>We are planting a trip back to Hong Kong and on the way we
>(actually I) want to visit some southern asia country. My main
>interest is to see Nepenthes and orchids. Does anyone know of
>any southern asia country have more species than other ? By
>using different airline we can stop at Japan or Tailand or some
>other country for a stop over fee on top of the rt to Hong Kong.
>Any info about it will be greatly appreciate. Does any one know
>about import law about Nepenthes ?
First, mind the strict rule:
Where tourism is developed best, _Nepenthes_ isn't.
You should try primary forests or high mountains in Indonesia
(esp. Borneo, Sumatra, and Celebes), Malaysia (Peninsula and
Borneo), the Philippines, or New Guinea if you *really* want to
see _Nepenthes_.
In Thailand, you can expect to find (the boring) _N.mirabilis_
and perhaps, if you are lucky enough (the not too exciting)
_N.anamensis_. _N.thorelii_ was described from Vietnam,
originally, but in some remote regions of Thailand...? The other
"species" of _Nepenthes_ described from Indochina are
synonymous to the species mentioned above.
In Japan, you can expect exactly ZERO species of _Nepenthes_.
If you want to obey *all* import laws concerning _Nepenthes_,
it would be best to forget the whole thing. Try seeds! Cuttings or
seedlings are suitable only if you have enough luggage to hide
them in, or send them by mail (declared as souvenirs). Whole
plants most probably won't survive (and they will not come
through the customs). To try the official way is nearly
impossible as (especially Indonesian) officials will rather permit
destrucion of whole forests than to allow removal of a single
plant.
Good luck!
Kind regards
Jan