Hidden Garden

If there is a place I would really love to go back to, that is the Hidden Garden in the Ilocos Region. Only this time, I would like to have the leisure of time and company.

The first time I went there was a part of a tour itinerary, and it was a short trip. As a matter of fact, I was late back to our service van because I did not have a watch to keep track of time and our tour guide did not give us specific time frame of our stay there. In addition to, I was alone when I roam around the area because it was hot and humid that day and my friends chose the comfort of shades and an electric fan. But, no one can stop me from enjoying the scenery.

Before I entered the magical hidden garden, my friends and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the restaurant, which is a part of the garden. The food was really memorable! Then came the Dora in me and I entered the maze of plants inside the garden. I love how fresh it feels whenever I am surrounded by plants, and I felt more alive with them around me. I do not know, but I just do. As a matter of fact, my heart breaks when a plant dies or someone decided to cut down a tree, especially in our own garden at home.

Anyways, the place’s major attraction was their collection of bonsais. They have bonsais of different kinds and sizes. I was amazed because someone told me before that one of the most difficult plants to grow is the bonsai, but once they do, they can last for hundreds of years! That is why they are expensive. But, they also have other little plants. The prices are quite affordable too. I just felt bad that I was not able to buy one for my mother. She loves plants more than I do, and she can grow some as well.

The only downside, I guess, is their lack of flowers, which may have added color to the super green field. Maybe growing flowers there can be difficult because of the weather? I do not know.

The major reason why I love this place aside from the fact that I love plants, was because of the feeling it gives me – peace. Yes, I feel at peace with all those plants. Everything just feels whimsical and dreamy, that somewhere out there a fairy might pop out. My imagination wiggles with the very thought of it. I love everything light, airy and whimsical. I love forests, trees, plants, dry leaves and long white dresses.

I want to go back there, maybe someday.