Why?

Because fireworks like these are legal ...

Why?

I was up at the golf course this week walking with my barkadas.  My hand was still hurt, so I was helping them play golf while getting some exercise.  I figure I'm their concentration coach.  If they can concentrate while I'm around, they're doing great!

Look at this view ... wow ... I stopped for a few minutes just to look.

Why?

The natural beauty here is striking.  Everywhere you go there are things that are just amazing.  A couple days ago, I looked up and saw the picture below.  Skies like that don't happen everyday here, but they do happen often.

Why?

I'd planned to post this last Sunday, but I got distracted.

Looking at these pictures one might think "are these from some forest? or some luxury park?"

The answers are "no" and "no".

These pictures were taken in the back yard of an acquaintance of mine here.  In fact, the pictures just don't do justice to what he has just in his backyard.

Many people here have amazing fruit trees just growing anywhere.  We have a couple coconut trees and a cocoa tree growing in our backyard.  I'm lobbying to put more back there when we clean it up and put down some grass.  I'm also lobbying for a smokehouse and a BBQ pit, but those are off-topic for this post.

Here are some papayas growing huge and yummy.

I'm always amazed at what grows here.  It's so green and lush.  Even an expert plant killer like myself could probably grow things.

Why?

I've been asked by more than a few people ... why did I leave the US and move to the Philippines?

There are a number of reasons why I left. Most fairly personal and not really important to this blog.

I think, though, that the important question is "why do I stay?" I think this photo, taken from the 4th floor balcony at the Leyte Park Resort, explains everything ...