Royal Flora 1

This being the King's 60th Coronation Anniversary, the Agriculture Ministry and a handful of others spent (only) three years planning a terribly ambitious 80-hectar horticultural exposition (it's big, you do the conversion). As of yet, no one has figured out what to do with it all when it's over (typically Thai). There will likely be lots of dead plants and concrete scratches in the earth on that edge of the city for decades to come.

Regardless, it's on for three months, and our little family are season ticket holders. I figured a new mum with a sturdy stroller needed a garden to roll around in, and in the city of Chiang Mai this is the only garden we've got.

We've made our first venture into the throng of Thai tourists to see what it's all about. It's the wackiest garden thing I've ever seen, but I should add I haven't seen much of it, as I was traveling with a 5 month old. We hunkered down in the air-conditioned exhibition halls as a gentle intro to what's on offer.

And, this is some of what we saw...



Floral arrangements loosely organized under the theme of four seasons called "Spring," "Summer," "Autumn," and "Winter." This in a country which has three seasons, "Rainy," "Dry," and "Cool" (a misnomer).

Above, Thailand's interpretation of spring. "Brooms and Blooms" would have been more accurate. Below, Singapore's interpretation of winter. Pardon me, but does Singapore HAVE winter!



The biggest hit in the room were the Big Blossom Birds. Everyone lined up for a camera-phone photo with them, and so did we. You have to make your fun where you can. (it was so freakin' cold in there, Jimmy needed a hat!)



We'll go again, and again and, no doubt, have more to say on the topic. Maybe my next post will be about the taxi mafia, the most interesting (to me) story-behind-the-story.