Local artist were commissioned to create wood carvings featuring Belize wildlife. Carving of a large iguana side by side with a smaller iguana is huge, it’s about 5′ high at the head of the iguana and 10′ long from head to tail of the larger iguana. Iguanas are a common sight throughout the Caribbean. This elaborate carving is one of a series of wood sculptures depicting the wildlife of Belize. We were amazed at all the unusual plants on Harvest Caye. The variety of flowering plants included Hibiscus, Jatropha, Jasmine, Ixora, and Heliconia
We drove down to Holan’s on Saturday morning, way top early to be up and out for our normal mornings. However, the temp was going to be in the high 90s with heat index around 109, so it was a good thing to get started early. Farmers’ Market, Hobby Lobby and At Home was on our list of places to go. The first market we went to was the wrong one but we finally arrived at the BIG market and it was really nice. One of the booths had nothing but orchids. There were several different colors and larger than I have ever seen. We passed The Big Biscuit and thought we would have breakfast, but the line was out of the door. So on we traveled looking for a cafe Holan had eaten at once. After having a little problem finding the place, we finally found it. …
So what is a Sarracenia? It is a plant that is commonly known as trumpet pitchers. We saw these at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market. We were very impressed with the market – there were over 70 stands with all kinds of vendors. There were booths with beverages, lotions, herbs, eggs, fruits, plants, oils, honey, pasta, meats and prepared foods. One of the vendors had several trumpet pitchers, which caught our interest immediately. Sarracenia is a class of carnivorous plants. The top part of the pitchers has a nectar-like secretion and a combination of color and scent which attracts insects . Once the insect starts eating the nectar, which has the effect of a narcotic drug, it causes the insects to lose it footing and to fall inside. Once inside they die and are digested by the plant. Pitcher production begins at the end of the flowering period in spring, …
A year ago, Dee said we needed a lime tree. Steve walked into Wal-Mart and there sat a lime tree. It was as if it was meant for us to have the tree. I looked up on the internet to learn more about them. It said that lime tree produce from November to March. It had one lime on it when he bought it. We didn’t see another one all winter. Steve took the tree outside and by mid summer we had lots of limes.
The grasses in the backyard blow in the wind all winter and are so pretty. On this day a light snow fell which made the blades bend. ““““““““““““““““““““
Kilohana, a restored plantation estate that provides a glimpse of life in the 1930s. The site of a 16,000 square-foot Tudor mansion that was home to one of the island’s most prominent families, Kilohana is now a picturesque venue for tours, gatherings and a theatrical luau. We visited the various artisan shops located around the grounds before going over to the house for dinner. There were also shops upstairs and downstairs in the home. Manicured green lawns surround the estate, which now features 22 North and a number of unique shops like the Koloa Rum Company. Once the center of a 27,000-acre sugar plantation and the hub of Kauai business, cultural and social life, the 35-acre estate now features tropical gardens and an old plantation village. We rode on the Kauai Plantation Railway, winding through the plantation’s working farms and orchards. As we rode along we came upon the pig …
The world-famous Kauai Fern Grotto (Ma’ama’akualono) is a natural lava-rock grotto with long Boston Sword ferns growing upside down from the roof and cooled by misting waterfalls. Once a royal gathering place, this area was dedicated to the major god, Lono. Its natural amphitheater acoustics made it a perfect place for serenading musicians and a Hula demonstration. Native Hawaiian plants and colorful exotic tropical plants provide a rain-forest atmosphere.
Throughout this garden valley, nature trails meander through a true tropical rainforest, crossing bubbling streams, passing several beautiful waterfalls and the exciting ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast. The Garden is also home to a Statue of Ku, the Hawaiian God of War, carved from a Monkeypod Tree that once stood in the Garden. Macaws live inside the Founders’ birdhouses and there is also a wishing well. Save
More flowers from the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo. Save Save Save
We boarded an air-conditioned van at the pier and listen to our local guide as we took a scenic and narrated tour through Hilo’s bay front and the lush Hamakua Coast in route to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. The 40-acre valley is a natural greenhouse, protected from buffeting trade winds and blessed with fertile volcanic soil. At the entrance gate to the Garden, we were greeted by the Garden’s gate-keeper who answered questions and then sent us off into the tropical jungle. A 500 foot long elevated boardwalk winds down the steep walled ravine of Kahalii Stream that is now dry because of a 1949 landslide. The Garden’s collection of tropical plants is international in scope. Over 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera, are found in this one-of-a-kind garden. At a time when rainforest plants are disappearing at an alarming rate, the Garden is working …
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