We managed to be in Taipei for the last week of the Taipei International Flower Exposition. While I did take some pictures of the plastic bottle building, we spent the rest of our time looking at floral exhibits by various countries. Most of the countries participating were from Asia, but the USA had an expressive display that did a good job of showing the variety of habitats around our country. I didn’t get photos of the entrances of all of the sites, so some you will have to guess if I can’t remember which ones they were!
On our way to the Expo, it was a little humorous to find ourselves walking through an Ascics race. I think Greg had a hard time leaving. It helped that he had gone on a nearly hour run the previous morning, followed by hiking and sprinting with the children. His legs being fatigued made it easier to move on.
The flower expo began just outside of an MRT station. In fact, we had passed that same stop a couple of times already on our way to other escapades. The first time the train stopped there, we didn’t know what it was or why the train was stuffed with people that early on a Saturday morning. As we arrived, a soft, drawn out, fascinated ‘ahhhh….’ ruffled through the passengers. Then most of them excitedly disembarked.
When we arrived on a different day, the sight was just as grand. There was a hint of a drizzle, so there was an expanse of umbrellas that foretold the colors of the flowers within.
Here I am with Iris, my Chinese tutor most of the time we lived in Taiwan, just after we have entered the grounds. She had scouted things out with her mother.
These canna lilies are just entrance decoration, but I couldn’t pass them up.
Then we needed to examine the pavilion constructed completely from plastic bottles. We did notice that Taiwanese plastic bottles have many flat edges, as apposed the the common curved ones we are used to.
Then it was on to the open air shows of how each country wanted to be remembered.
The rose bushes in Oman probably look better. They get limp and straggly in the heat and humidity of Taipei. Still, they were pretty – and countered the bareness of the rest of the Oman site. Inside the ‘fortress’ there were only pictures of camels and sand, something Greg had jokingly predicted.
The Greek gardens –
Korea –
Moving on to Thailand. There were a lot of interesting things here.
The Canadian exhibit was a bit humorous because we originally thought the structures were pink whales… Until the exhibit representative, excited to speak to English speaking visitors, gave us a tour. They are designed to be salmon painted as Indians or Eskimos would do it.
The theme of the display was hydroponic gardening and growing plants in unique small spaces.
I’m still not convinced that a pond is the best place for cacti –
I lost track of countries for a while.
Then we came to the southwest USA and felt right at home!
The northwest was comfortable, too. Iris was impressed when Greg told her the true size of moose.
And our favorite, Spudman!
This may have been Malaysian –
Something else I can’t remember. It was all just looking oriental to me.
And then there’s Chile, were we discussed bromeliads and pineapples, and saw some ‘hens n chicks’ as large as Greg’s hand.
Japan was next.
Then it was time to go to the Thai restaurant that Iris had made a reservation at. Here are some pictures if that, Beth!
Finally, we went for massage at a business that Iris uses. (she stayed for one, too). The masseuse said I should not walk anymore that day because my back had been very tight…. We were going to the hotel to rest anyway. Another day well spent enjoying the beauty of God ‘s creation
