The sun hits the terrace just right for my purposes, and I set down a beach towel so it follows the line of my shadow, fold up a smaller towel as a pillow, then lay down, a white sarong over my head. A timer set for 10 minutes, then I turn over, all the while listening to a book about paleobotany and tripping out in the Mesozoic, feeling the old life within.

Next round the timer's set for 5 minutes, then I've done enough damage for the day and chill inside with some freshly squeezed lime juice, soda water from the fridge, a handful of ice and stainless steel straw, that white sarong around my waist showing off the pink on brown so I look a little healthier, teeth and eyes a little whiter, the possibility of attraction slightly raised.

This is my summer vacation.