The Floating Garden Village: A Sleepy Journey

Fall asleep easily with a journey to a magical sanctuary born from the dreams of imaginative souls who transformed their deep love for a river into a serene, living community. "The Floating Garden Village" is a unique bedtime story that invites you to wander across moon bridges and through blooming greenhouses, immersing yourself in a world woven from imagination, silk lanterns, and the rich perfume of flowers.

Let the gentle drift of this idyllic village-- a place where it's easy to go with the flow-- lull you into a deep, restorative sleep. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Sometimes magic is born of necessity.

A small idea that blossoms into a beautiful floating oasis.

Tonight,

Imagine that very magic has led you here.

You are listening to The Floating Gardens,

A drifting dream story.

In the soothing journey for sleep,

Travel to a serene river where life moves at the slow pace of the current.

This wondrous timeless village is a floating paradise,

Inviting you to wander its pathways and embrace the tranquil joy of a life lived in harmony with nature.

Feel the gentle motion of the water below you as you settle into a quiet stillness.

A handcrafted home you found among the blossoms.

With a day spent wandering across woven rope bridges and elegant moon bridges,

You explore the village and its library and healing garden.

As the sky dims,

Enjoy a sunset dinner on a floating dock.

The day's last light painting streaks of orange and purple across the water.

One by one,

The village silk lanterns come to life,

Illuminating the scene in an array of jewel tones.

As the stars emerge,

You take a small boat ride,

Gracefully ducking under the bridges and watch as the night sky blazes above you.

You return to the hydrangea suite,

A charming bedroom within a glass dome.

Blooming hydrangeas in every shade of blue and purple fill the air with a soft perfume.

As you climb into your canopy bed,

Lulled by the gentle drift,

The calming sounds of the river draw you into the soft embrace of slumber.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I'm Michelle and I invite you to let everything go and open your minds to the beautiful imagery that may be discovered in the space between wakefulness and sleep.

Let my voice take on the quality of an old trusted friend who advocates for your self-care and peace tonight.

I will only bring us to the most serene escapes,

Mental holidays that you may customize any way you like to meet your needs right now.

What a gift it is to celebrate making it through another day by taking this time to slow down.

In the sanctuary of your room and mind,

You are safe and free to fall asleep whenever you like.

This week's story is inspired by my visit to Vietnam years ago.

The village of Hoi An and the floating markets on the Mekong Delta.

I decided to bring a fairytale-like approach to it,

But I truly wish this village existed.

As someone who's rescued many flowers that bloom in my city apartment,

I often imagine being in a beautiful place by the water.

I hope this brings peace and serves as a reminder that dreaming is a form of planning and what we imagine can become our reality.

To set the tone for our journey,

I'm going to guide you through a brief relaxation meditation.

Release a sigh,

Making a sound as you exhale,

Then sip in the air slowly,

Imagining the rich,

Earthy aromas of the water and the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

Picture your space softening,

Becoming the heart of a cozy suite nestled just above the slow-moving water on a secluded river bend.

Let out another long,

Gentle sigh,

Releasing any tension or lingering thoughts from the day.

Appreciate the stillness of this moment and the sweet,

Quiet settling of your mind.

Continue to inhale maybe yawn and sigh at the rhythm and pace that feels good to you now as I count us down.

Each breath becomes softer and more grounding.

Five,

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,

Connecting with the rich river air and the scent of hydrangeas as the evening cools.

The gentle creak of the wood and the sounds of the village soothe you,

Guiding the beating of your heart as it slows down.

Four,

A deep sense of gratitude washes over you,

Appreciating this time for yourself.

A well-earned pause from the demands of light.

The soft glow of a distant silk lantern stirs a longing to remain in this tranquil haven for as long as you can.

Three,

A wave of comfort and warmth spreads through you as you feel utterly safe and nurtured.

As the gentle rocking of the water and the soft glow of your own lantern deepens your relaxation.

Two,

Your muscles soften,

Your bones become heavy,

And you find it effortless to surrender.

Healing river waters that whisper let go echo the sentiment of this amazing night.

They gently ebb and flow from the ground of your head down your spine and the front of your torso.

They continue to sparkle and soothe your arms and legs,

Leaving a delightful sensation in your palms and soles of your feet.

