Mysterious medallion I found last week on the scavenger hunt

There’s been quite a flurry of activity the last week or so. I feel like I’m settling into a routine, for better or worse. I managed to get out and about for a little furniture and accessory shopping. Calling my nearly empty apartment “minimal” was a bit of a stretch, and since it looks like I’m going to hang here for a while, I might as well make it my own. I had seen this cool store dECO and decided to check it out. VERY stylish stuff—and sustainable! So I can go green while I burn cash. I feel so planet-friendly all of a sudden! We are the world . . . la la la.

Received a text from Sofie. Apparently Burning Man is raging. I thought everything out there was supposed to be off the grid, but apparently Miss Sofie has a hook-up. So like her. The temperatures are apparently hitting record highs. I’m sure Sofie is too, if you get my drift. Although she was complaining that they let undercover cops in this year to curb drug use. I’m sure I’ll get the full download once she’s come back to earth.

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My doodling of the mysterious tattoo that I got

I had forgotten momentarily that there is a world outside of VIE. My overstuffed email inbox was a very unpleasant reminder.  Fortunately, nothing earth-shattering. I did get an email from my friend Sofie. She is gearing up for Burning Man in a couple of weeks and had to share all the details. She has been trying to get me to come to Burning Man for years. I love looking at the pictures and even own a couple of the photo essay books, but that’s just too much hangover time for me.

Speaking of hangovers . . . Damn that Chloe!  We’ve become fast friends, but she is a bit faster than even I am used to.  Let me tell you, that girl can toss ‘em back. I’m no slouch in the drinking department, but keeping up with her is a futile endeavor. And a painful one.

I think I mentioned last time that Chloe had invited me to a scavenger hunt at the beach?  Chloe hosts these periodically for guests here.  She even said the next one was going to have a “special prize.” Hopefully, it won’t come in a bottle!

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A mysterious symbol I found

There’s something about the pace here. There’s a rhythm to it. It’s almost musical the way it picks you up and sweeps you into whatever you’re doing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s obviously not something that one can create, is it? Can these guys be that smart? I don’t know, but let me tell you, it feels really good. It’s like your whole day just . . . okay, seriously, I’m creeping myself out now. Just re-reading this paragraph makes me sound like I’m under some spell.

But if I am, my publisher is going to love it. I know it’s been a while since my last post, but I’ve been cranking away on the book and I’m luxuriating in the progress. What is especially surprising is that my work ethic hasn’t exactly been exemplary. Let’s just say there’s a lot to do here on VIE and I haven’t been missing many opportunities.

Remember Ana? The bombshell Brazilian bisexual? Well, when I saw her at the casino she had invited me to come visit her at the Temple Ruins. That’s her day job, she told me. Apparently being the belle of the ball is her real job. Hopefully, she won’t quit either one.
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What a week!  I find that I’ve fallen completely under the spell of VIE and have definitely decided to stay for a while.  To that end, I have ensconced myself in a fabulous apartment at The Cliffside.

As a child, I was always fascinated by the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi.  Being of two different cultures, the “original” American cultures always intrigued me.  The Anasazi were The Ancient Ones and there were many legends of mysticism surrounding them.  Like the Mayans, they simply disappeared.  Most archaeologists believe they just assimilated into other native cultures and tribes.  Some of my scholarly friends, however, have a slightly more . . . mysterious . . . set of theories.  One rather off-kilter fellow even suggested they were the descendants of Atlantis.  Don’t you just love theories!

Walking into the hallways of The Cliffside, I felt the same sort of feeling as I did when I visited the Anasazi ruins.  There’s an energy here, a power.  I actually feel it all over the island But it’s particularly strong here at my new place.

Let me tell you, though, this place is NO ruin.  The entry is like walking through a luxury version of an old temple.  It’s like Indiana Jones meets The Ritz.  Then you walk into an apartment and it’s like you are suspended in air.  The views are simply astounding.  Floor to ceiling glass, yet due to the way they are positioned, you are still incredibly private.  Hmmm.  Sounds like me.  Hiding in plain sight.

Check out these pictures from the website.

The Cliffside

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VIE-la-la!  I just arrived on the Island a short while ago.  I’m thinking for once the reality might live up to the hype.  This place is dreamy.  There’s a scent in the air . . . so exotic.  It’s the kind of fragrance people would pay a fortune to bottle.  Speaking of bottles, I met the most amazing fellow.  His name is Niko.  He’s the bartender in the Astralily bar.  Breathtakingly handsome–and his gaze . . . there’s danger there.  I’d say things are off to quite a nice start.

We talked a lot.  Niko called it my “orientation.”  Niko seems to know everything that happens on the island.  Just like a bartender!  They always know everyone’s secrets.

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I got the strangest note in my Inbox this week… an invitation to a resort called “VIE”. It looks like an island resort somewhere in the ocean, where white sandy beaches, luxury accommodations, and potent cocktails are the backdrop for fabulous shopping, dining, and entertainment. What kept me from tossing it was the word “indulge,” (not to mention it was sent with a real coconut attached!) I looked at these beautiful images, imagining my toes in that white sand, and thought “that’s exactly what I need right now — an escape.” This place looks incredible!

Not too sure about it being “magical” though — being that I write about these types of places for a living, if I read about one more tropical island that’s supposed to be “magical” and “mystical” I’m going to turn in my laptop for a camel and move to the Gobi desert. Reading on, though, I saw a word that I haven’t seen used to describe a resort before: Supernatural. A resort might call themselves magical, but supernatural??

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