Yep, I'm crazy enough to pack a homegrown tomato in my carry-on... Tomato is back in Dallas and has a few more days until it is perfectly ripe. Who can blame me? It's a two pound tomato for goodness sake! Here is my jetsetting tomato on the fence in Colorado...
Greetings from China! I am so excited to be writing to you from Shenzen, a city not far from Hong Kong on the mainland. This is our fourth day here in Asia. The first three days were spent exploring the amazing city of Hong Kong, and our future travels will take us to Dhongzhou and Shanghai. Enjoy a few recent pics!
Where do I begin? Do I describe using flashlights to spot tarantulas, grey foxes, and sleeping toucans on our nocturnal nature hike at Monteverde? Or perhaps recount our flight over the mountains from Manuel Antonio in a tiny four-seater Sessna? What about learning how to surf at a secret beach? Or, seeing the rare Quetzal bird not once but seven times on our walk through the Monteverde cloud forest?
Clearly, I don’t have to tell you that this was one of the most amazing adventures that I have ever been on. The country of Costa Rica is a spectacular paradise that anyone with an appreciation for unspoiled tropical wilderness and exotic wildlife should visit at least once in their lifetime.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about the country before I visited. Aside from brief accounts of vacations from friends, I had no idea what to expect. Now, after spending ten days there, it’s hard for me to understand why this was only my first time in Costa Rica. It’s a plant-lovers paradise! Impatiens grow wild on the side the road, bromeliads peek out between the branches of each and every tree, and bougainvillea explodes like fireworks over fence lines. I was beside myself trying to capture it all on camera.
I am currently working on an entry about the ways that we can recreate some of the Costa Rica lushness in our own backyards. (I was surprised how much plant life in Costa Rica could be grown in North Texas.) Until then, enjoy a few photographs from my travels. There is much, much more to come, so stay tuned.
Breathtaking: the only way to describe this magnificent country! With no access to the Internet until now, I've been completely out of touch over these last 8 days, but I look forward to writing many, many entries about my incredible experiences here soon. I've seen the most beautiful plant and animal life during my travels throughout the country in places like the Arenal Volcano region, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and the Manuel Antonio coast. I have so many beautiful photographs that I look forward to posting here when I return to the states.
(I'm anxious about the condition of my garden. There is only so much that my electronically-timed drip system can handle. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I haven't ruined everything!)
PURA VIDA,
Callie
Xylem & Phloem is heading to Costa Rica! From March 2 through March 12, I will be traveling throughout the magnificent country of Costa Rica, exploring the jungle eco-systems and learning about this spectacular Central American country.
Please stay tuned for coverage of the excursion including lots of nature photography, Costa Rican gardens, and jungle and coastal plant life.
Xylem & Phloem is heading to the mountains! Check back often as entries will be dedicated to Rockies horticulture and botanical life. Also, X&P will be visiting the Denver Botanical Gardens, pictured at left. Photos and experiences to follow!
A celebration of life in the garden, Xylem & Phloem chronicles the horticulture adventures of Dallas gardener Callie Works-Leary. 
