flower market

aren't all the colors fab? so much to choose from.

these must be special orchids as they are more expensive than the ones i purchased. 

i think they may be thai orchids. as most regular orchids are just three for $100hkd

 {$4.25usd each!}

large trees for just $48hkd {just $6usd!}

more 

i wonder if pitcher plants would help with the mosquitoes?

next time i will probably grab one {or two} 

nan lian garden

last weekend we had a try at our best haggling with the mong kok street vendors to no avail. 

{too many tourists for golden week, perhaps?} so on our way home we popped into a garden a local friend had suggested. of course, it was the best thing going and we walked every inch...

the pavilion of absolute perfection is in the center of a lotus pond with eight surrounding old pine trees.

eight is a lucky number in chinese culture and the pavilion is an octagon as well.

{it is perfect. isn't it?}

the guards leading up to the perfection pavilion

one of the chinese timber architecture gallery buildings

 the pavilion bridge is on the east side of the blue pond and a majestic phoenix guards atop

the lamp of enlightenment

{notice the eight sides again?}

fantastic, euh? this is the main restaurant in the garden

it wasn't open when we visited, but i will be gathering up my friends 

 in typical hong kong style you are requested to not walk on the grass

one last glance of the perfection pavilion on the walk out...

{i've already ordered this one to frame}

xox, 

c

p.s. if you are more interested in the garden details check out the link. chinese are gardens are not just thrown together. the nan lian garden was built based on the jiangshouju garden of the tang dynasty. every care was taken to ensure serenity within a busy city.

singapore

yes, spring break was awhile ago. as we are currently staring down the end of the school year already. but i thought  i'd share some snapshots from our time in singapore. we were all let's hit the beach for spring break, but by the time momma researched flights and hotels there weren't many options left. so instead we headed to the big city/country of singapore.

we actually flew on singapore airlines not korean air,

 but joseph was keen on improving his photography skills

 stella thoroughly enjoyed the birds eye view

we collectively agreed to skip the worldest largest ferris wheel

{whew...}

maybe next time we'll stay at the sands

there was alot of walking involved

and alot of lounging

alot more lounging....

i think we all were in agreement that singapore was fantastic. 

stella wants to hit the mentosa island beaches next time

who's to argue...

xox,

c

p.s. the night time safari was the bestest not to be missed, but i don't have any pictures as it is truly a night time safari in the dark and no flash cameras are allowed.