Straight from Puerto Rico

So you want to see what they actually grow on those tropical flower farms in Puerto Rico? 

We recently returned from a quick get-away in Puerto Rico, seen here, and coincidentally just finished installing a corporate party with a tropical theme.

The occasional table flowers are not really tropical, but the acacia mimosa (the little yellow balls) smell divine and paired well with the phalaenopsis orchids in their little shells.

The real stars of the show are the funky tropical flowers.  

Those white-ish spikes are actually the flowers of the coconut palm, which you can see here still on the trees. See the small coconuts beginning to form towards the bottom?

The orange flowers are banksia flowers.

The hanging flowers below are heliconia. Some have intense colors, others are... well, hairy. The hairy ones are called She-kong heliconia. They look a bit scary but are very soft to the touch.

The coconuts are farther along below.

The tropicals are not your typical flower fare, but sure are fun to see. 

OK, go ahead, I dare you to touch the She-kongs!

Between the Water and the Flowers

in Puerto Rico, it would be hard to say which was more amazing...

What do you think?

As with most tropical islands, the water's color was intense- in a pretty way. The shades went from deep blue to aquamarine to various blue/greens. Talk about inspiring...

My favorite- a natural color gradient in the sea.

The interior portion of Puerto Rico is largely forested hills. In the midst of the narrow, winding roads up into the jungle, there are tropical flower farms that manage to grow amazing foliage and flowers. The folks who work these farms are devoted to their land and have to love what they do- it's hard work.

I apologize- I do not know the correct names of most of the flowers and plants.

Date palm

Date palm, close-up

Tree fern frond about to unfurl

Tree fern from below

Coconut palm

Flower of the coconut palm

Mangoes

Coconut palm's own fireworks!

I felt so fortunate to have seen nature in such a manner, 

so totally different from what I normally see. 

Thanks, Liz, for your link-up party at Fresh Cut Friday!