Arriving in Bangkok on Thursday, theWhite Lotusexperience began before I reached the outer city limits.
(The only direct giveaway it was related to the show at all?
A discrete HBO logo in the bottom corner.)

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
Theres the middle-aged wheeler-dealer boyfriend and his younger, wide-eyed girlfriend played by Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood.
The shows most striking element, however?
Whites ability to conjure the sense that somehow, you actuallyknowthese people.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
Lisa toldVogueahead of the screening, breaking out into a grin.
I sent in my self-tapeand now, I feel so lucky to be a part ofThe White Lotusfamily.
Oh, and know that it will ruin Thai food back in the U.S. for you, forever.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
I walked in and I actually cried.
It was that stunning, remembered Rothwell.
Actually, I take that back.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
I thought: This must be a prank TV show, and theres a camera hidden somewhere.
This cant be real.
The premiere weekend, too, felt a little surrealand not just because of the jetlag.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
Was that Isaacs taking a call by the pool?
Was that colorful muumuu I spotted fluttering around a corner Posey rushing to a spa appointment?
Icansay with some certainty that I found myself sharing an elevator with Schwarzenegger on multiple occasions.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon
(Guilty as charged.)
May the next round ofWhite Lotusfever beginThailand is ready and waiting.

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon

Photographed by Kanrapee Chokpaiboon