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Magic, Royalty & Birthdays
Monday, July 23, 2012 at 6:45AM | Share Article The main reasons for my Malaysia trip were:
- Floria 2012, Malaysia's premier outdoor/indoor garden and flower showcase and
- Magic of the Night, a parade of decorated flotillas that cruise along the Putrajaya waterfront
Both events were held in conjunction with the other and I was looking forward to attending both events. According to Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, “We would like tourists to come back to Malaysia repeatedly through new tourism products (such as this) and at the same time, to encourage Malaysians to develop a passion for gardening and to respond to the call for a greener and cleaner Malaysia.
It is very unfortunate that my schedule did not permit me time to go through the Floria booths until dusk and even then it was at a very fast pace. I've decided not to post any photos because what I have will definitely not do the show any justice. The lighting was poor and I did not have time to compose the image with all the other milling crowds of guests.
For you readers who are keen on seeing the Floria 2012, you can head on over to the "My Nice Garden" website of Autumn Belle who has extensively covered the event, including the highlights, orchids and caladiums, and the bougainvillea competition. On hindsight, we should have traded pictures. My Floria 2012 pictures were underexposed and her Magic of the Night pictures were overexposed.
Magic of the Night participants included two foreign countries, nine states and four organizations. I was able to photograph most of the floats and here they are.
***Feel free to click on the images to enlarge for more detail:
Which one is your favorite?
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In my previous post, Royal True Yellow, I mentioned that the royal retreat house was next door to my hotel and I visited the past and present royal palaces. I wondered if I would ever see the King or Queen.
Well, the reason we had to hurry through the garden show was because we could not afford to arrive later than the opening ceremonies of Magic of the Night which would be officiated by Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah. Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia.
Her Royal Highness at the center of the photo with the flotilla in the background.
I got to see royalty after all.
Photo from Tourism Malaysia
The Queen in the yellow chair. On her right is Malaysian Tourism minister Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen. I am not certain but I think that on her left is Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit. Can you find me in the picture?
I also met the iconic shoemaker, Mr. Jimmy Choo. I was not able to have my picture taken with him much to my wife's dismay.
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Happy Birthday greetings to my co-celebrants this July. I hope I do not miss anyone this year.
July celebrants and long-time friends who have been celebrating together for more years than we care to count. (L-R) Chito (featured in my Plant Clinic post), myself and Marc.
- pretty, pretty godchild Krizhca
- extraordinary host whom my kids call Tito (Uncle) Awesome, Mike
- beautiful, nature-loving Asra
- my mother-in-law, Mommy May, who spoils my kids rotten
- cousin Baby, to whom I entrust my children's health
- colleague and friend, the dashing and debonair, Clarence
- tennis buddies, Obet, Gus and Jay
- blogversary of David's Tropical Texana
- Benjamin of The Deep Middle
- Diana of Kebun Malay-Kadazan Girls and
- Diana of Elephant's Eye
- Laura of Patio Patch
- Loree of Danger Garden
- the talented Dahlia of Makita Studio (my daughter loves her work), wife of Rob of the Pitcher Plant Project.
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Last but not least, my thanks to Pals (also featured in my Plant Clinic post) for lending me his camera to use for the evening shots. My P&S would definitely not have been up to this challenge. Likewise, my thanks to Keith (guest photographer in my Con Color post) for helping me with the post-processing.
Reader Comments (27)
Beautiful show! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm heading over to My Nice Garden now.
Intriguing article on Tito Awesome, would love to know more how the world recolves around him, oh and also love the side note regarding Malaysia.
@ PP: Enjoy the Floria show! It was beautiful and I just wish I could have seen more of it.
@ Awesome fan: Will feature him in his own post when he turns into a plant, or at least a plant lover. :-)
Very impressive! My boys love legos too so that would be my favorite as well! Not everyday that you get to see royalty....very cool!
I could not pick a favorite, I went back to twice. They are all so colorful and festive, I enjoyed this post. You did a nice job photographing at night too.
That looks spectacular Bom! My favourite is the entry from Suzhou, China :)
Belated Happy Birthday too!
Happy July birthday to you Bom. I adore the photos of the boats. So extravagantly and colourfully decorated. You can sense the wonderful atmosphere there. What a fabulous trip.
@ Karin : I'm sure our sons would have loved that boat. Yes, seeing the queen was very cool!
@ Donna : Hahaha. The powers of a borrowed DSLR with a good lens.
@ Mark and Gaz : Then you have excellent taste because that was the judges pick for best overall boat! Thanks for the birthday greeting. :-D
@ Catmint : Thank you, both for the greeting and enjoying the post. I really had a great time and wouldn't mind going back again.
make that a pair of Dianas. Happy birthday to you!
Done. Happy Birthday to you!
nice float shots!
Well, I must say that I have never seen the likes of this before, absolutely stunning. Each one was a winner as far as I was concerned, then I came to the overall winner, fabulous!
@ Andrea : Thanks!
@ Alistair : I can't wait to go next year. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Great views, Bom!
Yes, I like the first one the most just like you and for the same reasons....lego blocks are so cool when put in art!
All of these boats would make fine screen savers. What do you think? Maybe you could try one on your computer. It would be a nice memory.
Glad you saw (met?) the Queen! Wow!
David/:0)
And thanks for mentioning my blogaversary
How blessed you are to have witness such a beautiful display and live in your world.[
Happy bday!
You forgot Dolphy whose bday in July too. ;-)
I have a new blog.
Great reading about the flower show!
You practically brought us there!
@ David : I hope you don't think me presumptious. I can email you some pictures that will hopefully inspire you and your students.
@ Patrick : YEs, thanks. So many blessings and I'm just glad I know enough not to take them for granted.
@ Lui : Thanks, Lui! Heading over to your new blog now . . .
What a spectacular show! You've really shown us some amazing sights from your trip. I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
happy birthday Bom,
what a wonderful festival, it must be amazing to see all these beautiful floats actually floating with the river reflecting all the lights, magic, a wish come true you saw your queen, a lovely lady, pity you didn't get your photo with Jimmy Choo but did you get your wife some shoes!!!! ;)
Frances