My favorite flower is the orchid. From the moment Casey found this out about me, he has wanted to take me to see the National Orchid Gardens in Singapore. So this was our original motivation in our quick stop-over in Singapore. And boy was it worth it!
Absolutely gorgeous. What an amazing experience to walk through streams and streams of these incredible flowers, where they blossom and grow like grass in the perfect temperature and humidity here. Back home in SF, C and I adopted about 15 or so orchids and began our first attempt at building our family and seeing how good we can do with trying to keep something (green) alive. This is a trait I did not, I repeat, did not inherit from my mother – she, is an amazing gardener and I have always grown up with fresh fruits and veggies from our garden and our home was filled with pretty plants and blooming flowers. I, on the other hand…well, lets just say that my thumb is not green. For those of you who do know about orchids, we definitely challenged ourselves in choosing these creatures to start with. They are pesky little fellas, who are difficult (in my opinion) to keep alive. We have re-potted them twice and already made multiple trips to our local orchid shop, the Green Thumb, for consultation. Of course this was all in a matter of just a few months of receiving them. 
We now have dreams of a home full of blooming orchids and or own personal orchid greenhouse in our yard (or deck). Wherever we land after this trip is over (SF, Africa, Asia, Nor-Cal or SB), we hope to be surrounded by these beautiful flowers. They have become reminders of the Asia leg of our RTW because we saw them everywhere in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand (we had a 6 hour lay-over in Bangkok – more on that later). Loved it. Other flowers that have become reminders of our RTW, especially the Africa leg: plumeria (a new favorite of mine), hibiscus (Saw many of these in both Africa and Asia) and wild poinsettias (all over in Ethiopia). We really didn’t see many flowers in Europe – it was late Fall at that point and we were dealing with a big storm that we kept trying to outrun (or out-fly). The closest we can get to a reminder of the Europe leg would be olive trees, which is another growing dream for Casey.
Speaking of our orchids in San Francisco…hey Fran, how are our orchids back at 328? Props to you for taking care of them for us. 
Yes the challenge of growing plants and flowers……..I just replant.lol I keep asking my friends NOT to buy me plants and flowers but they do not listen and I become a murderer…..I feel so bad but I keep trying…I purchased the watering bulbs and they seem to be helping…….lol. I over nurture…….go figure and my silk ones look so good. So if all else fails that’s next. Love you guys have a Great time. Talk to you soon. Back to my real nurturing today…..my students….
Love Tia & Tio
Oh Tia, great to hear from you! I guess the non-green thumb runs in the Silva side eh? Gotta love it. I hope to change it, but I will rely heavily on my lovely husband for this one. Funny enough you should mention fake flowers because I have actually found one fake orchid plant that SERIOUSLY looks real! I’ve been thrilled that I found it. Generally speaking I have found that the fake ones typically look fake but this one doesn’t. Very nice. Reminds me of grandma Walker actually – over the last few years (as she was getting a bit of dimentia) she liked to plant (in soil) pretty fake flowers throughout her gardens. Why not? They always looked healthy and pretty!
I miss you and love you. Hugs to Carmine.
c