Sandbar of Puntod Island

Years ago, I took this picture while we (me and some city folks) camped there for a night. Even preparing for it was already exciting-too exciting I guess that we forgot to bring flashlights, can opener and yes, you guessed it right: no matches and no lighter. Good thing we bought some bread, cooked bananas, chips, lots of it, some canned food and drinks..So we didn't grill hot dogs like we promised Nang Matea's grandchildren.

It was almost 5pm when we reached Puntod Island on a motorized outrigger and like children, we raced to the sandbar's end. I remember feeling so grand just standing there, looking at the horizon line where the ocean and sky met, smelling the salty breeze and watching the sky turning colors from blue to blue-green, yellow, and then to all the glorious colors of summer sunset. And as if it was not enough, the moon took her turn to delight us. So we dined under the moon and the stars, and until now, I can't very well explain why I felt ridiculously happy...

a repeat post (from thumbnail sketches)

Special moments for me are those that come unexpected though I must say not all that come unexpected are special. But this one is: It was about six in the evening. The sun had set but the sky was still tangerine and it held for a few minutes more. I stood in the quiet for a while enjoying the view, smelling the waft of blooming ilang-ilang in the breeze, taking it all in. It was enough to make my day. Then a hummingbird suddenly flew down from nowhere and perched on a twig somewhere near, making noise that could mean a scolding or a warning. It was quite different from what we usually hear in the morning when their calls are sweet and far between. I heard a baby bird call getting louder while the mama continued making a racket, perching from twig to twig. Then it stopped. There was a soft chirping and then there were more. I carefully moved towards the sound for it was getting dark and I didn't want to scare the birds. Then the moon appeared (it was full and yellow!) and there, perched side by side, were five baby birds and a mama, backlighted by the moon.