years and built long-term relationships with the local weavers and implemented a series of training programs to improve their skills. He’d also begun importing cotton into the region from Vietnam to help expand on skills and market opportunities.

He was looking for a wider audience when we met and as fate would have it, our partnership was born.

Chomnab has in-depth experience and an invaluable understanding of the community's social and economic challenges. He is dedicated to helping sustain employment and female empowerment. I would not be where I am today without him.

38

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF ARTISANS THAT YOU WORK WITH MUST BE LIKE FAMILY. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO SET UP OPERATIONS TO REVENUE CREATION WHILE NURTURING HAPPY CO-WORKING RELATIONS? It took about 2 years to really develop the necessary mutual trust to have fruitful co-working relationships with our weavers and partners. I’ll never forget the visit I had when the women in the weaving village really began to embrace me. Initially, and rightfully so, they were skeptical. I did ask them on my first visit why they thought I was there and they told me, “To give the children bicycles”, which is what the last white person who came to their village had done.

Now they run up to me with arms open and enormous hugs. (Not a common gesture in Cambodian culture but one that means so much to me). I have grown to love and care for them so deeply that I genuinely consider them all an extension of my family and we

constantly reminding me, that this too shall pass.

Cambodians have seen economies crumble and then be rebuilt, and they have seen nations divided and reunited, so it is hard for me to fear the future while working with people who have had to overcome so much.

Their stories make the troubles of today, as scary and unprecedented as they are, seem trivial in comparison.

Their existence is a reminder that devastation is part of the human experience and we can only get through terrible times by working together.

all carry the belief that we were meant to be in each others lives.

IT’S DIFFICULT TO REFLECT ON THE IRREVERSIBLE TRUTH BUT CAMBODIA HAS BORE WITNESS TO A HORRIFIC AND UNJUST PAST. CAMBODIA MUST BE AN INCREDIBLY RESILIENT AND COURAGEOUS COUNTRY TO LEARN FROM. HOW ARE COMMUNITY SPIRITS POST 2020?

When I think about the word ‘resilient’, it feels like a description that doesn’t do this country justice.

What Cambodia has overcome in terms of war, genocide, poverty and the hard work to rebuild a destroyed nation shows how unbelievably strong Cambodian spirits are. Their spirits are not easily swayed. They are made of something much deeper and they have a steady grasp on the unpredictabilities of life’s true nature with a real understanding of the fragility of it all. Our artisan team have certainly been an anchor for me during this time and they are

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LOCAL LIFE AND CULTURE IN CAMBODIA? This is a tough one. I am not sure I can articulate the true essence of local life and culture as I am not a Cambodian, but I can tell you what I have observed and how it feels from my perspective as an American…

There is something about Cambodia that I can’t quite define but it makes me feel calm. It’s like no other place in the world. City streets are busy.

Chaotic for some, but there is an almost effortless flow to city life.

Organised chaos perhaps.

Away from the chaos is rural life where I am often taken aback by the depth of community spirit. The way people care for each other is so beautiful. It’s so different in that regard to America.

In a Cambodian village, if one woman has a baby then the entire village passes the baby around and shares nursing duties as needed. Nobody seems too burdened by having a child because everyone in the community shares the responsibility to raise them.

Children run up to another family while cooking and will eat whatever food is being prepared whether it is their home or not. Cambodians share and care for one another because they understand what others may be experiencing. I find this incredibly humbling and it feels closer to how life should be and how human interactions should feel. This emphasises the sacred importance of community. > Collective Humanity S H I B U I

39

Photo Elaine McKellips Photography

The artisans already had their invaluable knowledge and skills but lacked a reliable connection to the broader market. It’s with thanks to my incredible business partner Chomnab, who has dedicated his life to helping artisan women thrive in Cambodia.

When I met Chomnab, he had been living and working in the artisan village for 5 years and built long-term relationships with the local weavers and implemented a series of training programs to improve their skills. He’d also begun importing cotton into the region from Vietnam to help expand on skills and market opportunities.

He was looking for a wider audience when we met and as fate would have it, our partnership was born.

Chomnab has in-depth experience and an invaluable understanding of the community's social and economic challenges. He is dedicated to helping sustain employment and female empowerment. I would not be where I am today without him.

38

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF ARTISANS THAT YOU WORK WITH MUST BE LIKE FAMILY. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO SET UP OPERATIONS TO REVENUE CREATION WHILE NURTURING HAPPY CO-WORKING RELATIONS? It took about 2 years to really develop the necessary mutual trust to have fruitful co-working relationships with our weavers and partners. I’ll never forget the visit I had when the women in the weaving village really began to embrace me. Initially, and rightfully so, they were skeptical. I did ask them on my first visit why they thought I was there and they told me, “To give the children bicycles”, which is what the last white person who came to their village had done.

Now they run up to me with arms open and enormous hugs. (Not a common gesture in Cambodian culture but one that means so much to me). I have grown to love and care for them so deeply that I genuinely consider them all an extension of my family and we

constantly reminding me, that this too shall pass.

Cambodians have seen economies crumble and then be rebuilt, and they have seen nations divided and reunited, so it is hard for me to fear the future while working with people who have had to overcome so much.

Their stories make the troubles of today, as scary and unprecedented as they are, seem trivial in comparison.

Their existence is a reminder that devastation is part of the human experience and we can only get through terrible times by working together.

all carry the belief that we were meant to be in each others lives.

IT’S DIFFICULT TO REFLECT ON THE IRREVERSIBLE TRUTH BUT CAMBODIA HAS BORE WITNESS TO A HORRIFIC AND UNJUST PAST. CAMBODIA MUST BE AN INCREDIBLY RESILIENT AND COURAGEOUS COUNTRY TO LEARN FROM. HOW ARE COMMUNITY SPIRITS POST 2020?

When I think about the word ‘resilient’, it feels like a description that doesn’t do this country justice.

What Cambodia has overcome in terms of war, genocide, poverty and the hard work to rebuild a destroyed nation shows how unbelievably strong Cambodian spirits are. Their spirits are not easily swayed. They are made of something much deeper and they have a steady grasp on the unpredictabilities of life’s true nature with a real understanding of the fragility of it all. Our artisan team have certainly been an anchor for me during this time and they are

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LOCAL LIFE AND CULTURE IN CAMBODIA? This is a tough one. I am not sure I can articulate the true essence of local life and culture as I am not a Cambodian, but I can tell you what I have observed and how it feels from my perspective as an American…

There is something about Cambodia that I can’t quite define but it makes me feel calm. It’s like no other place in the world. City streets are busy.

Chaotic for some, but there is an almost effortless flow to city life.

Organised chaos perhaps.

Away from the chaos is rural life where I am often taken aback by the depth of community spirit. The way people care for each other is so beautiful. It’s so different in that regard to America.

In a Cambodian village, if one woman has a baby then the entire village passes the baby around and shares nursing duties as needed. Nobody seems too burdened by having a child because everyone in the community shares the responsibility to raise them.

Children run up to another family while cooking and will eat whatever food is being prepared whether it is their home or not. Cambodians share and care for one another because they understand what others may be experiencing. I find this incredibly humbling and it feels closer to how life should be and how human interactions should feel. This emphasises the sacred importance of community. > Collective Humanity S H I B U I

39

Photo Brandon Hill Photo Brandon Hill

LEFT TO RIGHT: Banteay handwoven throw in Pine; Traditional design in the Roum Handwoven Throw.

CAMBODIAN CUISINE ALSO SOUNDS DELICIOUS. WHAT’S A FAVOURITE DISH THAT YOU'D NEVER FIND IN THE USA? This is hard. I love Cambodian cuisine and there are so many amazing and talented chefs who are preserving traditional Cambodian cuisine in really unique ways, like Chef Ratanak Ros. I recommend trying everything a first time but there is something so comforting about Kuy Teav, which is a local breakfast soup. It’s so simple and light yet wholesome and delicious.

Waking up to a warm bowl of garlicky soup with rice noodles and a cup of coffee instantly provides me with an overwhelming sense of calm, even while sitting to enjoy this dish on a busy street in Phnom Penh.

DO YOU LIVE NEAR WHERE YOU WORK? WHAT’S THE MOST ENJOYABLE LOCAL EXPERIENCE THAT YOU EMBRACE ON A REGULAR BASIS? I actually live bi-continental as crazy as that sounds. I split my time between the States and Cambodia.

My husband, family and home are in America. From the very start of this enterprise, I knew I couldn’t uproot my life entirely, nor did I think it best for the business overall. Still holding a presence in America is an invaluable 40

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

link for our artisan partners and channels for Collective Humanity. It is our US distribution channels via trade shows, pop-up markets, retail stockists and e-commerce stores that sustain our vision.

I do feel incredibly blessed to have the privilege of having two cities, on opposite sides of the world, to call my home. It feels like my heart is in two places at once.

When I’m in Cambodia I reside in Phnom Penh, which is where our managing partners studio, logistics and operations are headquartered.

I travel between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and our artisan weavers village in Banteay Meanchey, but I live in ToulTomPong in Phnom Penh, which feels like home now. I know every alley having spent many days wandering on foot through the neighbourhood on my own, dodging tuk-tuks and motos. I’ve spent hours chatting with talented jewellery artisans of Penh Lenh. I also enjoy the local coffee, wandering the markets, negotiating with antique dealers on ‘440’ and sipping fresh coconut water from a street vendor on a hot day.

But a favourite local experience, is riding through the city in the early

mornings on a tuk-tuk, which feels like a way to truly immerse myself in the local buzz. I often ask the driver to take me the long way home, or stop by a coffee shop, just to witness the perfect chaos that is found on the streets of Phnom Penh. I feel a sense of freedom as the observer – passing families of five on a moto, zipping past with a young child waving frantically, or seeing tuk-tuks on the way to the morning markets, stuffed full with fresh vegetables or livestock.

The heat, the sweat, the smell of a barbecue cooking on the sidewalk…

I often need to pinch myself or take a photo of my feet on the tuk-tuk to appreciate where I am… while at the same, friends and colleagues back in the States might be sitting in corporate offices or traffic jams. In these simple moments in Cambodia I feel the most like myself and most connected to the world around me… a more alive version of myself. A feeling that I wish for everyone. I am truly grateful for this journey and feel so lucky to do this work.

WHAT TRADITIONAL TRADES DO THE ARTISANS SPECIALISE IN? WHERE DID THEY LEARN THESE SKILLS? The majority of our artisans specialise in loom weaving. Legend has it, that more than 4700 years ago Princess Xi Lingshi, the empress of Leizu, was enjoying a cup of tea under a Mulberry tree when a small yellow object fell into her cup. Out of curiosity, she pulled the object from her cup and began to unroll the thread of the cocoon wrapped around what we now know to be a silk worm. According to the legend, the Princess soon realised that she could spin and weave this thread and began to instruct her entourage, the art of raising silk worms, known as ‘sericulture’. Xi Lingshi became the goddess of silk in Chinese mythology.

It is believed that weaving was first introduced to Cambodia in the form of silk weaving in the 13th century. Carvings of women wearing traditionally woven silk clothing can be found etched in the stone walls of Angkor Wat, dating back over 900 years.

By the end of WWII 10 to 30 percent of Cambodian families worked in the silk industry. The women bred silk worms

and wove their own clothing and the techniques of mulberry growing, silkworm breeding and weaving were passed down from mother to daughter. By the time young Khmer girls reached 10 or 12 years old, they were seen to be old and capable enough to breed worms and weave the silk.

Our weavers learnt from their mothers and teach their daughters at home.

Chomnab, our operations manager in Cambodia also plays a vital role in training our artisans and helping develop new skills so that Collective Humanity can continue to grow. He is always coming up with new designs to teach the weavers, gathering inspiration from different regions in Cambodia and bordering countries.

WHAT MATERIALS AND DYES ARE USED? ARE MATERIALS LOCALLY SOURCED? For the majority of throws made, we use 100% cotton, ethically sourced from cotton farms in Vietnam. We are also working to preserve the trade of silk weaving and very excited to be launching a new line of silk-wearable textiles this year.

ARE THE TEXTILE DESIGNS UNIQUE TO THE REGION OR ARTISAN INSPIRED? The textiles we produce are a combination of traditional patterns, blended with modern designs. Some of the patterns, like in our Roum Handwoven Throw (pictured left), have been passed on from mother to daughter in our weaving village for centuries.

The creative process is a collaborative one and we have so much fun learning for each other. We work with the artisans to develop a slightly modern take on a traditional piece by adding a design element like tassels, or changing the colour profile to fit a modern consumer palette.

WITH EDUCATION GAINING MORE STRENGTH FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS COMING THROUGH, DO YOU IMAGINE SLOW MADE CULTURES BEING FOSTERED MORE AT SCHOOLS, TO HELP PRESERVE AND ENCOURAGE TRADITIONAL VALUES? We hope that by helping create enough demand for these products and offering fair trade wages, that > Collective Humanity S H I B U I

41

Photo Brandon Hill Photo Brandon Hill

LEFT TO RIGHT: Banteay handwoven throw in Pine; Traditional design in the Roum Handwoven Throw.

CAMBODIAN CUISINE ALSO SOUNDS DELICIOUS. WHAT’S A FAVOURITE DISH THAT YOU'D NEVER FIND IN THE USA? This is hard. I love Cambodian cuisine and there are so many amazing and talented chefs who are preserving traditional Cambodian cuisine in really unique ways, like Chef Ratanak Ros. I recommend trying everything a first time but there is something so comforting about Kuy Teav, which is a local breakfast soup. It’s so simple and light yet wholesome and delicious.

Waking up to a warm bowl of garlicky soup with rice noodles and a cup of coffee instantly provides me with an overwhelming sense of calm, even while sitting to enjoy this dish on a busy street in Phnom Penh.

DO YOU LIVE NEAR WHERE YOU WORK? WHAT’S THE MOST ENJOYABLE LOCAL EXPERIENCE THAT YOU EMBRACE ON A REGULAR BASIS? I actually live bi-continental as crazy as that sounds. I split my time between the States and Cambodia.

My husband, family and home are in America. From the very start of this enterprise, I knew I couldn’t uproot my life entirely, nor did I think it best for the business overall. Still holding a presence in America is an invaluable 40

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

link for our artisan partners and channels for Collective Humanity. It is our US distribution channels via trade shows, pop-up markets, retail stockists and e-commerce stores that sustain our vision.

I do feel incredibly blessed to have the privilege of having two cities, on opposite sides of the world, to call my home. It feels like my heart is in two places at once.

When I’m in Cambodia I reside in Phnom Penh, which is where our managing partners studio, logistics and operations are headquartered.

I travel between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and our artisan weavers village in Banteay Meanchey, but I live in ToulTomPong in Phnom Penh, which feels like home now. I know every alley having spent many days wandering on foot through the neighbourhood on my own, dodging tuk-tuks and motos. I’ve spent hours chatting with talented jewellery artisans of Penh Lenh. I also enjoy the local coffee, wandering the markets, negotiating with antique dealers on ‘440’ and sipping fresh coconut water from a street vendor on a hot day.

But a favourite local experience, is riding through the city in the early

mornings on a tuk-tuk, which feels like a way to truly immerse myself in the local buzz. I often ask the driver to take me the long way home, or stop by a coffee shop, just to witness the perfect chaos that is found on the streets of Phnom Penh. I feel a sense of freedom as the observer – passing families of five on a moto, zipping past with a young child waving frantically, or seeing tuk-tuks on the way to the morning markets, stuffed full with fresh vegetables or livestock.

The heat, the sweat, the smell of a barbecue cooking on the sidewalk…

I often need to pinch myself or take a photo of my feet on the tuk-tuk to appreciate where I am… while at the same, friends and colleagues back in the States might be sitting in corporate offices or traffic jams. In these simple moments in Cambodia I feel the most like myself and most connected to the world around me… a more alive version of myself. A feeling that I wish for everyone. I am truly grateful for this journey and feel so lucky to do this work.

WHAT TRADITIONAL TRADES DO THE ARTISANS SPECIALISE IN? WHERE DID THEY LEARN THESE SKILLS? The majority of our artisans specialise in loom weaving. Legend has it, that more than 4700 years ago Princess Xi Lingshi, the empress of Leizu, was enjoying a cup of tea under a Mulberry tree when a small yellow object fell into her cup. Out of curiosity, she pulled the object from her cup and began to unroll the thread of the cocoon wrapped around what we now know to be a silk worm. According to the legend, the Princess soon realised that she could spin and weave this thread and began to instruct her entourage, the art of raising silk worms, known as ‘sericulture’. Xi Lingshi became the goddess of silk in Chinese mythology.

It is believed that weaving was first introduced to Cambodia in the form of silk weaving in the 13th century. Carvings of women wearing traditionally woven silk clothing can be found etched in the stone walls of Angkor Wat, dating back over 900 years.

By the end of WWII 10 to 30 percent of Cambodian families worked in the silk industry. The women bred silk worms

and wove their own clothing and the techniques of mulberry growing, silkworm breeding and weaving were passed down from mother to daughter. By the time young Khmer girls reached 10 or 12 years old, they were seen to be old and capable enough to breed worms and weave the silk.

Our weavers learnt from their mothers and teach their daughters at home.

Chomnab, our operations manager in Cambodia also plays a vital role in training our artisans and helping develop new skills so that Collective Humanity can continue to grow. He is always coming up with new designs to teach the weavers, gathering inspiration from different regions in Cambodia and bordering countries.

WHAT MATERIALS AND DYES ARE USED? ARE MATERIALS LOCALLY SOURCED? For the majority of throws made, we use 100% cotton, ethically sourced from cotton farms in Vietnam. We are also working to preserve the trade of silk weaving and very excited to be launching a new line of silk-wearable textiles this year.

ARE THE TEXTILE DESIGNS UNIQUE TO THE REGION OR ARTISAN INSPIRED? The textiles we produce are a combination of traditional patterns, blended with modern designs. Some of the patterns, like in our Roum Handwoven Throw (pictured left), have been passed on from mother to daughter in our weaving village for centuries.

The creative process is a collaborative one and we have so much fun learning for each other. We work with the artisans to develop a slightly modern take on a traditional piece by adding a design element like tassels, or changing the colour profile to fit a modern consumer palette.

WITH EDUCATION GAINING MORE STRENGTH FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS COMING THROUGH, DO YOU IMAGINE SLOW MADE CULTURES BEING FOSTERED MORE AT SCHOOLS, TO HELP PRESERVE AND ENCOURAGE TRADITIONAL VALUES? We hope that by helping create enough demand for these products and offering fair trade wages, that > Collective Humanity S H I B U I

41

Photo Brandon Hill

the younger generation will want to carry on this tradition and even own enterprise business. I would love to see traditional craftsmanship being integrated into Cambodian education, and I imagine at some city schools they might be. In the more rural communities, similar to where we work, the children learn so much about the techniques from their mothers at home.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A TRAVELLER CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON VISITING CAMBODIA? Supporting local businesses is probably the most impactful way to preserve Cambodian culture. This may seem obvious, but it does take some research to identify locally-owned and operated businesses. Shop local, eat local and stay local where you are.

I promise you will have an amazing experience! Cambodian hospitality is like nothing in the world! collectivehumanity.shop |

42

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

www.thislife.ngo

Photo Brandon Hill

the younger generation will want to carry on this tradition and even own enterprise business. I would love to see traditional craftsmanship being integrated into Cambodian education, and I imagine at some city schools they might be. In the more rural communities, similar to where we work, the children learn so much about the techniques from their mothers at home.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A TRAVELLER CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON VISITING CAMBODIA? Supporting local businesses is probably the most impactful way to preserve Cambodian culture. This may seem obvious, but it does take some research to identify locally-owned and operated businesses. Shop local, eat local and stay local where you are.

