A Walk on the Seaside During Low Tide: Gathering Sea Shells

Manginhas - in our Visayan language, it is our term for "gathering sea shells" during low tides, either in the morning or in the afternoon. It's when the stones and corals are exposed and it's the time when we can get some sea shells, clams, and other sea foods freshly off the seawater. We just need to have keen eyes in searching for them because they are usually camouflaged with stones.

It is usually my quality time with my sister whenever I am home. She gets so excited whenever I tell her "Tara, manginhas ta!" (Come, let's go gather sea shells!)

So here we go, let me start walking and I hope you enjoy virtually walking with me.

The sea is just 20 meters away (or less) from our house. Along the way, we passed by these papaya trees bearing lots of fruits. In the city, these fruits are sold at quite expensive prices but here in our neighborhood, papaya fruits are often taken for granted by the people, and their ripe fruits are usually enjoyed by the birds. But like those birds, I won't let the chance pass by without picking one, I love eating papaya like them. Haha!

And then, just a few steps away, I can already see the sea and smell its relaxing scent.

My heart was jumping with happiness and excitement because it was low tide. It felt like ages since I last experienced getting sea shells, which I used to love doing when I was a child, with my Papa and realized how much I missed doing it, with him.

This slanted tree was done by the wrath of a recent strong typhoon that destructed our province (as it always has every year). It's quite depressing to think about it but people get used to it and have adapted to being resilient in facing them every year, and looking at this coconut tree, I think it has already been adapted to facing such challenges as well. During the strong winds that have been trying hard to pull it off from the ground, it has learned to bend, instead of breaking. And look at it now, the aftermath of the typhoon has made the tree beautifully bowing to kiss the sea, don't you think?!

And here I am, upon setting foot on this soil again, it felt like I was able to get back the piece of me that was left here forever (no matter where I go). It got me reunited with that old soul that has always been waiting for me to come back. And here I am now, finally home!

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When I started my walking to search and get fresh seafood for free, I saw these blue starfishes, which made me think of just how amazing the sea is that housing varieties of beautiful and colorful creatures (just how amazing God is, indeed).

We saw different varieties of coral reefs with different colors. Some were color brown and there was this one with amazing green colors that looks like a precious gem. I just don't know what these corals are called. Is it just me who grew up near the sea but doesn't know their names? It made me laugh thinking that I don't even know the names of the fishes, Lol. I only know a few.

And then there's another starfish who just enjoy chilling under the coral reefs alone.

I spotted another starfish with a different color. It also has its unique thorn designs on top.

And there's this group of hermit crabs always staying together. You will easily recognize them, because, unlike sea shells, their shells are usually clean and not covered with camouflage that made them look like stones or corals.

There were also these types of sea urchins which we made sure not to get in touch with because their thorns will hurt you.

And then when I saw this group of clams. So my sister and I look for the perfect spot to sit and I get the knife we brought with us because these are the types that stick tightly to the stones and they're hard to get using your bare hands.

There is also this type of clam that is hiding beneath the sand. It just so happened that they were washed away by the waves that's why they got exposed, which made it easy for me to find them.

And then, there's this amazing heart-shaped clam.

And oh, by the way, I also had my friend @bluepark and her husband with us in getting sea shells and clams. With their help, the small bucket we brought with us was almost full.

And these are what we've gathered. I can say it's not bad. It's enough to be served at the dining table already. Mama was happy when she saw what we brought home and that smile she threw at me was priceless.

Indeed, that walk never got me tired. Instead, I was even more energized and refreshed. I could do it every day and I will never get tired of coming over and over again to the seaside and having a relaxing walk while gathering sea shells and clams. That walk is what I call "life".

Thank you everyone for virtually walking with me as I shared with you a glimpse of how I usually spend a day in my life in the countryside. And thank you Sir @tattoo-djay for this wonderful #WednesdayWalk community.