Bali-based artist and Hôtel Magique founder Milou Neelen has a long list of noteworthy travel moments. To mark the launch of her debut Papier collection, we asked her to recount some of her most magical times.
Most magical ocean you’ve swam in
I can’t choose. Any turquoise ocean across a white sandy beach is part of my happy place, especially where you can snorkel and follow beautiful colored fish or maybe even a turtle!
Most magical meal you’ve enjoyed
The first time I visited Indonesia was together with my boyfriend Davey who showed me around his hometown Makassar in Sulawesi where his godmother made cassava with her own signature sambal, which had the perfect balance of spicy but not that spicy you no longer taste anything. That was one of the few times I could literally not stop eating.
Most magical flower you’ve found
I’m not a huge Wikipedia queen but, in Bali, I love to find out the names of plants, birds, and flowers. One of my favorites because of its funny shape would be the hanging Lobster Claw flower, the name says it all. Such a strange and funny exotic beauty. And I’m endlessly obsessed with all palm and banana trees – Traveler's Palm is a favorite. We have a few in our garden and it's bizarre how fast these fan-shaped palm trees grow.
Most magical fruit you’ve tasted
Since day one on Bali, I’ve been hooked on pitaya fruit/dragon fruit. You will find them with the pink jacket but white on the inside in the Netherlands, here they are a bright magenta. I love making smoothie bowls or adding them to a pancake blend to make pink pancakes since the taste is not overpowering.
Most magical keepsake you’ve found and treasured
The only thing I kept from our Amsterdam apartment was a set of four round vintage art deco dining chairs I bought at a market in Rotterdam a lifetime ago. Chic little chairs that were finished with a piece of fabric on the back that had its best time so I painted each back in a different pattern in greens and pinks.
Most magical natural color scheme you’ve seen
The range of greens here is endless. I can remember when we visited a waterfall a few years ago, after driving for a few hours we scootered onto this dirt road where we had to park and climb down a path to end up in this waterfall lagoon with walls of green and birds flying up and down. The most magical color scheme I’ve ever seen.
Most magical piece of art you’ve spotted
Not just the art but also the building and the surrounding gardens of the Musée Matisse in Nice, France are to die for. It’s not one piece of art, it's the entire study of colors and techniques, playing with shapes and materials which inspires me to keep on playing and not take creating too seriously.
Most magical architecture you’ve witnessed
Most often it's not just about the architecture but also the surroundings, why and who you're visiting with, the entire experience. So maybe it's not the most epic building but if I'm with friends who I haven’t seen for a long time the building itself already leaves a magical memory. I love NY buildings because I love NY and almost always visit with one of my best friends. I love a lot of buildings in Bali because I am most happy here.
Most magical act of kindness you’ve seen or experienced whilst away
Thankfully so many! The most recent one would have been whilst visiting Sabine, the founder of Little Steps Matter. A foundation and safe house for street dogs in Bali. It was so inspiring to follow her and her team for a few hours, and see how they help dogs but also communities and kids through education.
Most magical stranger you’ve met abroad
This would be in NY. I was wandering around with my gorgeous friend Susan who also happens to be covered in tattoos by all her fave tattoo artists when we were halted by this old man in a fancy suit who wanted to ask a question about her tattoos. It was such a funny and random conversation, we kept on chatting and he invited us for a Manhattan dinner that night. We met him again at the restaurant where he told us about the stroke he had the year before, and because of that his eyes opened and he became much more curious.
Where before he wouldn’t have noticed us, he now stopped to ask questions. We both have a huge interest in art and when he mentioned he had some Goya etchings at home together with some other mind-blowing art pieces and the finest selection of wine, we continued the conversation at his penthouse overlooking Central Park. Inspiring to hear his life story and see how this stroke opened his world.
Most magical sunset you’ve experienced
Definitely in Bali, the sunsets are beyond here and they go crazy fast! I love to stop work and watch the sun go down from our balcony and watch the sky turn into a 'magique' color palette of yellows, oranges and pinks. But my fave part is actually just before the sun has just started to go down when everything turns into a warm hazy yellow.
Most magical bed you’ve slept in
Before I launched Hôtel Magique I worked as a print and pattern designer at Scotch & Soda. During one work trip to Hong Kong, we stayed at a hotel with the biggest breakfast buffet and the most comfy bed I’ve ever slept in. I think I even asked the mattress and pillow brand.
Ready to document your magical travel moments? Find paper souvenirs for your next trip with the Papier x Hôtel Magique collection.