Life's a beach [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

The beach is in my blood, like a sea turtle, I always return to it instinctively. When we were kids, the beach was the only place where we could play in the sand, splash in the water, and soak in the sun without our mother getting mad. The only place we were allowed to get dirty, get wet, walk and run barefoot. I am always happy when I'm at the beach...when I smell the salty water, feel the sea breezes, listen to the gentle lapping waves---they create a sense of peace.

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Sulpa, an island in the sun [My World-Tuesday]

A deserted island in Cebu Strait with shallow and rough coral sand and rocky cliffs was one of our destinations one Saturday in Cebu. Sulpa Island is about 45 minutes by outrigger boat from Hilton Pier in Mactan--a quick escape after a stressful day in the city. White sandy beach and a few picnic huts greeted us when we climbed out of our boat. A sign says the island is private property and we were charged P100 (roughly $2) each.

A friend from Cebu told me that Sulpa Island got famous a few years ago after police caught and arrested four Japanese tourists shooting porn at the beach. Bird wardens from the nearby Olango Island bird sanctuary spotted the lewd activity and called the police.

Aside from that incident, Sulpa remains pristine---a great place to get a tan, enjoy some peace and quiet, and if you're into scuba diving, there's a good dive site about 50 meters from the shoreline on the west side of the island.

Sulpa Island, Mactan, Cebu

My contribution to My World-Tuesday