Royal Flora Rajapruek 2011 ♥ ♥

 

So in November 2006 the Royal Thai Government hosted a celebration for King Bumibol, the world’s longest reigning monarch. The government went all out and organized the Royal Flora Rajapruek, a 92-day floral expo which some 30 big nations participated in (Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Netherlands, South Africa, Canada…), creating a sprawling garden with more than 2.5 million trees of 2,200 species of tropical plants and flowers.

Whew.

The Royal Thai government opens the park to the public from November 2010 to some time in February 2011. Horticulture freaks, come and have the time of your lives!

I am in no way a birds, flowers and bees kind of person, but if anyone creates something as grand as this to celebrate My Royal Highness, man, I’d marry that person in a royal heartbeat.

 

I feel like Queen Alice in Wonderland

 

A flower girl. Literally.

 

This is just the park entrance.

 

The place is H-U-G-E!!!

 

Me, Sam, Auntie Susan, Uncle Richard

 

Mist “trees” to cool us down

 

Look what’s on display… Salad vegetables!!!

 

The gardens are impeccably manicured

 

Shades of green

 

UK Garden

 

Burma Garden

 

Inside the Burma Garden

 

I am in Holland!!!
…Garden (Ops! So happy our tour guide insisted on this pic.)

 

Little bees love to eat

 

A beautiful orchid shower

 

Ho Kham Royal Pavilion

 

The Royal Pavilion boasts Lanna-style architecture and is the main attraction of the Expo. There are little bell-like things hanging from the roof and when the wind blows they make beautiful sounds which the Thais believe announce the coming of angels. It’s so beautiful.

 

My favorite shot. Someone teach me how to photoshop Eric Dane and myself in!

 

Guess what we spy on our way to the car.

Food market! Now THIS, rather than royal flower parks, is more my kind of stuff.

 

 
                     Oranges and Tamarinds                                                    Fresh Fruit Juices

 

 
                        Green Mango Salad                                                                Fried Rice

 

 
                             Ebi Tempura                                                                      Fried Chicken

 

 
               Some Thick and Spicy Soup                                                      Balls on Sticks

 

 
                            Mini Sausages                                                           Grass Jelly with Evap

 

And strawberries. They’re everywhere in Chiang Mai!

 

Royal Park Rajapruek: Rajapruek Royal Garden, Mae Hia Sub-district, Mueang district, Chiang Mai, Thailand