Plumeria alba a.k.a Kemboja Putih a.k.a Frangipani

We only have one plumeria alba planted in the compound. Its growth is rather slow, maybe due to the infertile soil. The leaves grow out from the end of the branches.

However, it did bloom now and then; giving out a sweet smell that sometimes tickled your nose. This picture shows the buds and a blooming flower at the end of the flower stalk. The flowers will then form a cluster of whites.

A white flower does give out a stronger smell than the red one. This is purely based on my own sense of smell though....

The flower is not 100% white, a bit of yellow can be found at the inner end of the petals.

Taken on : 24/03/2010

It's B for Bougainvilla....#5

Pictures of bougainvillae taken in 2010. This red species is planted in a pot and put in front of the house. Unfortunately, while working on a tree near the pot, Pakar accidently knocked the pot down and it broke. Haven't had time to buy a near one but alhamdulillah, the plant is still ok. A hardy plant indeed.

Another view...oh, i love the red colour...

Such vibrant colour.

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Posted on: 28/08/2008

Bougainvilla or bunga kertas, as popularly known, is a hardy plant. The ones that we have at home were given to us by our ex-babysitter, Kak Mashitah (or Kak Mas) from Kayu Ara, Damansara. So these plants are more than 20 years old!!

There are the whites, fuschias/maroonish ones. All are in pots. The one that keeps on flowering is the white. One plant is the verigiated species.

Have seen too, bougainvillas planted along the sides of the LEKAS highway.

Vertical Planting is the Word

#1: Planted with vegie seeds which I can't remember the name... ;-) Bought the seeds at Giant, Nilai. The troughs, at a hardware store (and I leave that to dear Paka) in Pajam. Green, leafy vegie...

# 2: Same seedlings. Pegaga leaves can also be seen here. Oh yes, I use the plastic spoon the scoop the soil etc. Yeap, another use of the spoon.

Another shot of the vegetable and the leaves looked good, without too many insects' holes!!

And here's our vertical planting box (courtesy of hubby). The cost? That you've to ask the other half.

First Pineapple...

This is our first pineapple (ananas comosus)!!! Excited is the word no doubt. Harvested when the fruit was still green, and was left to ripe for a week.

We ate it fresh, the taste was sweet and juicy. Bought the original pineapple from a stall along Pasir Mas - Rantau Panjang road. Mak planted the crown first and gave it to us after a few months. Alhamdulillah, it grew well.

The pineapple taking a peek about 5 months ago.

From another angle of an amateur's eye... the unripe ananas

Further away..

And the whole plant... Planted under the shade of a mango tree. Not too sure if it helped but the soil condition there is on the wet side. As far as I can remember, fertilizer was seldom used on this plant. Just leave it on its own to grow.

A Succulent

A succulent is so easy to grow. New plant will grow from its dropped leaves. I chose to have it in a small container making it easier to control its growth. Want to have a bigger succulent, then plant it in a bigger pot.

Notice the outside pots? They are all reused containers. A mug and a 'bunga telur'!! Now, one can have a good piece of house warming gift for the next host ... To make them more attractive, put in small stones or marbles to cover the soil.

Muscat Grape (Updated : 26 May, 2011)

Pic taken in Mac/April 2010

According to the nursery man, this is the Muscat grape plant. Not sure of its origin though. We bought one, for about RM40 and he lectured us on how to have the plant bore fruits!! So, finally after about 12 months with us, the fruits are here!!!

Pic taken in March 2011

They are still in infancy stage.... But according to friends, grapes planted in Malaysia will turn out to be sour. We'll just see about it :-( . A tip that I followed was to prune the plant, leaving just a number of leaves on it. After about 3 to 4 weeks, the fruits came out.

Grape plant too is good for giving shade. Try planting it at your pergola and you'll find the plant creeping almost instantly with its large leaves.

(NOTE: Grrr...the grape turned purplish in May 2011, but luck was not on our side. Hubby took a look the next day and the fruits were gone!!)

Plants, plants and more plants...

Located at Sukhumvit Highway, between Pattaya and Sattahip is the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Resort. A very large area to cover in a day indeed. It was the morning of Boxing Day 2010 but tourists had started pouring into the Garden. Since it was already time for the cultural and elephant shows to begin, the staff directed us to park our car nearest to the show area (after we paid the entrance fee that is!) What greeted us first was of course the elephants that were to perform shortly.

The Thai cultural show showcased dances from most of the Thai provinces (above picture depicts the Southern region dance which uses the bamboo), short sketches in which the elephants were brought in, and also muay thai (Thai boxing). The five of us sat in a theater-like area.

