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Monday 28 October 2013

The Richness of Countryside Living in Ilocos Norte and Batangas Philippines

In my quest for a greener pasture, my Norlito is with me. My Jaron is not here with us in Australia. We decided to let him feel the beauty of his birthplace first. We want him to embrace first all the wonderful life experiences in the countryside. We wanted him to experience what his Mama and Papa enjoyed while growing up. It was difficult on our part but this is not about us. This is about him growing in a place close to nature. 

I was born in the northern province of the Philippines and enjoyed country living until the age of 16. Then this 16 year old promdi girl goes to the capital city Manila Philippines to pursue and finish a degree. Then married a promdi from the southern Philippine province. Then worked in a first world country. And then lived, laughed, and loved some more.

Yes, you are right. God has let me experience living in all sorts of setting: country, city, overseas. And I believe, nothing beats the serenity of life in the countryside.

This is what my Jaron is experiencing right now. :)


Waiting for his coconut juice fresh from the tree.

Daily glimpse of backyard vegetable garden.

Endless piece of yummy young coconut meat, his favourite.

Jaron picking calamansi fruit.

Harvesting banana.

Harvested snake beans.

Harvested "patola".

Don Jaron! Hahaha!!!

I had beautiful experiences growing up in the farm. Good thing, I married a person with more or less the same experiences as mine. Breathtaking green sceneries, fresh air, natural foods, pure and pristine water from the wells, natural infinity pool (Paoay Lake), loving people. You would certainly know everyone in the barangay or suburb, from the oldest to the youngest as each consider everyone as a FAMILY.
These are priceless experiences that are giving me a feeling of nostalgia.
The chirping of birds….
Roaming free range native chicken….
The huzzhuzzz sound of the bamboo trees that makes afternoon nap more invigorating….
Live snacks straight from the trees e.g. papaya, mangoes, sour sop or guyabano, guava, avocados, banana, etc….
Green leafy vegetables naturally grown in the backyard (okra, saluyot, malunggay or horseradish tree, bittermelon, eggplant, snake beans, sweet potato, squash, etc.)….
Coconut juice fresh from the tree top not from the can….
Playing outdoors with my siblings: Running, biking, hide and seek, swimming in the lake, climbing the trees to pick fruits whenever hungry, pasturing the goats and cows (well, I consider this playing as there is so much fun chasing the goats/sheep and riding on the cows back)....

The next pictures are my childhood everyday dose of nature's view. No strict viewing time, no entrance fees.
Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte Philippines. Our home is overviewing this awesome view.

Our farm next to the lake.

Our rice fields

Herd of sheep

30+ years old trees i used to climb, still green and very much alive.

luscious greens

Isn’t it a paradise? Oh how I love the simplicity of life in the farm. Simple it may seem, yet, these memories were permanently engraved in that untouchable spot in my heart. Someday, my Jaron will thank us for the PRICELESS experiences that we are letting him savour at the moment; it’s something that can’t be bought anywhere.
Truly, the best things in life are free. 


Journeying with Passion,
Net 

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