24 February 2012

The Riverscape


The river below is lined with what looks like untouched tropical jungle filled with wild plants, massive boulders, mosses, and even a sandy bank, yet everything looks in perfect order and symmetry. It is a natural garden that has evolved through time and only the most appropriate plants suited to the climate and conditions have remained.



My trusted aide, May and our German Shepherd, Vitra.
Native fig trees lord it over the riverscape, hosting birds' nests and tropical vines. On the ground are an array of ferns and jurassic-looking alocasias, and of course, the river's cool, clean water (above) help contribute in making this a lush hideaway. And to think it was not until many months after I purchased the farm that I ever hiked down here!


The river meanders through rockscapes that seasonally creates small, clear pools surrounded by wild greenery (left), with occasional neon-colored dragonflies animatedly captivating us. And of course,  the running water dampens the air and creates a humid atmosphere perfect for ferns to flourish (below), including the edible fiddlehead fern that we pick to make pakô salad.


Someday, we will clear a path going down and perhaps make a small hut near the water. in the meantime, we will just go on having our summer picnics on the sandy bank.


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6 comments:

  1. AndreaFebruary 24, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    How long is the walk down to the river from your place? You are so lucky for having that river adjacent to your property.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 24, 2012 at 10:10 AM

      It's a hike down what the locals call a "dahilig." Because there are no steps yet, it can be rough. Otherwise, once we clear the paths and build a stairway, it will just be an easy three-minute walk.

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  2. Solitude RisingFebruary 25, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    The riverscape looks so serene. Very apt for someone who wants to go to a secluded place and commune with nature without having to climb a mountain. I hope this untouched state of that river remains untouched especially since most of the rivers in the Philippines have suffered abuse.

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    1. UnknownMarch 15, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      Hi Solitude, yes you're right: the atmosphere is of a river in a mountain. Fortunately, there is a collective consciousness among the locals to take care of nature in our locale.

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  3. Grace In Full MeasureMarch 2, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    Oh how lovely! What exactly are native fig trees? They really bear edible native figs?

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    1. UnknownMarch 15, 2012 at 8:59 PM

      Hi Grace, figs belong to a very BIIIIIG family of trees called Ficus. All ficus trees bear figs, but I think you mean the commercial figs (from temperate countries) you find in groceries. Ours are eaten by birds and bats.

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