I promise you will have an amazing experience! Cambodian hospitality is like nothing in the world! collectivehumanity.shop |

42

S H I B U I slow made in cambodia

www.thislife.ngo

Photo Nataly Lee

GLOBAL SENSE

Photo Ayana Journeys

KINDNESS COMES IN MANY FORMS, BUT FOR ANOTHER ARTISAN COMMUNITY IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, SAARTI HANDMADE CANDLES ARE THEIR GUIDING LIGHT AND OFFERING TO THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF HOPE.

keeping the kindness alive global sense saarti destination cambodia

Photo Kimleng Sang

interview with Beck Scougall (Founder)

YOU ARE AN AUSTRALIAN LIVING IN CAMBODIA MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN DID YOU FIRST TRAVEL TO CAMBODIA AND WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THIS PART OF THE WORLD THAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A WORK/LIFE STYLE THERE? I moved to Siem Reap in 2009 after falling madly in love with the place during a visit the previous year. I instantly felt a connection with the land and loved that it was still very rustic and unexplored. My kind of place. The kindness, resilience and beautiful smiles of the Cambodian people warms my soul. It’s such a special place. The vibe is extremely laid back and there is a tight-knit and very eclectic community of artists, free spirits and like-minded people. I’m constantly inspired by Cambodia and it is a fantastic place to live and work.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT OR WHO TOOK YOU TO CAMBODIA IN THE FIRST PLACE? I grew up in a country town called Woodford in Queensland, Australia. In

many ways Siem Reap feels like a small and friendly country town which is probably why I feel so at home there.

It was a trip to south-east Asia that took me to Cambodia. I was immediately struck by how friendly and sincere the Cambodian people were. Tourism was still quite a new concept in Cambodia at that time.

The locals had a genuine curiosity to learn as much as possible with visitors which was so refreshing. I was welcomed like family into my new friends’ homes and loved the cultural exchanges that took place.

AS THE FOUNDER OF SAARTI, PLEASE SHARE YOUR VISION WITH US. My intentions for creating Saarti were and still are to offer beautiful, natural handmade products created in the most ethical and empowering way possible. I set out to create peaceful objects that enhance the lives of both the makers and our customers. We never put profit margins before people >

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rituals of gratitude are part of daily life in Cambodia; Founder of Saarti, Beck Scougall; SAARTI ceramic bowl candles handmade in Siem Reap.

44

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

SAARTI S H I B U I

45

Photo Nataly Lee

GLOBAL SENSE

Photo Ayana Journeys

KINDNESS COMES IN MANY FORMS, BUT FOR ANOTHER ARTISAN COMMUNITY IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, SAARTI HANDMADE CANDLES ARE THEIR GUIDING LIGHT AND OFFERING TO THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF HOPE.

keeping the kindness alive global sense saarti destination cambodia

Photo Kimleng Sang

interview with Beck Scougall (Founder)

YOU ARE AN AUSTRALIAN LIVING IN CAMBODIA MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN DID YOU FIRST TRAVEL TO CAMBODIA AND WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THIS PART OF THE WORLD THAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A WORK/LIFE STYLE THERE? I moved to Siem Reap in 2009 after falling madly in love with the place during a visit the previous year. I instantly felt a connection with the land and loved that it was still very rustic and unexplored. My kind of place. The kindness, resilience and beautiful smiles of the Cambodian people warms my soul. It’s such a special place. The vibe is extremely laid back and there is a tight-knit and very eclectic community of artists, free spirits and like-minded people. I’m constantly inspired by Cambodia and it is a fantastic place to live and work.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT OR WHO TOOK YOU TO CAMBODIA IN THE FIRST PLACE? I grew up in a country town called Woodford in Queensland, Australia. In

many ways Siem Reap feels like a small and friendly country town which is probably why I feel so at home there.

It was a trip to south-east Asia that took me to Cambodia. I was immediately struck by how friendly and sincere the Cambodian people were. Tourism was still quite a new concept in Cambodia at that time.

The locals had a genuine curiosity to learn as much as possible with visitors which was so refreshing. I was welcomed like family into my new friends’ homes and loved the cultural exchanges that took place.

AS THE FOUNDER OF SAARTI, PLEASE SHARE YOUR VISION WITH US. My intentions for creating Saarti were and still are to offer beautiful, natural handmade products created in the most ethical and empowering way possible. I set out to create peaceful objects that enhance the lives of both the makers and our customers. We never put profit margins before people >

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rituals of gratitude are part of daily life in Cambodia; Founder of Saarti, Beck Scougall; SAARTI ceramic bowl candles handmade in Siem Reap.

44

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

SAARTI S H I B U I

45

WHAT DOES ‘SAARTI’ MEAN AND WHERE IS SAARTI BASED? ‘Saart’ is the Khmer word for ‘beautiful’ and ‘Aarti’ is a stunning Hindu ritual of fire.

My first Aarti ceremony was on the Ganga River (Ganges) in Rishikesh in India, which is at the base of Himalaya where the Ganga River comes down from the mountains. It was a transformational and spiritual experience that has stayed with me.

The ritual of lighting a candle has always been special to me so I wanted to incorporate all of these elements into our name… SAARTI was born. We are based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

46

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

Photo courtesy Saarti

All of our candles and perfumes are handmade in Cambodia. We keep things manageable and intimate to ensure that every product is of high quality and infused with artisan pride and kindness.

We work with a talented group of young ceramicists who handcraft all of our beautiful ceramic candle vessels. As a family business their admirable skills have been passed down for generations.

The Lemongrass oil we use is organically grown and produced in Koh Kong in southern Cambodia,

by Fauna & Flora International, an organisation with David Attenborough as the Vice President. We proudly support the work they are doing to protect endangered species in the Cardamom Mountains and love that this project offers a sustainable alternative to hunting and poaching.

We will often find the director’s grandmother in the workshop, checking that the artisans are maintaining the inherited standard of quality.

Ancient Khmers were famous for their pottery skills but very sadly this tradition is dying… because artists and intellectuals were brutally targeted during the Khmer Rouge genocide.

IS THERE A DAILY RITUAL IN CAMBODIA THAT YOU RECOMMEND WITH RELATION TO THE SAARTI PRODUCT RANGE? Absolutely! All houses and businesses in Cambodia have a spirit house, which can be found either inside or outside in many beautiful shapes and sizes.

Every morning Cambodians create an offering in their spirit house that is made up with a candle, incense and flowers as a gift for the spirits, to ensure good luck and protection for the day.

I love this little ritual and we do it everyday before our shop opens using one of our silver-toned Blessing Bowl candles. Lighting a candle sounds simple but to us it is a thoughtful ritual as we hold a good intention in our minds when we do. People light candles to relax, pray, meditate and change the energy of a space which makes candles quite a powerful ritualistic tool, especially when infused with well wishes or intentions. I’m a huge believer in the magic of acting with intention.

This history has shown us just how important it is to support local artisans to help preserve their wisdoms and skills before traditions are lost forever.

Photo Seyhak Son

IS EVERYTHING HANDMADE IN CAMBODIA? PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCALS AND YOUR ARTISAN TEAM IN SIEM REAP?

Photo Nataly Lee

and remain proud of the employment opportunities we have created in the local community.

There are many aid organisations in Cambodia but I saw first hand that it was more constructive to help create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities, families and even on an individual level, embrace their traditional skills to help elevate self pride. I also wanted to make a positive contribution to help create a fairer world.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CAMBODIAN WAY OF LIFE THAT YOU LOVE MOST? As a Buddhist country the Khmers have this amazing ability to be present in the moment. If they have enough for today they are grateful and trust that tomorrow will work out ok. They are kind, generous and so quick to share whatever they have. It always amazes me that the people who have the least are always the first to give. I continue to be inspired by the generosity and sincerity of the Cambodian people and love how they always have a smile and a friendly wave for everyone.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, WHICH IS A REMINDER OF JUST HOW CRITICAL GLOBAL TOURISM IS FOR CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY. WHAT DOES ‘SLOW TRAVEL’ MEAN TO YOU? People often overlook the importance of where they spend their money and who they are supporting with their dollars. In a country like Cambodia, supporting ethical and grassroots businesses while travelling can literally transform someone’s life and lift them above the poverty line.

To me, slow travel means doing your research and seeking out businesses that are ethical and genuinely supporting the local economy. An easy way to contribute to indigenous >

LEFT TO RIGHT: Saarti artisan-made, ceramic candles; Organic Lemongrass ready to be distilled credit Fauna and Flora International; Attention to detail by our ceramic artisan.

SAARTI S H I B U I

47

WHAT DOES ‘SAARTI’ MEAN AND WHERE IS SAARTI BASED? ‘Saart’ is the Khmer word for ‘beautiful’ and ‘Aarti’ is a stunning Hindu ritual of fire.

My first Aarti ceremony was on the Ganga River (Ganges) in Rishikesh in India, which is at the base of Himalaya where the Ganga River comes down from the mountains. It was a transformational and spiritual experience that has stayed with me.

The ritual of lighting a candle has always been special to me so I wanted to incorporate all of these elements into our name… SAARTI was born. We are based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

46

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

Photo courtesy Saarti

All of our candles and perfumes are handmade in Cambodia. We keep things manageable and intimate to ensure that every product is of high quality and infused with artisan pride and kindness.

We work with a talented group of young ceramicists who handcraft all of our beautiful ceramic candle vessels. As a family business their admirable skills have been passed down for generations.

The Lemongrass oil we use is organically grown and produced in Koh Kong in southern Cambodia,

by Fauna & Flora International, an organisation with David Attenborough as the Vice President. We proudly support the work they are doing to protect endangered species in the Cardamom Mountains and love that this project offers a sustainable alternative to hunting and poaching.

We will often find the director’s grandmother in the workshop, checking that the artisans are maintaining the inherited standard of quality.

Ancient Khmers were famous for their pottery skills but very sadly this tradition is dying… because artists and intellectuals were brutally targeted during the Khmer Rouge genocide.

IS THERE A DAILY RITUAL IN CAMBODIA THAT YOU RECOMMEND WITH RELATION TO THE SAARTI PRODUCT RANGE? Absolutely! All houses and businesses in Cambodia have a spirit house, which can be found either inside or outside in many beautiful shapes and sizes.

Every morning Cambodians create an offering in their spirit house that is made up with a candle, incense and flowers as a gift for the spirits, to ensure good luck and protection for the day.

I love this little ritual and we do it everyday before our shop opens using one of our silver-toned Blessing Bowl candles. Lighting a candle sounds simple but to us it is a thoughtful ritual as we hold a good intention in our minds when we do. People light candles to relax, pray, meditate and change the energy of a space which makes candles quite a powerful ritualistic tool, especially when infused with well wishes or intentions. I’m a huge believer in the magic of acting with intention.

This history has shown us just how important it is to support local artisans to help preserve their wisdoms and skills before traditions are lost forever.

Photo Seyhak Son

IS EVERYTHING HANDMADE IN CAMBODIA? PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCALS AND YOUR ARTISAN TEAM IN SIEM REAP?

Photo Nataly Lee

and remain proud of the employment opportunities we have created in the local community.

There are many aid organisations in Cambodia but I saw first hand that it was more constructive to help create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities, families and even on an individual level, embrace their traditional skills to help elevate self pride. I also wanted to make a positive contribution to help create a fairer world.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CAMBODIAN WAY OF LIFE THAT YOU LOVE MOST? As a Buddhist country the Khmers have this amazing ability to be present in the moment. If they have enough for today they are grateful and trust that tomorrow will work out ok. They are kind, generous and so quick to share whatever they have. It always amazes me that the people who have the least are always the first to give. I continue to be inspired by the generosity and sincerity of the Cambodian people and love how they always have a smile and a friendly wave for everyone.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, WHICH IS A REMINDER OF JUST HOW CRITICAL GLOBAL TOURISM IS FOR CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY. WHAT DOES ‘SLOW TRAVEL’ MEAN TO YOU? People often overlook the importance of where they spend their money and who they are supporting with their dollars. In a country like Cambodia, supporting ethical and grassroots businesses while travelling can literally transform someone’s life and lift them above the poverty line.

To me, slow travel means doing your research and seeking out businesses that are ethical and genuinely supporting the local economy. An easy way to contribute to indigenous >

LEFT TO RIGHT: Saarti artisan-made, ceramic candles; Organic Lemongrass ready to be distilled credit Fauna and Flora International; Attention to detail by our ceramic artisan.

SAARTI S H I B U I

47

communities is to buy locally-made products and also participate in activities that respect the local people and environment. But avoid anything which involves children and animals, with exceptions to animal refuges and conservation groups, but even then, discernment is advised.

IF A LOCAL COULD SHARE A TRAVEL TIP FOR A FIRST TIME VISIT TO CAMBODIA, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Give yourself time to relax and soak up the essence of Cambodia. I’ve met so many people who regret only having three days there because they thought Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples were all the country had to offer. The temples are indeed stunning and awe inspiring but Siem Reap also has world class restaurants, spas, galleries and you can easily spend days wandering around the town on foot, meeting charismatic locals and immersing yourself in the culture. The islands to the south of Cambodia are incredibly beautiful and it is still possible to find a pristine stretch of white sand and azure water all to yourself. Cambodia is more of an experience than a destination and if you allow yourself the time, you will most definitely be rewarded with memories and friendships to cherish forever.

THE SAARTI ‘KINDNESS’ CANDLES GLOW BRIGHT FOR GOOD REASON. PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE? In light of the heartbreaking impact that the global pandemic has had on Cambodia, the Saarti Kindness Collection has been created to help support our brothers and sisters in this country who are struggling to survive right now.

Siem Reap, as a tourist town has been hit hard. Almost overnight so many families lost their main income source.

There is no social security in Cambodia and many locals are now forced to hunt rats for survival! It’s a truly heartbreaking situation.

A sad truth about Cambodia is that often when families find themselves in vulnerable situations the children are pulled out of school to beg, or worse, sent to orphanages and exploited for donations, (sadly, still happening in Cambodia). Help is very much needed on this side of the world.

10% of Collection profits are donated to This Life Cambodia and M’lop Tapang, both existing to support Cambodian families in need.

The Saarti Kindness Collection is very close to my heart and really does embody what Saarti is all about… acting with kindness and giving back to the community. saarticambodia.com

“

AS A BUDDHIST COUNTRY THE KHMERS HAVE THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH FOR TODAY THEY ARE GRATEFUL AND TRUST THAT TOMORROW WILL WORK OUT OK. THEY ARE KIND, GENEROUS AND SO QUICK TO SHARE WHATEVER THEY HAVE.

SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH PURCHASE BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021

”

the kindness collection

TO PURCHASE A SAARTI KINDNESS CANDLE JUST CLICK THIS IMAGE TO VISIT THE STORE.

Beck Scougall

This photo is by Nataly Lee, as featured in her new book co-produced with Hok Kang.

'SIEM REAP: A DESIGNER’S PERSPECTIVE'

48

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

Photo Nataly Lee

(Flick to page 105 for more details.)

SAARTI S H I B U I

49

communities is to buy locally-made products and also participate in activities that respect the local people and environment. But avoid anything which involves children and animals, with exceptions to animal refuges and conservation groups, but even then, discernment is advised.

IF A LOCAL COULD SHARE A TRAVEL TIP FOR A FIRST TIME VISIT TO CAMBODIA, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Give yourself time to relax and soak up the essence of Cambodia. I’ve met so many people who regret only having three days there because they thought Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples were all the country had to offer. The temples are indeed stunning and awe inspiring but Siem Reap also has world class restaurants, spas, galleries and you can easily spend days wandering around the town on foot, meeting charismatic locals and immersing yourself in the culture. The islands to the south of Cambodia are incredibly beautiful and it is still possible to find a pristine stretch of white sand and azure water all to yourself. Cambodia is more of an experience than a destination and if you allow yourself the time, you will most definitely be rewarded with memories and friendships to cherish forever.

THE SAARTI ‘KINDNESS’ CANDLES GLOW BRIGHT FOR GOOD REASON. PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE? In light of the heartbreaking impact that the global pandemic has had on Cambodia, the Saarti Kindness Collection has been created to help support our brothers and sisters in this country who are struggling to survive right now.

Siem Reap, as a tourist town has been hit hard. Almost overnight so many families lost their main income source.

There is no social security in Cambodia and many locals are now forced to hunt rats for survival! It’s a truly heartbreaking situation.

A sad truth about Cambodia is that often when families find themselves in vulnerable situations the children are pulled out of school to beg, or worse, sent to orphanages and exploited for donations, (sadly, still happening in Cambodia). Help is very much needed on this side of the world.

10% of Collection profits are donated to This Life Cambodia and M’lop Tapang, both existing to support Cambodian families in need.

The Saarti Kindness Collection is very close to my heart and really does embody what Saarti is all about… acting with kindness and giving back to the community. saarticambodia.com

“

AS A BUDDHIST COUNTRY THE KHMERS HAVE THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH FOR TODAY THEY ARE GRATEFUL AND TRUST THAT TOMORROW WILL WORK OUT OK. THEY ARE KIND, GENEROUS AND SO QUICK TO SHARE WHATEVER THEY HAVE.

SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH PURCHASE BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021

”

the kindness collection

TO PURCHASE A SAARTI KINDNESS CANDLE JUST CLICK THIS IMAGE TO VISIT THE STORE.

Beck Scougall

This photo is by Nataly Lee, as featured in her new book co-produced with Hok Kang.

'SIEM REAP: A DESIGNER’S PERSPECTIVE'

48

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE in cambodia

Photo Nataly Lee

(Flick to page 105 for more details.)

SAARTI S H I B U I

49

slow made

THOUSANDS OF

islands WOVEN IN TIME

SLOW made Threads of life destination INDONESIA interview with William Ingram with jean howe (FOUNDERs) photography kindly contributed by jean howe

WITH OVER 17,000 TROPICAL ISLANDS TO CALL HOME, INDONESIA IS A CULTURAL FASCINATION. FROM BATIK TO BETEL NUTS AND EVERY ISLAND CULTURE IN BETWEEN, THIS REGION HAS SOME OF THE WORLD'S POOREST PLACES BUT IS SO RICH WITH ISLAND LIFE TRADITIONS. SINCE LAUNCHING IN 1998, THREADS OF LIFE HAVE BEEN WORKING DIRECTLY WITH MORE THAN 35 ARTISAN GROUPS ON ISLANDS FROM KALIMANTAN TO TIMOR, TO HELP EMPOWER COMMUNITIES AND PRESERVE ANCIENT CULTURES, UINQUE TO THIS GREAT ARCHIPELAGO'S HUMBLE EXISTENCE. 50

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

>

threads of life S H I B U I

51

slow made

THOUSANDS OF

islands WOVEN IN TIME

SLOW made Threads of life destination INDONESIA interview with William Ingram with jean howe (FOUNDERs) photography kindly contributed by jean howe

WITH OVER 17,000 TROPICAL ISLANDS TO CALL HOME, INDONESIA IS A CULTURAL FASCINATION. FROM BATIK TO BETEL NUTS AND EVERY ISLAND CULTURE IN BETWEEN, THIS REGION HAS SOME OF THE WORLD'S POOREST PLACES BUT IS SO RICH WITH ISLAND LIFE TRADITIONS. SINCE LAUNCHING IN 1998, THREADS OF LIFE HAVE BEEN WORKING DIRECTLY WITH MORE THAN 35 ARTISAN GROUPS ON ISLANDS FROM KALIMANTAN TO TIMOR, TO HELP EMPOWER COMMUNITIES AND PRESERVE ANCIENT CULTURES, UINQUE TO THIS GREAT ARCHIPELAGO'S HUMBLE EXISTENCE. 50

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

>

threads of life S H I B U I

51

Photo Teman Kerja

AS THE LARGEST ARCHIPELAGO IN THE WORLD, INDONESIA IS A MAGNIFICENT SPRINKLE OF MORE THAN 17,000 TROPICAL ISLANDS! (APPROX. 6,000 ARE INHABITED.) THREADS OF LIFE PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE TO HELP PRESERVE SO MANY UNIQUE COMMUNITIES AND ANCIENT CULTURES ONLY FOUND IN THIS REGION. SINCE LAUNCHING IN 1998, HOW IS EVERYTHING PROGRESSING? When we started, our focus on highquality, natural-dyed textiles strongly differentiated us from both the global market and the communities where textiles were made. In the villages, trends moved away from what was being portrayed as old fashioned.

