TopTropicals in Thailand
The City and the Country
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TopTropicals never stops working - neither at the airport...
...or in a hotel room |
Thai life is different from our crazy American style. Our trip was for business and since we were desperately interested in new plants, of course we didn't have much time for regular tourist activities and sight-seeing. We were rushing from one nursery to another, between markets and botanical gardens... Below are just a few photos of Bangkok and a countryside around. |
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Our hotel room with 2 computers: we make sure all
questions are answered and all orders shipped in time!
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We came to see plants. They were first thing we looked at!
Thailand climate is true tropical to subtropical (North Thailand). Hot humid
summer and mild winter between 70-85F. What a Hawaii!
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Plants grow just everywhere in Thailand. Only large
trees are in ground, and all smaller plants - shrubs, vines - are grown
it pots right on a busy street. Lots of wrightia
religiosa in front of every shop - its fragrance embraces the street
for many yards away. Despite of air pollution (or due to microelements
from it?) the plants all look meaty and healthy. Seems like no one is
watering them though... But air humidity is pretty high.
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Urechites lutea is a very popular arbor vine |
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Plants are just everywhere - where it is possible
or not.
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These adeniums stored right
on the street... And nobody steals them!
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Plumeria
obtusa can become a large tree... if it grows in Thailand!
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Yes, this is famous Cananga
fruticosa - as a common hedge here!
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We were amazed by the giant Artabotrys
the very first morning by our hotel wall...
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Funny thing, some of our weeds are grown here as ornamentals...
This is Dollar Weed.
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Our Transportation Boss and City Guide Alex. He's just great! Speaks English, knows all places (for all tastes), is very reliable. Reasonable price of services. We can give his number to those who plan a trip to Bangkok. |
Alex has 2 regular taxi cars and a Tuk-Tuk. This is Tuk-Tuk |
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The "Tuk-Tuk" is a small car with three wheels. The engine is a two strokes engine. These cars are really a tourist attraction. Before sitting inside, you should negotiate the price. However, you don't want to use it for long distance trips because of the quality of the city air - drivers wear breath protection masks. Air pollution is a big problem in Bangkok, this is why you won't see much of a blue sky in the city photos: the smog does it's job.
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Looks like many people just LIVE on the streets: sell food and flowers, make shoes and clothes...
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The famous Jasmine Sambac Flower leis! Read more about Sambac and its history.
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Thai inhabitants...
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After rain - in a raincoat
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Cat's life is the same everywhere
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Barbecue tray is empty and useful
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We loved those trash cans!
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Here comes the REAL ASIAN DELI! (Don't ask if we tasted...)
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...not sure, something with onions... |
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...the combo tray...
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...Roasted cockroaches...
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...Juicy caterpillars...
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...Sweet grasshoppers...
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...Honey beetles...
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...dried geckos...
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...Tasty grubs...
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...Desert worms...
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...and pink eggs!
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We though our American friends would be interested in what
kind of food we actually ate, not just seen...
In a seafood restaurant of course you may chose a fresh live specimen!
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These guys are age of Dinosaurs...
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They are tied so they don't run away
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Real Blue
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It was much more than that, but we were too full to
take pictures. Especially good are Thai soups!
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A little of a countryside
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Rice field
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Thai house
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Thai temples differ from size of a toy house (those you can see by almost every house) to huge elegant castles. But they are all so beautiful!
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Inside the Temple
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Buddhist Monks buying plants on a plant market
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We liked their orange outfit! (Sun color? Buddha color?)
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Buddhist Monk is doing his laundry in a Monastery
backyard
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Another Monk is shopping around with all his stuff
in a backpack
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Buddha symbols are in every store...
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...in all sizes and kinds
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A bit of culture...
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Thai musicians
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Wedding ceremony
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Thai boxing
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| ...almost no rules, use your hands, feet, and head... |
...and stick...
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...a woman defense... She did win!
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City buildings
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Ancient Fort
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Grand Palace of... probably, the Prince
(Thailand is a Kingdom) |
The Prince (on the photo pedestal) is represented
in everyday life by many images on every street. Russian Lenin didn't
look that fancy though. Sure the Thai love their king!
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Our last night before the flight back...
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On the left - artabotrys
hedge
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Thai Ministry of Military
They say it still has an Elephant department |
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We didn't notice when took this last picture that there was a guy riding a small elephant (on the right)
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