Araucaria: The X-mas Tree

Its time again to drape the Tall n Majestic, Evergreen Araucaria .... the X-mas tree in the garden.

Decorations - Up Close

.....and for Santa to come Calling...... Ho Ho Ho.....

With Christmas Celebrations, the New Year festivities and the holidays round the corner.....the last calendar month of December is finally coming to an end, paving a way for new beginnings with a brand new year 2010.

At most places across the world, the Christmas tree is already well adorned, dazzling in the arch lights with twinkling little stars, silver of the moon, angels, stockings, joysticks n jingling bells.

Whoa! Isn't it a special time of the year, where there is hope, love, festivity, warmth and radiating cheer in the air alongside nostalgia and fond memories?

Personally, I am not particularly fond of farewells and find it the hardest to bid adieu and say Good bye, even to the year which is now almost drawing to a close....

History might repeat itself with the passage of time; however, irrespective of any commitments, concerns n facts, time/moments past…. are gone…. and gone for ever …..reviewed only briefly, as fond memories or while leafing through the pages of a history book.

Hmmm….

Anyways, So far so Good….It’s almost time to say …

Adios 2009 and Hail 2010!
Well.....
Araucaria, the 'EVERGREEN' Christmas Tree is here to wish all a......

and...

a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR ahead....

As a parting note, I am reminded of a befitting quote here:

‘Don’t be dismayed by goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again, and meeting again after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are FRIENDS’

From Our Home to Yours.....

Cheers n Happy Holidays!

Australian Splendours

From EverGreen Tree

The very usage of the word ‘EXOTIC’ in my previous blog pervades my senses, reminding me of our recent trip to this EXOTIC Island Country, down under. It’s a word……I could put to good use, over n over again, just to describe ‘AUSTRALIA’ and its diverse Flora n Fauna.

The endless expanse of golden sand, coupled with the aqua blue colours of the boundless ocean is indeed a site to behold.

At this point of time, I am not even sure how and where to start reminiscing, while appreciating the many splendour’s of this beautiful.... Ah... EXOTIC country.

Opera House /  Harbour Bridge, Sydney

We visited Sydney,....... well known for its Magnificent Harbour Bridge n Opera House.

I loved the Sundial at Taronga Zoo,  the Cockatoo’s Visiting my Maasi’s Garden for their early morning feast, their family’s pet dog Afy; The Violet Flush of the Jacaranda Tree’s along the Road Side, the Scarlet Reds of the Bottle Brush, The replica of a Chinese Garden with its unmatched Pagoda’s and choicest display of Bonsai, A neighbor’s yard, the Sprawling Greens of the Countryside Ranch we crossed en route, some  Exotic Flowers and more………………..

The Sand, the Sea, the Surf ...

.... the Beaches ~ Balmoral, Bondi, Manly, Terrigal, Entrance n more.....

Thanx to both my Maasi’s, Uncle’s, and my cousins, who spared considerable time from their respective busy schedule’s, to take us all sight seeing around Sydney. I even got an opportunity to visit a local plant nursery, specializing in Camellia’s, Azalea’s, Magnolia’s, Maples n more…. just before leaving Sydney for Cairns.

Video 2.mpg : 1min Clipping

 At Cairns, while visiting the Tjapukai - Aborginal Cultural park, it felt like being transported back in time, watching the various stage performances by the Aborigines where they were enacting a local Hunting Scene in the Forest.



Video 1.mpg ; Short 30 sec clip

The faint resounding melody from the Didgeridoo is still so very fresh in my memory rendezvous.

                        

                                                    Typical Aborginal Art:

 Later during the day we took the cable way from Tjapukai.Whoa! It felt like we were gliding above a Green Leaf-y sea of  World Heritage Rainforests, while enjoying the 7.5 Kms long Sky Rail Tour from Caravonica to Kuranda Village, across Barron Gorge.

Amidst Wallabies, Kangaroes n Koala's....

@ World Heritage Rain Forest, Kuranda

A Dream, a Wish Came True again, when Mom n Me got this opportunity to enjoy some snorkeling / swimming amidst Colourful Fishes. It was amazing to observe the Ocean Beds come alive with the sashaying Coral Reefs @ Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Cairns.

 One of my Fav shots : En route to Marina Wharf, Cairns

At Melbourne, we witnessed the world’s smallest Penguin’s parade down from the beach at Philip Island. It’s a Natural Wildlife Phenomenon, repeated every day, as these little penguins hobnob back home to their respective Burrows, where chicks await their parents return with feed, at sun down. A major Tourist Attraction... I tell you!

A Penguin Burrow .....

 ......There were thousand n thousands of them,

all over the Cliff at Philip Island, Melbourne

Another of my Fav shot: Philip Island, Melbourne

We even visited Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, which is a quaint little township, reminiscent of Australia’s Gold Rush Days. An altogether different Experience, where we visited a Gold Mine, witnessed Gold Digging, Gold Panning, Street theater, Replica of a Chinese Temple, and more....

There, we even enjoyed a memorable Carriage Ride, drawn by Scottish Horses.

  Moi @ Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
/ Federation Square, Melbourne

AHAH! It’s been a once in a life time experience for me and under no circumstances, can I do justice to EXOTIC AUSTRALIA via a single blog.