Recent years have seen a resurgence of local cultural pride and the wearing of traditional cloth, with the wealthy and high-ranking officials seeking to distinguish themselves by wearing natural-dyed work. The best dyers and weavers can do well selling their work, but it is at the edges of the traditions that weavers are falling away and taking up other means of income. The risk is that the overall tradition erodes over time.

HOW DID ‘THREADS OF LIFE’ BEGIN? My wife Jean and I moved to Bali in 1993, to further our personal interests in Indonesia’s diverse traditional cultures by leading tours of Bali and the Nusa Tenggara islands of southeast Indonesia. During the Asian Economic Crisis of 1998 and one of the severest El Nino-induced droughts in living memory, we saw people in 52

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Tying threads in Karutaun, Sulawesi; Carefully tied threads that will create a pattern on a woven textile; Working on a back strap loom in Timor; Ikat threads tied and dyed ready on a back strap loom, stored until the weaver has time to sit down and weave.

PREVIOUS PAGE: Often working at home, the threads on an ikat frame are ready to place on a back strap loom. THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Founders of Threads of Life, Jean Howe and William Ingram; Aligning a loom with warp tied and dyed threads before weaving.

the communities we were visiting with no money or food, only their heirlooms to sell.

To help address this economic and cultural crisis, Threads of Life was born.

Starting with a dozen weavers in the village of Lamalera on the island of Lembata we began commissioning and buying textiles from the communities we had already formed relationships with when operating the tours.

For the first three years we sold at trunk shows in America, before opening a signature store in Bali in 2001.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW, AND WHY? I grew up very comfortably in the UK, but as a young adult I felt very uneasy with the life path ahead of me. I could see how consumerism

was destroying the natural world and wanted something different. I went to Japan and then onto Bali, and it was here that I found a worldview offering some answers to my questions. Not with the Hinduism here, per se, more in the underlying culture which I found to be archipelago-wide, the more I started to travel in this region. Learning from this culture still fascinates me thirty years on.

PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR OWN PASSIONS AND PURSUITS, TO HELP RESTORE TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND CRAFTSMANSHIP IN INDONESIA? When travelling across eastern Indonesia, the material culture you see is either traditional architecture or traditional cloth. The cloth is a much more accessible art and learning about it offered me a window into a way of life so different from my own.

The focus on natural dyes created a connection to the landscape and I learnt both the dye methods and where the plants used were grown.

My passion is really to learn. It would be arrogant of me to say I’m here to save these cultures. The people will save their own cultures if they want to. But I will do what I can do to help those with a passion for maintaining the traditions from which I am learning so much.

WHERE IS THREADS OF LIFE BASED AND HOW HAVE THE ARTISAN CONNECTIONS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED WITH THESE REMOTE ISLAND COMMUNITIES OVER THE YEARS? We are based in Bali for several reasons. For Jean and I, it is where we want to live. As a tourist destination, it is the market for indigenous textiles > threads of life S H I B U I

53

Photo Teman Kerja

AS THE LARGEST ARCHIPELAGO IN THE WORLD, INDONESIA IS A MAGNIFICENT SPRINKLE OF MORE THAN 17,000 TROPICAL ISLANDS! (APPROX. 6,000 ARE INHABITED.) THREADS OF LIFE PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE TO HELP PRESERVE SO MANY UNIQUE COMMUNITIES AND ANCIENT CULTURES ONLY FOUND IN THIS REGION. SINCE LAUNCHING IN 1998, HOW IS EVERYTHING PROGRESSING? When we started, our focus on highquality, natural-dyed textiles strongly differentiated us from both the global market and the communities where textiles were made. In the villages, trends moved away from what was being portrayed as old fashioned.

Recent years have seen a resurgence of local cultural pride and the wearing of traditional cloth, with the wealthy and high-ranking officials seeking to distinguish themselves by wearing natural-dyed work. The best dyers and weavers can do well selling their work, but it is at the edges of the traditions that weavers are falling away and taking up other means of income. The risk is that the overall tradition erodes over time.

HOW DID ‘THREADS OF LIFE’ BEGIN? My wife Jean and I moved to Bali in 1993, to further our personal interests in Indonesia’s diverse traditional cultures by leading tours of Bali and the Nusa Tenggara islands of southeast Indonesia. During the Asian Economic Crisis of 1998 and one of the severest El Nino-induced droughts in living memory, we saw people in 52

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Tying threads in Karutaun, Sulawesi; Carefully tied threads that will create a pattern on a woven textile; Working on a back strap loom in Timor; Ikat threads tied and dyed ready on a back strap loom, stored until the weaver has time to sit down and weave.

PREVIOUS PAGE: Often working at home, the threads on an ikat frame are ready to place on a back strap loom. THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Founders of Threads of Life, Jean Howe and William Ingram; Aligning a loom with warp tied and dyed threads before weaving.

the communities we were visiting with no money or food, only their heirlooms to sell.

To help address this economic and cultural crisis, Threads of Life was born.

Starting with a dozen weavers in the village of Lamalera on the island of Lembata we began commissioning and buying textiles from the communities we had already formed relationships with when operating the tours.

For the first three years we sold at trunk shows in America, before opening a signature store in Bali in 2001.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW, AND WHY? I grew up very comfortably in the UK, but as a young adult I felt very uneasy with the life path ahead of me. I could see how consumerism

was destroying the natural world and wanted something different. I went to Japan and then onto Bali, and it was here that I found a worldview offering some answers to my questions. Not with the Hinduism here, per se, more in the underlying culture which I found to be archipelago-wide, the more I started to travel in this region. Learning from this culture still fascinates me thirty years on.

PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR OWN PASSIONS AND PURSUITS, TO HELP RESTORE TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND CRAFTSMANSHIP IN INDONESIA? When travelling across eastern Indonesia, the material culture you see is either traditional architecture or traditional cloth. The cloth is a much more accessible art and learning about it offered me a window into a way of life so different from my own.

The focus on natural dyes created a connection to the landscape and I learnt both the dye methods and where the plants used were grown.

My passion is really to learn. It would be arrogant of me to say I’m here to save these cultures. The people will save their own cultures if they want to. But I will do what I can do to help those with a passion for maintaining the traditions from which I am learning so much.

WHERE IS THREADS OF LIFE BASED AND HOW HAVE THE ARTISAN CONNECTIONS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED WITH THESE REMOTE ISLAND COMMUNITIES OVER THE YEARS? We are based in Bali for several reasons. For Jean and I, it is where we want to live. As a tourist destination, it is the market for indigenous textiles > threads of life S H I B U I

53

LEFT TO RIGHT: Traditional to Sulawesi, Toraja Karataun, one side of a Sekomandi textile being woven. Two panels will be woven and then sewn together to make a large blanket; Artisans working together to repair broken threads during the weaving process.

that makes the Threads of Life business work. As an organisation doing lots of field work with indigenous, animistic communities the culture of our Balinese field staff allows them to meet the communities we visit as peers with a shared world view, and this has been of enormous benefit in our work with traditional weavers.

OF THE THOUSANDS OF ISLANDS HOW MANY ISLANDS HAS THREADS OF LIFE HAD ACCESS TO AND HOW MANY ISLAND COMMUNITIES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM? We work with over 1,000 women weavers in 50 communities on 12 islands. There are many more places we would like to work but as a small organisation in such a large archipelago we are only able to do so much.

TEXTILES AND WEAVING ARE THE MOST PROMINENT TRADITIONAL CRAFTS FOUND IN THIS REGION, YET EACH ISLAND SEEMS TO HAVE A UNIQUE STYLE AND DESIGN, WHICH IS FASCINATING AND PROVES HOW PRECIOUS AND EXQUISITE CULTURAL TRADITIONS ARE TO PRESERVE. HOW 54

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

DO YOU THINK THE WORLD CAN COLLECTIVELY HELP TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES SURVIVE INTO THE FUTURE? We can help artisans sustain livelihoods by buying their work.

But to do this in a sensitive way we need to understand their craft and techniques to support the highlyskilled and tradtional craftsmanship over low-quality or mass-produced replicas. Learning how to differentiate between these levels is difficult, so finding an authoritative and responsible supplier or agent is very important. To support cultures and their world views we also need to recognise that our buying power is a force, both good and bad.

These cultures are being eroded by consumerism and yet it is our consumer spending that supports artisans and their traditional livelihoods. It's a contradiction really, but the balance of impacts can be tipped more in their favour so that their world view is as equally valued as ours. We can learn from their perspective to help guide fair trade consumerism. > threads of life S H I B U I

55

LEFT TO RIGHT: Traditional to Sulawesi, Toraja Karataun, one side of a Sekomandi textile being woven. Two panels will be woven and then sewn together to make a large blanket; Artisans working together to repair broken threads during the weaving process.

that makes the Threads of Life business work. As an organisation doing lots of field work with indigenous, animistic communities the culture of our Balinese field staff allows them to meet the communities we visit as peers with a shared world view, and this has been of enormous benefit in our work with traditional weavers.

OF THE THOUSANDS OF ISLANDS HOW MANY ISLANDS HAS THREADS OF LIFE HAD ACCESS TO AND HOW MANY ISLAND COMMUNITIES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM? We work with over 1,000 women weavers in 50 communities on 12 islands. There are many more places we would like to work but as a small organisation in such a large archipelago we are only able to do so much.

TEXTILES AND WEAVING ARE THE MOST PROMINENT TRADITIONAL CRAFTS FOUND IN THIS REGION, YET EACH ISLAND SEEMS TO HAVE A UNIQUE STYLE AND DESIGN, WHICH IS FASCINATING AND PROVES HOW PRECIOUS AND EXQUISITE CULTURAL TRADITIONS ARE TO PRESERVE. HOW 54

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

DO YOU THINK THE WORLD CAN COLLECTIVELY HELP TRADITIONAL CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES SURVIVE INTO THE FUTURE? We can help artisans sustain livelihoods by buying their work.

But to do this in a sensitive way we need to understand their craft and techniques to support the highlyskilled and tradtional craftsmanship over low-quality or mass-produced replicas. Learning how to differentiate between these levels is difficult, so finding an authoritative and responsible supplier or agent is very important. To support cultures and their world views we also need to recognise that our buying power is a force, both good and bad.

These cultures are being eroded by consumerism and yet it is our consumer spending that supports artisans and their traditional livelihoods. It's a contradiction really, but the balance of impacts can be tipped more in their favour so that their world view is as equally valued as ours. We can learn from their perspective to help guide fair trade consumerism. > threads of life S H I B U I

55

Sumba Island: The kalumbut hada (pictured above) is a beaded betel nut bag worn by the male papanggangu - a ritual representative at important ceremonies.

The hinggi (pictured left) is handwoven as two pieces and joined with an almost invisible seam. The hinggi is worn in identical pairs by the Sumbanese man, folded over the shoulder and wrapped around the hips. Individual designs and motifs express qualities associated with augmenting the wearer’s personal power during life and aiding his journey to the next world after death. Motifs are usually arranged in three to five bands of varying width.

Traditionally, the design announced a man’s social status.

ANOTHER CULTURAL FASCINATION FOR VISITORS IS THE BETEL NUT. THEY’RE A LOCAL STAPLE THROUGHOUT INDONESIA, AS WELL AS A GENEROUS CEREMONIAL OFFERING FOR GUESTS. IN FACT, THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS OF TRADITIONAL BETEL NUT CARRY POUCHES OR BAGS MADE ON THE INHABITED ISLANDS. CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BETEL NUT? WHERE ARE THEY GROWN AND SOURCED FOR DAILY CONSUMPTION? The betel nut quid is a combination of three ingredients. There is either the leaf or inflorescence of the Piper betel plant, which gives the ‘betel’ to 56

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

Photo Kim Há Quách

Betel Nuts: Pinang or betel nuts from the palm tree, Areca catechu (pictured right) are chewed from Africa to Oceania.

It is said the betel nut opens the way to honest and friendly conversation.

Chewing betel also suppresses appetites… a useful side-effect in regions where food and water are not plentiful.

A quid of pinang, with the leaves and peppery flower spikes from the malesireh plant (Piper betle), combined with powdered lime produce a mild intoxication… and those friendly, red-saliva smiles.

Flores Island: Seneng baskets (pictured right) hold the ingredients of the betel nut quid. Locals always carry betel nuts to offer their hosts, assuring a kind reception wherever they travel to other villages. The Seneng basket belongs specifically to a female traveller. This seneng basket (pictured right) has been hand-woven by master artisan Feliksia Kiren. Her floral, geometric design is rare, difficult and demonstrates Feliksia's high level of skill and craftsmanship.

the quid’s name. The ‘nut’ is from the Areca catechu palm. Both the ‘betel’ and the ‘nut’ are grown all across the archipelago. The chemistry of the quid is activated by a little slaked lime, made from limestone or mollusk shells that are burned and then doused with water. Sharing the makings of the quid is the core of good social etiquette: guests bring leaves and nuts, and hosts offer leaves, nuts and lime. Bringing and offering the quid makings in a stylish container is both respectful to the receiver and a source of pride for the giver.

SEAFARING BETWEEN ISLANDS IS TRADITIONALLY NOT SO COMMON. OR IS IT NOW? HOW DO YOU BELIEVE THESE MICRO-CULTURES HAVE SURVIVED AND CONTINUED TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN ISOLATION? THERE MUST BE SOME INVALUABLE WISDOMS TO LEARN FROM THESE INGENIOUS ISLAND COMMUNITIES? There has always been travel and trade between these islands. Motifs can be found on traditional textiles that show influence of trade from India, China and beyond, going back two millennia. Cloves that were found only in the Moluccan Islands were traded as far as Egypt over 3500 years ago. This was not an isolated corner of the human world but an integral part of it. And yet, people were not reliant on trade for survival. Complex cultures arose in response to the opportunities and limitations of each island’s environmental conditions and the ways in which people had to interact with the more-than-human world in order to live sustainably.

ABOVE: Master weavers in East Flores with traditional bride-wealth sarongs.

IT MUST BE A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE TO BE WORKING IN THIS REGION, HELPING TO RESTORE TRADITIONAL CULTURES. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A TRAVELLER CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON VISITING THE ISLANDS? Be humble. Be respectful. Come to learn. See everyone as your equal.

Seek to build relationships. We have seen tourists come into a village and just wander through people’s homes, taking pictures and posing themselves wherever they want, as if the village is a museum and the people are of no consequence. This is an extreme example but industrialised culture tends to express this hubris, unless we consciously check our cultural habits.

WHICH ISLAND COMMUNITIES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO VISIT FOR AN AUTHENTIC SLOW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE? WHAT HAS BEEN A FAVOURITE ISLAND TRAVEL MEMORY FOR YOU? Flores is a great destination.

From Komodo National Park in the west to Larantuka in the east, you can take weeks visiting villages, meeting weavers, seeing indigenous architecture. There will be well-documented places to visit everywhere. Use these lists as a start point. See which direction most people are going, then turn ninety degrees and start walking.

threadsoflife.com | threads of life S H I B U I

57

Sumba Island: The kalumbut hada (pictured above) is a beaded betel nut bag worn by the male papanggangu - a ritual representative at important ceremonies.

The hinggi (pictured left) is handwoven as two pieces and joined with an almost invisible seam. The hinggi is worn in identical pairs by the Sumbanese man, folded over the shoulder and wrapped around the hips. Individual designs and motifs express qualities associated with augmenting the wearer’s personal power during life and aiding his journey to the next world after death. Motifs are usually arranged in three to five bands of varying width.

Traditionally, the design announced a man’s social status.

ANOTHER CULTURAL FASCINATION FOR VISITORS IS THE BETEL NUT. THEY’RE A LOCAL STAPLE THROUGHOUT INDONESIA, AS WELL AS A GENEROUS CEREMONIAL OFFERING FOR GUESTS. IN FACT, THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS OF TRADITIONAL BETEL NUT CARRY POUCHES OR BAGS MADE ON THE INHABITED ISLANDS. CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BETEL NUT? WHERE ARE THEY GROWN AND SOURCED FOR DAILY CONSUMPTION? The betel nut quid is a combination of three ingredients. There is either the leaf or inflorescence of the Piper betel plant, which gives the ‘betel’ to 56

S H I B U I slow made in indonesia

Photo Kim Há Quách

Betel Nuts: Pinang or betel nuts from the palm tree, Areca catechu (pictured right) are chewed from Africa to Oceania.

It is said the betel nut opens the way to honest and friendly conversation.

Chewing betel also suppresses appetites… a useful side-effect in regions where food and water are not plentiful.

A quid of pinang, with the leaves and peppery flower spikes from the malesireh plant (Piper betle), combined with powdered lime produce a mild intoxication… and those friendly, red-saliva smiles.

Flores Island: Seneng baskets (pictured right) hold the ingredients of the betel nut quid. Locals always carry betel nuts to offer their hosts, assuring a kind reception wherever they travel to other villages. The Seneng basket belongs specifically to a female traveller. This seneng basket (pictured right) has been hand-woven by master artisan Feliksia Kiren. Her floral, geometric design is rare, difficult and demonstrates Feliksia's high level of skill and craftsmanship.

the quid’s name. The ‘nut’ is from the Areca catechu palm. Both the ‘betel’ and the ‘nut’ are grown all across the archipelago. The chemistry of the quid is activated by a little slaked lime, made from limestone or mollusk shells that are burned and then doused with water. Sharing the makings of the quid is the core of good social etiquette: guests bring leaves and nuts, and hosts offer leaves, nuts and lime. Bringing and offering the quid makings in a stylish container is both respectful to the receiver and a source of pride for the giver.

SEAFARING BETWEEN ISLANDS IS TRADITIONALLY NOT SO COMMON. OR IS IT NOW? HOW DO YOU BELIEVE THESE MICRO-CULTURES HAVE SURVIVED AND CONTINUED TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN ISOLATION? THERE MUST BE SOME INVALUABLE WISDOMS TO LEARN FROM THESE INGENIOUS ISLAND COMMUNITIES? There has always been travel and trade between these islands. Motifs can be found on traditional textiles that show influence of trade from India, China and beyond, going back two millennia. Cloves that were found only in the Moluccan Islands were traded as far as Egypt over 3500 years ago. This was not an isolated corner of the human world but an integral part of it. And yet, people were not reliant on trade for survival. Complex cultures arose in response to the opportunities and limitations of each island’s environmental conditions and the ways in which people had to interact with the more-than-human world in order to live sustainably.

ABOVE: Master weavers in East Flores with traditional bride-wealth sarongs.

IT MUST BE A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE TO BE WORKING IN THIS REGION, HELPING TO RESTORE TRADITIONAL CULTURES. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A TRAVELLER CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON VISITING THE ISLANDS? Be humble. Be respectful. Come to learn. See everyone as your equal.

Seek to build relationships. We have seen tourists come into a village and just wander through people’s homes, taking pictures and posing themselves wherever they want, as if the village is a museum and the people are of no consequence. This is an extreme example but industrialised culture tends to express this hubris, unless we consciously check our cultural habits.

WHICH ISLAND COMMUNITIES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO VISIT FOR AN AUTHENTIC SLOW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE? WHAT HAS BEEN A FAVOURITE ISLAND TRAVEL MEMORY FOR YOU? Flores is a great destination.

From Komodo National Park in the west to Larantuka in the east, you can take weeks visiting villages, meeting weavers, seeing indigenous architecture. There will be well-documented places to visit everywhere. Use these lists as a start point. See which direction most people are going, then turn ninety degrees and start walking.

threadsoflife.com | threads of life S H I B U I

57

SLOW TRAVEL

SUMBA TIME SLOW travel GLOBETROTTING destination sumba, indonesia interview with KATE PILCHER (Founder and chief guide) photography kindly contributed by NIHI Sumba and GLOBETROTTING

58

S H I B U I SLOw travel in sumba

NEED WE SAY MORE? WELL YES. ADD… DISCOVERING EMPTY STRETCHES OF WHITE SAND BEACHES FRINGED WITH PALM TREES AND DREAMY-BLUE WATER, REMOTE VILLAGES AND SAMPLING LOCAL HOSPITALITY, FESTIVITIES AND CUISINE… ALL WHILE RIDING ON THE BACK OF A HORSE! AND DID WE MENTION STAYING AT THE 'BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD'!?

