Connections a world away

The beach environment has always been my favorite and I’m always so amazed at how the flora and fauna of southwest Florida is so much like what I saw growing up in Singapore. I suppose it is for that reason that I always feel very at home when we visit this part of the country for our end of the year snow-free vacation with our daughters.  While exploring  a beach at Lovers Key State Park, I saw a tree with pods that reminded me so much of what I’d seen as a child roaming the environs of our Singapore home. I believe these pods are actually edible, and I probably ate them. It’s strange how trees can trigger so many memories. And of course there are so many little lizards  here or “chichaks” as we called them in Singapore. Wherever you are in the world treasure your loved ones and celebrate the new year with goodwill and good cheer. Happy 2013.