The Nai Dee Sculptured Huts Part III – Vic Hua Hin & "The Little Touches"

I've had just enough time...   to appreciate little touches

The Elephant God the office guards

While the big picture thrills and astounds

It is the little touch that counts

The one that said with muted voice “we care”

The one that speaks silently from the heart

A flower on the bed, a smile in the morning

Clasped hands and a little bow

Welcome to our world, may our hearts touch

Softly, gently, with harmony and love

The Teddy Bear in front of the hut

“The Little Touches” 

The Elephant God the office guards 

The Teddy Bear in front of the hut 

A probing question that innocently asks 

Answered by little child asleep on the task 

A dance around the clock 

The imp that holds up the block 

A pink umbrella among the green 

A shadow behind the screen 

The spirits of the tree 

And the spirits roaming free 

The lotus under the sun 

Goes to bed when the day is done

 A probing question that innocently asks

Answered by little child asleep on the task

A dance around the clock

The imp that holds up the block

A pink umbrella among the green 

 A shadow behind the screen

The spirits tied to the tree

And the spirits roaming free

The lotus under the sun

Goes to bed when the day is done

The Nai Dee Sculptured Huts Part II – Tea Under The Rain Trees.

I've had just enough time...   to be captivated by rain trees and huts.

Anyone care for a cup of tea under the rain tree? Taken in the Naidee Sculptured Huts, Hua Hin

When I came across the main yard,  I involuntarily let out a “wow!” exclamation. For there before me is the dream outdoor dining area I will build if I had the money. But it is already built for me, to have a leisurely cup of tea under the giant rain tree. How did the architect build something so close to my dream without consulting me? Join me in wandering through the grounds.

 

 What a wonderful place to have a quiet meal with friends.

Even the main serving area is so tastefully done.

Don’t you just marvel at the architecture?

 

As the sun sets, the ambiance changes. A marvelous example of architecture complementing nature.

 

With the daylight still available, I went exploring. Saw this large building close to the dining area and decided to check that out.  

Like all the other buildings, this large functional building is also tastefully designed and constructed to blend in well with the surroundings. I wondered what it is for?

 

It is a living quarter for a group. It is not only well designed but also very practical and versatile. The hall is big enough to take at least a bus load.

This is such a charming public toilet. It shows that practicality does not have to come at the expense of style and beauty.

I wandered to the other side of the lotus pond to take this shot. The whole complex is very well thought out and planned. I’ve so many pictures that I will continue this on the next post to share with those of you who could not be there.

The Nai Dee Sculptured Huts Part I – Living In Arts.

I've had just enough time...   to live inside Arts!

Taken of one of the Naidee Sculptured Huts we stayed in, in Hua Hin, Thailand.

After  the last few “heavy” posts, lets return to something light and uplifting. I searched my photos for good memories and found them in my recent trip to Hua Hin, Thailand which is where “The Plovers Stole My Sorrow” (earlier post). Enroute to the sunshine beach, I stayed in an Arts complex Vic Hua Hin which housed the Vic Hua Hin Theatre & Gallery, the Patravadi High School, Arts Camp and the Nai Dee Sculptured Huts which is probably the most charming accomodation I had stayed in.

Another of the sculptured huts, this one called "The Fat Lady" for obvious reason.

The cosy and charming interior of one of the huts.

Vic Hua Hin is the brain child of Patravadi Mejudhon, a  renowned actress, director, playwright and founder of the famous Patravadi Theatre who built it to share her love of the Arts especially performing arts with the world. This is the link if you want to learn more about Vic Hua Hin – http://www.vichuahin.com/about/

One of the many classrooms found within the complex, it has a roof and no walls :)

The Nai Dee Sculptured Huts is hand sculptured by Master Naidee Changmoh over 3 years with white cement making each hut a unique art piece. I’ve always enjoyed Arts in its many forms but this is the first time I stayed in one! Naidee is famous for his little monk sculpture but some are not so little and this serene one under the Bodhi tree is taller than a house. 

The entrance to the Naidee Sculpture Huts

The not so "little Buddha" sitting serenely under the Bodhi tree.

Follow me through this and the next couple of posts wandering through the Vic Hua Hin complex sprinkled with wise sayings that I found in note books in the small book shop I found in the complex.

