Category Archives: Daily Lime

Descanso Gardens cherry blossom tree

The Sleeping Descanso Gardens

I met my dearest friend Kathryn at Descanso Gardens in La Canada, California.  These botanical gardens are on 150-acres.  They feature a wide area, mostly forested, with artificial streams, ponds, lawns, and small sitting structures.

There were gravel, wood chip, and dirt paths twisting throughout the property.  Streams with small waterfalls, towering forest and blossoming floral gardens.

The colors were extremely vibrant and the smells are deliciously fragrant.

Poppies, daffodils, roses, stargazers, lilies and more.

There are lots of seating areas, bridges, and water features.  We came across a man wearing a captain’s hat and reading.

Daphne’s Wardrobe

The Descanso Gardens had a wonderful display called Daphne’s Wardrobe Metamorphosis into Nature.  It is beautiful combination of art and fashion. 

The displays consisted of clothing, sculptures, paintings, and photography.

Many beautiful sculptures and carvings were on display as well.

I really wanted to try this on!  Check out the pretty little shoes on display.

This was my favorite spot. 

The cherry blossom tree was in bloom and reflected beautifully in the water.

What a joy it was to spend some quality time with Kathryn! 

We really enjoyed the Descanso Gardens.  Although, I’d recommend going in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom.

Our blog posts run 6 weeks behind actual live events.  We were in Descano Gardens in early March 2025.

We had the best time as we danced through Disneyland, come play with us.

Delusions of Fresh Produce

Fresh produce has always been a bit elusive in the remote islands of the Pacific.  Most islands are hundreds if not thousands of miles away from the “main town.”   And even the main towns have to have the produce either flown in or shipped in.  Both modes of transportation are long, hard journeys often leaving the produce bruised, damaged, and spoiled.

We were very excited to arrive in Majuro because we heard you could get American products which we craved.  The Marshall Islands often get their food supplies from the U.S. and Hawaii in particular.  So, we had hoped we would have access to some tasty fresh vegetables and fruit.  Delusions of grandeur.

There are several stores that sell produce, but only 2 have a “decent” selection.  The best day to shop for produce is the day after the plane arrives which are Tuesdays and Saturdays.  This photo was taken at one of the better stores.  The worker was literally just stocking the shelves.  Most of this will be gone in 1-2 days.

 

What Did we Find?

We mostly found staples like potatoes, cabbage, onions, small eggplant (aubergine).  On a good day, we could find monster carrots, apples, bananas, celery, grapes.  It is a treasure hunt to find unblemished produce.

If there was produce on the shelves it typically was in some form of decay or spoiled.  Yet, it was still exceedingly expensive.  We find it really hard to believe anyone would buy the produce in the ruined state at such high costs.  So you would assume there is a lot of waste.

Just a little rough….and yet so very expensive!

The pre-packaged fruit is bug free but as you can tell they are poor condition (these were just put on the shelves)

In addition, there often are lots of bugs and critters on or around the produce. 

Exorbitant Prices

Prices for the fresh produce tend to be extremely high.  Understandable considering they are coming from another country by plane or ship.  But, they tend to be a lot higher than expected.  For example

  • Grapes $11.85/lb (so one bag will be over $23)
  • Carrots $3.45/lb
  • Apples $3.39/lb
  • Eggplant  $6.49/lb
  • Avocados $8/99/lb
  • Broccoli $6.45/lb

Not sure how the locals can afford these prohibitive prices considering the average Marshallese only makes $4.00 per hour. 

These were discounted because on Tuesdays they give “elderly” a discount.  Yep, I am elderly after 55!

Some more crazy prices.

Growing Produce in the Islands

Many locals in French Polynesia, Fiji, and Vanuatu had thriving gardens.  Almost every island had banana, mango, breadfruit, and pandanus trees.  However, we have not been so lucky in the RMI.

Most, if not all, of islands in RMI are rock and coral.  Making the “soil” unfavorable for gardening. 

Effects of No Produce

It is so very sad to report, but 75% of Marshallese over 50 have Type II diabetes.  Maybe because they don’t have access to good produce. Maybe because there is too much of an American influence. Or maybe they were never taught healthy habits and there simply aren’t many options.

Our blog posts run 4-6 weeks behind live events.  This blog took place in early March. Check out how we amused ourselves while at the remote island of Enemonit.

Enemonit Amusement

We had a month to amuse ourselves before heading back to the States for a visit.  We would have preferred to be in the outer atolls during this time.  However, the weather dictated a hasty retreat to the main atoll.  We spent most of our “waiting time” at Enemonit Island which is far prettier than the Majuro anchorage.

In between boat projects we find different ways to amuse ourselves.  Matt practices his “winging.”  It is an ordeal for him.  It takes about 45 minutes to get all of the gear out and set up.  He has to have 12-15kts of wind with no swell and little boat traffic.  He is just figuring it all out and adverse conditions make it difficult.

I keep an eye on him as he needs a ride once he gets too far downwind.  He has not mastered winging upwind yet.  So, Matt preps the dinghy for me to be able to jump in, start our 25hp outboard, and zoom to him.

He does better than he did before, which is always good.  He is goofy footed so it is easier to go one direction than the other.  Right now he is just trying to balance on the board while using the wing for forward motion.  However, the wind kicks up and occasionally forces him up on the foil.

Snorkeling and Free Diving

We do lots of snorkeling on the multiple wrecks (DC3, 2-Huey Helicopters, and a double decker ferry).  Matt sits in the DC3 pilot seat which was ejected before the boat was scuttled.

Matt free dives, I snorkel, the many bommies and coral patches around Enemonit and Eneko.

Dinner with Sweet Ruca

Matt and I caught (2) Yellow Fin tuna while we were sailing in the outer atolls.  We invited Curtis and Kate from sv Sweet Ruca to come over for some tasty tuna sliders!

We had some stellar sunsets, sunrises and rainbows.  Enemonit is truly a beautiful spot in a not so beautiful atoll.

Our blog posts run 5-6 weeks behind actual live events.  Activities at Enemonit took place in late February.  Did you explore the Alele Museum with us in our last blog post?