Some Kind of Magic is partly intended as a homage to the beauty of our world. Below you'll find photos of some of the settings and beings described in the book. These are meant to be viewed as you read, or after you finish; if you scroll ahead before reading, you may find spoilers! And yes, I realize it may be tempting to just keep scrolling ... and so, so easy ... but do you really want to ruin the suspense? It's up to you of course! 😉
"There is something about this environment, silent, devoid of distraction and sensory stimulation, that heightens the senses and intensifies the effect of beauty. When those peacocks caw and unfurl their dazzling feathers and the sun’s rays land on them, highlighting the blue, green, purple, and gold, it’s beyond breathtaking, beyond earthly beauty."
"...sand-colored mountains resting peacefully under a cornflower blue sky."
"In Dharamsala, it was the clouds that got me first."
"It’s the first morning of the Dalai Lama’s teachings."
"The world is so huge and so beautiful and this place has always been here and I had no idea."
"...even in the dim light I realize that Varkala Beach is more than beautiful—it’s magic."
"Macrame hammocks are strung between palm trees..."
"...betel nut trees whose trunks are so tall and skinny they remind me of matchsticks. Very tall matchsticks."
"...beyond the valley, hazy ridges of mountaintops rise in tiers like distant waves in the ocean."
"Beauty is the fabric that Bali is made of."
"...curvaceous stone statues..."
"...a grove of papaya trees."
"...bonfires on the sand with fireworks overhead."
"...the bewitching views of Kayangan Lake..."
"...a horizon of island mountains resting peacefully under the pastel canvas of sky."
"...deserted beaches bordered by jungles of foliage straight out of Jurassic Park."
"There’s something magical about jade waterfalls.
​It’s as if they are proof of the essential lovingkindness of the Universe."
"In Koh Phangan, the white sand beaches are powder soft and the sunsets are a spectacular pink, orange, and purple..."
"...and beyond them the lush green hillside slopes down to meet sandy ribbons
​of beach and sand bars that melt into the vibrant blue sea far below. "
"The best thing about Bagan is the mornings."
"Afterwards the young local showed me some of his paintings. He has talent; some were really beautiful."
"​The main building is an ivy-covered gem, complete with a black and white dog curled up on the front stoop."
"...the spectacular Taw Kyal waterfall."
"In the morning, I wake up to soft morning light and the sight of the beach, palm trees, and aqua-pastel ocean..."
"Maybe he represents all of us, with our light and our dark sides..."
"His root-arms are wrapped around a large boulder beneath him, as if in a cherishing, protective hug..."
"Manola becomes my mountain sanctuary."
"...suddenly before me is a perfect view of Kalaw far below, nestled in the valley between the mountains."
"We watch as the sun sinks slowly from a pink and orange sky into the silky pale blue sea..."
"The wide beach stretches toward hazy tree-covered hills to the left..."
"...ten shallow tiers of frothy waterfall cascading over caramel-colored boulders..."
"...the exquisite pink sandstone of Banteay Srei..."
"In the middle of a wide section of the river, a large symbol is carved into the stone riverbed."
"...and the seven months was worth the wait."
​Photo credit: our taxi driver