THIS IS NOT JUST A PICTURE-PERFECT POSTCARD WAITING TO BE TAKEN. THIS IS A GLOBETROTTING HORSE-RIDING HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME, AND SUMBA MAY VERY WELL BE THE BEST KEPT SECRET ON THE PLANET! GIDDY UP!

globetrotting S H I B U I

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Photo courtesy Globetrotting

RIDING ON

OH SUMBA, SWEET SUMBA! A SURPRISING LITTLE GEM THAT LOOKS AS EXOTIC AS SHE SOUNDS. NOT ONLY SUBLIMELY QUIETER IN COMPARISON WITH HER BIGGER ISLAND SISTER, BALI… SUMBA STILL BREATHES WITH OLD-ISLAND CULTURE AND CHARM.

SLOW TRAVEL

SUMBA TIME SLOW travel GLOBETROTTING destination sumba, indonesia interview with KATE PILCHER (Founder and chief guide) photography kindly contributed by NIHI Sumba and GLOBETROTTING

58

S H I B U I SLOw travel in sumba

NEED WE SAY MORE? WELL YES. ADD… DISCOVERING EMPTY STRETCHES OF WHITE SAND BEACHES FRINGED WITH PALM TREES AND DREAMY-BLUE WATER, REMOTE VILLAGES AND SAMPLING LOCAL HOSPITALITY, FESTIVITIES AND CUISINE… ALL WHILE RIDING ON THE BACK OF A HORSE! AND DID WE MENTION STAYING AT THE 'BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD'!?

THIS IS NOT JUST A PICTURE-PERFECT POSTCARD WAITING TO BE TAKEN. THIS IS A GLOBETROTTING HORSE-RIDING HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME, AND SUMBA MAY VERY WELL BE THE BEST KEPT SECRET ON THE PLANET! GIDDY UP!

globetrotting S H I B U I

59

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

RIDING ON

OH SUMBA, SWEET SUMBA! A SURPRISING LITTLE GEM THAT LOOKS AS EXOTIC AS SHE SOUNDS. NOT ONLY SUBLIMELY QUIETER IN COMPARISON WITH HER BIGGER ISLAND SISTER, BALI… SUMBA STILL BREATHES WITH OLD-ISLAND CULTURE AND CHARM.

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

We were eye-balled by elephant, chased by lions, crossed murky, teastained rivers with pods of hippos and snap-happy crocs. I fell in love with the Maasai people and their vibrant, transfixing culture. (Editor’s note: Kate was even proposed to by a toothy-grinning Maasai warrior called James.) Every waking moment of that ride, I felt alive, like I was plugged into electricity.

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

60

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

WOW! WHERE TO START? BEFORE WE ZOOM ONTO THIS SUBLIMELY UNIQUE, TRAVEL DREAM DROP IN INDONESIA, LET’S PAY TRIBUTE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATIONS, CULTURES AND MOMENTS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED UP-CLOSE ON HORSEBACK, SINCE FOUNDING YOUR TRAVEL AGENCY, GLOBETROTTING (GT). AS THE FOUNDER AND CHIEF TRAVEL GUIDE, (PLUS WIFE AND MOTHER OF THREE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS), PLEASE SHARE THAT PIVOTAL MOMENT IN LIFE, WHEN YOU KNEW YOU JUST HAD TO GRAB THIS IMMERSIVE TRAVEL ADVENTURE CONCEPT BY THE REIGNS AND GALLOP ALL OVER THE GLOBE? I pretty much had several out-of-body experiences when I was riding the pancake flat plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya in my early twenties.

I was astride a chestnut mare called Witch, (I still remember this fine stead’s name), and for seven incredible, mind-altering days I got within spitting distance of the wild things of Africa.

That particular riding safari was the birth of Globetrotting. She started as a slow burn and now some twelve years later is spread like wild fire across the globe. Modestly so, we have eager-as-can-be globetrotters based all over the world and dreamy riding destinations from Iceland through to Japan. For me, Globetrotting is my true north. It’s the air I breathe and epitomises freedom to me.

GLOBETROTTING IS DEFINITELY A TRAVEL ADVENTURE FOR WILD HEARTS. WHAT IS IT ABOUT TRAVELLING ON HORSEBACK IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY THAT IS HARD TO BEAT? You delve beneath the surface of a country when you’re globetrotting.

There is no comparison. Firstly, when riding a horse you can access regions and cultures that are inaccessible by normal tourist routes. For example, on our rides in Northern Mongolia, we ride in regions only reached via horse or reindeer. We stay with the nomadic reindeer people called the Tsaatan.

Globetrotting is raw, bold and adventurous travel… where you eat, drink, ride, dance and sing with the local people of that region.

You ride shoulder-to-shoulder with these beautiful people and share a common language and love of horses.

It's remarkable and miraculous at >

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: 'Pasola' is a traditional festival of western Sumba to celebrate the rice-planting season.

A mounted spear-fighting competition played by throwing wooden spears at the opponent while riding a horse; Founding Globetrotter, Kate Pilcher; The Nihiwatu men are traditional dancers of Sumba.

globetrotting S H I B U I

61

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

We were eye-balled by elephant, chased by lions, crossed murky, teastained rivers with pods of hippos and snap-happy crocs. I fell in love with the Maasai people and their vibrant, transfixing culture. (Editor’s note: Kate was even proposed to by a toothy-grinning Maasai warrior called James.) Every waking moment of that ride, I felt alive, like I was plugged into electricity.

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

60

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

WOW! WHERE TO START? BEFORE WE ZOOM ONTO THIS SUBLIMELY UNIQUE, TRAVEL DREAM DROP IN INDONESIA, LET’S PAY TRIBUTE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY DESTINATIONS, CULTURES AND MOMENTS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED UP-CLOSE ON HORSEBACK, SINCE FOUNDING YOUR TRAVEL AGENCY, GLOBETROTTING (GT). AS THE FOUNDER AND CHIEF TRAVEL GUIDE, (PLUS WIFE AND MOTHER OF THREE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS), PLEASE SHARE THAT PIVOTAL MOMENT IN LIFE, WHEN YOU KNEW YOU JUST HAD TO GRAB THIS IMMERSIVE TRAVEL ADVENTURE CONCEPT BY THE REIGNS AND GALLOP ALL OVER THE GLOBE? I pretty much had several out-of-body experiences when I was riding the pancake flat plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya in my early twenties.

I was astride a chestnut mare called Witch, (I still remember this fine stead’s name), and for seven incredible, mind-altering days I got within spitting distance of the wild things of Africa.

That particular riding safari was the birth of Globetrotting. She started as a slow burn and now some twelve years later is spread like wild fire across the globe. Modestly so, we have eager-as-can-be globetrotters based all over the world and dreamy riding destinations from Iceland through to Japan. For me, Globetrotting is my true north. It’s the air I breathe and epitomises freedom to me.

GLOBETROTTING IS DEFINITELY A TRAVEL ADVENTURE FOR WILD HEARTS. WHAT IS IT ABOUT TRAVELLING ON HORSEBACK IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY THAT IS HARD TO BEAT? You delve beneath the surface of a country when you’re globetrotting.

There is no comparison. Firstly, when riding a horse you can access regions and cultures that are inaccessible by normal tourist routes. For example, on our rides in Northern Mongolia, we ride in regions only reached via horse or reindeer. We stay with the nomadic reindeer people called the Tsaatan.

Globetrotting is raw, bold and adventurous travel… where you eat, drink, ride, dance and sing with the local people of that region.

You ride shoulder-to-shoulder with these beautiful people and share a common language and love of horses.

It's remarkable and miraculous at >

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: 'Pasola' is a traditional festival of western Sumba to celebrate the rice-planting season.

A mounted spear-fighting competition played by throwing wooden spears at the opponent while riding a horse; Founding Globetrotter, Kate Pilcher; The Nihiwatu men are traditional dancers of Sumba.

globetrotting S H I B U I

61

TO SAY YOU ARE AN EQUESTRIENNE IS PROBABLY AN UNDERSTATEMENT BECAUSE YOUR DEVOTION AND HORSEMANSHIP GO FAR BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY PADDOCK. WHAT’S THE SECRET CODE BETWEEN YOU AND THE MANY SAVVY HORSES YOU’VE RIDDEN, THAT CREATES THAT INSTANT BOND AND POWERFUL TRUST YOU MUST NEED WHEN GALLOPING THROUGH FOREIGN TERRAIN? You're absolutely right! The bright and shining star to all of our Globetrotting rides are the horses. I've been privileged to be partnered with the most amazing horses throughout my GT career. Each ride brings a new favourite horse. And the bond that

62

S H I B U I slow TRAVEL in sumba

you form when riding and connecting with your horse for five to ten days is indescribable. There is an unspeakable and mutual trust that needs to be formed between you and your horse to safely cross varied terrain.

For me, when I meet my equine partner for the first time, I'll instinctively stroke their eye and blow in their nose.

When I'm in the saddle for the first couple of hours I don't ask too much of my horse, nor put any pressure on them, so we can work each other out.

It's a true gift to rendezvous with these sentient beings on a daily basis.

YOU ‘TEST’ RIDE EVERY GLOBETROTTING HOLIDAY FIRST. AS A FEARLESS TRAVELLER WITH SOME EPIC ADVENTURES SOLO AND WITH

YOUR FAMILY, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE ‘TEST’ RIDE TO DATE? There are so many, but the ride that bubbles to the surface first was our exploratory ride in Iceland in 2018.

Alongside my husband, Steven, we travelled across the globe with our third youngest daughter, Poppy who was 8-months at the time. Just saying this, makes me realise how insane we were! Alongside ten other globetrotters we rode for 8 days herding a mob of 70 Icelandic horses to the third-largest glacier in Iceland. Poppy was in the support vehicle with our amazing nanny and I remember jumping off the horse, breast-feeding her on lunch breaks and jumping back on the horse.

We would swap horses three times a day, ‘tölting’ across the lunar-scape

of the Icelandic wilderness. It was phenomenal and I can't WAIT to return with all three of my daughters for the reunion ride.

HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED FROM THE SADDLE? IS THERE ONE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS SO PROFOUND IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? I've been privileged to explore 24 countries between the ears of a horse.

It all feels like a dream while we're knee-deep in Covid and our travel wings are momentarily clipped. And if I linger too long in past travel memories, I start to feel nauseous with nostalgia.

Argentina has certainly shaped the person I am today. I was fortunate to spend 9 months working on a remote estancia in Patagonia, learning Spanish while working alongside the gauchos and educating young horses.

It was a simple, beautiful existence that I've tried to weave into our family life here on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

Every time I return to Patagonia, Argentina I have an overwhelming > feeling of returning home.

GLOBETROTTING S H I B U I

63

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

the same time. Globetrotting crosses cultures and brings people together no matter their colour or creed.

TO SAY YOU ARE AN EQUESTRIENNE IS PROBABLY AN UNDERSTATEMENT BECAUSE YOUR DEVOTION AND HORSEMANSHIP GO FAR BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY PADDOCK. WHAT’S THE SECRET CODE BETWEEN YOU AND THE MANY SAVVY HORSES YOU’VE RIDDEN, THAT CREATES THAT INSTANT BOND AND POWERFUL TRUST YOU MUST NEED WHEN GALLOPING THROUGH FOREIGN TERRAIN? You're absolutely right! The bright and shining star to all of our Globetrotting rides are the horses. I've been privileged to be partnered with the most amazing horses throughout my GT career. Each ride brings a new favourite horse. And the bond that

62

S H I B U I slow TRAVEL in sumba

you form when riding and connecting with your horse for five to ten days is indescribable. There is an unspeakable and mutual trust that needs to be formed between you and your horse to safely cross varied terrain.

For me, when I meet my equine partner for the first time, I'll instinctively stroke their eye and blow in their nose.

When I'm in the saddle for the first couple of hours I don't ask too much of my horse, nor put any pressure on them, so we can work each other out.

It's a true gift to rendezvous with these sentient beings on a daily basis.

YOU ‘TEST’ RIDE EVERY GLOBETROTTING HOLIDAY FIRST. AS A FEARLESS TRAVELLER WITH SOME EPIC ADVENTURES SOLO AND WITH

YOUR FAMILY, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE ‘TEST’ RIDE TO DATE? There are so many, but the ride that bubbles to the surface first was our exploratory ride in Iceland in 2018.

Alongside my husband, Steven, we travelled across the globe with our third youngest daughter, Poppy who was 8-months at the time. Just saying this, makes me realise how insane we were! Alongside ten other globetrotters we rode for 8 days herding a mob of 70 Icelandic horses to the third-largest glacier in Iceland. Poppy was in the support vehicle with our amazing nanny and I remember jumping off the horse, breast-feeding her on lunch breaks and jumping back on the horse.

We would swap horses three times a day, ‘tölting’ across the lunar-scape

of the Icelandic wilderness. It was phenomenal and I can't WAIT to return with all three of my daughters for the reunion ride.

HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED FROM THE SADDLE? IS THERE ONE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS SO PROFOUND IT CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? I've been privileged to explore 24 countries between the ears of a horse.

It all feels like a dream while we're knee-deep in Covid and our travel wings are momentarily clipped. And if I linger too long in past travel memories, I start to feel nauseous with nostalgia.

Argentina has certainly shaped the person I am today. I was fortunate to spend 9 months working on a remote estancia in Patagonia, learning Spanish while working alongside the gauchos and educating young horses.

It was a simple, beautiful existence that I've tried to weave into our family life here on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

Every time I return to Patagonia, Argentina I have an overwhelming > feeling of returning home.

GLOBETROTTING S H I B U I

63

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

the same time. Globetrotting crosses cultures and brings people together no matter their colour or creed.

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

OH SUMBA, SWEET SUMBA… A LITTLE GEM THAT LOOKS AS EXOTIC AS SHE SOUNDS. IN ONE SENTENCE, CAN YOU TELL US WHY TO BOOK A GLOBETROTTING HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY TO THIS SURPRISING DESTINATION? It's the BEST kept secret on the planet!

NOT ONLY A SUBLIMELY UNIQUE AND QUIETER ISLAND IN COMPARISON WITH HER BIGGER (AND MOST POPULAR) INDONESIAN SISTER, BALI… SUMBA IS BLESSED WITH MESMERISING BEAUTY, ANCIENT CULTURE, SLOW WORLD CHARM AND ‘THE WORLD’S BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD’! HOW DID YOU MEET HER KATE? AND WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL IMPRESSION? Her name was whispered to me by an on-the-pulse, well respected travel journalist. I couldn't believe that a horse culture-rich travel destination was right under my nose.

I was completely oblivious. The more research I conducted the deeper my desire to venture there. And it was SO MUCH better than I could ever expect.

As soon as we stepped out of the one-room airport, the humidity hit us in the face. It was the waft of burning incense and the bright smiles of the Sumbanese that saw us fall head-overheels in love with this tiny, big-hearted island. And the two hour transfer from airport to hotel was pure luxe. We cruised through tiny villages while we sipped on freshly cut coconuts and ate freshly baked pastries. The girls were bug-eyed for the entire journey, gasping at the buffaloes, goats, chooks, horses roaming the dirt streets and the architecture of the Sumba huts with their quaint high-pitched, thatched roofs.

ON ARRIVAL ON THE ISLAND WAS IT EASY TO EXPLORE AND MINGLE IN WITH LOCAL LIFE? What I love about Globetrotting's Sumba ride is how island life is weaved so beautifully into the itinerary. That's really important to us as a travel company. That our guests can ride alongside the local people and really understand their daily life.

I felt like I was stepping into a forgotten world; creeping through palm tree groves, going on wild and free canters along pristine coastlines, sitting crosslegged with locals in their homes chewing betel nut while learning about their daily existence, swimming bareback in shimmering turquoise oceans, interrupting herds of water buffalo as they wallow in the rice fields and trotting through lush, fragrant rainforest.

TELL US ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL HORSE CULTURE ON THE ISLAND? For the people of Sumba, life is inseparable from their horses. The Sumbanese soul is spiritually linked to the horse and that’s why this island excites Globetrotting to no end. Sumba horse culture is wild and exciting and the backbone to this ride.

It’s believed horses have been part of Sumba life since the mid 18th century.

The Sumbawa pony breed is named after the island on which they’re bred.

These horses are quick, agile, athletic and fast, with great endurance and

a willing temperament. The Sumba and Sumbawa ponies have a heavy head, short, muscular neck and low withers. In village life the Sumbawa ponies are used for packing, riding, light draft work and of course Pasola, (A horse-mounted, spear-fighting competition originating in western Sumba,) The other breed of horse is the Sandalwood pony which is named after the Sandalwood trees which were a major export of the country.

The Sandalwood pony is one of the finest in the country, partly due to the Arabian blood running through their veins. They are exported to Southeast Asia for racing and also amateur bareback racing on the island.

WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE ON THE ISLAND AND WHERE CAN YOU RIDE? It’s magic! You have the quintessential white sand beaches with bluer than blue water. A coastline fringed in palm trees. And then you creep back into lush, chartreuse-green knolls, water meadows of rice and swirling dirt tracks. It's a wonderland with much diversity and varied terrain. The perfect landscape to explore from a horse.

WHAT’S A MOST MEMORABLE ENCOUNTER YOU HAD WITH LOCALS? Funny you should ask. On one of the days, we rode to a local village that was a 3 hour ride away. When we reached the village we were invited to join a family in their house. With >

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: 'Pasola'; Horses are integral with the Sumba way of life, ever since the mid 18th century; Breakfast with beach view at the Ombak restaurant at Nihi Sumba resort; Local betel nut supplier; Kate's customery introduction to local betel nuts…(eeew).

64

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

globetrotting S H I B U I

65

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

OH SUMBA, SWEET SUMBA… A LITTLE GEM THAT LOOKS AS EXOTIC AS SHE SOUNDS. IN ONE SENTENCE, CAN YOU TELL US WHY TO BOOK A GLOBETROTTING HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY TO THIS SURPRISING DESTINATION? It's the BEST kept secret on the planet!

NOT ONLY A SUBLIMELY UNIQUE AND QUIETER ISLAND IN COMPARISON WITH HER BIGGER (AND MOST POPULAR) INDONESIAN SISTER, BALI… SUMBA IS BLESSED WITH MESMERISING BEAUTY, ANCIENT CULTURE, SLOW WORLD CHARM AND ‘THE WORLD’S BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD’! HOW DID YOU MEET HER KATE? AND WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL IMPRESSION? Her name was whispered to me by an on-the-pulse, well respected travel journalist. I couldn't believe that a horse culture-rich travel destination was right under my nose.

I was completely oblivious. The more research I conducted the deeper my desire to venture there. And it was SO MUCH better than I could ever expect.

As soon as we stepped out of the one-room airport, the humidity hit us in the face. It was the waft of burning incense and the bright smiles of the Sumbanese that saw us fall head-overheels in love with this tiny, big-hearted island. And the two hour transfer from airport to hotel was pure luxe. We cruised through tiny villages while we sipped on freshly cut coconuts and ate freshly baked pastries. The girls were bug-eyed for the entire journey, gasping at the buffaloes, goats, chooks, horses roaming the dirt streets and the architecture of the Sumba huts with their quaint high-pitched, thatched roofs.

ON ARRIVAL ON THE ISLAND WAS IT EASY TO EXPLORE AND MINGLE IN WITH LOCAL LIFE? What I love about Globetrotting's Sumba ride is how island life is weaved so beautifully into the itinerary. That's really important to us as a travel company. That our guests can ride alongside the local people and really understand their daily life.

