A trip to the Philippines -2

We get out of the tricyckle and into the pumpboat that will take us to the island.Its time to eat the mango, juicy and sweet.

 

The Philippine waters are crystal clear, everywhere are untouched beaches, coconut trees and islands.

We reached Romblon.  An island which we knew well from old times.  It was still quiet, hardly no cars.  That lazy island atmosphere, where life goes slow, and you can just relax !

We went to the food market.  No supermarket in sight !  Simple local food, caught nearby.  I dont think the inhabitans know how cool that is !!  People were smiling, and sometimes calling out "Hey Joe".  He he, the white foreigners are all Joes in the eyes of the Philippinoes.  We just smile and call back.  No problem !

Its so strange what happens to me.  All the words in the local language, I thought I had forgotten, comes into my mouth.  I know alomost everything, what everything is called.  I had never thought Id remember, but yes !  its still there.  All the beans, garlics, fishsorts, the different local vinegars and fishsauces.  The fruits and and vegetables.  Funny how the brain works ?  I loved it !

 

 

We bought a fish, some onions and tomatoes.  And some nice San Miguel beers.  We take the boat out, and finds a local woman who cooks it for us.  She cooked on an open fire, just the same way I used to when we lived there.   

A trip to the Philippines

Hello !

Its been quite a while since I have been blogging now.  Thats how it is.  somethimes I have too many other things to do.

I have also been travelling quite a bit.  In fact I have been on a really amazing trip, where so many things happened.  Now I thought Id take you to a trip to the Philippines.
This was a bit of a special trip for Franz and me.  When were young we travelled around in Asia for several years. We were one of those very early travellers, back in the 70ies.   This was before the word backpacker was invented.  But we did travel with backpacks.  I must tell this story another time. 
Anyway, we ended up by living in the Philippines for three years.  From 1980 to 1983-4.  This was an amazing experience.  Philippines was so beautiful back then.  We were young, in love and open to all that life had to offer.  And we found this absolutely beautiful paradise beach, which we had almost to ourselves.

And then, just recently we went back to visit again.  Its a long trip from Norway to the Philippines.
But its nice to just sit there and think while you fly above the clouds.  Franz really loves it.  He loves to photograph the clouds too.

As we get closer to the Philippines the clouds change into tropical cumulus clouds.

This is Franz favorite thing to do.  He must have a windowseat, if not he gets angry.  and If I get it, we have to swap.

Finally, after busy dirty Manila, we get on a tiny plane and head out to the islands.  The little aircrafts touches down on a small local airport, and this is what meets us.  Peace, Bougainvillas and a sari sari store that sells mangoes.

We have to find some transport to the next place.  This is what we found.  A tricycle.  That what they use there !

We think its just great !  Nothing has changed, everything is still sweet and innocent.  And natural and beautiful.  We are exhillerated and happy to get in.  Its almost like beeing back in the old days.

Stay tuned...... more will follow

Vintage inspiration

We were roaming around in London, and took a trip to Brick Lane.  First thing I found was a streef full of african fabrics

I became totally facinated by the patterns.  Fantastic colorfull patterns made for African women.

We then found Londons biggest vintage shop.  There is always lots of inspiration in old things.

We had a coffe and sat down to read one of the many books. 

It was quite fun to hang around and just watch.  Its interesting to see the supercool hipsters coming in to look for vintage treasures.   They were obviously very inspired by late 80is and early 90 ies. 

 

My son found this sweater.  "It looks like one that you father wore when you were born" I said.

Its true !  I have a picture from 1989 from the hospital.  I kind of think it looks really ugly.  But I can understand that he thinks it looks cool.  I know the feeling.  I always used to love vintage my self.  I still do, but my taste goes more to the 50ies.  Vintage looks better on young people.  Not on me anymore.

He absolutely LOVED these old Swatch wathces in strong colors. 

I

After a long day of walking we found a cool cafe and sat down.  Ha a nice beer from Jamaica, and watched alle the cool London crowd. 

Inspiring London

My son lives in London at the moment.  And that gave me a great opportunity to go and visit.  Its been a while since I have been in London.  I used to live there one year when I was young.  That was a great experience, and maybe a major reason why I desided to travel to India that time long ago.

This is him.  He studies at the university.  He showed me around.

And this is what he reads !  Im glad its not me !

I did even find the house I used to live in 150 years ago !  Nice !

We decided to go for some interesting inspiration, In stead of just heading for Oxfordstreet shopping.

British Museum was our choice.  Its so big !  You dont know where to start.

And inspiration was plentifull

I like this eagel here.  History is exciting.  To see all the works of man ! 

In the evening we go to Jamie Olivers restaurant in Kingston.

The atmosphere was quite nice.  Very informal, modern, like I expected.

We ordered this really nice salad with gorgonzola and pear.  Very tasty !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a thin Italian feather stake with sage.  Mmmm..

