Grace caught her breath when she saw the brilliant white driveway, lined with tropical trees and plants, that wound towards her destination, the Kamasan Hotel. The tyres made a gentle crunch as they rolled forward.

‘What’s this driveway made of? It looks like pearls!’

‘Crushed shells, old coral, special sand,’ the driver answered, obviously used to people’s reactions when they first saw it.

‘It’s like a secret island jungle,’ she exclaimed, noticing the filigree metal torches stabbed alongside the driveway. But there looked to be order and calmness to the great green forest, now that she could see it close up. Sunlight slanted through the trees, the filtered light making the branches look soft and yielding, and the bamboo and palm fronds swayed gently. It was inviting and peaceful.

A flash of colour in a tree caught her eye. ‘Are there monkeys in there?’

‘No. Special birds. Monkeys make trouble.’

‘It’s stunning. Magical.’

‘No more place in Bali like this.’

‘Hard to believe we just left the crowds and the shops outside the gate.’

‘Very special place. This must be the most special place in Bali,’ the driver said enthusiastically.

Before Grace could answer she caught her first glimpse of one of the buildings: a spacious pavilion that seemed to be floating above the ground. Its soaring peaks hinted at its Balinese inspiration. It looked light and airy, as if woven of delicate strands of bamboo by some giant master weaver. The landscaping and water features were unfinished but the trees and plants, living green sculptures, were stunning despite being surrounded by the detritus of a building site.

The van pulled up at the front entrance and Grace climbed out. The effect of the jungle all around was even more intense now, as the sounds of birds filtered through and the bamboo clacked softly in the breeze. Turning towards the beach, she saw the line of ocean shimmering beyond the gardens.

Breathtaking, she thought. Grace felt embraced and protected by the lushness of the nature that surrounded her. This truly was a jungle paradise.

As she walked into the main pavilion, which was still a work in progress, Grace’s first impression was of a sense of lightness. The building’s construction looked delicate, but she knew it was strong and flexible. In the briefing documents Alli had sent her, she’d read that the hotel met the highest standards for cyclone and typhoon proofing. And while the design was innovative, it was obviously inspired by traditional Balinese buildings. With its large spaces and soaring ceilings, it was a marriage of elegance and natural beauty. The quality of the building materials immediately impressed her – carved wood, polished stone, glass and tiles. It was clear no expense had been spared; everything around her was tasteful and carefully designed.

A young woman approached her. ‘Ms Hagen? Welcome. I am Sutini. I’m the assistant to Mr Wija Angiman, the CFO for the company. Let me show you to your suite. We have a few rooms that are finished, and we want you to experience what the hotel will be like when it is complete.’ She led the way, adding, ‘I hope that is all right with you.’