I felt like I was stepping into a forgotten world; creeping through palm tree groves, going on wild and free canters along pristine coastlines, sitting crosslegged with locals in their homes chewing betel nut while learning about their daily existence, swimming bareback in shimmering turquoise oceans, interrupting herds of water buffalo as they wallow in the rice fields and trotting through lush, fragrant rainforest.

TELL US ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL HORSE CULTURE ON THE ISLAND? For the people of Sumba, life is inseparable from their horses. The Sumbanese soul is spiritually linked to the horse and that’s why this island excites Globetrotting to no end. Sumba horse culture is wild and exciting and the backbone to this ride.

It’s believed horses have been part of Sumba life since the mid 18th century.

The Sumbawa pony breed is named after the island on which they’re bred.

These horses are quick, agile, athletic and fast, with great endurance and

a willing temperament. The Sumba and Sumbawa ponies have a heavy head, short, muscular neck and low withers. In village life the Sumbawa ponies are used for packing, riding, light draft work and of course Pasola, (A horse-mounted, spear-fighting competition originating in western Sumba,) The other breed of horse is the Sandalwood pony which is named after the Sandalwood trees which were a major export of the country.

The Sandalwood pony is one of the finest in the country, partly due to the Arabian blood running through their veins. They are exported to Southeast Asia for racing and also amateur bareback racing on the island.

WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE ON THE ISLAND AND WHERE CAN YOU RIDE? It’s magic! You have the quintessential white sand beaches with bluer than blue water. A coastline fringed in palm trees. And then you creep back into lush, chartreuse-green knolls, water meadows of rice and swirling dirt tracks. It's a wonderland with much diversity and varied terrain. The perfect landscape to explore from a horse.

WHAT’S A MOST MEMORABLE ENCOUNTER YOU HAD WITH LOCALS? Funny you should ask. On one of the days, we rode to a local village that was a 3 hour ride away. When we reached the village we were invited to join a family in their house. With >

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: 'Pasola'; Horses are integral with the Sumba way of life, ever since the mid 18th century; Breakfast with beach view at the Ombak restaurant at Nihi Sumba resort; Local betel nut supplier; Kate's customery introduction to local betel nuts…(eeew).

64

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

globetrotting S H I B U I

65

66 S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba globetrotting S H I B U I

67

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

66 S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba globetrotting S H I B U I

67

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Globetrotting

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

bare feet we sat cross-legged on the thatched deck and were asked if we wanted to try betel nut. It would be rude to say no, right? As soon as I chewed down on the betel nut my mouth was retching with the bitterness.

(It’s customary to spit and chew, spit and chew.) All the elders in the village were giggling at my distaste for their loved betel nut.

AND, THE DREAM DOESN’T STOP AFTER THE RIDE EITHER. WHEN OFF THE SADDLE, GT RIDERS RECOVER IN THE LUXURIOUS SURROUNDS OF THE FIVE STAR RESORT, NIHI SUMBA, WHICH FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

68

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

HAS WON ‘BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD’!

SO HOW DO YOU RATE NIHI SUMBA? Let's just clarify… you get your own private pool and your own butler when you stay at Nihi Sumba.

‘Excuse me… say what!?…’

Yep! It’s off-the-charts, 'I'm a celebrity’ kind of luxury. Steven and I were accommodated with a bedroom the size of our house! And don't get me started on the food, wine and cocktail hour! If you're looking for a hallmark travel experience to treat yourself, this one is it. And as soon as international travel opens up, we're SUPER keen to return.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT WHILE ON A HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY ON SUMBA? It sounds cliché but your camera.

Seriously. The colours are so vivid. The experiences are unbelievable. This will be a riding holiday that you will remember until your last breath.

AS A GLOBAL TRAVEL AGENCY THERE IS NO DOUBT YOUR COMMUNITY HAVE MISSED TRAVEL LATELY. HOW DO YOU THINK GLOBAL TOURISM WILL RESPOND TO GETTING BACK ON THE TRAVEL SADDLE AGAIN? When international travel re-opens again there will be a shift towards

small group travel, remote travel, adventure travel. More meaningful, deeply-felt experiences… where we remove ourselves from the outside in search of raw, wild and authentic travel experiences. Fortunately, Globetrotting has always and will always lean in this direction. And there is nothing quite like social distancing from the back of a horse.

Our travel will always be crowd-free because we're all about taking the path less travelled. That's the beating heart of GT. globetrotting.com.au |

globetrotting S H I B U I

69

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

Photo courtesy Nihi Sumba

bare feet we sat cross-legged on the thatched deck and were asked if we wanted to try betel nut. It would be rude to say no, right? As soon as I chewed down on the betel nut my mouth was retching with the bitterness.

(It’s customary to spit and chew, spit and chew.) All the elders in the village were giggling at my distaste for their loved betel nut.

AND, THE DREAM DOESN’T STOP AFTER THE RIDE EITHER. WHEN OFF THE SADDLE, GT RIDERS RECOVER IN THE LUXURIOUS SURROUNDS OF THE FIVE STAR RESORT, NIHI SUMBA, WHICH FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

68

S H I B U I SLOW travel in sumba

HAS WON ‘BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD’!

SO HOW DO YOU RATE NIHI SUMBA? Let's just clarify… you get your own private pool and your own butler when you stay at Nihi Sumba.

‘Excuse me… say what!?…’

Yep! It’s off-the-charts, 'I'm a celebrity’ kind of luxury. Steven and I were accommodated with a bedroom the size of our house! And don't get me started on the food, wine and cocktail hour! If you're looking for a hallmark travel experience to treat yourself, this one is it. And as soon as international travel opens up, we're SUPER keen to return.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT WHILE ON A HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY ON SUMBA? It sounds cliché but your camera.

Seriously. The colours are so vivid. The experiences are unbelievable. This will be a riding holiday that you will remember until your last breath.

AS A GLOBAL TRAVEL AGENCY THERE IS NO DOUBT YOUR COMMUNITY HAVE MISSED TRAVEL LATELY. HOW DO YOU THINK GLOBAL TOURISM WILL RESPOND TO GETTING BACK ON THE TRAVEL SADDLE AGAIN? When international travel re-opens again there will be a shift towards

small group travel, remote travel, adventure travel. More meaningful, deeply-felt experiences… where we remove ourselves from the outside in search of raw, wild and authentic travel experiences. Fortunately, Globetrotting has always and will always lean in this direction. And there is nothing quite like social distancing from the back of a horse.

Our travel will always be crowd-free because we're all about taking the path less travelled. That's the beating heart of GT. globetrotting.com.au |

globetrotting S H I B U I

69

slow made

WHERE LIFE IS

indah SLOW made MAKE A SCENE!

destination BALI, INDONESIA

interview with CHLOE rose Quinn (creative director)

STEALING HEARTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, BALI IS ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED AS THE ‘DREAM SCENE’ TRAVEL DESTINATION. BUT ADDING TO HER MULTI-SENSORIAL ISLAND EXPERIENCE ARE THE SLOW-WOVEN CREATIONS THAT ONLY EMBELLISH BALI'S INTOXICATING ALLURE.

70

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

71

Photo Juraj Sedlak

NATURAL, SUSTAINABLE AND INCREDIBLE… THE ARTISAN TEAM AT 'MAKE A SCENE' COMBINE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH WILD IMAGINATION TO CREATE THEATRICAL DESIGNS SET TO TAKE THE WORLD STAGE, WITHOUT BEING WASTEFUL.

slow made

WHERE LIFE IS

indah SLOW made MAKE A SCENE!

destination BALI, INDONESIA

interview with CHLOE rose Quinn (creative director)

STEALING HEARTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, BALI IS ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED AS THE ‘DREAM SCENE’ TRAVEL DESTINATION. BUT ADDING TO HER MULTI-SENSORIAL ISLAND EXPERIENCE ARE THE SLOW-WOVEN CREATIONS THAT ONLY EMBELLISH BALI'S INTOXICATING ALLURE.

70

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

71

Photo Juraj Sedlak

NATURAL, SUSTAINABLE AND INCREDIBLE… THE ARTISAN TEAM AT 'MAKE A SCENE' COMBINE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH WILD IMAGINATION TO CREATE THEATRICAL DESIGNS SET TO TAKE THE WORLD STAGE, WITHOUT BEING WASTEFUL.

Photo Teri B Photography

Photo Juraj Sedlak

“

…THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH EVER, WAS MY DISCOVERY OF THE WEAVERS IN MENGWI, WHICH SHONE THE LIGHT… ‘MAKE A SCENE!’ IS A BALI-BASED ARTISAN TEAM THAT CREATE LARGERTHAN-LIFE SCULPTURES, ART SCAPES AND EVENT SETTINGS THAT EMBRACE EVERYTHING TRUE TO THE BALINESE WAY: CULTURAL STORYTELLING, TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, ARTISAN INGENUITY, NATURAL BEAUTY, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, CEREMONIAL SYMBOLISM, SPIRITUALITY AND CELEBRATION FOR PEACE, LOVE AND JOY. HOW DID THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF ‘MAKE A SCENE’ COME TO LIGHT? 'Make A Scene!' is a play on words. I come from a theatrical background where I was trained to make scenes from plays come to life! On moving to Bali and witnessing the theatricality of wedding decorations on the island, I felt liberated to continue to think big and grandiose with my designs.

But the biggest breakthrough ever, was my discovery of the weavers in Mengwi, which shone the light on leaves being the key material of choice for creating beautiful art. This collaboration with these local weaving artisans led to 'Make A Scene Bali!'.

72

S H I B U I slow made in bali

YOUR VISION IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF WHY FOLLOWING HEART CAN GO BEYOND SELF TO RADIATE MORE JOY TO THE WORLD. WHEN DID ‘MAKE A SCENE’ MAKE COMPLETE SENSE AS A DECISION TO RELOCATE YOUR WORK/ LIFE FROM THE UK TO BALI? I first came out to Bali on holiday at the start of my university degree. We stayed in a home stay in a traditional village called Bona, and the family were so welcoming, immersing us into the way of local Balinese culture.

It was on that first trip that I fell in love with the island, the colours, the craftsmanship, the landscape… and I returned year, after year, after year.

It’s the place that makes my soul happy. The original family I was staying with introduced me to a local artisan workshop that built and installed carved polystyrene wedding dekorasi (decorations). They were happy to take me on as an apprentice, so I took the plunge and moved to Bali for a six month trial. It was the best move I’ve ever made and Bali has looked after me ever since.

”

CHLOE ROSE QUINN

YOU’RE AN AWARD-WINNING SET DESIGNER ORIGINALLY TRAINED WITH IMPRESSIVE CAREER EXPERIENCE IN THE UK. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND THEN WORK IN THE UK? WHERE DO YOU LIVE AND WORK NOW? I was born and raised in Bristol, England and studied Theatre Design in Cardiff, at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where I was an award-winning student. Unfortunately, in the world of theatre, it can often be at the direction of a theatre Director, where individual creativity for a designer can be crushed. That’s when I knew theatre would not be my industry of choice to pursue.

Starting out as a freelance designer, I did find it challenging to find a creative area to best fit my passions and skills. But the light bulb moment came on completing a very successful design project for a themed wedding reception.

I’m now living in Ubud, Bali and the team and I create event sets and designs all over Bali and beyond, most recently exporting our work to New York.

AS THE FOUNDING CREATIVE DIRECTOR BEHIND THESE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED SCENES, PLEASE SHARE YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION AS WELL AS THE WONDERFUL REWARDS THAT MUST COME FROM WORKING WITH THE LOCAL ARTISANS USING TRADITIONAL MATERIALS AND METHODS. My training as a Theatre Designer has taught me to be like a magpie in my research. I look at catwalk designs, fashion shoots, fine art sculptures, installations, theatre sets and nature.

In addition to all of this, it is Bali’s rich culture, heritage and religious rituals that continue to fascinate me.

Travel too! I am constantly taking photos and making notes whenever I travel. I have 37,000 photos stored on my phone as well as a photographic memory for facts. Like a treasure trove of potential ideas just waiting for the right time to bloom.

And I count my blessings every day for the day that I met Gus Ari… my creative partner. He too is an innovator who thinks outside the box, and, unusual for the Balinese, > he is a risk taker! He’s my kindred

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

73

Photo Teri B Photography

Photo Juraj Sedlak

“

…THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH EVER, WAS MY DISCOVERY OF THE WEAVERS IN MENGWI, WHICH SHONE THE LIGHT… ‘MAKE A SCENE!’ IS A BALI-BASED ARTISAN TEAM THAT CREATE LARGERTHAN-LIFE SCULPTURES, ART SCAPES AND EVENT SETTINGS THAT EMBRACE EVERYTHING TRUE TO THE BALINESE WAY: CULTURAL STORYTELLING, TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, ARTISAN INGENUITY, NATURAL BEAUTY, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, CEREMONIAL SYMBOLISM, SPIRITUALITY AND CELEBRATION FOR PEACE, LOVE AND JOY. HOW DID THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF ‘MAKE A SCENE’ COME TO LIGHT? 'Make A Scene!' is a play on words. I come from a theatrical background where I was trained to make scenes from plays come to life! On moving to Bali and witnessing the theatricality of wedding decorations on the island, I felt liberated to continue to think big and grandiose with my designs.

But the biggest breakthrough ever, was my discovery of the weavers in Mengwi, which shone the light on leaves being the key material of choice for creating beautiful art. This collaboration with these local weaving artisans led to 'Make A Scene Bali!'.

72

S H I B U I slow made in bali

YOUR VISION IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF WHY FOLLOWING HEART CAN GO BEYOND SELF TO RADIATE MORE JOY TO THE WORLD. WHEN DID ‘MAKE A SCENE’ MAKE COMPLETE SENSE AS A DECISION TO RELOCATE YOUR WORK/ LIFE FROM THE UK TO BALI? I first came out to Bali on holiday at the start of my university degree. We stayed in a home stay in a traditional village called Bona, and the family were so welcoming, immersing us into the way of local Balinese culture.

It was on that first trip that I fell in love with the island, the colours, the craftsmanship, the landscape… and I returned year, after year, after year.

It’s the place that makes my soul happy. The original family I was staying with introduced me to a local artisan workshop that built and installed carved polystyrene wedding dekorasi (decorations). They were happy to take me on as an apprentice, so I took the plunge and moved to Bali for a six month trial. It was the best move I’ve ever made and Bali has looked after me ever since.

”

CHLOE ROSE QUINN

YOU’RE AN AWARD-WINNING SET DESIGNER ORIGINALLY TRAINED WITH IMPRESSIVE CAREER EXPERIENCE IN THE UK. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND THEN WORK IN THE UK? WHERE DO YOU LIVE AND WORK NOW? I was born and raised in Bristol, England and studied Theatre Design in Cardiff, at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where I was an award-winning student. Unfortunately, in the world of theatre, it can often be at the direction of a theatre Director, where individual creativity for a designer can be crushed. That’s when I knew theatre would not be my industry of choice to pursue.

Starting out as a freelance designer, I did find it challenging to find a creative area to best fit my passions and skills. But the light bulb moment came on completing a very successful design project for a themed wedding reception.

I’m now living in Ubud, Bali and the team and I create event sets and designs all over Bali and beyond, most recently exporting our work to New York.

AS THE FOUNDING CREATIVE DIRECTOR BEHIND THESE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED SCENES, PLEASE SHARE YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION AS WELL AS THE WONDERFUL REWARDS THAT MUST COME FROM WORKING WITH THE LOCAL ARTISANS USING TRADITIONAL MATERIALS AND METHODS. My training as a Theatre Designer has taught me to be like a magpie in my research. I look at catwalk designs, fashion shoots, fine art sculptures, installations, theatre sets and nature.

In addition to all of this, it is Bali’s rich culture, heritage and religious rituals that continue to fascinate me.

Travel too! I am constantly taking photos and making notes whenever I travel. I have 37,000 photos stored on my phone as well as a photographic memory for facts. Like a treasure trove of potential ideas just waiting for the right time to bloom.

And I count my blessings every day for the day that I met Gus Ari… my creative partner. He too is an innovator who thinks outside the box, and, unusual for the Balinese, > he is a risk taker! He’s my kindred

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

73

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

75

Photo Chloe Rose Quinn

Photo Krisnacreations

Photo Krisnacreations

Photo Ran Ben-Shaya

Photo Teri Boko

Photo Chloe Rose Quinn

74

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Janger Crown-making Workshop; Families gather and share the creativity and workload for the endless ceremonial offerings (mebanten) and decorations that come with Balinese religious life; Award-winning designer and creative director at Make A Scene!, Chloe Rose Quinn; Palm leaf weaving comes in many forms; The Bona family‌ where Chloe's journey in Bali all began; Janger Crown-making Workshop.

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

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Photo Chloe Rose Quinn

Photo Krisnacreations

Photo Krisnacreations

Photo Ran Ben-Shaya

Photo Teri Boko

Photo Chloe Rose Quinn

74

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Janger Crown-making Workshop; Families gather and share the creativity and workload for the endless ceremonial offerings (mebanten) and decorations that come with Balinese religious life; Award-winning designer and creative director at Make A Scene!, Chloe Rose Quinn; Palm leaf weaving comes in many forms; The Bona family‌ where Chloe's journey in Bali all began; Janger Crown-making Workshop.

WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED BY THE ARTISANS? HOW OR WHERE HAVE THEY LEARNT THESE TRADITIONAL SKILLS? Weaving with the coconut leaf has been passed down from generation to generation, by both mothers and fathers, as families gather and share the creativity and workload for the endless ceremonial offerings (mebanten) and decorations that come with Balinese religious life.

The female role, (daughters with their mothers or grandmothers), is usually specific to the making of offerings, while the males of the house normally

76

S H I B U I slow made in bali

take on the more decorative woven work.

Gus has been great to teach and encouraged the women to weave alongside the men, keeping with tradition and quality standards.

The other key skill is definitely patience! Weaving is all about following very structured rules, one wrong fold and the weave is offcourse and you have to undo and start again. That is until you become so skilled that you can adopt ‘freestyle’ weaving, which is the technique we use when we weave our threedimensional sculptures, like dragon heads, snail shells, snakes, trees, human forms and ogres.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED? Slepan and busung leaf are the traditional materials used for weaving menganyam. We have recently introduced white lontar leaf, from the same palm leaf family, for its longevity and contrasting colour.

Other natural materials we use for embellishments are banana leaf and

Photo Juraj Sedlak

Photo Krisnacreations

spirit. Gus has assembled a team of seven outstanding weavers, men and women who in turn have undoubtedly become an extension of my family in Bali.

Behind the inspirations, I am most proud to have fostered an ethos within the team, to encourage the craftswomen, who have risen up the ranks and defied social barriers. They have become role models for their children and community in general.

trunk, fruits, doc, bark and occasional flowers. Additionally, our artisan skills of ‘cutting’ which derive from their designs for elaborate offerings augment the finer details in our work.

‘MAKE A SCENE’ IS NOT ONLY A GREAT INITIATIVE TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP ON THE ISLAND, BUT YOU ALSO HOPE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SLOW MADE PRODUCTION AS PART OF A ‘GREEN MOVEMENT’. IS EVERY SCENE THAT IS CREATED AT ‘MAKE A SCENE’ CRAFTED BY HAND USING ALL NATURAL MATERIALS? Absolutely. All of our work is made from two types of coconut leaf. The slepan and busung, both sourced from west Bali. We strive to make all of our designs as biodegradable as possible.

The finishing details are always crafted with natural materials such as bark,

fruit, wood and doc (a black hairlike material used for the roofing of Balinese temples). All of our pieces can be dismantled, the bamboo structures can be reused and all of the leaf used goes into a juicy pile of organic waste. Only when essential do we strengthen our structures and joins with wire and a nail gun. We care about the whole process of our creations and continuous learning is important too, in order to remain ecoresponsible in everything we do.

