Apr 14, Tuesday, Jinghong - Minority Parade

This morning is the big minority parade that is part of the five day New Year’s celebration.  The parade had a few floats...

and many contingents of minority groups marching in their native costumes.  

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Some of the groups had drummers or other instrumentalists and did a bit of dancing.

There were groups of elementary aged children.

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Some not so young.

And the very lovely.

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More photos of the Minority Parade.

After lunch we drove to the Tropical Botanical Garden, the only tropical rain forest nature reserve in China.  Along the way we stopped and bought pineapples for a snack and later with lunch.  They were very sweet and juicy, some of the best we’ve had. 

This farmer also had giant Jack Fruit and stinky Durian.

Jack Fruit

Durian

Once at the gardens we took an open air trolley into the park.  

Much of the garden is set aside for research into tropical plants and ecosystems.  However, there were a number of lovely planned gardens...

There were many interesting trees and plants

Garlic Palms - named for the shape of the trunk

Jack Fruit Tree

Ficus (fig) tree

and a great orchid area that had many types and colors of orchids.  

There was a lovely pond with many waterlilies.  It reminded Mary of her visit to Monet's garden, Giverny, in France.  And of Monet's paintings of waterlilies.  

Bougainvilleas were blooming everywhere in the area.

Some of the forested areas had lush, green carpets of plants.  These are Dieffenbachia, commonly seen in the US as a houseplant.

  
Mary particularly enjoyed the planned gardens although most of the plants would not do well in semi-arid California.