Soneva Kiri : ‘Why ask for the moon…when we have the stars….’ (Thailand)
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Soneva Kiri : ‘Why ask for the moon…when we have the stars….’ (Thailand)
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Category: Asia Pacific - Thailand -
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2012-04-11
Soneva Kiri Explorers’ Dinners conclude with Buzz Aldrin & Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
Soneva Kiri, sitting on the island of Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand was the spectacular setting for a series of dinners and talks given by eminent adventurers and thinkers over the last few weeks. Each event an insightful and learned view about the earth’s fragility and how best to support it, in line with the Soneva core principals of SLOW LIFE (sustainable, local, organic, wellness – learning, inspiring, fun, experiences) and ‘intelligent luxury’.
When Shelley von Strunckel, international astrologer, was invited to Soneva Kiri, the stars were consulted for the most prescient dates for the trip. It was as the slightest sliver of the new moon was in the sky, shining ethereally in a rare formation with both Venus and Jupiter at its side.
With the heavens so aligned, Shelley spoke to guests about the turbulent times we live in, about the positive nature of change and how a change in thinking alone can - both personally and globally - result in golden opportunities. Spending time with guests individually, Shelley offered both inspiration and enlightenment, helping to identify issues, understand them and by so doing change them from challenge to gift, from restraint to freedom. During her stay Shelley shared the news of the spectacular planet formation and her spectacular stay at Soneva Kiri by tweeting with followers around the world.
Following Shelley was charismatic adventurer Charley Boorman, who entertained guests - sometimes rather graphically – with colourful tales of motorcycling around the world with Hollywood actor, Ewan McGregor and of how to travel the planet without using aeroplanes (much). Charley stayed at Soneva Kiri with his wife and two daughters, characteristically choosing to serve them breakfast himself by flying up and down the zip line to reach the Treepod Dining table in the tree-tops and bewildered squirrels. Always the man of action, Charley escorted guests on many of the adventurous activities available at Soneva Kiri, particularly kayaking among the mangrove forests and klongs.
With the moon now full and hanging, bright and wondrous in the sky, the scene was set for an historic meeting, dinner and discussion between two eminent explorers, Buzz Aldrin and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. 1n 1969 Buzz was the first to travel through space and land on the surface of the moon and in the same year, Sir Robin, the first to sail solo round the world. Both men had made history and as guests gathered at Soneva Kiri’s Ice Cream Parlour, under the fullest of full moons, with Venus, Jupiter and now Mars in full view, to meet and listen to this meeting of minds, it too felt like quite the historic moment.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston opened the evening, telling of his four circumnavigations of the globe. He spoke movingly, describing himself as a little ant travelling around the world, how he had seen every mile of the global oceans first hand and about its expansive beauty. Sir Robin sailed alone, solo, and made his boat with his own hands. “He’s a gentleman explorer, what he did alone was very impressive,” said Buzz.
In contrast Buzz Aldrin was part of a cast of literally thousands. He spoke of his life from the age of two, when he flew for the first time with his father (interestingly a close friend of Orville Wright) and of his career as a fighter pilot in the Korean War. And then, of course about his historic moon landing. ‘From space’ he said ‘the earth was as small as a marble’ he could hold up his thumb and block out its view. When asked how he felt looking up at the big full moon, Buzz replied, ‘The same as you. I see the same moon you see, I just have some pretty incredible flashbacks mixed in there too.’
Buzz’s description of the moon, was ‘magnificent desolation’, the guests description of the evening at Soneva Kiri however ranged from ‘Magnificent’ to ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Spellbinding’. Not only were all present absolutely mesmerised by the two gentlemen but they also got to enjoy a delicious and memorable dinner from Soneva Kiri’s Executive Chef Vishal, recently arrived from El Bulli.
Both Buzz and Sir Robin also enjoyed the experience of meeting each other and staying at Soneva Kiri. Sir Robin took several guests for the sail of their lives in Soneva Kiri’s zippy catamaran. Buzz and his family enjoyed snorkeling, diving and spending time at the Observatory – particularly the solar telescope allowing guests to view the sun.
Sir Robin - “We have loved Soneva Kiri – it is a fabulous place. And it has been fantastic to meet Buzz, something I’ve wanted to do all my life, so I’m very grateful to Sonu to have had that opportunity. I offered to take Buzz sailing, but he grinned at me as if to say he thought it would be a bit slow for him! Holidays are a rare occurrence for me and this one has been very special indeed.”
Buzz – “My family and I love Soneva Kiri because there is so much to do here. You could keep coming back and still find something new. I know about the ‘No News’ idea, but I have stayed in touch a little with the world’s going on whilst here, but it’s wonderful how much less important the emails seem from here. That’s a good thing! We’ve all enjoyed the scuba diving, snorkeling and even washing down the elephants. It’s great to relax on holiday, as I have maintained a travel schedule that most twenty-year-olds would have a hard time matching.”
Buzz concluded the evening with the quip, “Something Sonu Shivdasani and I agree on is that the real definition of luxury, is really well-made coconut ice-cream!”
The Soneva Dinner Series will continue later in the year.
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