Early in the morning this Thursday when my hubby decided to visit my parents' home. This is too rare, even if it's not that far. So I got excited preparing for the things we were going to bring.
8 am when we arrived. Seeing my parents' home takes me back to my childhood years.
The hanging bridge was the first thing that greeted us.
This bamboo hanging bridge was crafted by the hands of my Uncle. Every time there was a typhoon, the river would swell, and so the strong current would make the bridge sway and break.
Like what happened last Typhoon Kristine. So every typhoon means a new bridge.
I remember when I was a child, this bridge was a gateway to adventure. The moment I stepped onto it, my heart raced with excitement. The sound of the river rushing beneath was both thrilling and a little terrifying. I would grip the sides tightly, as the wind whispered through the leaves above.
Also, after school, my friends and I would race each other to see who could reach the other side first. Sometimes, we would stop mid-way to dangle our feet over the edge. Not getting afraid of falling. Where did I get that bravery before? 😅
A lot of old memories come back after seeing this bridge. All of it is etched in my memory. It feels like, I am transported back to those carefree days.
My parents' home also has a lot of greenery. Making the air smells so fresh. The only struggle you can experience in this kind of place is maintaining the cleanliness of the yard, because of the fallen leaves.
Good thing my Dad gave his full strength and time every morning to clean this front yard.
So, as you can see... It's so clean. No sign of fallen leaves.
Every time we went here, I encouraged my son to play and spend more time outdoors. This place is so safe and there are a lot of things he can discover while playing.
Like what I saw while visiting my Mom's garden.
She has this purple hot chili.
This is not the usual bird's eye chili that I usually see, which is red or green. This one is purple!
Based on Mom, this is a Malaysian purple chili. And significantly hotter than Jalapeño. It has a fruity and peppery flavor. And she used it as an additive to her sauces, stir-fries, or marinades. A lot of uses, aren't they?
And of course, I got some to be planted at home.
My eyes also fell upon this delicate flower blooming beneath the soft rays of the sun. Its vibrant colors stood in stark contrast to the lush greenery surrounding it.
Based on Google Lens, this is a Java glory bower or a pagoda flower. Because of its beauty, the hummingbird and butterflies get attracted to it. (Sana all kina aattractan diba? 😂)
Continuing my journey, I approached a serene pond where tilapia fish swam gracefully beneath the surface.
This is my son's favorite spot. He loves looking at the playful movements of the fish. Feeding them and watching them leap and splash.
This pond was made last pandemic season. And now it's still functioning. A lot of fish grow healthy.
Just having a hard time catching it. To be eaten and served as a meal.
I then turned away from the water and encountered a pig pen.
The pig then trotted over to greet me, nuzzling my hand with its soft snout. It's ticklish but in the same way, dirty. 🤮
My parents love taking care of animals. They also have chicken.
I was amazed at how they took care of those animals, plus the beauty of the garden. You can't have it all instantly. You have to dedicate a lot of time, effort, and money to have them.
This visit helps me to learn and appreciate a lot of things.
At that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the flower, the fish, and the playful nature of the pig, I realized that the world is filled with wonders if we take the time to notice them.
This is a visit to my parent's home, but who would have thought that this would also be the chance to understand that happiness often resides in the simplest of things, waiting to be discovered in the world around us?
Hope you enjoyed the little tour. 🌸 Until my next journey. Buh-bye. 👋