Unordinary Lust
An exploration of everything tropical. From blue lagoons to crocodiles and margaritas in the shade of palm trees.
True Tequila Secrets
There is a tequila secret down south in this part of Mexico. This secret is only whispered late at night on a deserted beach.
Let’s listen in now…
“Ohhh, Pedro, I don’t have a bathing suit, and I am afraid of the sharks at night.”
Pedro whispers, “Senorita, that is not a problem. I assure you. It is a secret here that those who swim naked after drinking tequila will not be bitten by the sharks. The sharks hate it. It is true on my mother’s soul, I swear.”
The naïve Senorita asks, “Is that true Pedro?”
“Well, love, I know the tequila part is, but I am not one hundred percent sure about the no-no to bikinis. But the way I think of it, why take a chance, Senorita?”
“Hehehe, okay, Pedro, hand me the tequila and turn your back to me so I can undress.”
Pedro turns his back on the lovely Senorita, and while twisting his thin, black mustache, he replies, “Si, Senorita, I will not turn around, I promise.“
(An excerpt from my envisioned biography tentatively entitled, “Stuff Men Will Say To Get Laid.”)
Coconut IQ
Coconuts do many amazing things, but if you ask their neighbors about them, you’ll always get the same answer: “They’re quiet, keep to themselves, don’t go out much, and keep their area clean. They don’t go to seed or flower all over the place.” But when a coconut decides to go out, it knows no boundaries or borders; it’s on a mission to conquer the world’s tropical shores.
These tropical drifters can sustain a voyage of up to two years across the world’s oceans. They hitch a ride on major currents, floating as far as 8,000 kilometers to reach a sandy beach to put down roots. The secrets of how they navigate through all the chaos and open seas are currently beyond the scope of modern science.
Not just any beach, though—coconuts miraculously land only on tropical beaches, where conditions are perfect for a single coconut to grow into a tree that produces up to 10,000 coconuts.
You will notice in this photo the bend on the frond in the harvester’s left hand, which is because he was flapping the fronds to emulate flight. Cirque du Soleil has nothing on this man, as he is working without a net or a rope. Keep that in mind next time you buy a coconut.
Song Without Music
Her delicate smile radiated across the sand and far out to sea, reflecting the sun’s glow like a mirror. Through all her pain, she fought to protect the hope of her innocence: to survive. Her core was courage, and her aura transcended love. When you looked at her, you felt more than you could ever see. Her smile was her mask of invincibility — often surfacing even in her darkest moments of despair.
Absorbing the beauty into her heart, she strolled along the seashore, tracing the steps of the spirits’ shadows that walked before her — a barefoot angel barely making footprints in the sand.
Wavering in the wind, palm trees whispered that everything was going to be okay — their fronds delicately dancing as the seagulls happily sang their songs.
No matter how beautiful a person or place may appear, terrible things can still happen. A Song Without Music (full story) was written in honor of the suicidal women who have crossed my path. Heartbreak and tragedy can strike anywhere, and anyone.
Action Builds Courage
Taken one beautiful morning on the Mexican Caribbean. The land mass jutting out in the distance is Punta Esmeralda, a tropical paradise where all services are free. Even the parking and toilet facilities. What could be better? A large, shallow freshwater cold cenote is nestled just a few feet from the sea. That is what.
Getting There
There are endless reasons to travel, but the only one that counts is yours.
You can travel for a day, or even an hour, or you can travel for a lifetime.
It is a difficult thing to define.
You can travel to the same place or a new place. You can plan it, or you can just go.
It can be voluntary or necessary — but every journey counts.
Each journey should teach you something; each one should be rewarding — even the difficult ones.
A life without travel is like food without spices, or love without sex.
Getting Ready for Takeoff
There is nothing quite like boarding the plane that will take you to paradise. It’s like a magical dragon or something. They bolt that door shut, and when they open it again, you have arrived in a new world. It is truly amazing, and you wonder why you waited so long.
Come fly with us, and someday—sooner than you expect—you too will make the flight.
There are other ways to get to paradise, but something about flying up above the clouds and imagining what awaits you when you come back down to earth is perfect. You feel like you conquered something indefinable, but so very real.
Cold Places
It all started in a cold place. But don’t get me wrong, cold places can be extremely beautiful, you just need to be dressed for it. I love the tropical lifestyle, but my roots are in snow and ice. I met a man once from Australia; the heat was his nemesis, so you never know how it works. I am not exactly the “Man from Snowy River, ” but I know the area. It’s sandals and boardshorts for me. The parka and moonboots are gone. I call it downsizing, I also call it smart. Planes are amazing – you can completely change your life by sitting in one for a while. I recommend you do it.
I think this image is from the last millennium in Whistler, British Columbia. I used to enjoy getting up early, drinking some coffee while sampling some of the local indoor harvest, and going out in search of bears to photograph. I stumbled onto this plane setting, and it is one of my all-time favorite images. The bear cub was one of three, and its gigantic mother tolerated me. Granted, I gave her and her babies the respect they deserved.