A gentle release from head to toe occurs,

Preparing you for the soothing voyage.

One,

You return to your inner peace and all your needs with a secret knowing that tonight you are held in the timeless embrace of the river.

As you inhale,

Yawn,

And sigh one last time,

Your breath settles into a soft sleepy rhythm as we journey to the floating gardens.

It's not really that hard to create a beautiful village in a world as abundant with beauty as Earth.

While everyone's definition of beauty may vary,

The floating gardens came from those who loved a river and its bountiful resources and lived in a climate suitable for flowers to bloom year-round.

You find yourself here in a village that at its heart came to be from the pure imagination and deep love for the river that its residents shared.

For generations,

The villagers were water-loving souls drawn to the river's slow,

Constant journey.

Their days were filled with the ebb and flow of the current.

Their lives lived on its banks,

Spread out farther than they wished to be.

They yearned for a way to be even closer.

To balance the sense of adventure a river journey promised with a comfort of a permanent home and tight-knit community.

The river itself,

With its gentle unending current,

Offered a foundation both more reliable and more deeply aligned with their spirit than the muddy,

Unstable land.

And so nearly a century ago,

One imaginative soul introduced designs for an idyllic floating village.

The warm climate was perfect for such a refuge,

With plans for dozens of gardens that would provide both beautiful blossoms and bountiful food.

What began as a half-dozen floating sanctuaries would one day become dozens of gardens and greenhouses that form the interconnected heart of the village.

Every floating space and island is rife with flora and vegetation.

The floating village is the kind of creative community the children may dream of,

But seem to forget once they are adults,

And have the actual authority to make it all happen.

As you arrive at the floating village,

You find yourself recalling the distant dreams of your youth,

Remembering the kind of home you once thought you would have.

As a child,

Anything seems possible.

An elaborate treehouse,

A hobbit home,

A bedroom under the sea,

Or maybe even a floating village.

As you arrive at the floating village,

You soon realize that no matter what floating space you visit,

From the library to the tranquil,

Drifting sleeping pods,

Green vines cascade down the walls and lush,

Vibrant blossoms fill the space with their aroma.

The dreamy village reflects on the gentle ripples of the silvery blue river like an watercolor painting from so very long ago.

The late afternoon sun casts a long golden light as you wander along the weathered wooden pathways.

The planks worn smooth by generations of footsteps feel warm and solid beneath your bare feet.

Your lightweight attire,

A flowy linen shirt,

And soft cotton pants move gently with a slight tepid breeze that whispers across the water.

As you approach an arching moon bridge,

Its elegant ivory curve spans between two of the larger floating gardens.

Benches and hammocks are carefully spaced amongst a rose garden bursting with pops of fuchsia,

Peach,

Lavender,

Yellow,

And crimson.

You ascend the gentle incline of the bridge and pause,

Resting your hands on the stone railing as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the mystical village.

Below you,

And stretching in every direction,

Are the dozens of intricately connected gardens and greenhouses.

Each one is a unique expression of the villager's deep connection to nature.

Some are explosions of color,

With beds overflowing with fiery orange marigolds,

Velvety crimson roses,

And cheerful yellow sunflowers.

Their faces turn towards the sun.

Others are dedicated to leafy vegetables and fragrant herbs.

They are sent mingling with the rich,

Earthy river air.

The breeze only serves to gently release their scents even more.

The refreshing and cleansing aroma of rosemary joins the calming sweetness of lavender,

The bright zest of lemon balm.

In the distance,

The joyous sounds of children at play drift across the water as they take turns gliding into the river on tire swings.

Their carefree laughter is followed by excited barks from a wet,

Happy Labrador who bounds in and out of the river,

Looking after them.

From a nearby floating dock,

A musician noodles on a classical guitar,

Creating the mellow vibes of the late afternoon.

As his fingers dance across the nylon strings,

His song captures the essence of the village,

Pureness,

Ease,

And a profound,

Soul-lifting fluidity.

The music and children's enthusiasm are joined by the constant lapping of the river against the floating village.

Everything feels unhurried and full of life,

Pleasing to all the senses.

Modest one- or two-room tiny homes,

Often featuring charming lofts and ground-level garden rooms,

Are nestled amongst the greenery.

