Richard And Jo Demeester's videos

Photos and videos are not allowed inside the halls, but we were allowed to enter. In fact, we got some smiles from a handful of the rows and rows of monks who were inside, as we made our way as discretely as we could, from the door to some cushions by the wall. Two blocks of monks sat facing each other. four rows of robed men and boys, on each side of the temple. The front row had drums, and a few wind instruments were played in the back rows. Up the front, one very auspicious looking gentleman led them all. His throat singing deeper than I thought possible. In front of each monk, pages and pages of loose leaves with what looked like hand written prayers. Without direction, the instruments and drums instinctively played, the rhythm accelerating and the chanting building, and suddenly, they stop. A short lull. Then, again, the scores of monks continue in slow deep tones. We had been in there fifteen minutes or so, but they had been obviously going for quite some time, when the instruments were laid down. Quietly, a few monks weaved in and out, carrying large flasks of hot tea, and baskets of bread or cake, and served some refreshment to those who had been praying. This pause was not long. Ten minutes or so, and then, they began again.

The commentary shows just how excited and happy I was.

The best thing about the concert was how much the crowd got into it. The atmosphere was amazing.

Early January, when we were supposed to be in the depths of winter, Bomba was instead experiencing weeks of mild, almost balmy, weather. Some friends, Donna and Andrew, and their son Xavier, came for lunch, and we dined on our recently completed roof terrace. Xavier sent his drone up a few times, and I compiled some of the footage in to this video. Music is "La Scelta", courtesy of Caparezza.

The fog did not lift for the whole day. In the time lapse, it takes on a life of its own... The hour of sunrise is condensed in to 1 minute on this video.

The storm was only 10 or 15 minutes long, but the amount of rain was incredible. White water past our front door!

The morning comes to Monte Amaro