New Year's in the Tropics. Talk about throwing me into the briar patch! I got trapped on the island of Mindoro when heavy seas came up on the morning we were to leave, cancelling all the ferries back to Batangas on Luzon and I had to spend two extra days, including New Year's Eve. Eight consecutive days on White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro. Heaven.

My favorite bungalow by the beach at Summer Connection is still a great get-a-way. But some changes are happening. The road from the pier at Puerto where the ferry lands is now paved to White Beach. Previously, in wet weather we had to hire a pump boat to get up the coast to White Beach. In dry weather it was a 25 minute dusty, motor-cycle side car ride (or if you're lucky, you would find a jeepney running - but they tend to flip over sometime on the windy road). Well, maybe the fact that we get electricity only part of the time will keep people away - but all 8 of the bungalows were taken this holiday week. Fortunately, the managers of the place kept two aside for us (we called them on the cellular - no land lines into White Beach). And prices haven't gone up - about $10 per night - less than we've paid before during Christmas.

Oh, there's been a new cockpit built nearby. Sunday afternoon I kept hearing a small crowd roar and later saw the new facility. Although 'pit' is a strange word for it since this one is an elevated platform - the participants (human ones) clearly stand on the ground around the edge where the action is at eye level surrounded by four foot high plate glass.

I did nothing for eight days...well, I read one book, but that consumed only part of 2-3 days. I was usually up at dawn, about 5:30. Jenny brought the coffee maker and I had Starbuck's to look forward to every morning (when there's electricity). Jen was down to the beach to negotiate with the fishermen for our lunch and dinner - we had fresh fish (or squid) every day - usually charcoal grilled but sometimes pan fried. Cold San Miguel starting about 10:30 am.....sleep, eat, a little reading...that's it. Loved it.