Reflections from the paddy in the paddy

It has been quite a journey over the last 14 months. The learning curve is one of the steepest I have ever come across and the challenges were some of the greatest also. I have less than a week left of this incredible journey. Where has the time gone?

When I decided to move from Liverpool to the Philippines I had no idea what was in store for me. I barely knew a thing about the Philippines and knew even less about rice. I used to think that the things I saw on a Saturday night out in Liverpool were some of the most bizarre I would ever see.......I was very wrong! The Philippines is such a wonderfully bizarre place. The weather is rough in the Central Valley in California but it isn't a patch on what we have faced here. Team Daga have struggled through temperatures over 40 °C and 90% humidity. It was extremely tough at times and we have almost all nearly fallen over because of dehydration but we have had some fun. On one of our last weeks in the field, over half the field crew had to lie down before they fell down. I had been seriously dehydrated before but the heat we experienced that week was unbelievable. Our whole bodies were pulsating trying to cool us down and we had spots in front of our eyes. I love a good challenge though and I think the weather and the difficulties that come with working in a paddy made this paddy relish the job that needed to be done even more.

Super Team Daga

Last day of field work for the dry season

Our farmer group with myself, Clare and Renee in front with our driver Igly and Mouth, the puppy.

Working with the Filipino farmers has been a pleasure. I think that farmers the world over all have their similarities. Despite their lack of english, the farmers in the Philippines have been as welcoming as the farmers that I have worked with in the hills in Connemara and the orchards and alfalfa fields of central and northern California. They were always happy to see us coming and very helpful and cooperative. Our last farmer group were particularly helpful and friendly and Renee is currently helping them to run their own TBS (trap barrier system) which should help the farmer to manage their rats effectively without the use of rodenticides. Clare and Renee will also return to the sites to collect rats for their next research projects. 

I had no idea how beautiful the Philippines was before I moved here. Considering the high level of spoken english among the Filipinos, it is difficult to understand why its profile as a tourist destination in Asia is so low. I have seen some amazing places since I came here and there are so many more that I may never get to see. I have been diving on ship wrecks from WWII, seen beautiful rice terraces and relaxed in some amazing island paradises. I am just back from a few days in Puerto Galera, Mindoro. The weather was amazing, the water was warm and crystal clear and the fresh mango daquiris were so delicious.  We managed to get two dives in too. The current during our first dive to a place called "Hole in the Wall" was really strong and we actually missed going ino the hole in the wall. Our guide was too slow to point out the entrance and Sara had floated off in the current. I managed to hook my heel into a lump of coral but I couldn't even turn round to see where my buddy had gone. In the end we moved on with the guide since the current was just so strong and explored the coral reefs.

Getting to travel to Sumatra was also a highlight of my time here. It truly was a very different experience that I don't think many people will ever have. Although many people will have trekked the jungles of
Sumatra as part of their travels, very few will have eaten strange birds caught by the farmer in the rice field or have the chance to release monitor lizards or snakes or be offered sauteed chicken hearts for breakfast!

My Indonesian family

I have struggled a lot here more than anywhere I have lived before. My health has not been good for over a year now. The weather is rough and the field work has been even rougher but boy have I enjoyed myself. I moved here to work with Grant Singleton and gain some more experience.  I got that and so much more.

Who knows when and where the next adventure will be. I am looking forward to spending some time at home with friends and family. I hope the sun will still be there when I return.