One of the most fragrant flowering shrubs in Thailand, officially called "Rah-Tree" but known colloquially as "Hohm Duk" (or "Perfumed at Night"), is Cestrum Nocturnum. We grow this at Gecko Villa, where its clumped masses of tiny, tubular apple-white flowers bloom periodically after sunset, like shooting stars, and cast a perfumed spell upon the dark night air...

In Burma's olden days, the shrub would be planted around the bedrooms of palace ladies, as it was assumed that should any furtive lover sneak into such a perfumed chamber, the illicit couple would faint on the spot. The Burmese name for the plant loosely means "the Bane of Unfaithful Wives." Perhaps it is no coincidence that the sweet and heady perfume of this delicate flowering plant  belies the nature of its white berries - the shrubs own poisonous fruit.

There are many other fragrant flowers aroud our Thai holiday house, but none can enchant nor infuse romance into the night air like the "Queen of the Night".

The local wetlands near Gecko Villa are almost completely hidden from view by the dense vegetation that grows around their peripheries, where tall elephant grass sprouts whispy white flowers.

Venturing out into the vast expanse of lake on a traditional wooden boat, you are rapidly transported into another world: the absolute tranquility is broken only by the lapping of the water, the daring darting of birds and flitting of waterfowl - and a magical pink carpet of lotus flowers unfurls before you.

The best time to visit this extraordinary spectacle is in December to March, with early risers the most rewarded. Book Gecko Villa early in these months and do set aside time for this boat trip!

Visit Gecko Villa for more details on Thai birding in Northeast Thailand.