Day 4 Shangri-la

“The entire meaning and purpose of Shangri-La came to me in a vision long, long ago. I foresaw a time when man exalting in the technique of murder, would rage so hotly over the world, that every book, every treasure would be doomed to destruction.

This vision was so vivid and so moving that I determined to gather together all things of beauty and culture that I could and preserve them here against the doom toward which the world is rushing.

Look at the world today. Is there anything more pitiful? What madness there is! What blindness! A scurrying mass of bewildered humanity crashing headlong against each other.

The time must come, my friend, when brutality and the lust for power must perish by its own sword. For when that day comes, the world must begin to look for a new life. And it is our hope that they may find it here. ⁃ James Hilton from Lost Horizon 1933

8th January 2023

We checked into the little earthly paradise that is the Shangri-la yesterday afternoon for the rest of our stay in Bangkok. If there ever was a happy place to regain your equilibrium when you’ve lost your horizon, this is it.

My many international teacher and administrator friends who also know this glorious hotel well, will know what I mean when I say that the moment you step into the hotel you are engulfed by an instantly recognisable smell that induces a sense of calmness and tranquility and has an immediately soothing effect.

The Krungthep wing where we normally stay is currently under renovation but the main part of the hotel is lively and bustling with people from all over the world. There are still a few lingering signs of the impact of Covid but, on the whole, things seem to be almost back to normal. Regardless, the Chao Phraya River runs on as ever, busy with river traffic.

The Shangri-la is indeed a gathering together of many things of beauty and culture and epitomizes Thai style at its finest. The hotel is full of beautiful patterns, fabrics and natural beauty. Some examples follow:

“Thence for nine days’ space I was borne by direful winds over the teeming deep; but on the tenth we set foot on the land of the Lotus-eaters, who eat a flowery food….and the Lotus-eaters did not plan death for my comrades, but gave them of the lotus to taste. And whosoever of them ate of the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus, had no longer any wish to bring back word or to return, but there they were fain to abide among the Lotus-eaters, feeding on the lotus, and forgetful of their homeward way…” – Odyssey 9.82

I think we ate some of that honey-sweet fruit of the lotus for breakfast this morning …