THE ASTRALSHIP
An optimal collaboration space for highly talented people.
I first became aware of the Astralship when Captain Liam Kurmos reached out to me at the beginning of last year to create a flagship image representing the vitality and intention behind his vision. We worked closely together over about 9 months to lock in all of the important details and symbols that were necessary to represent the full scope of his ambitious project.
Liam purchased the Welsh Chapel in the Snowdonian village of Deiniolen from the Welsh government about 7 years ago and has pulled the weight and carried the burden of gutting, renovating and ultimately revivifying the 200+ year old convent. The project has proven to be a massive undertaking and is a long way from setting sail but the energy of the space is overflowing with creativity and the future is sure to be bright. Upon completing the flagship artwork for Astralship, Liam invited me to North Wales on an all expenses paid trip. I took nearly 200 photos of our journeys in the surrounding Elidir Mountains and our short trips to neighboring towns. I have chosen the best of these images to provide a glimpse into this magical, albeit short lived voyage upon the Astralship. Enjoy.
Setting Sail
My first day aboard the Starship was mostly occupied by getting acquainted with Liam and his partner/assistant Aglae, and recovering from the 18 hours of travel and layovers from Portland, Oregon. We ate delicious, vegetarian meals prepared by Aglae and conversed over coffee.
Aglae's Homemade Bread and the Trusty Coffee Pot
I learned of the various projects that Liam has been awarded funding by the Welsh Government for and we charted our course for the next few days including a trip to nearby Llanllyfni (pronounced Hyan-hyiv-neh... I think:)) where Liam and Aglae provided guided trips in VR space for local children. I found out this was a regular gig for them around North Wales.
The Library at Llanllyfni
Introducing Welsh Children to Virtual Reality
The Town Square at Llanllyfni
Modified Mercedes for Flower Transport :)
In the Groove
Liam and Aglae and I quickly warmed up to each other. We spent our days exploring the surrounding Elidir Mountains in the Snowdonia Region and our nights high on wine and great conversation. A highlight of my trip was a gorgeous hike through the nearby slate quarry. As we traversed the ancient Druid landscape surrounded by literal mountains of excavated slate and twisted trees out of European fairytales, I learned much about the English occupation of Wales and the systematic destruction of ancient Welsh history. As my eyes were opened to the underbelly of Britain's history and the sometimes dishonorable power plays of the invading English Army I was whisked away into a magical land of Druid Magic, Arthurian Lore and tragedy.
The Slate Quarry near Deiniolen
Liam, Suki The Astraldog and a Mountainside of Slate
A Wild Mountain Goat
Quarrymen's Barracks
Quarrymen's Barracks
Quarrymen's Barracks
Quarrymen's Barracks
Nearby town of Llanberis from the Quarry
Later that evening we took a trip through Google Earth in VR and explored the Quarry and surrounding landscape in more depth. We ended up across the ocean flying through the Grand Canyon and making a stop outside of my apartment in Fairview Oregon.
Liam in the Hull of the Astralship. The mural above him was a gift to be placed at Liam's second Chapel... Engedi
Caernarfon and Engedi
So as if one Starship was not enough, Liam acquired a second chapel in the neighboring city of Caernarfon. This chapel called Engedi was operated by a collective of Welsh folks that abandoned Caernarfon and set sail for Patagonia in search of freedom. Engedi is extraordinarily beautiful but seems nearly on the verge of collapse. Liam obtained the chapel from the Welsh government and has set out to restore it with the help of the local community. Like the Astralship, Engedi will be an optimal collaboration space for highly talented people but unlike the Astralship, Engedi is positioned in the center of a bustling town and is a prominent symbol of the surrounding population's heritage. Liam has a great responsibility to navigate the expectations of the locals meanwhile achieving his goals of introducing travelers to the future of visionary thinking.
We made several trips to Caernarfon and I took many more photos of the gorgeous city but this concluded our visit for the day. Back at the chapel we settled into idea generation and explored some potentials for both the Astralship and the future of Engedi.
