In 1977, I decided to fullfill a fantasy to buy a house in Sri Lanka.
I was travelling a lot because of my various projects, back and forth from Australia, through Bali or the Philippines to Malaysia, Egypt, London and so on.
I found a very dilapidated "dowry house", boarded up, on two acres of jungle adjoining Unawatuna one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I acquired it immediately for next to nothing.  
A local "Mr. Fixit" (Husain) took my drawings and faithfully hunted down for me various materials (clay floor tiles) long since out of production and organised the renovation and remodelling of the house. It had good bones and with the addition of high brick boundary walls, a wide surround verandah, kitchen and open walled bathroom, became a very friendly and liveable place.

Muller villa, Unawatuna Beach, Galle, Sri Lanka,  1977-1992
              (Now know as "The Secret Garden")