Becoming Reality

I have always, in the short four-year span of his life, had a rather challenging relationship with my middle nephew, mainly perhaps owing to both our recalcitrant natures.  But of late, as he has grown into a walking and talking back little person, I've found I enjoy his maddening company a little more, for its banter and entertainment, and the insights into that incredibly warped mind of his that is light years beyond his physical age.

In fact, when I got back from a recent five-day family holiday, I found myself missing his thorny presence. Waking up without the threat of his diminutive spectre clutching toy bunnies, one in each hand, was although calming, a little unsettling.  There are no unexpected extras attempting to crawl into my bed for a last minute snuggle.  Or the possibility of an odiferous toy shoved up my nose to wake me.

Last night, after a phone call with Ijam to discuss a last minute roofing matter (I am amazed sometimes how I now sound like a contractor!) I realised that La Pari-Pari's journey will always be dated by this nephew, and how Langkawi and our little resort will always be intertwined with some of the firsts in his life.  He was only six months old when my sister and I took that first flight out to seek a bed and breakfast for purchase in Langkawi.  It was his first time to an island.

And now he, and the project turn four this year.  Some people are aghast that it's taken us this long to get to where we are.  I, at times, am surprised it hasn't taken me longer.  But perhaps that is because where my other passion is concerned, it's taken me near thirty years to get to a state where I feel things are finally moving.  So four years, is a relatively short gestation period in my books.

I realised yesterday too, that only a mere twenty-odd weeks remain until my life changes in a most profound way.  We began laying the concrete foundation yesterday for the first block of rooms, and already, I can see the physical structure begin to emerge.  Looking at the photographs from Ijam were like looking at a ghost - my eyes disbelieving that this thing I had long dreamed about is finally becoming real, and is no longer a figment of my imagination.

Din, our head contractor,  after completing the concrete foundation of our first block.  His initial attempt was thwarted by three straight days of rain, so he has much to be happy about here!

I can't wait till my next visit, when I get to run my bare feet on the concrete, dangle my legs on the edge of the empty swimming pool and take silly Bollywood photos against the bare columns of the building.

I promise you will all bear witness through this blog, to the first time I walk through our rooms :-)

Love and light,
Karina!

Working Across Borders

It's been over a month since my last post.  Am happy to report that things are moving at a relatively smooth clip.

But first, a rant.  We had some delays in April and early May due to inclement weather, which prevented the backhoe from doing its work many a day.  Once the sun decided to cooperate the banks didn't.  Thanks to Malaysia's ultra-efficient Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (Malaysian Companies Commission), our company records were not updated, which caused some two weeks of to-ing and fro-ing with the banks and the Company Secretary and the like.  Believe me, having money but no way to access your bank account due to a technicality is really annoying!

Hopefully, it's now all sorted out!  We begin work on our foundation this coming week.  Even the pool has been concreted and is sitting still until it is time to tile it once we are nearing completion of the whole project.

Meanwhile, I have been busy wading through suppliers of various kinds - linen, toiletries, web, software, you name it.....  While it's all been rather fun in a way, there have been moments when I wished things moved faster and people were just that much more efficient.  But hey, all in a day's work!

We've also been busy doing the groundwork for the interior design.  While it is all still preliminary, I think things are shaping up quite nicely.  One thing's for sure, this resort is turning out to be a cross-border project of epic proportions LOL!  Architecturally, it was designed predominantly remotely - with me in KL and the architect in Langkawi.  The logos are being done here in KL as is the interior design. Restaurant menu being put together between Perth and KL, staff uniforms designed in Melbourne and a cocktail menu also being put together in Melbourne itself.  The good thing is, with technology, most of it is being done via phone/e-mail/Skype, without the need for folks to fly to and fro too much :-)

By the way, all the folks mentioned in all these places are Malaysian or Malaysian-born.  So if you like what you will eventually see at La Pari-Pari, it's all homegrown talent that put it together :-)

I'll introduce you all to the characters involved in due course.  We're a motley crew but an enthusiastic one :-)

Cross your fingers, and I hope to meet some of you come 2012.

Ground Is Broken!

It's done folks!  We are finally really on our way!

On Sunday, April 3rd, we began construction of our little swimming pool.  I never thought I'd be so thrilled to see a hole in the ground!  It was both exciting and still a little scary at the same time.  After so long, I almost can't believe we have finally come to this stage.

I have always said I am a lucky girl with a charmed life.  And this weekend was no different.  My loved ones were there with me, some having flown in just for the occasion, including Kaeden, my sister's son who was with my sister Karen and I when we made our first trip out to Langkawi in search of a bed and breakfast.

Back then, he was a wee five-month old baby.

In May this year, he turns a precocious four.

Even Mother Nature was generous with her gifts.  Prior to us going to Langkawi this past weekend, it had been raining cats and dogs.  But I arrived on Saturday to the smiling sun and bright blue skies.  The morning of the groundbreaking, we were also gifted with the presence of a Large-Tailed Nightjar (thank you Wendy for identifying the bird) who was sitting quietly on a bed of dry leaves.

According to Wendy, it is rare that these birds stay still enough for anyone to get a good close-up photograph.  We later found out why....

Can you spot her two babies?  (Hint, they are in the lower right-hand corner)

We were all a little worried that the construction work might injure her and her babies.  Thankfully, she moved them away shortly after to, I presume, a much safer spot.

For more photos, visit our Facebook page.