Last Weekend, after almost a month of being locked at home, my high school friends plotted a day on our calendar to go plant shopping two cities away from ours. The Town of Silang is famous for it's plants for sale for decades now and with the past year's houseplant bandwagon, it just got back it's glory days, as lush as the foliage of the leafy babies waiting to be adopted on new homes.
There's a wide variety of plants that welcomed us and we were so happy to be surrounded by all colors and shapes of leaves, both those that we can name and not! My friends Ferdie and Myrcel bought a lot of plants home which made their whole families happy! As per me, I only bought nice pots since it's time for me to repot a few Bromeliad babies in the garden.
Most of the plants on this stretch of shops that we visited are mostly ornamental garden plants that thrive in tropical climate such as ours, but inside the stalls are potted houseplants that are more expensive but still cheaper than those sold online, plus you can really get to see the plant for yourself before buying it.
Though in this time of the pandemic, shopping online still can win all its perks to avoid crowds, that's also why we went to Silang very early so we avoid the Sunday flocking. And of course, masks on!
Though I did not buy any plant, I was so happy to be there because I was surrounded with so much plants, truly relaxing and therapeutic to my senses, and of course, priceless to be with my best friends on a weekend after more than a month of not seeing each other.
Then we had lunch before we pushed our way home. We ate at Balinsasayaw restaurant where every group is assigned a specific Nipa hut which is perfect for social distancing! We had so much fun and of course, we had to have a photo of us taken for the books! Thank you to our waiter Sir Dan of Balinsasayaw for the awesome service!
What a great end of January it was, we made the last day of the first month, truly timeless - together! May I send you all hugs and wishes of a great weekend to come! To all my friends up north, please stay warm on this Winter. And down under in Australia and New Zealand, keep yourselves hydrated this Summer (I'm already nervous with our upcoming Summer - I hate Summer - I don't melt literally but I have sleep problems when days hits 36-40C).
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
What a great but simple outing! You mentioned something very important there - that plants are therapeutic for you:) I guess you have to go back and buy some more plants, smile! Jesh
ReplyDeletethat is very true dearest Jesh! I will never forget how much plants have helped me during the early months of this pandemic :) Thank you so much dearest Jesh!
DeleteI am sure that being in among those flowers was a great tonic, and a break from the restrictions that COVID imposes.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true David! It was literally a breath of fresh air! Thank you so much!
DeleteAmazing photo and love the sky app, looks fab. Glad you managed to get out too. We have been in full lockdown since 26th Dec and I think it will continue at least until March, need to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely weather too, here it has been cold!
Oh my! I hope you are all keeping yourselves well especially on your mental health during the lock-down. But if it's for the safety of all, it's the best! Hoping for warmer weather there soon in Scotland dear Ananka!
DeleteHow fun to be time to go buy plants. That is one of my favorite things to do. They look like a great selection, and very different from what I see here. You look like you had a wonderful day out Stevenson. Will you show us your new pots? Happy February. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI would love to show my repoted plants soon dear Erika! Thank you so so much and hope you are doing well on this new month!
DeleteThat looks like the most wonderful time! I'm so glad you were able to spend this with your good friends and be in such a lovely environment. I have a feeling you'll be back there when it's time to rework your garden!
ReplyDeletejeanie, one thing I really admire about you is how close you are with your friends through the years and when you post about them, I always pray that me and my friends will also be as close when our time comes :)
DeleteDearest Stevenson, so glad to see you out and about with friends and in such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteTo happy, fun times and freedom of meeting casually soon again!
Come your summer, please send the hot temps over, we both would be happy ;-) Can´t wait for 40C!!! In crappy summers we only hit 22, maybe, so... pack it up, "bro"! - Cool pic, btw!
Amen to that dearest Iris!!! Oh big sis, I really hate the fact that I have to bring a lot of stuff just because I'm going out. But even if I hate it, just as I hate masks, I know I have to wear it and I don't dare leave the house with out it. Waaaaa I hope the 40 will still be far hahaha it's too much for me hahaha Sending you hugs!!!
DeleteWhat a fabulous trip you must have had Stevenson - Lockdown is hard!!
ReplyDeleteYes I am keeping hydrated and mainly in the shade... we have been getting 28 - 32 oC days here of late.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
That is very good dear Maxine! Hydration is key on hot weather like what you are in now. Please stay safe and keep happy :)
DeleteSuch nice photographs.
ReplyDeleteI do think being out and about enjoying nature helps in these times of Covid worries and restrictions.
Happy February Wishes.
All the best Jan
Oh that is very true Jan! before I get really scared to go outside but when I tried, while keeping all precautions safe, I just found out how helpful it is to the mind! Happy February!
DeleteSo nice to be able to be with your friends. And a visit to a plant nursery is the best therapy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear Sami and you are very right on that. Friends and plants, perfect combination!
DeleteThat was a nice break and it must have been comforting to be with flowers and friends. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThat is very true brother Kenneth! It was a great therapy for us friends to be together :)
DeleteGreat to see you were able to get out with your friends and have a good time. The plants are a bonus!
ReplyDeletevery true dear Margaret!!! And I can't wait to see them again very soon :) Thank you so much!
DeleteHow nice to see you and your friends enjoying a great day out together. Of course, it would have been even nicer to "see" all your faces without the masks on as you would have removed them to enjoy your delicious-looking lunch.
ReplyDeleteHahah you are right dear Beatrice and I noticed how "angry" I look on that photo with our food hahaha Thank you so much Beatrice!
DeleteAlmost forgot to say Thanks for the birthday well wishes. It was a very quiet at home celebration and a good day chatting with friends by phone.
ReplyDeleteYou are very much welcome dear Beatrice! I wish you all the best on this new year for you :) Stay safe, happy, and healthy!
DeleteFabulous Photos As Always - So Dig The Garden Nursery Shots - Lunch Is Served - Excellent Post Brother
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank you very much brother Padre! Wishing you the best on this coming weekend!
DeleteI can spend hours plant shopping. Sometimes I actually just go to take photos of the flowers and plants! Like you, I do not do well in the heat either. We had our AC off for a few days this past week, but it's back on again. Very short winter for us.
ReplyDelete