Serenity in Nan Lian Garden

Amidst the constant motion of city life, I always manage to find a serene escape. It's a piece of pure calmness and soulful paradise, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle that surrounds it. 

A pond... A rock formation... A waterfall... All that can be found in an oasis of pure joy; a magnificent city garden.

A bustling megacity like Hong Kong isn't just about a magnificent and stunning skyline. It also boasts some of the most beautiful and refined traditional Chinese landscaped gardens.

The entrance of Nan Lian Garden

I've found a peaceful ambiance in the busy area of Diamond Hill in Kowloon, Hong Kong, where I've found an ancient Tang dynasty-style complex: the Chi Lin Nunnery and the Nan Lian Garden.

That's a refined piece of ancient Chinese architecture brought back to life in Modern-day Hong Kong, with towering residential skyscrapers and a mountain range in a backdrop. 

Nan Lian Gardens' Wooden Gate

The entrance to the complex is a masterpiece of design, welcoming you with the garden's natural elements of lush greenery, ornamental rocks, and a wooden gate. It's a sight that inspires awe and a sense of true welcome.

Passing through the wooden gate leads you to one of the beautiful attractions: the golden pagoda with an attached red wooden bridge. Colors that bring good luck and prosperity according to Chinese beliefs.

The Golden Pavilion/Pagoda

A few steps from the Golden Pagoda is the Chi Lin Nunnery, a Buddhist temple converted into a school, library, and home for the elderly. With its intricate wooden architecture and serene surroundings, the nunnery is a testament to China's rich cultural heritage.

The Chi Lin Nunnery is an impressive piece of Chinese architecture with a koi-filled pond surrounding it. The wooden structure is a work of art from ancient times (618 AD to 907 AD), revived in modern times.

The Chi Lin Nunnery

To better understand ancient Chinese architecture, I had a solemn moment inside the Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery. The gallery is a place to discover the architecture of other cities in China at different periods. It provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of Chinese architecture from the Tang Dynasty to the present day.

The Nan Lian Garden is a Tang Dynasty-inspired garden built in modern times. The Tang Dynasty, known for its cultural and artistic achievements, is a rich source of inspiration for the garden's design. It's reminiscent of old but refined Chinese architecture with a balanced element of nature.

The Chi Lin Nunnery

The garden's tranquil ambiance offers visitors a great sense of peace and rejuvenation. It's not just a typical Chinese garden, but it's filled with learning about the Chinese way of living back in the old days -- the earliest civilization.

Heritage and culture must be preserved for the world to see and experience. The Nan Lian Garden is not a typical attraction; it has an old-school Chinese ambiance in a modern setting—teleported back in time.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay

Sunset Viewing in Manila Bay

A reddish-gold hue. That's the best sunset I've ever seen. It's not just stunningly beautiful; it's a sight that fills you with awe, a moment of pure wonder.

There's something mysterious in the silhouette—a seeming work of art. But it's not just a painting—it's a real, living masterpiece!  

What you see in the picture is what you get when witnessing it.

That's the Manila Bay sunset. Indeed, as many people attest, it's one of the world's best, and foreign tourists are among the crowds. It's a famous attraction when visiting the Philippine capital city of Manila, and those who have the chance to witness it can consider themselves truly fortunate.

At Harbour Square baywalk, CCP Complex

The stunning glow until dusk, before it disappears, makes the Manila Bay sunset beautiful. And so you get a picture-perfect 'silhouette,' a mysterious shadow against the background that glows.

On June 6, 2019, I enjoyed strolling at the Harbour Square baywalk at the Philippine Cultural Center complex. After having an afternoon coffee at the café, I waited to glimpse the sunset. That was my last sunset viewing at Manila Bay before returning to my hometown on Panay Island.

While strolling, I can't help but appreciate this natural wonder before my eyes and with the hundreds of other people who share smiles and happiness. The Manila Bay sunset is not just a sight to behold but a testament to the beauty of our natural world, a beauty that we all share and cherish.

The Harbour Square baywalk

Families, groups of friends, and even local and foreign solo travelers may have forgotten their worries and relieved their stresses. It does healing wonders to the soul. It captures' emotions and captivates the mind.

Manila Bay may not be perfect. It has flaws and needs some healing, too. Only people who have been there can understand the problem and how to fix it.

A year later, Manila Bay is the center of controversies despite the pandemic. These controversies revolve around the government's beach nourishment project, which aims to transform a portion of the bay into a white-sand beach.

The beach nourishment project aims to beautify a portion of Manila Bay with artificial white sand. The question is, 'Is it timely?' or 'Is it necessary and appropriate?'

It's not authentic white sand like in Boracay or Palawan, but it's from a crushed Dolomite rock transported from the island province of Cebu.

Just recently, in just a few days, a portion of Manila Bay turned into a white sand beach and was partially opened to the public on September 19, 2020.

Manila Yacht Club

Thousands have flocked to witness how the area transformed from natural black sand to coveted white sand.

People have different opinions on filling in white sand. Without an Environmental Impact Assessment, things can go wrong. 

The main attraction is the natural and charming sunset view of Manila Bay. It's not the color of the sand, after all. 

The Manila Bay skyline

Yes, we have several years to go before we can revive the ecosystem and beauty of Manila Bay. But we see the excitement of the people who want a transformational development and a beautiful personal experience when they stroll on Manila's famous baywalk. This ongoing transformation fills us with hope for the future of Manila Bay.

