Orchids are naturally beautiful whether you buy them from the local supermarket or florist, have them given as gifts or just come across them as decoration in restaurants or hotels. They are delicate, beautiful and exotic, often used in weddings and for other special occasions.

Well, I live in Malaysia and they grow here in the gardens of ordinary people. They come in wondrous colours and the only thing I have heard that is wrong with them is that they ‘feed’ off their host plants.

There are many thousands of species of orchids and they are all beautiful. My friend, Tong Teck Ping,  has agreed to let me post his photos and together with one of mine, I think they make a very beautiful welcome to Asia! A lot of Teck Ping’s photos were taken in the garden of his good friend Leonard Tay. They live in Sibu in Sarawak, Malaysia.

People visiting Malaysia, Singapore or Asia frequently bring home gifts of orchids for their loved ones. Singapore has an Orchid Garden and one of the ‘touristy’ souvenirs, which I have too, is a ‘gold plated orchid’, which I think is a lovely idea.

Visit Asia for all things exotic!

Photos taken by Tong Teck Ping and Lesley Tan