This week has been a whirlwind of hard work, joy, and nostalgia at our hilltop property. From January 20, 21 and 24, my husband and I spent long hours clearing the land, cutting grass, and getting the area ready for an exciting event. It’s been a while since we last visited our property, so the shrubberies had grown tall, and the once-clear spaces were covered in wild growth. Despite the hard work, it never really felt like “work.” When you love what you’re doing, it feels more like play, and that’s how we felt throughout these three days of labor.
I took on the task of raking the mango leaves in the orchard area, while my husband focused on cutting the grass in the hilltop clearing. We had our hands full, but the reward was knowing that we were preparing this special place for an exciting church activity. The young men from our church were coming for a hiking, kite flying, and camping experience, and we wanted them to have plenty of open space to enjoy.
What makes our property so dear to us is the incredible view—360 degrees of nothing but mountains and sky. There’s a peacefulness about it, and the winds are so strong that we don’t even need a fan or air conditioning if we would live here, which is a huge bonus. It’s hard to beat this kind of natural beauty and tranquility, and it’s what keeps us coming back to this property, which we acquired in 2018. It’s 8,000 square meters of land, full of mango and cashew trees, and it sits atop a hill. The land has a unique topography, shaped by soil erosion over the years, with a cliff on one side that’s three to four stories high, and a road on the other side which is our entrance to the property with a more moderate elevation.
While clearing, I couldn’t help but think about how much this place has changed and how much it still feels like home. Hubby and I both love the hilltop; he’s especially fond of it because of the elevation and the sweeping views. This hill feels like it connects us to something greater, something almost heavenly.
Now, back to the adventure: once the space was cleared up last Friday, January 24th except for the parts on the edges of the hilltop for we concentrated on the plateau area. It was time for the kids to come and enjoy the land. Hubby taught them how to prepare and make their individual kites. It was such a joy to see them make their colorful kites—something many of them had never experienced before, especially since they’re from the city.
When we were kids, kite flying was a simple pleasure, a tradition that’s often lost today. I remember those days of running across wide-open fields with the wind in my hair, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched the kids in our church doing the same. The beauty of this place is that there’s no need to run to get the kite in the air; the wind is so abundant, they only had to release the kites, and off they went, soaring high above. It was a truly magical moment for them, and for me as well.
The day was filled with laughter and joy as the kids played games, explored the land, and let their kites fly high. Early morning yesterday, We all hiked for 15 minutes from the main road to our property, each one carrying their gear for the day. Everyone was really super excited. We even hear them talking that the young one's were not able to sleep due to their excitement and we were so glad they had a blast.
As the day went on, they had a traditional “boodle fight” for lunch, which is always a fun and interactive way to eat. My husband harvested banana leaves from our second property just nearby, and we spread them out on the ground, cleaned and ready for the meal. The leaders of the group grilled squid, pork belly, tilapia, and roasted eggplants, while everyone eagerly dug in. It was a feast to remember, and the kids left the property full and happy.
For me, it was a reminder of how simple things like kite flying and good food can create such meaningful memories. These kids will always remember this day, and I hope they carry the joy and freedom they felt here with them for the rest of their lives. Our three days as husband and wife team of arduous work paid off, seeing the happiness these kids had.
Have you ever tried kite flying? Do you still remember that feeling of exhilaration when your kite soars high in the sky, like you’re flying along with it? There’s something truly liberating about it, something that makes you feel free, at peace, and in awe of life’s simple joys. As I watched the kites take flight, I couldn’t help but feel how amazing life can be, especially when we connect with nature, with each other, and with our roots.
Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share the story of how we acquired our second property, and how it’s become another part of the dream we’re building. Until then, I’ll be here, savoring the memories we made this week, and looking forward to the next adventure!
Life is beautiful, you just have to look for the good in everything no matter where you are.
Tata for now!
