This is a photographic flower journey about travels near and far. A few weeks ago my blog explored my love of flowers. It is in my DNA. I am continually inspired to see Facebook posts of people’s gardens. The image of the lotus above was taken in the Mae Rim area of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Marla and Karen Richer are finishing a “Cliff Walk” near Jerbourg on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel. In the foreground is Acanthus spinosus, on the left is a Bottlebrush plant, and the gigantic plant in the back is an Echium pininana or ‘Snow Tower.‘

This is an enchanted cottage next to the cliff walk. The ‘Snow Towers‘ are truly amazing! The island of Guernsey has a unique micro-climate allowing many unusual plants and flowers to thrive.

On the Isle of Sark, a short boat trip from Guernsey, our daughter Lisa looked beautiful next to colorful Hydrangeas. This was a few days before her 21st birthday.

Delicate Cyclamens near the ancient cemetery of the 12th century parish church, St. Martin de la Bellouse, on Guernsey.

Large yellow flowers of the Verbascom nigrum plant near Fermain Bay on Guernsey.

A wonderful lunch at the 17th century La Sablonnerie Hotel on the Isle of Sark, among pink Spotted Bellflowers, Campanula punctata, and blue Cornflowers. I can remember tasting a nice French Chablis and the sensational Sark lobster!

This is Guernsey’s unusual “Alpine Sea Holly”, Erngium alpinum.

Marla spotted the gorgeous Brugmansia, or ‘Angels Trumpet’, while walking to the market in Menton, France.

This photo brings back a myriad of memories for us. Colorful Hibiscus flowers line the steps, and grace the statues, at the Royal Pita Maha’s “Healing Pool” in Kedewatan, Bali.

While on a bike ride near Tanggayuda in Bali we checked out a small market. This vendor sells beautiful flowers for offerings.

We often traveled to Thailand to source home furnishings in our Wesco Fabrics’ days. While in the Baan Tawai Village outside of Chiang Mai I spotted this colorful orchid clinging to a tree.

We took our grandsons to Thailand last year. Our Bangkok guide took us to the totally amazing “Pak Khlong Talat” Flower Market. The market is huge and primarily caters to wholesale customers and for offerings. Our guide selected the Thai wedding flower, jasmine “Phuang malai,” for Marla to wear on her wrist. It is a symbol of luck, love, and compassion.

The town of Vail is famous for their gorgeous flowers in the summer.

A wildflower meadow at 10,200′ above Vail.

Lovely flowers by a stream at Vail’s “Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.”

A single Siberian Iris in our front yard.

Vibrant Chrysanthemums at the “Humble Administrator’s Garden” in Suzhou, China. It is a beautiful World Heritage site.

My nephew Steven took us to the beautiful gardens at Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh.

While visiting the Kona Village Farmer’s Market on the Big Island we came upon this stall selling incredible flowers and plants!

I love this exotic “Crinum latifolium” on the Big Island.

On a hike in Boulder’s “Chautauqua Park” we spied these colorful poppies.

Marla bought flowers at Marche Buci in Paris. They are wrapped in a special plastic that doesn’t require a vase. We carried them with us in the car to Cannes.

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Stacy, Marla, and Lisa in front of the famous Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco’s Golden Gate park. My grandparents first took me here when I was a little boy. The building, completed in 1879, is the oldest structure in the park.

And, this is the lady who made my love of flowers possible, my Mom! She is in her happy place with an orchid lei and a tasty Mai Tai.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.