Have you thought about travelling to the 2007 IPA Symposium? (at the
Taiwan Orchid Plantation, March 9-11 plus the two day trips to the
orchid nurseries March 12 & 13) I have! But to go all that way, why not
see more? I just returned from a December "orchid sojurn" through
Southeast Asia... spending several days each in Bangkok, Singapore,
Bali and Hong Kong. I attended the December Horticultural Fair in
Bangkok where there were orchid entries from 17 countries. I've posted
some highlights at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/classicorchids/
More will follow.
The IPA event was just the excuse I needed to go back. You see I have
travelled with Mr. Ed Boyett from Atlanta on a few orchid trips to
Ecuador. I would like to continue his 20 year history of leading orchid
enthusiasts on tours to Thailand and other destinations in the Orient.
I've just checked the air travel to book a roundtrip from Atlanta to
Taiwan on the major airlines. Tonight economy airfares were from $3600
to $4200 USD. I've put together an itenerary to tour through Thailand
and then have the option of going on to the IPA Symposium. comes to
$4007 and the option to travel on to the IPA Symposium is just $505,
which again includes flights and ground transportation, hotels and most
meals including taxes. I have space for 15 people. If you're interested
please send an email or to learn more please check my next email.

Lee Bredeson

Email # 2.
This adventurous tour originates in Atlanta Feb 22 and some may join us
in Los Angeles. We arrive in Bangkok to stay at the ROYAL ORCHID
SHERATON HOTEL and activities include the Royal Grand Palace, two
orchid nurseries, the Temple Dawn, Damnernsaduak Floating Market,
Nakorn Pathom with the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, Thai village
show and enjoy the orchids at the Royal Rose Garden. Flight to Ubon
Ratchathani visiting Khong Jiam at the confluence of the Mekong and Mun
rivers, visit Sao Chaliang and Pha Taem Cliff for a view of the Mekong
River and Laos, Wat Supattaram Woraviharn (the architecture of the main
temple is a mix of Thai, European and Khmer styles), Wat Thung Si Muang
constructed in the reign of King Rama III (1824-51), visit Ubol
National Museum (formerly the palace of King Ram VI) with a stop at
Chong Mek on the border to Laos, an evening to enjoy a selection of
northern Thai cultural performances and fine cuisine. Next a full day
tour visiting an elephant camp to see elephants at work, ride an
elephant into the forest crossing the river, enjoy and oxcart ride and
a bamboo rafting adventure. Travel to Koi Angkhang visiting an orchid
farm enroute, visit the Royal Angkhang Agricultural Station Project set
up in 1969 under the King's auspices. Visit an orchid nursery near
Chiang Mai. Travel to Chiang Mai airport for the flight to Mae Hong
Son. Ride through the jungle on elephants followed by a drive through
the jungle to visit the "Long Neck" Karen Padaung Village. The women
in this village wear numerous brass coils around their necks and legs,
and a boat ride on the Pai River. Flight via Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Viisit an orchid nursery where you can buy orchid flasks with documents
for legal transport on our flights home. Some orchid travellers will go
on for the 2007 IPA Symposium arriving back in US on March 15th. Others
may have opted to return to the US arriving in Atlanta on the March
10th. There are 15 spaces available for "orchid travellers".
If you'd like to join us please send an email.
Lee Bredeson

Orchid Travellers!
Some clarifications....The tour to Thailand Feb 22 -March 9 with an
option to attend the 2007 IPA Symposium in Taiwan March 9-13 begins in
Atlanta with some travellers possibly joining us in Los Angeles.
The Thailand portion of the trip costs a total of $4007 and includes
flights, ground transportation, hotels and most meals including taxes
(of course you'll bring some spending money). Participants can travel
on to Taiwan for the IPA Symposium portion of the trip for just a $ 505
increase and again includes flights, ground transportation, hotels and
most meals including taxes. Please note: If you take a moment to check
private reservations for economy airfare on the major airlines, you'll
find that airfare alone departing ATL March 8 to KHH (the most
convenient airport on Taiwan) roundtrip returning March 14 is about the
same cost. So you'll travel with a relatively small group of 15 orchid
enthusiasts with a translator in private buses, etc. for 14 days
touring through Thailand. In order to save space here in the forum, if
you are interested, please send an email, lee(at)clas.... I'll return a
detailed day by day itinerary for your consideration.
Please know that my motivation is orchid travels ...I hope you can join
us now or at a later date.
Lee Bredeson
Hilton Head Island, SC