"A paradise to me!" Sorsogon by joiwatani

Believe me or not but I consider this little tiny town as my Paradise town. I am not sure why. Maybe because it is so small that I feel like I own it! The people are nice and loving. The nature is untouched (Please don't hesitate to correct me because I used to live here 20 years ago and it's been a long time since I last visited this town). The local residents basically adopted me! This was way back in 1989.

I just graduated from law school and I was suppose to review at the University of the Philippines. But, I left the review school and joined my US Peace Corps volunteer boyfriend at his camp site in Irosin, Sorsogon!

I love strolling in between the little tiny nipa huts to visit our friend Omar. He is German and lives with his Filipino wife and stepchildren. I sometimes go to the hot springs and learn how to swim and/or climb up the hill where the Roman Catholic is located! I sit down on top of the hill and just look around the horizon and inhale the fresh breeze.

I love hiking up the mountains leading to Cawayan. Cawayan is a small site in the middle of the jungle. There are about 80 people who survive basically on "slash and burn" agriculture. Although it was hard to climb the mountain, it was very exhilirating! Once, you get on top of the mountain, the view was spectacular! As far as your eyes can see were coconut trees and lush forests!

The climb was about 45 degrees up and took me about four hours to hike. I sometimes struggle as there was no road or permanet path. I crossed three huge rivers and made sure that I wasn't swept away by the strong current! But, the climb was worth it. I got distracted by beautiful wild flowers, birds flying and diving, colorful butterlies and unique fauna! I passed between the plantations of Manila hemp and walked along paddies of flowering camias adjacent to the rivers. Sometimes, I slided on muddy pathways in between ferns and rocks! I sometimes got confused on criss-cross paths- not sure which path to follow! I can't be lost in the jungle! I follow red marks on rocks- these were spits, I was told. Local residents chew beetle nuts and spit it out!

After four hours of climbing, there was still a good walk of about 30 minutes to get into our little nipa hut in the jungle. I had to cross another river to get into our homestead!

Our homestead is beautiful. It is made of bamboos and dragon grass. The roof was made of local nipas (huge leaves gathered from the jungle). It was surrounded by trees and has a great view of the river.

I go down to the river everyday and choose my bath site between two huge rocks and bathe naked! Yes, I belong to nature surrounded by trees and lush green bushes! This location is very, very isolated. Butterflies of different colors spread their beautiful wings and pass me. Sometimes, beautiful birds squawk loud and flap their wings loudly as they pass me by! It's captivating. It's spectacular. I ran out of words to describe this place. Over here, I always feel I belong to nature.

I sometimes walk pass the river to another area where there is a spring to get our drinking water. There is a bamboo pipe connected to the spring where I can shower! There is an ilang-ilang tree closeby and I can smell the sweet smell of its flowers! I pick up the flowers and put them in a bottle and bring them home!

This is paradise to me. No worries. No problems. Very secluded. Very beautiful. I live in the jungle of Irosin, Sorsogon for eight months!

Bulusan Lake was created thousands of years ago from a volcanic eruption! Swimming in the lake is beautiful. Skinny-dipping is far way the best! I actually composed a poem when I visited this place. It's on the front page of this website.

There is a man-made swimming pool (this place is privately owned) and the water is hot! The water comes directly from the volcano! It is very sulfuric but medicinal. There are nipa huts for picnickers. There is also a place to shower. I love this place. It is not touristsy. Very secluded. Only the local residents know this place!

• Pros:Simple living
• Cons:If you are luxurious and materialistic, this place is not for you!
• In a nutshell:I learned how to conserve and live simply. I got rid of smoking when I came here. I felt guilty that I was burning money!