I read what I wrote and was reminded of the old joke about the man who failed to stand when the minister asked everyone who wanted to go to heaven to stand: "Oh, preacher, I thought you were getting up a load to go now!"

I'm not planning an expedition or anything, I just wondered who would want to be a plant explorer. I'm not fond of travel.
n

I don't think I would. I've seen TV shows where they travel to a specific region, climb mountains, cross rivers etc. etc., just to find one plant. And it has to be a certain time of year. I think most of those are botanists.

Libby

That would be quite a dream.

To witness a Rafflesia bloom in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

To see an African violet growing in it's natural habitat.

Dessert plants fascinate me as well. Fragile plants growing in such a harsh environment.

Tony Avent, Dan Hinkley and others go on plant-finding expeditions to Southeast Asia and other areas of the world.

I like to travel... as long as I have a clean bathroom and shower... and a comfortable bed for sleeping... and great foods that are served without bugs. I've been to quite a few exotic places and I've had all the necessary shots for such travel, but I'd probably need a few boosters!

My camping out days are over! I do like day hiking and would love the scenery. If only I could have my creature comforts, too!

Cameron

This reminds me of the first time I went to Hawaii. All those poinsettias growing outside! I lot of beautiful plants grow in hot climates. Trouble is, I don't like intense heat.

Libby

I love to watch plant explorers but on TV while sitting in a comfortable chair :o). The flora of New zealand, China and South Africa are fascinating along with others. I'm like Libby I don't like it when it's hot never mind intense heat.

Annette

No, I am definitely not a traveler! and while not a purist about it, I kind of like native plants in their native habitat, I sure do appreciate some of their finds though, particularly lilies.

Like Cameron, I want a kitchen to cook in, an nice, clean bed and my bathroom when I camp.

Camping, we all agreed, was lots more fun when we had a tent and a campstove, before we had a camper with everything, including TV.

But that was 30 years ago!

Travel was a lot more fun back then, too, before I got old and cranky. Now, anticipation is much more fun than going.
Romantic notions, like a carriage ride in Charleston are totally spoiled for me by the fact that the horses' toilet facilities are right there where they stop in front of the hotel.

I'll look at my exotic plants in their simulated natural habitat in a botanic garden, or my flower bed, thank you.

I do appreciate the fact that 'Chinese' Wilson broke his leg on steep terrain, gathering Regal lilies in China, Glenda.

Nell

Nell, travel was my business for the past 20 years (no more), and my passion forever. I find it really cool when there are gardens along the way. In no particular order, I have been fortunate enough to see: Kew Gardens, London(that took 3 trips to have time); Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC; the Winter Gardens, Aberdeen, Scotland; the Burren, Ireland; commercial orchid gardens in Kauii; Tivoli Gardens, Italy; the gardens at Ardgillan Castle, Ireland. Geez, that's the just the named big time gardens. The amazing gardens that I have seen along the way, oh yeah, the southwest whatever outside of Tuscon/Phoenix. Secret gardens in London. Versailles, France.
"an expedition with plantsmen (and women)?"
Travel is one part of the equation. To see and explore gardens with someone who first of all shares your passion, and secondly, has knowledge about the gardens, that is like that Mastercard commercial, priceless.
I have some fabulous friends that I am forutnate able to travel with, every couple of years. None of them are gardeners, but they 'tolerate' me when I lope off to check a corner with a garden. They do not recognize rosemary in street planters till I encourage them to run their fingers through for the scent.

So, while I would not want to trek or scale cliffs looking for rare orchids, I think that travelling with like-minded companions and a knowledgeable guide would be awesome.

So, would I go with recognized specialists?? If it were affordable, in a heartbeat. Sorry, I started this last night, way too late and waited till this am to reread and finish it. I wanted to make sure that I make some kind of sense!!

Nancy.

Nancy - visiting the beautiful gardens of the world is indeed special. I've still not made it to many. I've seen Kew, Hampton Court, Boboli,Versailles, Villa de Ephrussi--- I still want to see Giverny, Bressingham, Hidcote, Butchart, Tivoli.

Cameron

Freda - were you fortunate enough to tour with another plant-lover??

Nancy.

My husband and sons are plant lovers, just not ADDICTED plant lovers!

