As a family, we used to go out of town once every summer, since school was out. This time, the trip was different, because we did not go too far away to beat off the heat.
End of May last year, we went to Villa Felomina, a natural spring resort located in Indang, Cavite. We relocated from Manila to Cavite when I was barely a year old and so this is the province where I grew up in. But I did not know that there is such a place as this in my home province.
The spring where we swam was actually a river running between a forested cliff and a steep valley. The water was cold and refreshing. In the middle of the spring was a big rock. It was half submerged into the water, which reminded me of the Marooners' Rock within the Mermaid's Lagoon in the story of Peter Pan. We sat on the rock when we got tired of swimming.
To our surprised, there were little fish that swarmed and nibbled on our feet. They were the same fish that were used in some specialty spas where they bite off the dead skins of customers. They went in and around our toes, on to our legs and tickled the soles of our feet as they fed.
It was one of the most relaxing spa treatments I have ever had and it was really nice to see those fish in their natural habitat.
There was an artificial cement bridge built over one side of the river, perhaps to control the flow of water or to make a mini waterfall.
Being amidst nature is always a magical experience, with the gushing of water in the river and the chirping of birds on the canopy blended so well in a beautiful melody that made you just want to close your eyes, breathe in, and join the dance.
I hope that this place would be kept pristine.
Now that my siblings and I are a bit older, with work and all, it is just getting harder and harder to find time for family. So I am more than grateful for times like this that we could get together as a family and especially within beautiful places that always remind us that the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
And find pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child life, and the happy summer days.
-Lewis Carroll