Some are made of glass,

While others are wooden structures painted in vibrant hues and soothing blues.

Some resemble storybook cottage homes and dollhouses come to life.

Flowers and small trees bloom around the homes in window boxes and terracotta planters accordingly,

As well as overflow into the indoor regions.

Wisteria climbs trellises that form natural walls and potted hibiscus adorn windowsills and balconies.

The occasional larger structure stands out,

A building with a steeply pitched roof that you recognize as the music room.

It is one of the few climate-controlled spaces that is home to many instruments that villagers and visitors alike are welcome to use as they take lessons.

The library may be found in another glass roof structure,

Where floor-to-ceiling teakwood shelves overflow with classic and entertaining fiction for leisure and an impeccable collection of gardening resources.

Life flourishes everywhere in the river village,

In a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

You continue across the moon bridge,

The polished surface radiating warmth from the sun,

As you step onto the island that holds the rose garden greenhouse.

The air here is thick with the intoxicating sweet fragrance of hundreds of roses.

Their petals unfurling into a myriad of colors,

Deep burgundies,

Soft blushes,

And vibrant yellows.

There's a color for every mood,

And butterflies dart in and out of the greenhouse.

Sunlight filters through the glass roof,

Illuminating the delicate veins in the petals and casting dappled patterns on the stone pathways within.

The rose garden offers a shortcut to a rope bridge that leads to a small island that houses the library.

Stepping inside is like entering another world.

The air is hushed and cool as bamboo fan blades swirl from exposed beams overhead.

The library offers a welcome contrast from the afternoon warmth.

It's a cherished place for many to find peace and simply be.

The rich scent of aged paper and leather-bound books fills your senses,

Mingling with the fresh aroma of the lush flora that thrives within.

A handcrafted stone waterfall cascades gently into a clear pool in the very center of the library as sunlight pours through the skylights.

Refracting and creating tiny dancing rainbows in the mist.

The waterfall's soft melody creates a soothing soundtrack,

Another opportunity to celebrate a calming presence of water.

A canopy of towering ferns and other flowers provides shady nooks where soft blankets are spread and one may get lost in a novel.

The walls are lined with seemingly endless shelves of books and a few wooden ladders on wheels that give access to the higher shelves.

You run your fingers along their spines,

A tactile journey through countless stories and ideas.

You notice sections dedicated to the history of the floating village,

With some volumes appearing quite old,

Their pages yellowed and brittle.

Other shelves hold beautifully bound coffee table books,

Their glossy pages filled with stunning oil paintings and evocative photographs that capture the floating village through time,

From its humble beginnings to the flourishing modern escape it is today.

You notice a collection of sketchbooks,

Their worn covers suggesting they are the work of the very first villagers who dreamed this place into existence.

You imagine their hands drawing the first floating platforms,

Charting the courses of the future walkways.

And envisioning the gardens that would one day bloom around them.

In a quiet corner,

Bathed in the soft glow of a reading lamp,

You see her.

The librarian stands,

Perusing a box of newly donated books and the soft rainbow glow of a lamp.

Her ethereal presence is enhanced by long flowing silver hair and eyes that hold a deep wisdom.

Her eyes gaze above the black horn-rimmed glasses that have slipped to the end of her nose as she welcomes you with a tender smile.

You notice the delicate,

Fine lines around her eyes and mouth,

A roadmap of a life spent in tranquil contentment.

For years,

She has offered painting classes each week on the library's expansive outdoor deck.

And as you approach,

She shows you some of the latest framed artwork from a class.

She jokes that Monet would have been even more prolific had he spent a few years in the floating village.

Several other people are with you now,

Settled in comfortable chairs,

Their eyes scanning the pages of books or gazing out at the tranquil river as they journal or crochet.

The scene is one of utter serenity.

You whisper a quiet thank you to the woman who tends to this beautiful place,

A place that holds the very soul of the village,

A place that fosters knowledge and awakens curiosity.

The villagers are curious souls and always have been,

Seeking to learn.

And with the nurturing presence of this floating village,

They have a support system that brings out the best in everyone.

And with so much left to explore,

You leave the library and follow a stone pathway that brings you to a healing garden.