BLESSED WITH VOLCANIC BLACK SAND, MOUNTAINS, STREAMS, TERRACED, GREEN RICE FIELDS, LUSH FORESTS AND THE BEST COCONUT PALM TREES. ARE PALM TREE PLANTATIONS IN BALI SUSTAINABLY GROWN? HOW ARE MATERIALS HARVESTED? We do our research and we endeavor to source the best quality >

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

77

WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED BY THE ARTISANS? HOW OR WHERE HAVE THEY LEARNT THESE TRADITIONAL SKILLS? Weaving with the coconut leaf has been passed down from generation to generation, by both mothers and fathers, as families gather and share the creativity and workload for the endless ceremonial offerings (mebanten) and decorations that come with Balinese religious life.

The female role, (daughters with their mothers or grandmothers), is usually specific to the making of offerings, while the males of the house normally

76

S H I B U I slow made in bali

take on the more decorative woven work.

Gus has been great to teach and encouraged the women to weave alongside the men, keeping with tradition and quality standards.

The other key skill is definitely patience! Weaving is all about following very structured rules, one wrong fold and the weave is offcourse and you have to undo and start again. That is until you become so skilled that you can adopt ‘freestyle’ weaving, which is the technique we use when we weave our threedimensional sculptures, like dragon heads, snail shells, snakes, trees, human forms and ogres.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED? Slepan and busung leaf are the traditional materials used for weaving menganyam. We have recently introduced white lontar leaf, from the same palm leaf family, for its longevity and contrasting colour.

Other natural materials we use for embellishments are banana leaf and

Photo Juraj Sedlak

Photo Krisnacreations

spirit. Gus has assembled a team of seven outstanding weavers, men and women who in turn have undoubtedly become an extension of my family in Bali.

Behind the inspirations, I am most proud to have fostered an ethos within the team, to encourage the craftswomen, who have risen up the ranks and defied social barriers. They have become role models for their children and community in general.

trunk, fruits, doc, bark and occasional flowers. Additionally, our artisan skills of ‘cutting’ which derive from their designs for elaborate offerings augment the finer details in our work.

‘MAKE A SCENE’ IS NOT ONLY A GREAT INITIATIVE TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP ON THE ISLAND, BUT YOU ALSO HOPE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SLOW MADE PRODUCTION AS PART OF A ‘GREEN MOVEMENT’. IS EVERY SCENE THAT IS CREATED AT ‘MAKE A SCENE’ CRAFTED BY HAND USING ALL NATURAL MATERIALS? Absolutely. All of our work is made from two types of coconut leaf. The slepan and busung, both sourced from west Bali. We strive to make all of our designs as biodegradable as possible.

The finishing details are always crafted with natural materials such as bark,

fruit, wood and doc (a black hairlike material used for the roofing of Balinese temples). All of our pieces can be dismantled, the bamboo structures can be reused and all of the leaf used goes into a juicy pile of organic waste. Only when essential do we strengthen our structures and joins with wire and a nail gun. We care about the whole process of our creations and continuous learning is important too, in order to remain ecoresponsible in everything we do.

BLESSED WITH VOLCANIC BLACK SAND, MOUNTAINS, STREAMS, TERRACED, GREEN RICE FIELDS, LUSH FORESTS AND THE BEST COCONUT PALM TREES. ARE PALM TREE PLANTATIONS IN BALI SUSTAINABLY GROWN? HOW ARE MATERIALS HARVESTED? We do our research and we endeavor to source the best quality >

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

77

Photo Juraj Sedlak Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo courtesy Potato Head Bali

Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo Krisnacreations

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Pemulung. A collaboration with Make A Change World; One of many 'installation days'; Commissioned work for the entrance at Potato Head Gapura; Paradise Lost exhibition. A collaboration with Rio Helmi; Janger Crown-making Workshop; Chloe checking the final details on a large installation piece, on location.

78

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

79

Photo Juraj Sedlak Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo courtesy Potato Head Bali

Photo courtesy Make A Scene!

Photo Krisnacreations

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Pemulung. A collaboration with Make A Change World; One of many 'installation days'; Commissioned work for the entrance at Potato Head Gapura; Paradise Lost exhibition. A collaboration with Rio Helmi; Janger Crown-making Workshop; Chloe checking the final details on a large installation piece, on location.

78

S H I B U I slow made in bali

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

79

“

WEAVING WITH THE COCONUT LEAF HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, BY BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS, AS FAMILIES GATHER AND SHARE THE CREATIVITY AND WORKLOAD FOR THE ENDLESS CEREMONIAL OFFERINGS AND DECORATIONS THAT COME WITH BALINESE RELIGIOUS LIFE.

”

CHLOE ROSE QUINN

80

S H I B U I slow made in bali

Photo Andika Dana Pratama

leaf from responsible farmers in west Bali. We now have our own land in Mengwi and Tabanan where we are growing our own coconut trees. This is the team’s commitment to help encourage a more sustainable way for the coconut leaf to be farmed to meet continuous demands, particularly since our switch from polystyrene dekorasi to eco dekorasi.

In doing this, we can start educating by example, best practices for farming sustainably in our area.

The lontar leaf (dried white leaf) is imported from Java and Sumba.

For clients who order an installation in dried bronze leaf, we allow our installations to dry out fully in our workshop before delivery to a client.

This allows us to monitor the inevitable shrinkage and movement of the leaf in order to safeguard the detail of the woven piece.

FROM SKETCH TO SETTING THE SCENE DESCRIBE THE PROCESS INVOLVED TO COMPLETE A SUPER-SIZED SET? Depending on the project there are a number of different stages in the preparation… from visiting the set location to creating hand sketches, mood boards, collages and for very large scale installations, constructing a maquette. Paramount to every production is clear communications with the client. With more complex commissions we provide frequent documentation of our creative progress at different stages, with videos and photos of the work in progress, directly from the workshop.

Keeping communication open at all times is very important to our clients.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WATCHING A SCENE COME TO LIFE? HOW DO YOU HOPE EACH CREATION WILL INSPIRE VIEWERS? It is magic! And each installation is as thrilling as the last. After being absorbed in creating all of the components at the workshop, our installation days deliver the final creation in situ, which is wonderful to see. As our portfolio develops and grows in detail and scale, our clientele is forever changing.

Make A Scene! is also now moving into the realm of immersive installations which inevitably takes more precision and planning, as it involves collaborations with lighting and sometimes projection and sound technicians. We aim to inspire with every creation we make.

IN CONTRAST TO YOUR PREVIOUS CAREER SCAPE IN THE UK HOW DOES IT NOW FEEL TO BE CONTRIBUTING BACK TO A VIBRANT TRADITIONAL CULTURE THAT HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST LOVED DESTINATIONS? Art is the essence of Bali. For creatives here, the art scene can be very experimental and although traditional is highly-skilled, but above all, accessible. If you have an idea here people will do their utmost to make it a reality. I have found Balinese artisans to be incredibly enterprising and willing to try something new. They will share their work, their space and their skills. They are not guarded, nor do they fear competition. They are eager to share knowledge and seem delighted to explore any of my ideas >

LEFT: Balinese ceremonial crown.

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

81

“

WEAVING WITH THE COCONUT LEAF HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, BY BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS, AS FAMILIES GATHER AND SHARE THE CREATIVITY AND WORKLOAD FOR THE ENDLESS CEREMONIAL OFFERINGS AND DECORATIONS THAT COME WITH BALINESE RELIGIOUS LIFE.

”

CHLOE ROSE QUINN

80

S H I B U I slow made in bali

Photo Andika Dana Pratama

leaf from responsible farmers in west Bali. We now have our own land in Mengwi and Tabanan where we are growing our own coconut trees. This is the team’s commitment to help encourage a more sustainable way for the coconut leaf to be farmed to meet continuous demands, particularly since our switch from polystyrene dekorasi to eco dekorasi.

In doing this, we can start educating by example, best practices for farming sustainably in our area.

The lontar leaf (dried white leaf) is imported from Java and Sumba.

For clients who order an installation in dried bronze leaf, we allow our installations to dry out fully in our workshop before delivery to a client.

This allows us to monitor the inevitable shrinkage and movement of the leaf in order to safeguard the detail of the woven piece.

FROM SKETCH TO SETTING THE SCENE DESCRIBE THE PROCESS INVOLVED TO COMPLETE A SUPER-SIZED SET? Depending on the project there are a number of different stages in the preparation… from visiting the set location to creating hand sketches, mood boards, collages and for very large scale installations, constructing a maquette. Paramount to every production is clear communications with the client. With more complex commissions we provide frequent documentation of our creative progress at different stages, with videos and photos of the work in progress, directly from the workshop.

Keeping communication open at all times is very important to our clients.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WATCHING A SCENE COME TO LIFE? HOW DO YOU HOPE EACH CREATION WILL INSPIRE VIEWERS? It is magic! And each installation is as thrilling as the last. After being absorbed in creating all of the components at the workshop, our installation days deliver the final creation in situ, which is wonderful to see. As our portfolio develops and grows in detail and scale, our clientele is forever changing.

Make A Scene! is also now moving into the realm of immersive installations which inevitably takes more precision and planning, as it involves collaborations with lighting and sometimes projection and sound technicians. We aim to inspire with every creation we make.

IN CONTRAST TO YOUR PREVIOUS CAREER SCAPE IN THE UK HOW DOES IT NOW FEEL TO BE CONTRIBUTING BACK TO A VIBRANT TRADITIONAL CULTURE THAT HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST LOVED DESTINATIONS? Art is the essence of Bali. For creatives here, the art scene can be very experimental and although traditional is highly-skilled, but above all, accessible. If you have an idea here people will do their utmost to make it a reality. I have found Balinese artisans to be incredibly enterprising and willing to try something new. They will share their work, their space and their skills. They are not guarded, nor do they fear competition. They are eager to share knowledge and seem delighted to explore any of my ideas >

LEFT: Balinese ceremonial crown.

MAKE A SCENE! S H I B U I

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Photo Teri B Photography

ANYONE MISSING BALI?

COMING SOON…

THE ASTUNGKARA TRAIL with designs that incorporate their crafts. They are also enthusiastic to incorporate contemporary ideas with their traditional designs.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME AS A LOCAL NOW LIVING IN BALI? Whenever possible I love to go to temple ceremonies, weddings, potong gigi (ceremonies to celebrate the passing into the world from teenage to adulthood), or odalans (a temple festival for the inviting of the gods), to see the many decorations, storytelling, puppetry shows, music, props and costumes! Truly a feast for the eyes and a totally immersive experience.

From the sights to the smells and the swathes of incense smoke and music…they create such a magical atmosphere. Witnessing these traditions and festivities brought me to Bali in the first place and what still keeps me here today. On a day-today basis, I am truly uplifted, just with walking my dog around the rice fields surrounding my house, talking with local farmers, which is a very seasonal experience and so good for the soul.

TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP ALL OVER THE WORLD HAS EXISTED FOR GENERATIONS, OFTEN FOR CENTURIES. HOW DO YOU THINK SLOW MADE MANUFACTURING WILL SURVIVE INTO THE FUTURE? There’s a reawakening on a global scale right now. Climate Change is being given overdue recognition and along with that, the realisation that mechanisation needs to be seriously reassessed.

‘How it is made matters’ really speaks now and people do inquire more and want to know that what they are buying has been made in a fair and sustainable way for both artisan makers and Mother Earth.

There is also more awareness for how we impact or live and how things can be done differently.

Make A Scene! is respectful of these changes and we are playing our part.

We create ‘green art’ which is locally sourced and made entirely by hand.

Our artisans have fulfilling working conditions and we contribute towards keeping Bali clean and green. makeascenebali.com |

82

S H I B U I slow made in bali

A unique, coast-to-coast Balinese pilgrimage and discovery for the mind and heart.

Click on page for more details.

The Astungkara Way is a social enterprise that allocates a portion of its profits to support local farmers taking regenerative action on Bali and to ensure Balinese youth are incentivised to engage in regenerative agriculture.

We provide education workshops and tours with locals, for locals and travellers.

astungkaraway.com SUBAK UMA LAMBING, BADUNG REGENCY, BALI, INDONESIA

Photo Teri B Photography

ANYONE MISSING BALI?

COMING SOON…

THE ASTUNGKARA TRAIL with designs that incorporate their crafts. They are also enthusiastic to incorporate contemporary ideas with their traditional designs.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME AS A LOCAL NOW LIVING IN BALI? Whenever possible I love to go to temple ceremonies, weddings, potong gigi (ceremonies to celebrate the passing into the world from teenage to adulthood), or odalans (a temple festival for the inviting of the gods), to see the many decorations, storytelling, puppetry shows, music, props and costumes! Truly a feast for the eyes and a totally immersive experience.

From the sights to the smells and the swathes of incense smoke and music…they create such a magical atmosphere. Witnessing these traditions and festivities brought me to Bali in the first place and what still keeps me here today. On a day-today basis, I am truly uplifted, just with walking my dog around the rice fields surrounding my house, talking with local farmers, which is a very seasonal experience and so good for the soul.

TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP ALL OVER THE WORLD HAS EXISTED FOR GENERATIONS, OFTEN FOR CENTURIES. HOW DO YOU THINK SLOW MADE MANUFACTURING WILL SURVIVE INTO THE FUTURE? There’s a reawakening on a global scale right now. Climate Change is being given overdue recognition and along with that, the realisation that mechanisation needs to be seriously reassessed.

‘How it is made matters’ really speaks now and people do inquire more and want to know that what they are buying has been made in a fair and sustainable way for both artisan makers and Mother Earth.

There is also more awareness for how we impact or live and how things can be done differently.

Make A Scene! is respectful of these changes and we are playing our part.

We create ‘green art’ which is locally sourced and made entirely by hand.

Our artisans have fulfilling working conditions and we contribute towards keeping Bali clean and green. makeascenebali.com |

82

S H I B U I slow made in bali

A unique, coast-to-coast Balinese pilgrimage and discovery for the mind and heart.

Click on page for more details.

The Astungkara Way is a social enterprise that allocates a portion of its profits to support local farmers taking regenerative action on Bali and to ensure Balinese youth are incentivised to engage in regenerative agriculture.

We provide education workshops and tours with locals, for locals and travellers.

astungkaraway.com SUBAK UMA LAMBING, BADUNG REGENCY, BALI, INDONESIA

global sense

IF A YOGI, YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE SOME. AND IF ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, YOU MAY BE WEARING THEM. RUDRAKSHA SEEDS HAVE BEEN TREASURED

BY HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS FOR CENTURIES AND ARE CONSIDERED THE JEWELS OF THE GODS. SO, ALTHOUGH THESE SACRED SEEDS ORIGINATED IN INDIA, IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE 'ISLAND OF THE GODS' IS A MALA-MAKING DESTINATION. AUM RUDRAKSHA DESIGNS IN BALI, HAVE BEEN GRANTED ONE POWERFUL MISSION… TO RESTORE GLOBAL PEACE BY SHARING RUDRAKSHA SEEDS TO THE WORLD… ONE PRECIOUS MALA AT A TIME.

MANY MAY KNOW THE SPIRITUAL POWERS AND SYMBOLISM OF A RUDRAKSHA SEED. THESE SACRED SEEDS HAVE BEEN THREADED INTO MALAS AND USED FOR PRAYER AND RITUALS BY HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, SIKHS AND MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR CENTURIES. RUDRAKSHA SEEDS ALSO HOLD TREMENDOUS HEALING POWERS, PROVEN TO HELP DIMINISH ILL-EASE AND PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS FOR BODY, MIND AND SOUL. PLEASE SHARE THE ARD VISION? More than 25 years ago, the famous guru Sir H.W.L Poonja, (lovingly known as Papaji) pulled Soma Temple aside (my mother), to tell her that her ‘dharma’ (destiny) was to spread the knowledge of Rudraksha seeds with the western world.

“The world would be at peace if everyone was wearing rudrakshas,” he told to her.

He believed the world needed Rudraksha seeds. Their precious properties had been hidden in India for long enough, so he granted my mother this duty as her calling.

To this day, Aum Rudraksha Designs (ARD), follows this gifted path in >

FINDING YOUR TRUE global sense aum rudraksha designs destination Bali, indonesia interview with Raven Feliz Dunk, more fondly known as Gopal, (CREATIVE/BUSINESS DIRECTOR)

84

S H I B U I global sense

aum rudraksha designs S H I B U I

85

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

AUM

global sense

IF A YOGI, YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE SOME. AND IF ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, YOU MAY BE WEARING THEM. RUDRAKSHA SEEDS HAVE BEEN TREASURED

BY HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS FOR CENTURIES AND ARE CONSIDERED THE JEWELS OF THE GODS. SO, ALTHOUGH THESE SACRED SEEDS ORIGINATED IN INDIA, IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE 'ISLAND OF THE GODS' IS A MALA-MAKING DESTINATION. AUM RUDRAKSHA DESIGNS IN BALI, HAVE BEEN GRANTED ONE POWERFUL MISSION… TO RESTORE GLOBAL PEACE BY SHARING RUDRAKSHA SEEDS TO THE WORLD… ONE PRECIOUS MALA AT A TIME.

MANY MAY KNOW THE SPIRITUAL POWERS AND SYMBOLISM OF A RUDRAKSHA SEED. THESE SACRED SEEDS HAVE BEEN THREADED INTO MALAS AND USED FOR PRAYER AND RITUALS BY HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, SIKHS AND MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR CENTURIES. RUDRAKSHA SEEDS ALSO HOLD TREMENDOUS HEALING POWERS, PROVEN TO HELP DIMINISH ILL-EASE AND PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS FOR BODY, MIND AND SOUL. PLEASE SHARE THE ARD VISION? More than 25 years ago, the famous guru Sir H.W.L Poonja, (lovingly known as Papaji) pulled Soma Temple aside (my mother), to tell her that her ‘dharma’ (destiny) was to spread the knowledge of Rudraksha seeds with the western world.

“The world would be at peace if everyone was wearing rudrakshas,” he told to her.

He believed the world needed Rudraksha seeds. Their precious properties had been hidden in India for long enough, so he granted my mother this duty as her calling.

To this day, Aum Rudraksha Designs (ARD), follows this gifted path in >

FINDING YOUR TRUE global sense aum rudraksha designs destination Bali, indonesia interview with Raven Feliz Dunk, more fondly known as Gopal, (CREATIVE/BUSINESS DIRECTOR)

84

S H I B U I global sense

aum rudraksha designs S H I B U I

85

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

AUM

Photo Lynn Theisen

AS GOPAL' IS AN UNUSUAL NAME. WHAT DOES IT MEAN OR WHERE DOES IT ORIGINATE? My birth name is Raven Feliz Dunk, but I also go by Gopal, which is my Hindu name given to me when I was very young, by Papaji himself. He felt the name Raven sounded too much like 'Ravana', (the ten headed demon). ’Gopal’ is the childhood nickname of Krishna who I have adored since I was a boy.

86

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE

WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND HOW DID YOU LAND INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL VISION WITH AUM RUDRAKSHA DESIGNS? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? I was born in America but my family moved to Bali when I was just 2 years old. I’ve lived in a few different countries over the years, both for school and to try something different, but my home and my heart have always been in Bali, where I am happily living now. I’m the Creative/ Business Director at ARD and you

Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Lynn Theisen Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

honour with intention to fulfill this vision that Papaji gave my mother.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rudraksha seeds after being boiled and naturally dried; The beautiful blue Rudraksha fruit, once ripened on the tree are hand-picked and left to dry; Raven Feliz Dunk, more fondly known as Gopal; Rudraksha tree plantation; Hand-picked harvest of the Rudraksha fruit; Aum Rudraksha Malas are hand-threaded, one seed at a time.

could say I was born into this job as it was my mother’s company to start with. I took over the day-to-day operations 5 years ago. Mum and I work together, mostly harmoniously.

Mum is the Head Designer and Spiritual Visionary for the company. We like to say I am the head, she is the heart and the staff are the life force.

IT IS SAID THAT THE RUDRAKSHA TREE WAS FORMED BY THE TEAR DROPS OF LORD SHIVA AND THAT THE SEEDS HOLD PROFOUND HEALING PROPERTIES. THE RUDRAKSHA TREE IS ICONIC TO NEPAL AND ALSO GROWS WELL IN INDIA AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALAYAS AND IN INDONESIA. WHERE AND HOW ARE THE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS SUSTAINABLY GROWN AND HARVESTED FOR ARD? All of our rudrakshas come from Indonesia. The overall quality and

energetic vibration of the rudrakshas here seem to be much higher than in other parts of the world.