Lots of elephant antics here. Ball game, bowling, dancing, tricycle ride and painting. The paintings by the elephants were offered for sale. Bananas were also sold here for tourists to feed the elephants. On our way out, after the show, a tiger cub was spotted on one of the rocks held by its keeper/trainer. Some took the opportunity to take pictures with it.

And yes, after this, it was a long walk... However, the plants and flowers kept me going though I do admit it was tiring. So, garden lovers, this is one attraction you should not miss when in the area of Pattaya-Sattahip. Based on the leaflet, the garden covers 652 acres! Variety of plants here which include the bromeliads, palms, cycads and other tropical trees and flowers. The garden is segmented to a few areas such as the French garden and the bromeliads. Water spouts coming from big, colourful vases further enhanced the serene and beauty of the areas. Walkways were also built to make it easier for visitors to walk and enjoy the garden.

Vertical planting was used extensively in certain areas (as in the above pic - background).

The French Garden. For more pictures, click here.

There was also elephant rides but we already had one in Damnoen Saduak before. Replicas of flamingos adorned an area. Other animal replicas include colourful birds and frogs. Oh yes, there was also an area where fish were kept. Arapaimas were also in one of the large ponds and smaller fish in the aquariums.

After that long and tiring walk, we headed back to the car park. Next, we ventured to Sattahip town.

Pattaya, Here We Come....

On Wednesday evening, 22 Dec, 2010, we ventured a little bit further to Thailand's South-East, namely Pattaya. Went via Motorway 9, and after Tapchang Toll Gate and Suvarnabhumi Airport we took a left turn into Highway 7 to Chon Buri / Lat Krabang. Paid Baht30 at Lat Krabang Toll Gate, bypassed Lat Krabang and then made a 'pit-stop' at the Service Area (R&R). The area looks more like a small town when compared to Malaysia's R&R. With 4 lanes on both sides of the highway, the drive was smooth save for some bumpy ones when the road went over the small canals (I guess)

There was KFC, which daughter just had to content with looking at it only, 7 Eleven and few other local shops. A pick-up truck (yes, so many pick-up trucks here) with sea coconuts.... The landscape changed from what we used to in Pathum Thani, when it changed to a little bit hilly once we reached Sri Racha area. Coconut trees, tapioca and pineapples.... Once nearing Pattaya, we were greeted with a big signboard, welcoming us to Eastern Seaboard, Detroit of the East. Reached Pattaya after about 2hr 15mins drive from Khlong Nueng.
We put up at Valida Residence, off Pattaya South Rd. A residence run by a young Muslim couple. Breakfast was included but for other meals, we had to find them for ourselves.

We brought along our Ta-Pau food using my Tupperware Festive Tiffin (what a help... ;-)

Hubby had to attend to work the next day, so we ventured out to Big C to replenish our food stock. Walked all the way, to and fro. No songthaew for us.

The Pattaya South Rd (Pattaya Tai). This road will take one to Pattaya Beach and also Jomtien Beach.

Another Trip....

Half of the school holiday has gone, and it was time to head to Khlong Nueng. Only 3 daughters followed, while another has lectures to attend. Took a taxi to the airport and had trouble loading the bags inside the boot due to the NGV tank!! Or should we have known better? Cost us RM45 fr home to KLIA. We took MH788 that afternoon (tickets' fare courtesy of hubby's Enrich points...). Nabihah insisted on us to take picture here with the planes models. Then the announcement came, the flight will be 20 mins late.

Nabihah as usual sat at the window seat, and this is her work!! Taken over Thailand's land.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand. Nay, we can't read the writings. Poot Thai mai-dai.... (= We can't speak Thai...)

Phew, it was quite a wait at the Immigration. Long queues at all the counters. Must be booming here in this Kingdom. Lined up with tourists from India, judging from their passports that is. Then we had a hard time finding our sole contact here (hehe....). Coming out of Gate C, searching for him... Anyway, managed to find hubby and off we went to the parking lot. Btw, this airport looks more like a shopping complex... With so many people patronising the shops, restaurants.....

Yes, finally, we were on Motorway 9, heading towards Khlong Nueng. Weather? Oh, it was hot...

Bye Bangkok (Holiday Revisited -- June 2010)

A signboard as we approached Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

Nabihah posed with a hat bought at Ayutthaya.

Yeap, traveling can be tiring.

Inside the departure hall.

After a week in Thailand, it was time to say good bye (but with a heavy heart)....