One of the many pottery arts that one find all over the ground, by a student or master; you decide :)

 “Everywhere I go I find a poet has been there before me.”

- Neil Bohr

Delightfull simple works of Arts on the walls of one of the hut.

And in this place, I found many poets were before me and they left their traces everywhere. It is a delight to wander through the ground sifting through the footprints of the poets who preceded me.

The artist blended his work with Nature as if in conspiracy...

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”

- Lao Tzu

...creating fantastic piece that works in perfect harmony with Nature.

 I have to admit I am not yet a good traveler. I excused myself by saying that time did not permit me the luxury of leisurely travel. But I told myself that soon, I will have time in my hand and then, I will live up to the tag of being a good traveler who will stay when he feels like staying unlike my leaving Vic Hua Hin before I was ready to leave.

As I went to bed within this magical abode, I consigned my pleasure to memory and dreams...

“The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory.”

- Kung Fu-Tzu

 

but I know it is too beautiful to keep it to myself so I must share it with the world...

I guess Confucius must know a thing or two about sharing. My memories belong to me but by putting it in ink, I share it with the world. But the biggest beneficiary is still me for memories change with time but though the ink may fade, honest words will withstood the ravages of time.

Join me for Part II. 

What The Plovers Stole From Me

I've had just enough time...   to be thankful to the plovers who stole from me

 Taken of the pair of plovers that stole away my worries in a private beach in Hua Hin, Thailand

Walking alone on the wind swept beach

Pounded by roaring waves

It was no lullaby

Peace was not in my heart

Or in my mind

They will make very quick darts across the sand that looks quick comical

While I was not looking

The plovers darted in

Snatched away my worries

In a big hurry

Then stopped dead still. They may face away from each other.

 My head felt strangely light

I left the beach with a smile

For  the plovers

That stole from my mind

Or facing the same direction

If you didn't follow them with your eyes, it takes you quite a while to look for them when they are not moving.

 There, they go on their mad dash again :)

Then stopped to be part of the scenery.

See how easy it is to miss them had I not zoomed in with my shots.

They are very interesting to watch. There are two plovers in all these pictures. Did you notice them all?

Part III – The Lady Met the Elephant on a Rainy Day

I've had just enough time to...   see the meeting of the lady and the elephant

Taken of the meeting of the lady and the elephant on one rainy morning...

...when heaven shed its tears over the River Kwai.

One early morning

A lady crossed a bridge

Under a curtain of teary rain

Met a lonesome elephant

Looking for love at the other end

They stood facing each other in silence

While the heaven wailed and screamed

It asked for love but the lady has none to give

Not the type it needs

They stood facing each other

And three hearts were broken

On that rainy day

Part I – I Dreamt of Elephants

I've had just enough time to...   dream of elephants.

Found this colourful elephant during one of my aimless wandering in Bangkok

I dreamt of elephants

One stood in my way

And would not budge

No matter how I pushed

And huffed and puffed

I used all my strength plus my will

But what is it to an elephant’s bulk

There are things that cannot be pushed

Like an elephant that refused to move

I walked to the elephant’s ear

Whispered into it earnestly

And saw its eyes blinked

It listened to the stories

Dredged from my belly

Pushed itself off the ground

And walked away just like that

I dreamt of elephants and learnt

The only way you can move an elephant

Is to move its heart

_______

The Elephant Song - Kamahl

Tell me said the elephant 

Tell me brothers if you can 

Why all the world is full of creatures 

Yet we grow in fear of man 

Tell me said the elephant 

tell me why this has to be 

we have to run from man and hunter 

never safe and never free 

I Walked The Bridge Over River Kwai.

I've had just enough time to...   walk over the River Kwai.

Taken while walking on the Death Railway over River Kwai, Thailand.

When I walked the bridge over River Kwai, 

When I walked over the Railway of Death, 

Did I hear the moans of restless souls 

Fallen on the beds below? 

Did I hear the whispers in the wind 

Carried by the bamboo groves 

Whose roots entwined with their bones 

Enriched by their flesh and blood?

The lush valley hides many a bitter tales 

Of foolish men and their foolish war 

And no matter how they paint it over 

Where is the glory in that? 

If you take a quiet walk 

You may hear a curling scream 

You probably imagined it 

Or maybe you did not.