My inspiration

Hi !
An important part om my job is to take in impressions.  Inspiration.  Then I let it all go through my internal computer, loaded with my childhood impressions, my personality, and hopefully a little bit of talent ?

I do find inspiration in everything.  In memories, objects and history.  Not to mention the culture and house I grew up in.  Maybe Ill tell you about it one day.   But I have to follow the important events in our trade, and thats the fashion industry.  That means going to shows and other points of interest. 

Im in Copenhagen lookin at an interesting designer

I watch the catwalk show

Just watching the other people at the Copenhagen fashon fair is interesting.  A lot of inspiration in just looking at the others

This is in Paris.  I trying on a very nice scarf

I watch the trend exhibitions to pick up, or confirm the trends.

People from all corners of the world come these shows

And in the evening I myself a nice little restaurant to have my dinner.

 

My trip to Åland

Hi again dear friends

This time I will show you some pictures from my last trip. This was last weekend, and the trip went to Finland.

I was to hold a lecture, or speech or whatever you may call it, on a conference. This was a womens conference, on business entrepreneurship for women. It was sponsored by the EU, and the theme was called: To Choose your way. Or "AT VALJE SIN VEG" as they say.
It was quite interesting. It was a mix of women who have started their own business, officials, professors and other scientists, and politicians.

I was one of the women who told their story. and the listeners were around 200 women.

There were many interesting stories. One interesting story was by the woman behind the Finish brand Noolan www.noolan.com

I think the listeners also found my story interesting. The long way we have gone, Franz and I. From streetsellers in Japan, until today. Thats a long and winding road, I can assure you !

I also met the Swedish celebrity auditor Amelia Adamo. The woman behind several very
succesfull womens magasines.

And finally, the President of Finland, Mrs Tarja Halonen came ! Quite an honour to the conference. But then again, it was an important topic. How to make women start businesses. After all, we are 50% of the population. And if we do start businesses, they are different from mens businesses. So its not a question of either, or. Its an addition to a countries output.

What is very important for politicians and officials to understand, is that its a good thing for their country, and their economy. So they must make it possible for women to do it.

When the conference ended, I went out into the sunshine. I went together with a new friend that I met. Kerstin, an amazing firework of a woman from Sweden, that has invented a special wildberry picking tool which is collapsible. (sammenleggbar bærplukker) Her company is called Hooked on nature www.hookedonnature.se

She and I had a cold beer in the sun ! Lovely ! Mariehamn and Åland is a really small place. so by the end of the conference we were almost celebrities too. There was a lady who wanted Kerstin to autograph her berrypicker ! Ha ha.
There was a streetparty going on. Mariehamn celebrated their 150 years, and the local rockband was playing. Kjerstin really got into it after two beers.

Its great to be invited to such events. Its really inspiring to meet all these amazing other women. but also to visit Åland. Åland is a swedish speaking part of Finland, located on an island in the middle of the Baltic sea. I had to go by ferry back to Stockholm, before flying back to Oslo.

Påskehilsen

Hei,
Da er vi hjemme igjen etter en lang og intens designreise. Nå skal det bli godt med påskeferie !

Det er lange dager, og mye arbeid som ligger bak kolleksjonene våre. Det er en ting å skulle være innkjøper og velge. "Det er pent og det er ikke pent. Det tror jeg på, og det tror jeg ikke på."

Dette er ikke det vi holder på med. Vi skaper alt fra bunnen av.Det er virkelig noe helt annet.
Og veldig mye mer arbeid. Som starter lang tid i forveien.
Vi tengner deler, planlegger konsepter. Og så reiser vi ned for å sette dem sammen. Dette gjør at vår kolleksjoner blir helt unike. Og rett og slett litt finere, håper jeg.

Vi sitter intenst og lager smykker fra tidlig morgen til sent på kveld. Derfor er det utrolig deilig med noen avbrekk i denne deilige Kinesiske parken vi akkurat har oppdaget.





Det er vår i Kina nå, som de fleste steder på den nordlige del av kloden. Og det er så fantastisk. Vi har funnet ut at det er en vakker park, rett bak hotellet vårt. Det er bare så deilig å ha et sted å få litt frisk luft, og kunne gå litt. Skjønt frisk luft....... Parken er i hvertfall skjønn.

Titt tei Tove. Min fantastiske kollega som er fast del av designtemet vårt. Her gjemmer hun seg i et vakkert mandeltre. Det er så vakkert med alle de nydelige trærne som blomsrer på bar kvist.



Når de førsk skal lage en park i Kina, så sparer de ikke akkurat på kruttet. Parken var diger, og beplantet og bebygget på det aller vakreste. Nydelige små broer, fantastisk beplantning og skulpturer over alt.



Og når vi ikke lager smykker eller går tur i parken, spiser vi ! Ah, maten er så god !!!



Her er det Koreansk barbeque. Kjøtt som blir grillet ved bordet, og så pakket inn i grønne blader, sammen med soyabønne pasta med chille. Nam nam


Da vil jeg bare ønske dere en veldig god påske.