If you've never seen how coconuts are picked, you're in for a treat.
This lad is right at the top of the coconut palm with his machete, chopping the young green coconut cluster from the tree. He ties a rope around the top of the cluster...
Mindoro, Philippines, 2007
... but first a longer view...
...then lets it loose while someone on the ground slowly lowers the coconut cluster.
Then the lad deftly climbs down the coconut palm, the same way he went up, in bare feet.
And then the green coconuts, full of sweet healthy water, are cut open and served - garnished with lovely hibiscus - as welcome drinks to the day's newcomers to this resort in a tropical paradise...
PALM is the theme for Theme Thursday and you will find links to many other creative takes on the theme when you click on the link.
When I was stationed in Guam I used to eat coconut fresh off the ground for lunch. Obviously too late for a drink.
ReplyDeleteNice TT
Palm's Up
We have so many coconuts in Fort Lauderdale that just get discarded. It's a shame they can't be put to a use such as this.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Amazing feat - and FEET - to climb up a tree like that.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story, F.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping that person shinnying up the coconut palm was not you, Francesca. I thought they may have been simply collect from the ground once they fell there when ripe. Silly me ...
ReplyDeleteWould not want that job! Definitely would like the rewards afterwards though!
ReplyDeleteit is really cool to watch them retrieve them...and fresh coconit is very refreshing...happy tt!
ReplyDeleteI love coconut, I relish the day I get a fresh picked one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this
The amazing part to me is that he could shinny up and down the tree! How long does that take from beginning to end, starting at the bottom of the tree, through cutting down the coconuts, to landing at the bottom of the tree again?
ReplyDeleteVery cool sequence, Francisca!
ReplyDelete@EG - I can't tell you exactly how long the sequence takes, but I'd say it's FAST. Maybe 2-3 minutes at most?
ReplyDeletelove how the coconut drinks look - but would be scared to death if i had to climb on that palm tree...even though the view must be nice..
ReplyDeleteYou'd never catch «Louis» trying to climb a tree like that!
ReplyDelete[ M. Scélérat, éditeur à «Louis»: Well, now THAT would be a sight, seeing une vache trying to scamper up a coconut palm!
«Louis» àM. Scélérat, éditeur: Aw, shaddup! ]
That tree looks unclimbable to me - what agility the boy has.
ReplyDeleteI think it can't be more fresh than this: straight from the tree! Nice sequence and a good idea for the theme.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't enough coconuts in the world to get me up in one of those trees. I don't think I knew before this how coconuts were harvested. So, thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me in Florida we wait 'til they pretty ripe and shake the darn tree until the fall to the ground!
Thanks, Francisca, for visiting my poetry blog and for your comment. Must appreciated!
Nothing is as refreshing as cold, fresh coconut water! I hope they opened up the coconuts for you to eat the young flesh. That's so yummy!
ReplyDeleteGreat series of shots!
I always wondered how they did that! Also love the last photo :D
ReplyDeleteLovely when fresh, wish shaved ice :) yumm!
ReplyDelete