Our World - Floral Delights

These are some photos from my trip to Shilin Official Residence at Taipei. The residence includes both Chinese and Western style gardens, a chapel and the  house of former president Chiang Kai-Shek.

It was a fine weather and people of all walks of life took advantage to enjoy outdoors.


There were various species of flowers and plants and I was amazed of how well maintained the park was.



The riot of colour was such a welcome sight.



Looking so charming and delicate against the light



I just love how everything comes to life with a burst of colours.



Some have already flowered and finished, but I also noticed that some flowers were in early stages of bloom.



The roses are in full bloom from March to May, and but I wish the blooming period could last longer so we have more time to enjoy them.



From another corner of the park, I love the heart shaped shrubs. It's also another favourite spot of photography for couples.



I hope these pretty blooms will brighten your day and put a smile on your face.

Our World Tuesday

Today's Flowers - Orchids of Singapore

Orchids are such a joy to behold, they always make me smile.  I hope they will brighten up your days too.



Changi Airport, Singapore

Today's Flowers

Today's Flowers - Grocery store flowers

Fresh flowers from Salzburg's Old Town. They seemed too colourful to pass up without taking a few quick snaps of these beautiful blooms. Enjoy!








Today's Flowers

PhotoHunt - Drink

My Roselle plants are growing very well in my back yard and new buds continue to sprout during the flowering season.



Roselle is a tropical fruit belongs to the Hibiscus family and the scientific name of this medicinal plant is Hibiscus sabdariffa.



Having heard so much about its magical properties, I made Roselle juice out of its calyces almost every weekend. It is rich in vitamin C (potent antioxidant), beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and B6 (essential co-enzymes in metabolic process). They are also commonly used as a treatment for cardiac, nerve diseases and cancer. I also discovered that long term consumption of Roselle juice can provide a good skin complexion too!



These freshly plucked calyces are used in making juices and this portion is for one or two servings. It is an easy process. Put the calyces into a saucepan and bring 60ml water to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 mins or until the calyces turn pale and the water is deep red in colour. I prefer to add some honey instead of sugar to my drink.



There you go, my homemade roselle drink. It's a great home remedy for good health and my perfect companion that never fails to leave me feeling refreshed and uplifted. Cheers!

PhotoHunt

Cannonball tree flowers

While taking a walk along the trail in Penang Botanic Garden, I spotted several flowers of the cannonball trees blooming along the pathway.



It flowers in all its glory all year round.



Unlike anything I've experienced before, I found myself smelling the fragrant blossoms over and over again. Trust me, the scent of the flowers are so refreshing and pleasurable, possibly superior to many commercial perfumes I've encountered!



The tree was named the cannonball tree for a good reason because of its brown cannon-ball-like fruits.



Both the fruit and the flower grow from stalks which sprout from the trunk of the tree.



From another perspective, I found this tree with long dangling branches to be bizarre and creepy, which kinda reminds me of Medusa of Greek myth.



Although the tree was said to have originated from South America, it has great sacred and religious significance to Buddhists and Hindus.



And here's young cannonballs beginning to sprout.


Today's Flowers

Macro Monday

Today's Flowers - Happy Mother's Day

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs since the payment is pure love
~ Mildred B. Vermont



The Miracle of Life nurtured by a woman who gave us love and sacrifice...MOTHER.
~ Joel Barquez



I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.
~Adabella Radici

These were captured at Penang Botanic Garden.

Today's Flowers

Orchid gallery

The orchid gallery is one of the main attractions within the Penang Botanic Garden. There are various species of orchids and plants and I was amazed by the wonderful array of colours. I stood there for a long while to enjoy the charm of these beauties, they make my day. :)

PhotoHunt - Angsana trees in bloom

Many parts of the streets have come alive in a burst of scent and colour after the angsana trees started blooming along the roads in Penang.



They have been putting on a show for us over the past few weeks and they show no signs of stopping just yet.




Some trees have already flowered and finished, but I also noticed that some trees were just beginning to flower, or on the downside of flowering but with tons of blossoms left.



They bloom unexpectedly for just one day, then fall the next morning, showering sidewalks with a carpet of flowers.



The blooming season begins from February and ends in May but I wish the blooming period could last longer so we have more time to enjoy them.



I absolutely like the intoxicating smell of the flowers, and it's kinda sad when they finished blooming.



Here's a close up of some Angsana flowers.

PhotoHunt

Spring blossoms

There is nothing like a touch of spring when everything comes to life with a burst of colours . I hope these pretty blooms will brighten your day and put a smile on your face.

Flowers and Prayers for Japan

It's really devastating to hear about what's happening in Japan. The horrible footage of the earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear plant explosions in Japan are just too unbearable to watch. I hope all those people who were affected get as much aid as possible.

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan in this difficult moment. May they find courage, comfort, strength and peace to move forward in life.

I hope you'll join hands with me to say a little prayer and some well wishes for Japan and the rest of the world.

Today's Flowers

Celosia cockscomb (brain flower)

I've always been fascinated and enthralled by cockscomb blooms and glad to see these blooms in my mom's garden have finally sprouted.



The blossom is velvety textured , vibrantly coloured and eye-catching that I just had to take some photos. There are great big holes in the leaves though which are most often caused by insects or their larvae. I was surprised to find that these flowers can have every single leaf eaten off and still survive!



I think I’m not the only one who is reminded of a brain tissue when glancing at a celosia. More often it is referred to as Brain Celosia but sometimes also known as Cockscomb since it bears a resemblance to the rooster's comb.

I hope you enjoy these flowers as much as I do!

Today's Flowers

Macro Monday

A Smile of Nature

Today's Flowers, Macro Monday