Attention to detail. Everywhere I went I noticed this – in the adornments of temples and palaces, the intricate design elements of handicrafts, the dozens of tiny blossoms woven into a wristlet.

In a labyrinth of sidewalks inhabited by florists, I saw this again. On one side of the walkway, small individual store fronts and on the other individual trestle tables.

People concentrating on their handiwork within an explosion of beautiful and fragrant flowers, an overwhelming, almost dizzyingly abundant selection. This is the Bangkok Flower Market where you can buy a bouquet or an entire floral arrangement for a few (U.S.) dollars. A wristlet cost a mere 10 baht or approximately 30 cents.

 In Thailand, we were welcomed at the every hotel with a sweetly scented jasmine wristlet and I wore each one continuously. Flowers adorned public spaces and guests rooms in the hotels/resorts with their natural beauty. Of course, they were also purposely present in spas as well for their soothing aromatherapy properties.

We usually only give and receive flowers for special occasions. Bangkok city dwellers come here to buy flowers to brighten their urban apartments and homes,  flowers for offerings for their spirit houses, flowers for offerings at their neighborhood temples, flowers for someone special. Ah, the pure pleasure and power of these beautiful blossoms.

Being born on a tropical island, one of the things I miss most is tropical flowers. When I am in Tahiti, I wear them in my hair every single day. It feels entirely natural to me. Alas, not something I can indulge in Northern California.

If it had been earlier in the stay or a longer stay, I might have scooped up several bunches just for the sheer luxury of a hotel room filled with flowers, something that would be cost-prohibitive anywhere else. But we would be traveling north to Chang Mai the next day. Not to worry, there would be no shortage of flowers and other riches on the rest of this journey.