‘Our lifestyle has adapted to western sensibilities. We have gone from commercialising and promoting our culture to the development of our land for resort holiday tourism, and that is now the mainstay of our economic existence here. Lifestyle residential opportunities, no matter what present regulations might say, have segregated the visitor from what appealed to them in the first place: the village life of Bali.’ He looked around the table. ‘I am not saying that we need to preserve Balinese culture as if it were frozen in time, for as we know, it is alive and well. It is adaptable and continues to flourish away from the gaze of the tourist eye most of the time. Our cultural origins are strong.’

He paused and took his glasses off to wipe them.

‘My concern, which I raise with you today, is that the natural environment must be allowed to remain and flower, as well as the spiritual and intellectual aspects of Balinese life. Our land, which is threatened, needs to be protected. If the core of our country, our land, is sold for short-term interests, then we have sold our soul.

‘So on behalf of the community I’d like to acknowledge to you today the service the Pangisar family and their associates do for Bali. Over the years your philanthropic Pangisar Foundation has supported, among other things, a push to improve children’s nutrition,’ the old man said, looking around at everyone.

‘In South East Asia, poor nutrition leads to thirty-eight per cent of our children under five years old having stunted growth – that’s close to sixty-five million children being affected. What you have done to improve nutrition standards in this area should be applauded. Also, your hotel shows where Bali must look to the future. I hope it will serve as an example of how tourism can be done. Congratulations. Thank you.’

Johnny thanked the professor as everyone at the table gave him a round of applause. Harold rose and shook his hand warmly, then his assistant came in to escort the professor outside while they continued the meeting.

Grace looked at Andy. ‘That’s a horrible statistic about so many kids being malnourished. I had no idea.’

‘Madame Pearl heads the foundation,’ said Andy. ‘Johnny’s mother started it before she became too ill to carry on. She’s an invalid these days.’

‘The family are modest about their philanthropy,’ said Grace quietly.