I really do not have so much experience when it comes to nature but I got amazed with the two beautiful spots I saw five years ago. The beauty and the colourful rock layers of the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona made me surprised. I feel like touching the heaven and God is just beside, caressing me. It was so peaceful yet so calm that you can only hear the sweet mellow of the wind as if you are surrounded by little angels. The second one is Yosemite National Park in California. I remember the fascinating chirping of the birds, the wild trees, the free breeze from unpolluted air, and the splashing of the water from the falls. I really enjoyed the beauty of the scenery. It is a once in a lifetime experience. We should try to appreciate and respect nature because it is God’s creation. It is a kind of beauty that can enrich our hearts.
—Deth Andaya
My favourite hiking trail is the Rhino Rock Hiking Trail also known as Che Pau Teng in Stanley. I was really mesmerised with the view so all my stress and problems are forgotten. I could feel the fresh air all over me. The trail has a semblance of a rhinoceros and you can view the coast from there. I feel fulfilled after climbing up the trail. I learned that we really need to go out to see the natural scenery and not just stay indoors all the time because it changes ones’ outlook. I cannot help but feel awed by the beauty of the surroundings and free like a bird standing on top of the rock.
—Mary Jane Callueng
My parents were farmers and I was raised surrounded by green pasture and different vegetables, fruit trees and different kinds of animals cared by my parents.
Nature taught me to appreciate the beauty of all those plants that provided our livelihood. As I saw the crops we nurtured grow sturdy and strong through the years, I have also learned some lessons that changed my perception. It taught me to think more clearly and appreciate the life I have. My spiritual connection is enhanced. Today, I still love to see nature. I would go hiking with my family and from the top of a hill, I could see vastly the beauty of God’s creation—the green surroundings, the fresh air, the scent of the pine trees and the chirping of the birds. They reminded me to be calm and not worry too much, and that everything is under God’s control.
—Esmie Chung
My best experience with nature was when my two older cousins and I were on top of the red-soiled mountain of Dalupiri Island, a small island located at the northern most part of the Philippines. Realising we were lost, we stopped and standing on the highest point of the island I was dumbstruck by the majestic beauty of the nature – the island in the middle of the ocean, the sky so beautiful in its colour orange as the sun was setting, the red soil where we were standing on – it was certainly the most sublime combination of colours I have ever seen surrounding me. I feel like being transported into a different world. I still cherish to this date that wonderful experience, especially the inner peace I experienced as a 10-year old girl. I feel closest with my creator. It taught me how precious and loved I am that he has created natures for mankind to enjoy and to behold his glory. The feeling always comes back when I go to retreats and hike mountains in Hong Kong.
—Michelle Limsiaco
It is nice to be able to experience nature even within this urban jungle. I like walking up to St Joseph Church in Garden Road through the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens in Admiralty or to St Thomas Church in Tsing Yi through the Tsing Yi park. There’s a surprising variety of flora and fauna that is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Nature has taught me the beauty of God’s creation and how we are called to be responsible stewards of it. It is unfortunate that our recklessness and irresponsibility have brought about ecological disasters such as the Covid-19. We can only do our part to foster the healing necessary for nature to recover by being more conscious of how our individual actions directly affect our environment.
—Dea Puentespina
It was my dream to see a real snow in my younger years. I asked my father for name of countries where it snow. My dream came true when I had the chance of working in Lebanon. My Lebanese employer brought me up to a mountain and it was all covered with snow. However my heart sank when I saw the fruit bearing trees covered in snow. I thought that people would not be able to gather fruits to eat. We visited the same place after three months and I saw the trees bearing fruits again. I was then told that before the snow arrives, people would gather the fruits in advance and store them. There is a big dam for water reservation before the snow arrives. The water from the melted snow were used for cooking, drinking, and washing. I am really amazed by the beauty of God’s creations, and how it can help our lives if we use it properly. I feel sad that people have destroyed some natural resources.
—Cynthia Roxas
