How to perform a meltdown, how to restart a life: the first weekend in the islands

A departure begets an arrival. I have finally landed back in the islands, and these past four weekends have been simply wonderful. There is an overflowing comfort and joy from friends and families, not to mention the eternal warmth of the tropical weather, Saturday nights spent in the beach, home-cooked meals, dirt-cheap cigarettes and beer, and cable TV. So far, I would like to think that I am doing pretty well in handling the post-Tokyo hangover.

This is what my first weekend in December looked like:

 Carbon-blue skies everywhere,

 Trails of sea milkshake snake,


 Friends, beer, and sundowns


Long and spectacular sun set, with all the shades of my slowly burning skin,

Slow mornings. A swim perhaps, into the aqueous transmission?


 The early afternoons were spent on a rented bicycle, scuttling into the old town.

 Haruki occupied the remaining hours of my day,

 ... until another sun sets.

I can do this over and over again, and I swear it won't hurt...

Photos of Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines.