Bahowo Lodge

Phil Boast and Paula Larcher had enjoyed many holidays in South East Asia over the years, but the odd-shaped island of Sulawesi in Indonesia seemed to have it all: coral reefs teeming with marine life, pristine beaches, and rainforests where tarsiers and exotic birds dwelled. Little did the couple know that a visit to a quiet fishing village in this forgotten corner of the world would change their lives forever… This is the account of how a couple in their forties from Surrey come to Bahowo village and, with nothing more than a plot of land and an idea, set about building a tourist lodge in paradise. They soon discover that life is never dull in Indonesia, as they grapple with the ‘twilight zone’ of bureaucracy, tackle the tricky conundrum of how to name a cow, and make a host of new friends, from Mr Cups and Saucers to Johnny Chainsaw. But it’s not just Phil and Paula’s lives that are changing – their arrival marks the beginning of a time of transformation for the villagers of Bahowo too. Brimming with detail about the culture, customs and culinary delights of North Sulawesi, this book provides a refreshing insight into the meeting of two ways of life and shows how friendship and hard work can triumph over all.