Royal Flora Ratchapruek

Ok, so this is a quick recap of my experience at the Royal Flora Ratchapruek in Chiang Mai.

As soon as I entered the gates, I was in awe. First, because there were SO MANY people!!! >.<. Second, I don't understand why there were so many people.. looking at trees... trees that can even be found along the side of the road.

(city people looking at colorful flowers)

In all honesty, I don't know what the fuss is all about. Ok, so the flowers were pretty, and there were lots of weird flowers. There were genetically modified orchids, which they made to smell like lemon and chocolate. The lemon smells really refreshing, but the chocolate.... smells like a dead flower. ick! and on the way out of the orchid loop, we had to walk pass ALOT of chocolate smelling orchids... oh the agony~

(in english: chicken necklace)

(city person smelling chocolate scented orchid)

Next, we went to see deers!! Before we enter the area, the representative said 'when you come out, we'll show you a lucky turtle!!'. So in we went and out we came. They did show us a turtle, but it was not a small turtle that we can hold in our hand. It was a turtle created by flowers on a hill -_-. And I thought I'll get a free souvenir.

When it's almost dark, the parade/show began. It was the most confusing show in the world. You know why?? Because none of the visitors knew where to look. It's like this...

The temple is where the highlight of the show was, and there were 3 little stages with performers, doing the same thing. Obviously, everyone wanted to look at the stage near the temple because that's where the fireworks were. So people tried to crowd over to the temple, leaving the 3rd stage empty with about 3-4 people watching the performers. Felt kinda sorry for them really.

On the way out, we finally got to see what we came to see in the first place. [*drumrolls......*] THE GOLDEN SHOWER TREE!!!!! The highlight of going to the Royal Flora Ratchapruek is to see the tree (this has everything to do with it's name *wink*).

(city person pointing at the tree, NOT the children)

So when we finally saw it, we realised our mission was complete. But guess what? If we have told someone that we wanted to see that tree, we wouldn't even have to go to the expo in the first place. Because the golden shower tree were lined up along the road... all the way home. -_-