Flora Expo!

Taipei is host to this year's International Flora Expo. It's been going on since November 2010, and features garden displays (mazes, scented walls, living sculptures), indoor garden displays, floral arrangements, horticulture, performances etc. etc.

I decided last week that it was high time that I check it out, so I trekked to the expo site and saw the sights. It was pretty cool, but even though I went on a overcast Monday afternoon it was quite busy so I was slightly overwhelmed by the crowds. I saw lot's of lovely displays, including some very impressive bonsai trees (one was over 500 years old!), a drum performance, a succulent display and international garden display.There was loads more, but I have a hunch that as exciting as it was for me, if I went on this post would be a bit of a snoozer.


Okay Canada, we get it. All I'm saying is, is that the best we could do? Canada is made up of so many other wonderful cultures that are equally worth celebrating. This was a garden display, and those look like fiber glass salmon carcasses. At least cover them with plants or something. Sheesh. Where are the maple trees?

The USA's garden display was very good - you have to admit, when it comes to international competitions they've got game.
Bhutan's garden - now I don't know much about Bhutan but I'm assuming their GDP is a fraction of Canada's, and I would dare say this is a nicer display.

Thailand's display was the bomb, they had living sculptures, tropical flowers, little temples and walking paths. Yes, that is a giant elephant made out of plants.
This was in the Taiwan garden, and it's a giant bamboo "igloo" for lack of a better word. It was a huge dome structure woven out of strips of bamboo, with a fluid, curving entrance. I want one to camp out in, it was so beautiful and sculptural. Google "bamboo dome" and you'll see lot's of pictures.