When I return to Manila, I will be glad to witness the alluring sunset again. I will enjoy a soulful moment and, like last, see people's happy faces. 

Manila Bay is a precious jewel of the Philippines. It's up to all of us to care for it, show our concern for it, and love it. We each have a role to play in preserving this natural wonder.

The Manila Bay sunset

As we slowly regain Manila Bay, we take pride as Filipinos in showing the world a better Philippines—the "Pearl of the Orient Seas" today and beyond.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Island Hopping in Guimaras

We need to regain ourselves. At times, we get stressed, and it's due to various stressors of daily living, such as multitasking work, daily commute, never-ending problems, and the pandemic.

This global health crisis, the pandemic, has brought our lives to a standstill. It's a battle we all fight, a choice between victim and survivor.

Since the lockdown early this year, we have been thinking of ways to stay mentally healthy daily. How to keep our sanity and not experience loneliness, apathy, and depression.

Every day is a battle for survival, but we have a powerful weapon-our thoughts. We can divert our consciousness toward happy thoughts, reminiscing about the happiest moments in our lives. These are the times when we truly live our best lives, and it's a reminder that we can always find joy even in the darkest times.

The boat ride from Iloilo to Guimaras Island

For me, there's one great way to relieve stress and rejuvenate: traveling to beautiful places and spending weekend getaways for pure thinking moments, distressing through meditation, and appreciating the healing wonders of nature.

Every Sunday, I reminisce about the times when I had my Soulful travel moments. Due to restrictions, we can't travel during this pandemic, so the best way is to have a mental vacation. 

It works! It's as good as visiting the place in real-time, with almost the same feeling. It's just that we process with our mental power—our wild imagination.

The power of the mind is a miraculous healer. It contributes significantly to our well-being. When we're in a state of sadness, loneliness, or depression, we lack the energy to do our daily tasks and be productive. But when we're happy, we're inspired to do great things and lift others with our positive energy. It's a reminder that our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and we should always prioritize it.

Positive energy is contagious, and so is negativity. That's what I believe.

I would rather be with someone or a group that inspires me or makes me happy than suffer from negative emotions brought by someone, a group, or, worst of all, a personal creation—becoming an enemy of oneself.

Creating a mental vacation is a powerful tool. It's a heavenly experience that doesn't require leaving the comfort of your home. With the power of our imagination, we can visit almost any place we dream of, those on our bucket list.

One of my favorite Islands in the Philippines is Guimaras. It's one of the most minor Islands in the Province, and I'd like to return whenever I am in the region.

Island Cove on Guimaras Island

Guimaras is just a 20-minute boat ride from the coast of Iloilo province on Panay Island, so near the distance that both islands are visible.

One thing I like about Guimaras is the serenity of nature. It's not a very touristy place, so definitely not crowded, and you'll enjoy soulful moments on the waters, on the shore, or on a cliff.

Guimaras is not overdeveloped as compared to Island destinations like Boracay or Siargao. That's one reason I like it even more, especially since there are Filipino-style cottages and not huge hotels that can pollute the place's ecosystem. 

I hope Guimaras will retain its grandeur. It's a natural environment and will not be subject to over-commercialization.

The naturally beautiful environment on Guimaras Island

Guimaras is already beautiful in its present state, and many people would appreciate its hidden beauty and natural charm.

Guimaras is not just a tiny island; it has friendly, hospitable people with good hearts, making them different. It has the heart and soul at its best.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 The Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: The People of Guimaras

Celebrating My Birthday at the Farm

Life is good. No matter our challenges, there's a reason to celebrate all the blessings and abundance.

Since I'm celebrating my birthday, I'm having it at the farm for the first time. It's also the first year we've started developing a portion for tree planting and, just recently, organic vegetable farming.

Celebrating my birthday in a new setting, surrounded by my family in my hometown, fills me with excitement. It's a stark contrast to last year's celebration in Manila, a time of joy and laughter before the onset of COVID-19.

2020 is a simple yet meaningful celebration as I contemplate life's meaning and purpose.

What's there waiting for me?

A lot has changed since the beginning of the pandemic. Uncertainties and vulnerabilities are on the consciousness. We know that our lives matter above all, that life is too short, and that life is precious.

The act of making a wish on your birthday is not just a tradition, it's a powerful manifestation. Our wishes have the potential to attract what we desire, and they become even more potent when they are accompanied by the heartfelt wishes of our loved ones.

Like a group prayer, we often materialize our wishes and hearts' desires when more people are there to celebrate with us.

However, as we reach a certain level of maturity through the years, we tend to direct our wishes to ourselves and more to the people who matter most in our lives.

Our wishes tend to become more specific,  less centered on material aspirations, and more on our well-being and enlightenment. The pandemic has made me realize the importance of health, family, and inner peace, and these are the things I find myself wishing for more and more on my birthday.

This pandemic teaches us to go back to the basics, to review and renew our lives, and to try to present a new 'us' to the world. For me, this 'new us' is about prioritizing what truly matters, appreciating the simple things in life, and being more mindful and present in each moment.

Celebrating a birthday at the farm is about celebrating the natural world. Not surrounded by many people but with trees, plants, and vegetables.

I am deeply grateful for another year of life, and I owe this gratitude to my family, friends, and the Divine, the source of all life. Your support and love have been my guiding light through life's challenges.

Life continues, and I will never forget that life is too short. We have to live it well and live our best life. Only the best life we deserve.

© 2020 Del Cusay