You do see poinsettias in many parts of the world. Even so, here's a
nice shot (right) you could lift for your Christmas letter!

These
flowers on the left are really from New Zealand. Because they present a
very different appearance at each stage of their flowering I couldn't
resist them!
Those of you that have visited the South Pacific will
recognize the bloom on the right as they readily fall of trees and cover
the ground or float down stream to present a very beautiful carpet of
flowers. They turn color as they "age."

More marvelous flowers that thrive in hot wet climates.




These two interesting plants (right and left) were growing on the island of Beqa in Fiji. The local resort had introduced some unique species of
plants in their manicured landscaping. Because this area of Fiji is
known to be a rainforest orchids are plentiful.
The
yellow flowers to the right come under the heading of, "If you're not
having fun why are you doing it!" These we found right outside out yacht
club in Marina Del Rey.
Everywhere
we go across the Pacific we enjoy the efforts of the local people to
beautify their environment. I decided to dedicate a page to the
beautiful floral displays we enjoyed everywhere we went. The one on the
left is from Apia, Samoa. This fence surrounds the war canoes.
We
saw many of these beautiful orchid plants (right) in Samoa. People would
place a large bamboo post up as part of fence. The bamboo served
as a host for the parasitic orchid. These orchid fence posts were quite
beautiful.
Coming
from California we're pretty familiar with bougainvillea (left).
However, this lavender color is rather unique.
These
beautiful red/orange blossoms belong to a plant that we've seen in
hedges - the type people just grow by putting a stick in the ground.
I've been told that the stick must have its bark on in order to grow.
More
beauties from Samoa!
Some
people say, "If you've seen one _____, you've seen them all."
Fortunately I don't feel that way. One more gorgeous flower is still
more beautiful than the last.
A
visit to the Bahai Center in Samoa was a real treat. These floral
displays are from that visit.
These
lovely begonias were part of the Bahai display.
Walking
around the center was a very special experience.
What
we've called a red ginger plant has the name of tutuila. There is an entire
week's festival in Apia, Samoa every year dedicated to this striking
plant.
Many
of these species we saw all across the tropics and they aren't a bit
unique, but they remain just as eye-catching. These alamandas (left) are from Savai'i.
Again,
not unique, but fun to capture for this website and maybe a greeting
card.
We
saw these beauties outside the King's Palace in Tongatapu, but also
again in the Ha'apai.
This
purple and blue flowering bush is one of the more amazing plants I've
seen. We saw it first in the Ha'apai.
We
saw Frangipani throughout the islands. However, I believe that the most
beautiful were in the Ha'apai, Tonga.
There
must be something about the weather that's just about perfect for them
(the frangipani). (right and left)
I
couldn't decide whether this close-up of a flame tree (left) was more
beautiful, or whether this view of the whole tree was rather interesting
also. (right)
This
lovely climbing vine is from northern New Zealand - Russell to be exact.
I've
started to get kind of wild here, trying my hand at flying things like
bees!!!
Since
this bee held still for the previous shot I felt he was fair game on the
little blue flower!
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