I will probably elaborate more…. in my subsequent blogs, as and when the thought, the fondest of memories, come flooding back to me.... in inspiring flashes.

Till then…. I thought I will make do with a mere mention of the places we visited and a long pictorial, highlighting n sharing some of the Exotic Splendours, I immensely enjoyed capturing through my lens.

Hmmm......

Here's hoping you enjoy this Virtual Journey with  me via my blog 'EVERGREEN TREE'

Cheers!

Radhika

PS: Most importantly, I need to Thank the Trip Planners - Dad, my Bro n My Family, for making it all possible :)

Exotica

Personally, I find these flowers to be EXOTIC n hence refer to them as EXOTICA....rather than by their scientific name of Billbergia fantasia.


You could click on the link above for more Information on these exquisite flowers....

These flowers usually bloom around Nov- Dec, one flower per leaf stalk. They happen to be one of my personal favorites from our plant collection here at home.

Truly EXOTIC.... Aren't they? Billbergia fantasia!

T

Regal

Regal in Red n Gold.....

From this weekend's Coleus n Chrysanthemum Flower Show @ NBRI, Lucknow

Did you know....

Chrysanthemums  are "photoperiodic"? 

 i.e., They bloom in response to the shorter days and longer nights experienced (in the Northern Hemispere) in fall......

Nawabgunj - In Pictures

The weekly Village MANDI in progress......where scores of  villagers gather to Buy and Sell their cattle and procure their groceries, clothes, sweets etc

Cattle - Upclose

Bazaar Moods

 

Whats this Jack fruit Tree doing amidst the Mango grove?

Thats Me - weighing the teeny-tiny  Rampuri Mango and the contrasting Jumbo Mango...

.
Here's One last shot....for the countryside Roads.....on our way back....

To REAP Where One Has Not Sown….

This ‘Jack Fruit’ photograph has been clicked by me sometime in June when I had visited Nawabgunj with Dad. I was in awe, just to see soooooooooooooo many full blown Jackfruits growing… huddled together on a single branch.

This tree and scores of other trees, including different varieties of Mango trees, growing in this Orchard have been planted by  my grandfather and my father, the fruits of which.... we, our family,  our friends, & the local villagers @ Nawabgunj have been enjoying year after year......

Whoa! Felt good just to capture the moment and the memory in the snap and relive it again, while I share it here on my blog today.

“I believe that we have all at some time eaten the fruit from trees that we did not plant. In the fullness of time, when it is our turn to give, we must in turn plant gardens that we may never eat the fruit of, which will benefit the generations to come. I believe this is our sacred responsibility, one that I hope you will shoulder in time…..”

- N.R. Narayana Murthy, in his book: ‘A Better India…..A Better World’

Courtesy: – Nichin Bonsai, 01 | 2009


Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Viola Voilets

Jacaranda's

From Indian Autumn to Australian Spring...

I have been in Sydney, Australia these last few days and having a gala time;

feasting @ Viola Violets!

Greetings @ Balsam Delights...

How well do you know your surroundings?

 It’s a gilding time of the year here in North India as we gear up to celebrate Deepawali - the Indian festival of lights. The autumn air adorns a festive fervor, with a hint of chill….

I sit outdoors gazing up at the sparkling sky above me... pondering on this fundamental Questionnaire about....... ‘How well do I know my surroundings?’

Hmmm….

I am glad I could dwell on some of these Mindful ‘Questions n Answers’…..and share the same here via this blog.

1. What trees grow in your local area? Name n describes five.
The area is well-known for its different varieties of Mango and Litchis.

Neem, Ashoka, Gulmohar, Amaltas, Tamarind n other trees like Fountain Palms etc can be commonly seen flourishing along the urban roadsides.


2. What seasonal flowers are currently blooming in the gardens? Name a few

Portulacas n  Balsam’s then Callendra / Powder puffs, Musanda, Canna’s…n more…

3. Name the most commonly found plant native to your region.

Bougainvillea in an array of colours

4. Name five locally grown fruits, vegetables, respectively.

Fruits: Mango, Litchi, Guava, Banana, Sitaphal / Custard Apple, Bel, Lemon, Cherry, Strawberries
Vegetables: Cabbage, Cauliflower, Ladyfinger, Brinjal / Egg Plant, Spinach, Carrots n more

5. What birds are commonly seen in your region? Name five or more

Myna, Koel, Crows, Parakeet, Robin, Pigeons, Peacock / Peahen n more

6. What other non-human neighbors are native to your area? Name a few

Monkeys, Squirrel, Butterflies, Bees, Grasshoppers, Caterpillars, Ladybirds, Earthworms, Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Lizards, Rats, & even snakes.

7. What has happened to your local area environment in the past ten years?

1. Unpredictable weather…. with frequent storms

2. Soaring summer temperatures to as high as 45- 47 degree Celsius

3. Delayed Monsoon with scanty rainfall through the July-Aug.

4. Diminishing Green Cover with Mass Felling of trees

5. Massive Red Stone Structures n Fountains coming up around the city/state
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PS:  Hope you find this basic ‘Q n A’ interesting.......
How about ‘You’ too taking a moment to contemplate and connect with your surrounding environment?

Answer the following set of Questions & Share your observations n awareness ‘with me and all your friends, via your blog.

Looking Forward to ‘Getting to Know You n Your Surroundings’ better !