My visit to Philippines won´t be complete without coconuts. You see, it brought me great memories, everytime, all the time.The moment that I see coconut trees, I know I am home, and back to my roots.Whenever I see palm trees, or date trees, it reminds me of somewhat same nostalgia. With Date trees, it reminds me of delicious date fruit that I always eat especially during “Ramadan“, and palm trees reminds me of “holiday feeling“.

Coconuts– they are like a childhood fruit and tree for me.When I go home, I need to see and eat coconut, it´s a must! Too bad I haven´t mastered climbing it. To climb a coconut and get a nut requires strength and mastery,not everyone can do it, it´s too exhilarating! As a child I watched often a neighbour climb it and chop the trunk so he can climb upwards. I waited patiently until the first coconut dropped on the ground for us to drink it´s juice.A pit stop during road trip to buy a coconut juice is quite normal in Philippines.We called it locally “Buko juice“.Of course, how can I forget the yummy taste of Buko pie and coconut tarts!They are all made of coconuts.

Growing up, I see coconut trees as I the Mayon Volcano everytime I go out and open the window. Same as I see Birch or Apple trees here in Germany. They are everywhere.The sight of them reminds me of Heimat–a place where I never forget wherever I may be.

Coconut trees are such wonderful nature creation. Here in Germany, I struggle to find a good coconut milk substitute. The ones in can cannot replicate the fresh, subtle taste of a freshly-grated coconut. I remember in my childhood days that we used the old-fashioned way of grating it. It means you need to sit on it and scraped the coconut flesh then squeeze the milk out it. Nowaydays you can buy the milk in a plastic, minus the hard part of squeezing.

It´s first time for my daughter to really see a fresh coconut, drinking it´s juice and scrape the coconut flesh and eating it without spoon. It´s all raw and wild and healthy! Taste good as always!

When we are spending a part of our holiday in Boracay Island, of course, my beloved coconut trees are also there. They lined up the shores, swaying and dancing through the gentle winds.How lovely they looked! They exude different charm depending on when you see them. Either sunrise or sunsets, coconut silhouttes are amazing to see, their glory is adored! Ah,their long palm branches gave us momentary solitude and shade from the harsh sun. Ah yes, I climbed one too, but only through half way because I was already too scared I might fall. This coconut tree in Bulabog beach is more than a hundred years old. It´s a historical tree, it´s a legend in this old town.I was grateful to see it before it´s gone.Made me wonder how many people climb on this coconut tree just to take a snapshot? Probably more than I can count…

Also,what I found amazing is that there´s even a vendor who sells fresh coconuts in the beach! Yes, he is on a small boat and paddle himself with a whole bunch of coconuts ! A mobile coconut vendor who offers coconuts to people who are snorkeling, diving, swimming and just lounging in their boats—in the middle of the sea! There´s even another man who sell ice cream as well! How cool is that?!

I waved to “Kuya” to let him know that we wanted to buy fresh coconuts and he smiled to us widely! He propped himself and paddled near to our boat and began to chopped up the coconuts. One by one he handed to us his beloved coconuts!I told him that I will be writing a blog post about him and he said “Okay, sure!” !

Sipping fresh coconut juice is just a simple treat but for me, it´s a luxury drink. I can´t have this drink everyday, so I am indulging!

From the beach to our hotel, we are surrounded with coconuts. We can´t get enough of them. I thought, I can never get sad memories when I see coconuts.They are our happy pill!

This view from our hotel surrounded with coconuts made me want to go back there again…soon!

But for now, as I reminisce our good times spent last month, I am happy.I am already looking forward to another coconut experience on our next visit. For sure, coconuts will bring us again more fun, joy and fond memories.

What is your favourite tree ?Do you have fond memories with it?

Until then, Tschüss!