Here I share with you a bit about what we are actually doing on BukaBuka Island, in Central Sulawesi.
What you see below are a few drone shots of what’s currently being built: one luxury size bungalow (56sqm), a gazebo, 2 traditional paddle boats.
You can’t see the jetty being build because they are still preparing the wood (I insisted with local NOT to use concrete pillars in the water).
A little bit farther on the west, we also have a swing on top of the water.
My goal is to be able to open something for this summer, and to welcome the first guests to experience how unique life is on this remote island.
We will start developing the main building and a few more accommodations during the next weeks.
Each time I go there, I realize how locals living there for years are the most resourceful people I have met.
From climbing every day to get fresh water, to producing copra, collecting coconuts in the trees, building almost anything they need, fixing anything they can, fishing, growing food, cooking, and still being welcoming and patient with whoever steps on the island.
It can be frustrating to work with locals in the beginning, because the work ethic is dramatically different, and the cultural gap is super wide.
Also, we, western people, have totally lost any form of patience with our “right here right now” lifestyle, when locals can wait forever without frowning.
But it doesn’t have to be an obstacle.
Somehow, when you manage to accept the locals wisdom and combine it with your own vision, you realize there are big things than can be done.
Together, and for each other.
You disconnect, to reconnect.