Cameron

Yeah, got you. Same with my friends. Like I said, it took till my 3rd trip to London to have time on my own. Travelling as a TA(travel agent), you don't get choices, you are 'toured'. This time, I went with a fellow TA, who is a friend. We were on our own time, a rarity. She took the included tour of London, against my advice - the included tours in the gateway, or starting city, are never that good. We had booked a 'Blue Badge' tour the next day. I sensed that she had a premonition of a pain touring gardens for a full day.
So, off I went for a full day at Kew, and I relished being on my own. As I was perusing the maps, I was approached by a lady from Russia, who inquired if I was on my own, and I indicated yes. Her English, while not great, was better than my Russian, but still I was a tad peeved, as I was looking forward to being 'on my own time'. She wanted someone to go around with, and I caved. We did not take the organized tour - neither wanted to.....She was a delightful companion. She was an herbalist. She was very knowledgeable about plants. We went down alleys I might not have gone down on my own. We remarked on plants growing in this zone that were but a dream for us at home. We lingered. We laughed. We saw Golden Pheasants in the Rhodo Bower. We stopped to have tea. We cursed that the Orangerie was closed for renovations. In short, it was a great day, and I wanted to stay later though I had promised my friend I would be back for cocktails. Sigh. If you ever get the chance, Kew is a great little village, about a 45 minute tube ride from King's Cross. There is a great pub at the station, called the Flower and Firkin - a firkin is a small beer keg. I had an ale and a snack waiting for my train, and you really get the idea of the village, as the locals wander in to sit at picnic tables and chat about village politics. Amazing flower shops. Not sure I could afford a B&B or Guest House here, but it would be fun. Insight Vacations used to have a tour - Stately Homes and Gardens, but it seems not to be there anymore.

Anyway, fully addicted. Nancy.

I'm a traveller by heart, rain or shine, beach or mountain, city or countryside - I blame it on my Portuguese genes! :-) So travelling to see beautiful gardens, yes, been there, done that, especially in Scotland. I have been to quite a few of the most beautiful woodland gardens there, including Crarae, Arduaine, Inverewe (all National Trust for Scotland) and even some hidden jewels like Colonsay House and Jura House gardens, in the Hebridean islands by the same name.

But for me there is a huge difference to travel to see gardens, and to travel to hunt for plants. While I can recognise the romantic allure of those expeditions, which were so dear to the British Victorian hearts, I'm like Cameron and like my creature comforts. I can hike the Hymalayan type gorge in Crarae, puddling in the mud with my hiking boots and fighting the midges, under the drizzling rain, because I know that at the end of the day I'll have a great meal at a Scottish country house hotel restaurant and clean and warm sheets to sleep in at a B&B :-) My DH is my travelling companion and he couldn't care less about gardening. But he humors me and enjoys being out in the countryside and hiking, so he just takes my gardening perusals as hiking opportunities and we're both happy :-)

Getting to Amazonia or the Borneo rain forest are not high on my list and I very much prefer to watch Sir David Atenborough's programs about it...

Eduarda

Let's all go hike the Cotswold Way and stay in B&Bs at night!

I'm with you!! Pick a date, and we can do a 'Gumball Rally'. This is one of my favs!!!

Nancy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cotswolds

Or we can all go here.

Eduarda

Here is a link that might be useful: Walking in Scotland

If you want to get closer to my home... :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Camiño de Santiago

Well, if we're going over the big blue ocean, I'm game for Portugal or Scottland, we'll all meet up. I'd would totally love to "meet" Eduarda in person :) Oh and yes, of course, see the pretty flowers.

MeMo

Oh Wow!! What is the weather like there in October - compared to Ontario??? I need to look at the gateways for air....tours that exist, etc.....that could be fun, and I'd like to go to Portugal - it is on my list.....

Hmmmmmmm.....

Eduarda.....

Just think... we could be in a movie

Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants

Of course, the guys, our dear gardening buddies, will be in the movie, too!

Sorry, sorry, folks, I'm late to the call! The masons were out of the door today, I was so happy! Now only the painters remain - keep your fingers crossed it doesn't rain so that they can finish.

Dear MeMo, would love to meet you in person too. Wish you can come to Portugal some day. Even though I know you're not a keen traveller I'm sure you'd find reasons of interest for you here.

Nancy, weather in October in Portugal. Depends a bit where you go. In the southern part (Algarve coastline) it's usually very good, dry and mild, and quite often still great for the beach. Up North temps will be slightly cooler and chances of rain will be more probable. But all in all, October is a very nice month to visit and certainly compares beautifully to Ontario in terms of weather, with the exception of Fall color. Of course, if you can make it mid to late September you can see the grape harvest, which in the Douro region (Port wine region) is a show not to be missed. There are cruises along the river Douro and you can even stay in traditional farms that produce Port wine. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore you all to death, LOL. Let me know when you're planning to come and what sort of activities you like and I'll be glad to help.

Bear in mind that Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate destination of the Camiño I posted above, is not in Portugal, but in Galicia, Spain. It's not far from the northern Portuguese border though. There are actually several Camiños de Santiago, depending where you start the pilgrimage. There is a route from Portugal, and also others from Spain itself and I believe even from France, crossing the Pyrinees.

Cameron, I like this Sisterhood :-)

Eduarda