Liam and I discussing the future
Evening Sunset from the bow of the Astralship
That evening we drove to Bangor to see a string quartet perform at the Pontio Cultural center adjacent to the old University. But what is a string quartet without wine and vegan cuisine:)
Voltaire- An Exceptional Vegan Bistro
Liam and Aglae
Espresso Martini... Like Vegan Cuisine, a novelty in my life
Pontio
Cae Mabon
Another highlight of my journey was our visit to Cae Mabon, a transporting plot of land in the Elidir mountains and home to the Cae Mabon Eco-village. Upon arrival I was not exactly sure what to expect. It was only after a short walk down into the trees that the glimmers of alternative civilization began to appear. The creator and keeper of Cae Mabon, Eric, was friends with Liam's father who lived on the property for some years. Apparently the land was so important to Liam's father that his body is buried there.
The road to Cae Mabon
Liam's Father's Grave
The Surrounding Landscape
Here is a short documentary about Cae Mabon by livinginthefuture.org on Youtube
A beautiful little shot outside Cae Mabon
Back to Caernarfon
From Cae Mabon we made our way back Caernarfon to grab some proper fish and chips and a couple souvenirs for the family back home. While we were there we had a few minutes to check out the town square, 800 year old Caernarfon castle where the consecration ceremonies take place for the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) and some lesser known back alleyways.
Caernarfon City Square with Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle
The Local Freemasonic Lodge... Nothing to See Here
Around Town
Back at the Astralship, Aglae did Liam and I a solid and cooked up one helluva steak. Imbibing ensued, tobacco was puffed and our favorite youtube videos were shared for hours on end.
Almost all of the vegetables and meat that we ate came from local sources and family farms
Apparently Tobacco is way more dangerous in Europe than the U.S. XP
13.png (https://steemitimages.com/DQmTjUEWdmEvtQcJMueV3YTGnHVNweSGbfDAAEVnCRGPJm4/13.png)
The Last Day
Our last day was spent traveling the countryside and discussing Mabon VR, Liam's language-teaching, immersive adventure game. We made a stop at Engedi and visited a pure, British pub for drinks and chips. Scrumptious. IMG_3946.jpg (https://steemitimages.com/DQmaDHpozZo7TPBd7bBeEQougikrGAdh39wFf5EhDJKYMPC/IMG_3946.jpg)
Liam, Aglae and I at Engedi
IMG_3951.jpg (https://steemitimages.com/DQmYxJGujBFXeSkKSrjh78w6xWdLDpDpGkrgv2JxK3PtpPt/IMG_3951.jpg)
Not sure where we were but definitely on the coast
IMG_3957.jpg (https://steemitimages.com/DQmbDSfTqoqwRcTGcmLJnX1Ew68yLU4NNTsnFZwvZvWXVkS/IMG_3957.jpg)
Brother Rutherford the Pub Master... Just Kidding, I don't know who this guy is:)
IMG_3961.jpg (https://steemitimages.com/DQmTDi5MQjjrtt6zboVobgPFtdm18C1LvwvZPdnjMhswJWL/IMG_3961.jpg)
Nothing Like Fish and Chips and Brew
And here is the Astralcat. He is a big old, one eyed, pirate kitty that I would find sleeping in my bed. We became good friends.
IMG_3962.jpg (https://steemitimages.com/DQmUx1j8qtSkuxu4PU6gLELEaysgo1onivjSP9nu3NAV2cu/IMG_3962.jpg)
And one more shot of my last night onboard. I finally figured out what the presence was that I would periodically feel in the chapel late at night. There is a picture of him hanging on the wall in the background of this image. He is definitely a guardian of the chapel. As disconcerting as supernatural intuition can be, I felt nothing but protection from him and grew to feel very comfortable having him around. ![IMG_3966.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTmpHLGLN1WjssouHgdYtVLGvkTi8KmmcfSz44xyScZ5d/IMG