This is the third and final chapter in the story of Nige’s, the almost (but not quite) infamous rooftop bar at Villa 118, the GM’s erstwhile residence at Banyan Tree Lijiang. Nige’s became a refuge, an escape, a party place, a forum for crazy conspiracy theories and ‘the‘ venue to host friends and almost celebrities. Some of my best Lijiang memories were forged there.
I often climbed up before sunrise, in my dressing gown, to watch the glow slowly appear on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. I even witnessed the Chinese New Year midnight fire works one time, though it was bloody cold, being February and below freezing!
My dog Lucy however, was never impressed. She used to bark every time I went up on the roof with friends or by myself. I never did quite figure out how to get her up there, or indeed how I would get her back down if I did!
Eventually, after four mostly enjoyable years in Lijiang, my contract with Banyan Tree came to an end. I was moving to Angsana Penang.
When it came to Nige’s, I had made a promise that I would build the whole project myself, without any help and then make it disappear without a trace when I left. I was mostly successful, learning some great skills along the way. Now the time had come to dismantle and pack it all down.
But before that, we had to have one last Nige’s bar gathering of all.
What to do? Many people had come and gone over the years, enjoying the views, the BBQ’s and drinks, the company (well mostly…) I therefore wanted to mark the final gathering with something special to remember them all by. But how to find a way to keep the memories alive, even though very soon no one would be there to do so? I needed a Nige’s legacy, a rooftop Ghost, a secret something to leave behind…
Then it occurred to me. We could create a sort of time capsule, lightly disguised as a ‘services box’ with a plate on it saying “keep out”. The box was already there, mounted on the wall, the rest would be easy.
I sent out invitations to my circle of close friends with a request to bring a small gift which could be placed in the ‘capsule’. Over time, I had also been given some small items by different friends who had left Lijiang already. They would be included as well.
When the day came, everyone brought something. Brilliant. A horseshoe from Kitty who ran the equestrian centre, some tea from Jenny and Abao, knick-knacks from here and there. I placed a Tibetan rainbow tassel and a bottle of barley spirit on behalf of Mario Piazza my friend and deputy who had left China by then. All sorts of memento’s, representing the great times we had shared. I also included a USB memory stick full of photos from various gatherings that had taken place at Nige’s.
As the afternoon was wrapping up we carefully placed the items, signed our names on the official ‘Nige’s’ signboard and then took turns to nail the box shut. I later sealed it against the weather and painted it.
Over the coming days I removed the pot plants, the furniture and finally took down and broke up the stair-ladder. (I couldn’t have anyone using it again to access the roof and discover our secret, could I?) I gave the solar lights and outdoor umbrella to Lushan and Achun for their restaurant. Kitty took the bar to her equestrian centre. The furniture went back to where it came from and that was it. Nothing left, just a few traces on the ground which would soon disappear.
Looking back, I really miss Nige’s Bar.
It was a special place. It was a quirky, fun and totally unauthorised venue which helped to create some great memories. It was my private escape to which I could retreat during difficult times.
As for the time capsule, that was a fun idea. Is it still there? I hope so. Maybe one day a curious duty engineer will open it and think WTF. Who knows…?