Already living close to the source of the best rudrakshas was a big part of the reason Papaji was so specific to give us this mission in Bali.

All of our seeds come from local plantations. No heavy machinery or pesticides are used to harvest, thus not creating any pollution or harm to the environment. Rather, the trees purify our air, provide habitat for native animals and jobs for local farmers.

IS THERE A TRADITIONAL METHOD STILL USED TO HARVEST AND PREPARE THE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS FOR MALA PRODUCTION? (APPARENTLY THE SEEDS CAN SOMETIMES BE COVERED

BY A BLUE OUTER SHELL AND BE CALLED BLUEBERRY BEADS.) Yes. It’s actually a stunning metallic blue that is very rarely found in nature.

Beautiful! But unfortunately they don’t taste very good.

We still harvest the seeds the traditional way which is actually very simple. Once fruit is ready to pick, (ripened on the tree) they are handpicked and left to dry until the fleshy part of the fruit is easier to peel off to separate the seed. Seeds are then boiled to remove any excess flesh and then left to dry again. And that’s it! > aum rudraksha designs S H I B U I

87

Photo Lynn Theisen

AS GOPAL' IS AN UNUSUAL NAME. WHAT DOES IT MEAN OR WHERE DOES IT ORIGINATE? My birth name is Raven Feliz Dunk, but I also go by Gopal, which is my Hindu name given to me when I was very young, by Papaji himself. He felt the name Raven sounded too much like 'Ravana', (the ten headed demon). ’Gopal’ is the childhood nickname of Krishna who I have adored since I was a boy.

86

S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE

WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND HOW DID YOU LAND INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL VISION WITH AUM RUDRAKSHA DESIGNS? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? I was born in America but my family moved to Bali when I was just 2 years old. I’ve lived in a few different countries over the years, both for school and to try something different, but my home and my heart have always been in Bali, where I am happily living now. I’m the Creative/ Business Director at ARD and you

Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Lynn Theisen

Photo Lynn Theisen Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

honour with intention to fulfill this vision that Papaji gave my mother.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Rudraksha seeds after being boiled and naturally dried; The beautiful blue Rudraksha fruit, once ripened on the tree are hand-picked and left to dry; Raven Feliz Dunk, more fondly known as Gopal; Rudraksha tree plantation; Hand-picked harvest of the Rudraksha fruit; Aum Rudraksha Malas are hand-threaded, one seed at a time.

could say I was born into this job as it was my mother’s company to start with. I took over the day-to-day operations 5 years ago. Mum and I work together, mostly harmoniously.

Mum is the Head Designer and Spiritual Visionary for the company. We like to say I am the head, she is the heart and the staff are the life force.

IT IS SAID THAT THE RUDRAKSHA TREE WAS FORMED BY THE TEAR DROPS OF LORD SHIVA AND THAT THE SEEDS HOLD PROFOUND HEALING PROPERTIES. THE RUDRAKSHA TREE IS ICONIC TO NEPAL AND ALSO GROWS WELL IN INDIA AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALAYAS AND IN INDONESIA. WHERE AND HOW ARE THE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS SUSTAINABLY GROWN AND HARVESTED FOR ARD? All of our rudrakshas come from Indonesia. The overall quality and

energetic vibration of the rudrakshas here seem to be much higher than in other parts of the world.

Already living close to the source of the best rudrakshas was a big part of the reason Papaji was so specific to give us this mission in Bali.

All of our seeds come from local plantations. No heavy machinery or pesticides are used to harvest, thus not creating any pollution or harm to the environment. Rather, the trees purify our air, provide habitat for native animals and jobs for local farmers.

IS THERE A TRADITIONAL METHOD STILL USED TO HARVEST AND PREPARE THE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS FOR MALA PRODUCTION? (APPARENTLY THE SEEDS CAN SOMETIMES BE COVERED

BY A BLUE OUTER SHELL AND BE CALLED BLUEBERRY BEADS.) Yes. It’s actually a stunning metallic blue that is very rarely found in nature.

Beautiful! But unfortunately they don’t taste very good.

We still harvest the seeds the traditional way which is actually very simple. Once fruit is ready to pick, (ripened on the tree) they are handpicked and left to dry until the fleshy part of the fruit is easier to peel off to separate the seed. Seeds are then boiled to remove any excess flesh and then left to dry again. And that’s it! > aum rudraksha designs S H I B U I

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Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

S H I B U I global sense

Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

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MALAS NOW COME IN MANY DESIGNS AND MORE COMMONLY WORN AS JEWELLERY TO PROMOTE INNER-PEACE, WELLBEING, GOOD LUCK, HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND SPIRITUALITY. YOUR MALAS ARE NATURAL AND TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED BY LOCAL ARTISANS IN BALI. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF SEEDS TO THREAD EACH DAY. HOW MANY ARTISANS ARE EMPLOYED AT ARD AND HOW DOES A TYPICAL DAY MALA-MAKING IN BALI GO? Haha… a lot of beads is the truth! We go through our fair share of Rudraksha seeds to say the least. We now have 23 employees and most have worked with us for many years.

Every working day at ARD is different and could be anything from designing new collections to helping fix a leak in the roof, directing staff from the office, or sitting on the temple floor praying alone. Whether overseeing international clients, talking about the score of last nights game, signing bank documents or visiting a newborn baby to one of our artisans, every day is a surprise and a gift.

WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF WORKING WITH THE ARTISANS? The Balinese are so incredibly talented, creative and have a very strong understanding of the spiritual realm. >

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Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

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Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

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MALAS NOW COME IN MANY DESIGNS AND MORE COMMONLY WORN AS JEWELLERY TO PROMOTE INNER-PEACE, WELLBEING, GOOD LUCK, HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND SPIRITUALITY. YOUR MALAS ARE NATURAL AND TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED BY LOCAL ARTISANS IN BALI. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF SEEDS TO THREAD EACH DAY. HOW MANY ARTISANS ARE EMPLOYED AT ARD AND HOW DOES A TYPICAL DAY MALA-MAKING IN BALI GO? Haha… a lot of beads is the truth! We go through our fair share of Rudraksha seeds to say the least. We now have 23 employees and most have worked with us for many years.

Every working day at ARD is different and could be anything from designing new collections to helping fix a leak in the roof, directing staff from the office, or sitting on the temple floor praying alone. Whether overseeing international clients, talking about the score of last nights game, signing bank documents or visiting a newborn baby to one of our artisans, every day is a surprise and a gift.

WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF WORKING WITH THE ARTISANS? The Balinese are so incredibly talented, creative and have a very strong understanding of the spiritual realm. >

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Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

Lessons that I learn from daily. But what stands out the most is to me, is being part of a real family. We all really look out for one another and share our lives together, and we also know that when any one of us slips, everyone else is here to help them back up.

PLEASE SHARE THE COMPANY’S INTERPRETATION FOR THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER ’108’?

There are many significances with the number ‘108’, ranging from scientific to the metaphysical. Too long to list here as there are entire books written about this number.

What resonates most for us is that there are 108 different names of Lord Shiva.

And as the Rudraksha tree derived from his compassionate tears, we honour Lord Shiva above all others.

Our malas are threaded with 108 Rudruksha seeds.

MOSTLY KNOWN FOR IT’S NATURAL BEAUTY, CULTURE AND CHARM, BALI IS A PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT MOST VISITORS KEEP COMING BACK TO. THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE BALI. SO WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO BE A ‘LOCAL’ IN BALI? It is an absolute honour. As mentioned earlier, I moved here as a toddler so didn’t have a choice, and in danger of sounding to cliché, I would have to say that I am extremely blessed and very lucky.

The constant exposure to spirituality and other ways of thinking have been gifts in my life. Combined with the direct contact with a mix of people and cultural influences visiting Bali from all over the world. Those of us fortunate to have been brought up here in Bali have a colourful wealth of life experience that others may never have the chance to embrace.

HOW DO YOU BELIEVE RUDRAKSHA MALAS CAN HELP INFLUENCE A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD, POST PANDEMIC? Absolutely! Rudraksha seeds can and will help! We have an unbreakable faith in the power of these seeds and their ability to help heal and bring us closer to the light.

We have endless feedback from so many of our customers and friends all over the world, who have shared their stories of healing and positive influence from wearing them.

It is our mission, not just a job, and we understand that we are a channel being used to help share this ancient wisdom with the world. aumrudraksha.com |

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S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE

Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs Photo courtesy Aum Rudraksha Designs

Photo Falkwyn De Goyeneche

Lessons that I learn from daily. But what stands out the most is to me, is being part of a real family. We all really look out for one another and share our lives together, and we also know that when any one of us slips, everyone else is here to help them back up.

PLEASE SHARE THE COMPANY’S INTERPRETATION FOR THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER ’108’?

There are many significances with the number ‘108’, ranging from scientific to the metaphysical. Too long to list here as there are entire books written about this number.

What resonates most for us is that there are 108 different names of Lord Shiva.

And as the Rudraksha tree derived from his compassionate tears, we honour Lord Shiva above all others.

Our malas are threaded with 108 Rudruksha seeds.

MOSTLY KNOWN FOR IT’S NATURAL BEAUTY, CULTURE AND CHARM, BALI IS A PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT MOST VISITORS KEEP COMING BACK TO. THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE BALI. SO WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO BE A ‘LOCAL’ IN BALI? It is an absolute honour. As mentioned earlier, I moved here as a toddler so didn’t have a choice, and in danger of sounding to cliché, I would have to say that I am extremely blessed and very lucky.

The constant exposure to spirituality and other ways of thinking have been gifts in my life. Combined with the direct contact with a mix of people and cultural influences visiting Bali from all over the world. Those of us fortunate to have been brought up here in Bali have a colourful wealth of life experience that others may never have the chance to embrace.

HOW DO YOU BELIEVE RUDRAKSHA MALAS CAN HELP INFLUENCE A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD, POST PANDEMIC? Absolutely! Rudraksha seeds can and will help! We have an unbreakable faith in the power of these seeds and their ability to help heal and bring us closer to the light.

We have endless feedback from so many of our customers and friends all over the world, who have shared their stories of healing and positive influence from wearing them.

It is our mission, not just a job, and we understand that we are a channel being used to help share this ancient wisdom with the world. aumrudraksha.com |

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S H I B U I GLOBAL SENSE

SLOW STAY satellite island destination tasmania, australia interview with Kate Alstergren (owner) photography contributed by featured storyteller Emilie Ristevski (see page 16)

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

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ONE ISLAND WORLDS AWAY

SLOW STAY satellite island destination tasmania, australia interview with Kate Alstergren (owner) photography contributed by featured storyteller Emilie Ristevski (see page 16)

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

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ONE ISLAND WORLDS AWAY

Photo Emilie Ristevski

Photo Emilie Ristevski

The island has been in our family since the 1960s, but it was not until 2013 that it became possible to stay on the island. We realised that we needed to share the magic of Satellite Island.

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The spirit of the island is adventure with a deep connection to nature.

The island is raw and untouched and the experience is understated luxury… a tiny island at the edge of the world.

We tried to keep the experience as natural as possible, in harmony with the island while keeping nature at the centre stage. A visit to Satellite Island is about slowing down, living in the moment and experiencing the restorative magic of the sea and nature’s wilderness.

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

WILD, TINY, PRIVATE AND SO PERFECTLY PRISTINE, SATELLITE ISLAND TRULY IS WORLDS AWAY. A SACRED PLACE TO BE. HOW DID THIS PRECIOUS ISLAND DROP BECOME A BEAUTIFULLY CAST SLOW STAY REALITY? AND WHAT KIND OF GUEST WAS IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING THIS WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE?

SATELLITE ISLAND IS A PIN DROP ON THE INLAND SIDE OF BRUNY ISLAND, WHICH IS ANCHORED OFF THE SOUTH-EAST COAST OF TASMANIA NEAR HOBART. MOST AUSTRALIANS LOVE TASMANIA FOR HER RUGGED WILDERNESS, NATIVE WILDLIFE, INDIGENOUS HISTORY, PLENTIFUL SEASONAL PRODUCE AND CULINARY ARTS, BUT WHAT DOES THIS REGION REPRESENT FOR GLOBAL TRAVELLERS?

Photo Emilie Ristevski

FURTHEREST FROM MADDING CROWDS, REMOTE AS THE EYE CAN SEE AND AS WILD AS THE TASMAN SEA CAN THROW… SATELLITE ISLAND IS A TINY SLICE OF AUSTRALIAN WILDERNESS ANCHORED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF TASMANIA. THIS IS A RARE CONNECTION TO A PRISTINE PART OF THE WORLD, WHERE TIME MEETS WITH NATURE'S ELEMENTS, MODERN LUXURY COMFORTS AND A BILLION STARS WILL GREET YOU…

For global travellers, Tasmania represents all of the above but mostly it is the sense for adventure, which is the essence of this state. Tasmania is still very much undiscovered, untouched, remote and unseen.

It is still very much a secret. >

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

Photo Emilie Ristevski

The island has been in our family since the 1960s, but it was not until 2013 that it became possible to stay on the island. We realised that we needed to share the magic of Satellite Island.

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The spirit of the island is adventure with a deep connection to nature.

The island is raw and untouched and the experience is understated luxury… a tiny island at the edge of the world.

We tried to keep the experience as natural as possible, in harmony with the island while keeping nature at the centre stage. A visit to Satellite Island is about slowing down, living in the moment and experiencing the restorative magic of the sea and nature’s wilderness.

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

WILD, TINY, PRIVATE AND SO PERFECTLY PRISTINE, SATELLITE ISLAND TRULY IS WORLDS AWAY. A SACRED PLACE TO BE. HOW DID THIS PRECIOUS ISLAND DROP BECOME A BEAUTIFULLY CAST SLOW STAY REALITY? AND WHAT KIND OF GUEST WAS IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING THIS WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE?

SATELLITE ISLAND IS A PIN DROP ON THE INLAND SIDE OF BRUNY ISLAND, WHICH IS ANCHORED OFF THE SOUTH-EAST COAST OF TASMANIA NEAR HOBART. MOST AUSTRALIANS LOVE TASMANIA FOR HER RUGGED WILDERNESS, NATIVE WILDLIFE, INDIGENOUS HISTORY, PLENTIFUL SEASONAL PRODUCE AND CULINARY ARTS, BUT WHAT DOES THIS REGION REPRESENT FOR GLOBAL TRAVELLERS?

Photo Emilie Ristevski

FURTHEREST FROM MADDING CROWDS, REMOTE AS THE EYE CAN SEE AND AS WILD AS THE TASMAN SEA CAN THROW… SATELLITE ISLAND IS A TINY SLICE OF AUSTRALIAN WILDERNESS ANCHORED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF TASMANIA. THIS IS A RARE CONNECTION TO A PRISTINE PART OF THE WORLD, WHERE TIME MEETS WITH NATURE'S ELEMENTS, MODERN LUXURY COMFORTS AND A BILLION STARS WILL GREET YOU…

For global travellers, Tasmania represents all of the above but mostly it is the sense for adventure, which is the essence of this state. Tasmania is still very much undiscovered, untouched, remote and unseen.

It is still very much a secret. >

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Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

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Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

Photo Emilie Ristevski Photo courtesy Satellite Island

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

‘MORNING LIGHT’, ‘SUNSET’ AND ‘DREAMY’ ARE SOME NAMES OF THE LOCAL BAYS THAT SHAPE THIS ISLAND, ALL WITH ACCESS BY A COASTAL TRACK. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK AROUND SATELLITE ISLAND? WHAT ARE SOME ‘MUST-DO’ ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS? The cliff walk takes about an hour and winds its way along the sheer sea cliffs.

It is a stunning track where you will see birds, dolphins, passing boats and the island deer. The rock shelf walk is a must while on the island. It winds in and out of tiny inlets, pebble beaches and sheltered coves along the ancient rock shelf that encircles the whole > island. It takes about an hour.

Photo Emilie Ristevski

THE BOATHOUSE CREATES A COSY SETTING TO ACCOMMODATE A VERY INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH MOTHER NATURE AND GUESTS. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEATURE COMFORTS THAT MAKE THIS SUCH A MAGICAL SLOW STAY EXPERIENCE? The Boathouse sits on the rock shelf on the water’s edge and sleeping with

the doors wide open is heaven. Here, all you need are the simple things… a beautiful bed, soft linen, cashmere throws, cosy rugs for sitting outside in the Adirondack chairs under the night sky, candles, lamps, a kettle for making tea and coffee in the morning to watch the sunrise and an outdoor shower over the rock shelf.

Understated luxury in nature.

Photo Emilie Ristevski

LIKE A GREAT SEA ADVENTURE OR ROMANCE NOVEL THE PHOTOGRAPHS TELL A THOUSAND WORDS. DESCRIBE THE FEELINGS THAT MIGHT COME TO MIND IF ONE COULD PLACE THEMSELVES INSIDE ANY OF THESE BEAUTIFUL POSTCARD MOMENTS? There is definitely magic on the island… deep breathing in the sea air, perfect isolation, the sound of the sea lapping, the sea birds at night, sleeping with the doors open to a million stars twinkling above in the milky way, watching the sunset across the Southern Ocean, the water sparkling like diamonds, bird songs in the morning… Satellite Island gives you a sense of having the whole world to yourself.

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Photo Emilie Ristevski Photo courtesy Satellite Island

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

‘MORNING LIGHT’, ‘SUNSET’ AND ‘DREAMY’ ARE SOME NAMES OF THE LOCAL BAYS THAT SHAPE THIS ISLAND, ALL WITH ACCESS BY A COASTAL TRACK. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK AROUND SATELLITE ISLAND? WHAT ARE SOME ‘MUST-DO’ ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS? The cliff walk takes about an hour and winds its way along the sheer sea cliffs.

It is a stunning track where you will see birds, dolphins, passing boats and the island deer. The rock shelf walk is a must while on the island. It winds in and out of tiny inlets, pebble beaches and sheltered coves along the ancient rock shelf that encircles the whole > island. It takes about an hour.

Photo Emilie Ristevski

THE BOATHOUSE CREATES A COSY SETTING TO ACCOMMODATE A VERY INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH MOTHER NATURE AND GUESTS. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEATURE COMFORTS THAT MAKE THIS SUCH A MAGICAL SLOW STAY EXPERIENCE? The Boathouse sits on the rock shelf on the water’s edge and sleeping with

the doors wide open is heaven. Here, all you need are the simple things… a beautiful bed, soft linen, cashmere throws, cosy rugs for sitting outside in the Adirondack chairs under the night sky, candles, lamps, a kettle for making tea and coffee in the morning to watch the sunrise and an outdoor shower over the rock shelf.

Understated luxury in nature.

Photo Emilie Ristevski

LIKE A GREAT SEA ADVENTURE OR ROMANCE NOVEL THE PHOTOGRAPHS TELL A THOUSAND WORDS. DESCRIBE THE FEELINGS THAT MIGHT COME TO MIND IF ONE COULD PLACE THEMSELVES INSIDE ANY OF THESE BEAUTIFUL POSTCARD MOMENTS? There is definitely magic on the island… deep breathing in the sea air, perfect isolation, the sound of the sea lapping, the sea birds at night, sleeping with the doors open to a million stars twinkling above in the milky way, watching the sunset across the Southern Ocean, the water sparkling like diamonds, bird songs in the morning… Satellite Island gives you a sense of having the whole world to yourself.

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“

EVERY MOMENT SPENT ON SATELLITE ISLAND IS TRULY UNFORGETTABLE. A RARE FEELING… LIKE HAVING THE WHOLE WORLD TO YOURSELF AND STANDING ON A TINY ISLAND AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.

