The Pleasure of Living

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A fly hits my eye with the speed of a bullet, a pothole send me airborn for the umpteenth time, the stars light my way as a new moon struggles to make itself seen. The purr of my Honda 125cc XRM pierces the night's eerie silence.

Palawan, Philippines.

Far from the madness of Southeast Asia. Out of the way and out of favour with international tourists. One Abu Sayyaf kidnapping too many and the few people that were contemplating coming here changed their minds. Better to go to Thailand, have the locals cheat the bejesus out of you but still feel warm inside.

Good for you, good for me.

Tropical paradise all to myself. A cheap motorbike rental, an accomplice and a page out of a movie or two. Easy Rider done Rambo style. The stuff dreams are made of. My hands are tired from waving, my face muscles from stretching into a smile. The kindness, exuberance, ecstasy of meeting a foreigner in these parts is never ending. Every stop draws a crowd. Every question a thousand willing answers.

What is winter like? How do you stay warm?

Questions I had asked my parents as a child...revisited.

A tropical shower, a satisfying lunch. An hour of open road and a stop at Mr. Donut. A complete day of travel. An island much bigger than my own country. The kilometres keep coming. El Nido ever closer.

Night falls. Paved roads turn into mud, turn into gravel. The potholes keep getting bigger, so does my smile. The simplicity of travel. The pleasure of living. I laugh.

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Photos

What a Difference a Day Makes
Two days earlier, we were caked in mud driving here

After 600km With No Incidents
I get two flat tyres in the last 20km

Comments

[Marc]

Palawan...
Indeed, stuff dreams are made off. And when you get to El Nido, find your own deserted island and live like Crusoe for a day, of course, with Friday.