It's a welcome space for all who seek healing,

Physically,

Spiritually,

Mentally.

And just slipping under its archway brings an instant shift in the air.

It's not just the aromas,

Although the air is alive with rosemary and thyme,

The calming lavender and chamomile,

The tingly,

Renewing aroma of peppermint,

And the bright citrusy notes of lemon verbena.

Nor is it the magical light that sparkles in the midst of small sprinklers that nourish rows of meticulously tended herbs that flourish in raised beds.

There's something tangibly different that you can't quite describe,

But it leaves a welcome sense of peace.

A section of the garden is dedicated to beekeeping in a small hut.

Where honey with various healing properties is collected.

Various keepers of the healing garden move quietly amongst the plants,

Their hands gently tending to the verdant growth.

The healing space has always drawn introverts,

Who pour their energy into better understanding the ancient knowledge of these herbs.

They carefully craft potent tonics and soothing balms to aid in everything from digestion to sleep.

Deep in the serene heart of the garden,

Marked by a small moss-covered fountain,

Several people sit in quiet meditation.

You find an empty cushion and settle down,

Closing your eyes and allowing the peaceful energy of the garden to wash over you.

The sounds here are soft and natural,

The gentle trickle of water,

The muted buzz of bees,

And the softest rustle from the small tender leaves of herbs.

And after a time,

A deep sense of calm settles within you.

When you open your eyes,

A woman who tends to the garden approaches with a small hand-carved cup,

Offering a soothing herbal infusion.

The silky,

Warm liquid offers a pleasant sensation as it travels down your throat.

She invites you to make a healing wish for the world and for yourself before you go.

As you finish the tea,

You feel more grounded than you have in some time.

You rise slowly and approach the fountain,

Gathering your wishes and setting them free.

Alongside the fountain,

A wooden sign and elegant calligraphy reads.

Nature can heal herself.

And you realize,

Or perhaps recall,

That you can heal yourself as well.

The ancient wisdom of yourselves has proven this so many times already in this one life.

On the outskirts of the garden,

Weathered wooden wagons are fashioned into display cases for various vials of essential oils and teas made from the garden's bounty.

You purchase a small purple glass vial filled with a fragrant oil,

A blend of herbs specifically chosen for sweet dreams.

The medium,

Pastel afternoon sky blues slowly give way to sunset colors.

A luminous silky band of apricot,

Raspberry,

And lavender stretch across the sky.

Their reflections dance and ripple on the calm river,

Creating a world that's visually warmer and richer than you have ever seen.

The life on the river offers constant transformation.

Thousands of hues and gradients that beautifully change minute by minute,

Breath by breath.

A rope bridge sways above the water,

Linking to an outdoor cafe where you settle at a mosaic-tiled table on a floating deck.

The table cool against your fingertips as you rest.

In the moments that follow,

You enjoy a simple,

Delicious meal.

The taste of the garden and river coming together in a unique,

Satiating presentation from a fifth generation chef,

Bringing to life an array of old family recipes.

The life on the river takes on a different energy,

As outdoor gatherings and meals coincide with the vanishing sun,

As the sky deepens into twilight blues.

Like clockwork with the unveiling of night,

The village's hundreds of silk lanterns ignite in an unspoken race to outshine the stars.

The hanging silk globes made by artistic hands ignite in their jewel-toned hues of gold,

Amethyst,

Ruby,

Emerald,

And sapphire cast a warm,

Colorful glow on the dark blue river.

The dinner concludes,

And you decide to board one of the many small wooden boats that offer evening tours.

The captain of this tiny yet elegant vessel props a few silk pillows behind you that mimic the hues of the strung lanterns,

And you settle into the boat.

The stars are ablaze in the deep blue sky,

Their cold silvery light a stark contrast to the warm rich glow of the village below.

A feeling of weightlessness that has accompanied you throughout the day deepens as the boat gently pushes away from the dock.

You lean your head back,

Resting it in your palms as they create a basket and you gaze up at the celestial display.

The boat glides silently through the water,

Bringing you past all the wonderful sights you experienced on foot,

Now looming overhead and rising out of the water.

As you approach the first moon bridge you traversed during the afternoon,

Its elegant arch looming overhead.

The boat's owner smiles warmly and ducks his head to avoid brushing against the stone structure and strongly advises you to tuck yourself a little lower.

With wonder,

For about a moment,

The bridge blocks the sky and lanterns and you make out an engraved message on the underside of the boat.

One dreamer can change the world.

You see other small boats drifting along the river,

Their lanterns bobbing like luminous fireflies.

Soft music drifts from various docks and floating homes.

The melancholic melody of a violin,

The cheerful strumming of a ukulele,

The rhythmic melody of a steel drum.

Candles flicker in the windows of the floating rooms,

Each a tiny beacon of light.

Your gentle journey on the river eventually brings you to the hydrangea suite,

One of many simple guesthouses.

You thank the boat guide for the beautiful journey and find your balance as you step onto the private dock.

Moonlit hydrangeas in bursts of lavender blue and purple rustle gently,

Creating a privacy wall around the glass-enclosed dome suite.

In the opal light,

The blossoms reflect every pastel shade of purple and blue with a silvery glint.

You step into the overnight haven,

So far from home,

Yet a place that resonates,

A deep feeling of belonging.

Hydrangea blooms fill the indoor space,

Some cut and arranged in crystal vases,

Others growing in oversized pots.

Views of the water and sky seem limitless within the glass dome,

And the air circulates with a cool night breeze off the river.

Pushing through the heady and heavy ripples of sleepiness that arrive,

You step into a small outdoor washroom,

Enclosed by a bamboo privacy fence that is dripping with fragrant jasmine blossoms.

You inhale deeply,

The changing aroma of the river at night.

Cooler,

Earthier,

And subtly different from the daytime scent fills your lungs.

You pick up a round bar of soap,

Embedded with dozens of tiny flower petals that help cleanse away the river,

Imparting a faint hint of the soap's healing powers.

As you rinse and then towel off and wrap yourself in a robe,

You remember the purple vial of essential oil from the healing garden.

You rub it on your temples,

Feeling a slight cooling sensation as you inhale deeply and yawn.

The ripples of sleepiness grow into waves,

You change into pajamas,

A soft button-down cotton shirt,

And comfortable matching shorts in your favorite soothing color schemes,

And then step back into the heart of the suite.

Your bed is elevated high,

A luxurious canopy bed draped with flowing curtains.

You draw them closed for complete privacy,

And through the top,

You see the soft glow of the moon and the millions of stars that become your ceiling.

The fabric of the bed linens is as soft and delicate as the petals of hydrangeas that surround you.

The edges of the plush comforter and the crisp sheets are adorned with an elegant,

Embroidered pattern of these beloved blooms in raspberry pink and lavender blue.

As you settle onto the cloud-like mattress,

You feel the subtle,

Rhythmic rocking back and forth by the tranquil river beneath you.

A lovely cradle that lulls you deeper and deeper into a state of blissful relaxation.

You give in to the gentle waves of sleepiness as the currents guide you with their delicate motion and nocturnal song.

Promising you restoration and peace,

And you follow it,

Hopeful,

Into the deep,

Soothing expanse of night.

Finding serenity,

Finding peace,

Finding joy,

Finding peace,

Finding joy,

Finding peace,

Reviews

What a beautiful place to be! I wish it was a real place to vacation! You are truly a creative story teller! I can’t wait to hear what you are going to do next! I have listened to this several times & it helped me get to back to sleep when I was woke up during the night. I had it on repeat all night. I fell back to sleep & then got up with the alarm. Thank you kindly Michelle for lulling me to sleep with your soothing voice! I am most grateful for your gift of sleep.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

I woke up in the night, & fell back to sleep quickly listening to your soothing voice, What I did hear was such a beautiful & serene place. Thank you, Michelle.

Oh my goodness, Michelle, thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻It was 3:30 am this morning, when I pressed the play button again, after having done that many times this night and several nights past, and realized that all these times I had fallen asleep almost immediately. And even now, I drifted in and out, yet what I heard was magical, and enchanting: LOVE it!
Your imagination and story telling gifts are truly extra-ordinary!🙏🏻🌟😴🌟😴🌟🙏🏻

What a lovely story, you’re so talented and creative!! 💜
Thank you, Michelle!! 😻

Well done. Thank you.