S H I B U I Slow stay in australia

”

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

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KATE ALSTERGREN (OWNER, SATELLITE ISLAND)

“

EVERY MOMENT SPENT ON SATELLITE ISLAND IS TRULY UNFORGETTABLE. A RARE FEELING… LIKE HAVING THE WHOLE WORLD TO YOURSELF AND STANDING ON A TINY ISLAND AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.

S H I B U I Slow stay in australia

”

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

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KATE ALSTERGREN (OWNER, SATELLITE ISLAND)

Photo Emilie Ristevski

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

SLOW STAY FAST FACTS: HOW DO WE GET THERE?

First fly to Hobart and then take a car, seaplane or helicopter to land on the island. If you drive, you will see beautiful Bruny Island before you cast off on the island boat for Satellite Island.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON THE ISLAND?

On booking the island, guests have exclusive access to the island and all of the accommodation options, which include the Summer House, Boathouse and a luxury bell tent.

HOW MANY GUESTS CAN STAY ON THE ISLAND?

Maximum occupancy is 8 guests.

WHAT DO WE BRING?

Food supplies and a sense of adventure.

WHEN IS IT THE BEST TIME TO VISIT? Anytime! Satellite Island is stunningly beautiful all year round.

HOW DO WE BOOK?

Photo Emilie Ristevski

Please email Satellite Island directly: satelliteisland@gmail.com

Take the oyster shucking knife with you and shuck wild oysters straight from the sea, look out for the ancient fossils in the cliffs (over 200 million years old), fossick for sea treasure in the rock pools and watch for whales, albatross, oyster catchers and seals. The ancient rock shelf is home to an amazing array of shellfish, wild oysters, southern rock lobster, abalone, mussels and scallops.

Watching the sunset at Last Glimpse Point is a dream as is watching the sunrise over Bruny Island, a fire on the water’s edge and the Seaside Feast over Fire lunch with one of our chefs is the most incredible experience. The chef will dive for abalone and urchin and cook an amazing feast over fire on the water’s edge with produce from the land and sea.

HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH TO STAY ON SATELLITE ISLAND? Never! All of our guests say that their stays, however long, are never long enough. satelliteisland.com.au

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Photo Emilie Ristevski

Photo courtesy Satellite Island

SLOW STAY FAST FACTS: HOW DO WE GET THERE?

First fly to Hobart and then take a car, seaplane or helicopter to land on the island. If you drive, you will see beautiful Bruny Island before you cast off on the island boat for Satellite Island.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON THE ISLAND?

On booking the island, guests have exclusive access to the island and all of the accommodation options, which include the Summer House, Boathouse and a luxury bell tent.

HOW MANY GUESTS CAN STAY ON THE ISLAND?

Maximum occupancy is 8 guests.

WHAT DO WE BRING?

Food supplies and a sense of adventure.

WHEN IS IT THE BEST TIME TO VISIT? Anytime! Satellite Island is stunningly beautiful all year round.

HOW DO WE BOOK?

Photo Emilie Ristevski

Please email Satellite Island directly: satelliteisland@gmail.com

Take the oyster shucking knife with you and shuck wild oysters straight from the sea, look out for the ancient fossils in the cliffs (over 200 million years old), fossick for sea treasure in the rock pools and watch for whales, albatross, oyster catchers and seals. The ancient rock shelf is home to an amazing array of shellfish, wild oysters, southern rock lobster, abalone, mussels and scallops.

Watching the sunset at Last Glimpse Point is a dream as is watching the sunrise over Bruny Island, a fire on the water’s edge and the Seaside Feast over Fire lunch with one of our chefs is the most incredible experience. The chef will dive for abalone and urchin and cook an amazing feast over fire on the water’s edge with produce from the land and sea.

HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH TO STAY ON SATELLITE ISLAND? Never! All of our guests say that their stays, however long, are never long enough. satelliteisland.com.au

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SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH PURCHASE BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021

Lemongrass spreads happiness, encourages optimism and sunny vibes when feeling down. This LEMONGRASS candle from the KINDNESS COLLECTION by SAARTI Cambodia* will definitely lift spirits.

To keep global kindness alive, SAARTI have lovingly crafted this beautifully handcrafted candle collection with good intentions.

With every candle purchased,10% of profits are donated to charities in Cambodia, including This Life Cambodia and M'lop Tapang.

The candles are handmade in Siem Reap by the local artisan team, using plant-based non GMO soy wax and pure essential oils.

Natural soy wax burns longer and cleaner than paraffin and these superstar candles will burn for 50+ hours.

Scents available: Lemongrass (pictured), Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Basil, Rose and Vetiver.

(Our interview with the founder behind SAARTI is on page 44.) $25rrp (per candle) Available at shibuiandco.com

SLOW MADE

Cambodia

WELCOME TO OUR SLOW WORLD STORE*

Photo Nataly Lee for SAARTI

SLOW. FAIR. NATURAL. TRADITIONAL. WORLD-CLASS.

The ROUM HANDWOVEN THROW (shown in walnut) is one of Collective Humanity's best sellers. This cosy, handmade blanket/throw has been crafted by women in a rural village in a north-western provence of Cambodia.

Each blanket is hand-woven on a loom traditional to the region. The artisans work in a weaving space underneath their home.

Each blanket made and sold creates a primary source of income for these artisan families, which helps restore their chances for a more sustainable and quality lifestyle.

Details: 100% cotton, naturally-dyed, approximately 51" x 75", 1" long tassels.

Machine wash in cold water and machine dry using the 'delicate' setting. Wash and dry separately.

Please celebrate any imperfections as each blanket is made by human hands.

(Read the inspiring story behind Collective Humanity on page 30.) $148rrp Available at collectivehumanity.shop * All prices are shown in USD. We only support slow, fair, natural and traditional artisan brands.

SIEM REAP: A DESIGNER’S PERSPECTIVE

by Nataly Lee (Designer/photograhper) with Hok Kang (Founder, Urbanland Cambodia) "THIS COLLECTION IS JUST A GLIMPSE OF WHAT SIEM REAP HAS TO OFFER. THE REST, YOU’LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW, IS WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED." Nataly Lee This book celebrates contemporary Cambodian culture in all of its forms. Discover some of the most inspirational places, spaces and faces in Siem Reap today.

Details: Hardback, printed in English, 16.6cm x 23.5cm

$25rrp Available at shopsatu.com "THE COMMUNITY FEATURED IN THIS BOOK WANT TO SEE SIEM REAP AS A PLACE THAT DOES JUSTICE TO ITS HERITAGE. THROUGH INDIVIDUAL VISIONS, TALENTS AND COMMITMENT, THE COMMUNITY IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY THEY LOVE." Hok Kang store S H I B U I

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SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH PURCHASE BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021

Lemongrass spreads happiness, encourages optimism and sunny vibes when feeling down. This LEMONGRASS candle from the KINDNESS COLLECTION by SAARTI Cambodia* will definitely lift spirits.

To keep global kindness alive, SAARTI have lovingly crafted this beautifully handcrafted candle collection with good intentions.

With every candle purchased,10% of profits are donated to charities in Cambodia, including This Life Cambodia and M'lop Tapang.

The candles are handmade in Siem Reap by the local artisan team, using plant-based non GMO soy wax and pure essential oils.

Natural soy wax burns longer and cleaner than paraffin and these superstar candles will burn for 50+ hours.

Scents available: Lemongrass (pictured), Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Basil, Rose and Vetiver.

(Our interview with the founder behind SAARTI is on page 44.) $25rrp (per candle) Available at shibuiandco.com

SLOW MADE

Cambodia

WELCOME TO OUR SLOW WORLD STORE*

Photo Nataly Lee for SAARTI

SLOW. FAIR. NATURAL. TRADITIONAL. WORLD-CLASS.

The ROUM HANDWOVEN THROW (shown in walnut) is one of Collective Humanity's best sellers. This cosy, handmade blanket/throw has been crafted by women in a rural village in a north-western provence of Cambodia.

Each blanket is hand-woven on a loom traditional to the region. The artisans work in a weaving space underneath their home.

Each blanket made and sold creates a primary source of income for these artisan families, which helps restore their chances for a more sustainable and quality lifestyle.

Details: 100% cotton, naturally-dyed, approximately 51" x 75", 1" long tassels.

Machine wash in cold water and machine dry using the 'delicate' setting. Wash and dry separately.

Please celebrate any imperfections as each blanket is made by human hands.

(Read the inspiring story behind Collective Humanity on page 30.) $148rrp Available at collectivehumanity.shop * All prices are shown in USD. We only support slow, fair, natural and traditional artisan brands.

SIEM REAP: A DESIGNER’S PERSPECTIVE

by Nataly Lee (Designer/photograhper) with Hok Kang (Founder, Urbanland Cambodia) "THIS COLLECTION IS JUST A GLIMPSE OF WHAT SIEM REAP HAS TO OFFER. THE REST, YOU’LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW, IS WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED." Nataly Lee This book celebrates contemporary Cambodian culture in all of its forms. Discover some of the most inspirational places, spaces and faces in Siem Reap today.

Details: Hardback, printed in English, 16.6cm x 23.5cm

$25rrp Available at shopsatu.com "THE COMMUNITY FEATURED IN THIS BOOK WANT TO SEE SIEM REAP AS A PLACE THAT DOES JUSTICE TO ITS HERITAGE. THROUGH INDIVIDUAL VISIONS, TALENTS AND COMMITMENT, THE COMMUNITY IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY THEY LOVE." Hok Kang store S H I B U I

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This PEACE MALA by Aum Radraksha Designs has been handcrafted in Bali with traditional Rudraksha seeds, the most ancient prayer beads in the world, sourced locally and sustainably grown in Indonesia.

Peace of mind is the result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you made the effort to become the best you can be.

SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

Details: 108 Rudraksha beads (7mm), gold-plated detail with Amethyst Lavender and cotton tassel. 49cm long.

PRE-ORDER BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021 ARTISAN MADE FOR WORLDLY HEARTS SHIBUIANDCO.COM

(Learn more about Rudraksha seeds and mala making on page 84.) $47rrp (IDR 659931) Available at aumrudraksha.com

SLOW MADE

AAKS SINSI DOT* bag is a perfect size and shape to carry the daily essentials everywhere.

Ideal for a holiday getaway.

Details: Woven raffia, 100% leather strap and linen lining with inner pocket. H 15cm x W 24cm.

$180RRP (GBP 140.00) + postage.

Available at shibuiandco.com *AAKS bags are handcrafted in Ghana by a team of traditional weaving artisans, passionate about preserving their tradition.

(AAKS inspiring 'slow made' story featured in SHIBUI Issue 7.)

Whether for self love or for sharing love with others, PURE LOVE AURIC SPRAY by Bali Pura is a beautiful way to start every day, harmonising the heart chakra to inspire a deeper sense of selfawareness and inspiring confidence to face the world with compassion and grace.

Crystal-infused and hand-blended in Ubud with 100% pure essential oils, Bach Flowers and locallysourced, volcanic spring water that is cleansed, then blessed under the full moon by a Balinese priest.

Ylang Ylang and Cempaka enhance the love vibes. $29rrp (AUD 40.00) Available at shibuiandco.com

Bali

good things come in

More love from Bali... this limited edition Bali Pura THREE GIFT SPECIAL is a beautiful extension to the auric sprays and makes a perfect daily ensemble or gift idea.

7 Chakras (pictured), helps to realign and heal the body through the auric field. Simply spray above the head and down through the charkras, or roll on to pulse points to feel connection to self and surrounds.

Bali Pura products are natural and hand-made in Bali. There is no intervention of machines throughout the whole process, purposefully chosen to provide work for local artisans as well as empower women for sustainable living. Infused with flowers, organic essential oils and energetic healing performed by a Balinese Priestess, Bali Pura is sensory bliss.

Product includes: 1 x Auric spray - 100ml / 3.4 fl.oz 1 x Roll-om - 10ml 1 x bracelet - 2mm Gemstone crystals with solid 925 silver spacer beads

AAKS full range is available worldwide at aaksonline.com

finding your true

SLOW WORLD STORE FOREVER WANDERING documents the endless beauty of our natural world. Photographer and the creative mind behind Emilie Ristevski @helloemilie, who invites you on a journey through her lens with a collection of other worldly landscapes and photographic studies of the delicate ecosystems that make our planet unique.

The photography that fills these pages shows our world’s immense diversity, from the vast desert landscapes in Namibia to the frozen glacial icecaps in Greenland and the red haze of the Australian outback.

Her book will transport you to the hidden wonders of our world and inspire you to be at one with the wild.

(Emilie is our featured global storyteller. Her photography will blow you away. Read her interview on page 16.)

Available at booktopia.com.au

106

S H I B U I store

aum…

$65rrp Available at shibuiandco.com

Find your inner aum and calm by making your own sacred jewellery with an Aum Rudraksha Designs* MALA MAKING KIT. Mala beads are so much more than jewellery. The Rudraksha seed is regarded as the timeless jewel of the gods, used for centuries in Hinduism and Buddhism, for self-empowerment and courage. It is believed that the Rudraksha seeds grew on the trees emanated from the tears of Lord Shiva, They encourage us to pause, breathe deeply and acknowledge our deepest intentions. They remind us to invest moments in self-care with compassion.

THIS YEAR STARTS WITH EVERY REASON TO GO GENTLY WITH GLOBAL KINDNESS IN MIND...

$29.99rrp

threes…

Design your own mala setting your deepest intention. Follow your intuition and see what comes naturally when you choose your Mala Making Kit. They also make a beautiful gift.

Love Stories Bali is a women-led, slow-fashion brand wearing the concept that the world needs more kindness and every garment made is handcrafted by local artisans using traditional craftsmanship.

'DRAGON' HAND-PAINTED AND PLANT-DYED TENCEL KIMONO WRAP (one-size fits all) is made with organic cotton and comes in three lengths and various plant-based and hand-dyed colours.

Every purchase supports a cause with 50% of net profit donated to a local preschool fund to help set up a 'model' green school, while providing under-privileged Balinese children with early-learning opportunities.

$50rrp (IDR 704,350) Available at lovestoriesbali.com

Kits available: Awakening, Balance, Healing, Inner Peace, Self love and Protection (pictured).

Packaging is 100% recycled and decomposable.

$42rrp each Available at shibuiandco.com

*

Read about the history of Rudraksha beads and the inspiration, vision and artisan tradition behind Aum Rudraksha Designs on page 84.

CLICK TO VIEW THE MALA MAKING KIT TUTORIAL

This PEACE MALA by Aum Radraksha Designs has been handcrafted in Bali with traditional Rudraksha seeds, the most ancient prayer beads in the world, sourced locally and sustainably grown in Indonesia.

Peace of mind is the result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you made the effort to become the best you can be.

SHIBUI STORE

PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH

Details: 108 Rudraksha beads (7mm), gold-plated detail with Amethyst Lavender and cotton tassel. 49cm long.

PRE-ORDER BY 28 FEBRUARY 2021 ARTISAN MADE FOR WORLDLY HEARTS SHIBUIANDCO.COM

(Learn more about Rudraksha seeds and mala making on page 84.) $47rrp (IDR 659931) Available at aumrudraksha.com

SLOW MADE

AAKS SINSI DOT* bag is a perfect size and shape to carry the daily essentials everywhere.

Ideal for a holiday getaway.

Details: Woven raffia, 100% leather strap and linen lining with inner pocket. H 15cm x W 24cm.

$180RRP (GBP 140.00) + postage.

Available at shibuiandco.com *AAKS bags are handcrafted in Ghana by a team of traditional weaving artisans, passionate about preserving their tradition.

(AAKS inspiring 'slow made' story featured in SHIBUI Issue 7.)

Whether for self love or for sharing love with others, PURE LOVE AURIC SPRAY by Bali Pura is a beautiful way to start every day, harmonising the heart chakra to inspire a deeper sense of selfawareness and inspiring confidence to face the world with compassion and grace.

Crystal-infused and hand-blended in Ubud with 100% pure essential oils, Bach Flowers and locallysourced, volcanic spring water that is cleansed, then blessed under the full moon by a Balinese priest.

Ylang Ylang and Cempaka enhance the love vibes. $29rrp (AUD 40.00) Available at shibuiandco.com

Bali

good things come in

More love from Bali... this limited edition Bali Pura THREE GIFT SPECIAL is a beautiful extension to the auric sprays and makes a perfect daily ensemble or gift idea.

7 Chakras (pictured), helps to realign and heal the body through the auric field. Simply spray above the head and down through the charkras, or roll on to pulse points to feel connection to self and surrounds.

Bali Pura products are natural and hand-made in Bali. There is no intervention of machines throughout the whole process, purposefully chosen to provide work for local artisans as well as empower women for sustainable living. Infused with flowers, organic essential oils and energetic healing performed by a Balinese Priestess, Bali Pura is sensory bliss.

Product includes: 1 x Auric spray - 100ml / 3.4 fl.oz 1 x Roll-om - 10ml 1 x bracelet - 2mm Gemstone crystals with solid 925 silver spacer beads

AAKS full range is available worldwide at aaksonline.com

finding your true

SLOW WORLD STORE FOREVER WANDERING documents the endless beauty of our natural world. Photographer and the creative mind behind Emilie Ristevski @helloemilie, who invites you on a journey through her lens with a collection of other worldly landscapes and photographic studies of the delicate ecosystems that make our planet unique.

The photography that fills these pages shows our world’s immense diversity, from the vast desert landscapes in Namibia to the frozen glacial icecaps in Greenland and the red haze of the Australian outback.

Her book will transport you to the hidden wonders of our world and inspire you to be at one with the wild.

(Emilie is our featured global storyteller. Her photography will blow you away. Read her interview on page 16.)

Available at booktopia.com.au

106

S H I B U I store

aum…

$65rrp Available at shibuiandco.com

Find your inner aum and calm by making your own sacred jewellery with an Aum Rudraksha Designs* MALA MAKING KIT. Mala beads are so much more than jewellery. The Rudraksha seed is regarded as the timeless jewel of the gods, used for centuries in Hinduism and Buddhism, for self-empowerment and courage. It is believed that the Rudraksha seeds grew on the trees emanated from the tears of Lord Shiva, They encourage us to pause, breathe deeply and acknowledge our deepest intentions. They remind us to invest moments in self-care with compassion.

THIS YEAR STARTS WITH EVERY REASON TO GO GENTLY WITH GLOBAL KINDNESS IN MIND...

$29.99rrp

threes…

Design your own mala setting your deepest intention. Follow your intuition and see what comes naturally when you choose your Mala Making Kit. They also make a beautiful gift.

Love Stories Bali is a women-led, slow-fashion brand wearing the concept that the world needs more kindness and every garment made is handcrafted by local artisans using traditional craftsmanship.

'DRAGON' HAND-PAINTED AND PLANT-DYED TENCEL KIMONO WRAP (one-size fits all) is made with organic cotton and comes in three lengths and various plant-based and hand-dyed colours.

Every purchase supports a cause with 50% of net profit donated to a local preschool fund to help set up a 'model' green school, while providing under-privileged Balinese children with early-learning opportunities.

$50rrp (IDR 704,350) Available at lovestoriesbali.com

Kits available: Awakening, Balance, Healing, Inner Peace, Self love and Protection (pictured).

Packaging is 100% recycled and decomposable.

$42rrp each Available at shibuiandco.com

*

Read about the history of Rudraksha beads and the inspiration, vision and artisan tradition behind Aum Rudraksha Designs on page 84.

CLICK TO VIEW THE MALA MAKING KIT TUTORIAL

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WE TRAVEL IN TIME WITH TRADITIONAL CULTURES. SLOWLY. IF YOU LOVE SLOW MADE CRAFTSMANSHIP, SLOW STAYS AND SLOW TRAVEL EXPERIENCES SHIBUI & CO. IS CURATED FOR YOU. SUBSCRIBE TO JOIN OUR SLOW WORLD COMMUNITY TODAY. YOUR SUPPORT WILL EXTEND BEYOND SHIBUI & CO. TO HELP WEAVE TRADITIONAL CULTURES BACK INTO THE (NEW) WORLD. TRAVEL WITH US. SHIBUI STYLE.

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