Garden of Awakening Orchids

Yesterday Jeff and I went on a date to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens. The garden is located, as one patron exclaimed with delight, "...in the middle of a city!" Named Lan Su  because sounds from both Portland, and our sister city in China, Suzhou. And because Chinese enjoy double meanings: Lan means Orchid and Su means Awaken/ Arise.


We crunched honey-sweetened Chinese Puffed Rice Cakes
and sipped Chinese Tea served in creamy-porcelain Gaiwan Teacups

here in the Tower of Cosmic Reflection tea house

we sat and drank the sounds of classical Erhu interpretations

played by this gentleman.

A gorgeous day, we experienced typical spring weather for Portland: a mix of rain with a little shine.
Our outing was both romantic and educational. The garden's quiet, peaceful atmosphere complimented the slightly blooming flowers. Watching raindrops patter on the garden pond was magical.

Kites everywhere... Indoors. Impressively displayed in the hall, the study, and the terrace were kites of all shapes, sizes, and kinds for their special Chinese Kite exhibit. Cultural histories, art of kite making, science of kite physics, and international differences between kites were explained. Fascinating.

Thanks to Susie and Phil for the free admissions coupon!