All posts by dontomek

Tipsy Zen Stoicism

IMG_2379censored2

In many ways, life is a bunch of tragedies and heartaches just waiting to happen, and it’s not like anyone makes it out alive yeah?

Rather than make everything shit and pointless, those tragedies waiting in the wings can drive us to value all our sparkling moments and make the most out of everything we’ve got; every minute with the people we care about, every encounter, every wave, every drink. In a perfect world that impermanence should push us to devour life and new things. Be more and see more, always. In practice we often get dulled and lulled by the day to day, we rarely live fast or follow our dreams/passions. Shout out to those that do. That takes some effort and fearlessness. That takes courage, and the truth is we prefer comfort. It’s a trap. Read more

Great Exuma: Doing Everything Right

IMG_0785crop

You know those barely planned trips where everything falls into place just right? This was one of those. It went a little like this: wow there’s a great deal on airfare to Great Exuma, where’s Great Exuma? The Bahamas. This small beach house is available for rent, who wants to go? You? You? Pack your bags. Done. Read more

I’ll have a stormy

Yes please, and then yes please again.
An incorrect and illegal cocktail, if presented as a dark ‘n’ stormy. But yes please.

For the last, oh, let’s say five or six years, the dark ‘n’ stormy, which is its proper name, has been making something of a comeback. It has appeared on menus as far afield from its birthplace as this northern town, and in contexts as different from island time as New York city. Also, it is certainly giving the Cuba libre and the gin and tonic a run for their money as a no brainer mixer. There’s nothing derogatory in that last sentence, btw, on the contrary. Read more

A favourite bar in Paris and some advice about French people

We meet again old friend.
We meet again old friend.

You don’t go there to dance on tables that’s for sure. This place is heavy with History and cocktail history. People on whose shoulders we stand to see further have gotten drunk there. Classic cocktails were created within those walls.

Let me back-up just a bit. Read more

Nurse sharks, turtles and kuknat in Belize

Water taxi from Belize city. Long ride.
Water taxi from Belize city. Long ride, bring drinks, cold drinks. Beer will do nicely.

The very name is exotic, Belize. The kind of place where you walk onto the baking hot runway after landing and you’re glad you wore a knitted silk tie for the journey.  We all have our vices yeah?  Let your freak flag fly.

It used to be called British Honduras and became independent in 1981, keeping English as its official language. Sandwiched between Guatemala and Mexico, it has a population of about 350 000 and quite a bit to offer, jungles, Mayan ruins, beaches, diving, as well as an interesting drinkskultur. Read more