| Apart from an aerial view, the best vantage point for | | | | gallants mumble their thanks and begin to collect |
| viewing the encircling reef of Bora Bora is from the | | | | themselves. They ask if they are on the right path to |
| top of the twin peaks. Her captain and WK set off up | | | | the top and she satisfies their concern that indeed |
| the long track next morning, whilst sibling crew, using | | | | they are, and that her house happens to sit on the |
| the excuse that our two men need some male | | | | path. Appeased, and having noticed much framed |
| bonding, prefers to go shopping in the village. Trekking | | | | Batik art hanging on the fronded walls, they set about |
| upward is hot work, even though the trail is bountifully | | | | asking her about her art. |
| shaded with palms and other trees, so that the sweat | | | | 'I'll show you' she says. |
| has begun oozing within a short distance up the climb. | | | | Bending over the table, her tresses falling sensuously |
| Two thirds of the way up, the track opens out into a | | | | about her face and bare shoulders, hands fluttering |
| gorgeous shady glade with a Tahitian house set on the | | | | delicately, she demonstrates how she paints the wax |
| far side. Our two heroes momentarily think they have | | | | onto her fabrics. There are many pots of dyes strewn |
| taken a wrong turning and are entering some private | | | | about, and having applied the wax, the fabric is dipped |
| garden. Not a sign anywhere indicating this is private | | | | into the next color of dye she wants. Watching |
| property, so they stride toward the shaded verandah | | | | several stages of this complex waxing and dyeing |
| in the hope that there may be a cool drink on offer | | | | process, she then moves to another table where she |
| from inside. Passing an open door of what looks to be | | | | has a finished work ready for de waxing. Placing the |
| some kind of a studio, they peer in and spy a lady | | | | absorbing paper on the fabric, she takes her hot iron |
| wrapped in her pareu, working over a table spread | | | | over it and melts the waxes. As each layer melts into |
| with fine and brightly coloured cloths. | | | | the paper, another color is exposed until, peeling off the |
| On becoming aware of someone in the doorway, she | | | | last sheet, the final image is revealed. The finished |
| glances up, flashes a brilliant smile and invites them in | | | | image is complex and quite beautiful, and many such |
| most naturally, as if this is a commonplace occurrence | | | | examples grace her studio. This particular piece is a |
| and she has been expecting them. She straightens, | | | | brightly colored pareu which will hang on the rack along |
| turns toward them and walks with a natural grace | | | | with all the others - all items are for sale. |
| over to a sideboard, and pours two large glasses of | | | | Batik art is like painting in reverse in that the artist has |
| what looks like water with lime. Turning once more, she | | | | to visualize the completed picture beforehand, and then |
| glides over the matting of the hard earthen floor, | | | | go about applying the wax to the areas that are to |
| placing each foot, straight and directly in front of the | | | | remain the same color and not affected by the next |
| other as she walks, like any well bred woman would. | | | | dye color. So, there can be no mistakes with this art |
| Smiling all the while, she arrives and hands the glasses | | | | form, as there is no way back, once made, they |
| to our adventurers with a 'thank you' and 'welcome'. In | | | | cannot be corrected. Watching her at work for half an |
| their state of readiness, she appears as a vision would, | | | | hour - no other visitors during this time - gives our two |
| surrounded by some kind of halo, her skin glowing with | | | | a greater understanding of this art form, and they are |
| a honeylicious epidermal effulgence. Gratefully | | | | very impressed. |
| accepted, the drinks are gulped down, the lime cutting | | | | She comments with a wry grin that she receives most |
| the water delightfully, immediately satiating their thirst. | | | | callers early morning and late afternoon when it is |
| Ever watching them, eyes sparkling with amusement, | | | | cooler. Expressing much admiration for her work and |
| she politely waits till they have taken their fill and asks; | | | | thanking her, they take their leave, promising to call in |
| 'Was it a hot trek up the hill this morning?' Hiding her | | | | again on their way down to select a suitable piece. A |
| irony beneath that engaging smile. | | | | languid wave from her doorway sees them off on the |
| In the presence of such stately beauty, our two | | | | next stage. |