Life is a Beach....

Thinking of  Sand, Sea  n Surf.....to beat the Sweltering Indian Summer Spell ahead....

 & SPLASHING in the Deep Blue Seas of the Great Barrier Reef.
Whoa! A Truly Refreshing thought...

BEWARE! .... these soft, mushy n colourful sea jellies actually sting. Scary....

Came across some interesting pc of Driftwood on the beach... a Dino // a Snake ?????

Looks like the lads are having a whale of a time.....Wanna Join them at Play?????

Well... thats ME n my Shadow Shot.

"Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach"

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the.... sound of rain, the sound of wind on primeval wood,
and the sound of outer ocean on the beach.

Caught'ya! ....But hey, I didn't mean to pry. Likewise, was merely enjoying the boundless ocean view.

The Beach @ Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns

NOTHING can be more cooling in summers than LIFE ON A BEACH.......

My entry for : Wordless Wednesday n  Outdoor Wednesday  n Watery Wednesday

PS: Its only May & the mercury has already touched 44 Degree Celsius here. Phew! I HATE Summers.

PSS: Its meant to be a FEEL GOOD ( read COOL) blog, as I take this pictorial trip down memory lane.

The Chinese Garden Of Friendship

Bonsai on Display @ Chinese Garden of Friendship

The child in me has this innate fascination for automobiles, locomotives and various modes of transportations. So after having enjoyed a zip-zap-zooming joyride in the monorail, looping around Sydney’s CBD, I was game for yet another ride. After all, we still had over an hour to spare, before the 3D show at the Sydney, IMAX Theatre (boasts of the world’s largest screen) commenced.

People Mover 

My Ma and Maasi (Mom’s sister) however choose to sit back on one of the many  benches, relaxing and taking in the harbour side view, while I excitedly hopped onto one of these much slower trackless people mover train which would take me on a sightseeing tour, highlighting the major tourist attractions alongside Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Darling Harbour

We crossed the Australian Maritime museum, Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, Sydney Convention Center, IMAX Theatre, overlooking the Cockle Bay, King Street Wharf restaurant, Children Park n spectacular water features en route to the Chinese Garden n China Town.

Main Attractions @ waterfront

 But, as soon as the People Mover reached the Chinese Garden, my first instinct was to ask the driver to stop so that I could hop out. On second thoughts, I contemplated whether I should complete the entire People Mover tour and then come back again for a stroll with Mummy n Maasi, if the time permitted. However, my excitement on seeing the Chinese Garden, in the heart of Australia… got the better of me and I got off on the next stop and headed back to the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Well….here’s what, I would have missed experiencing n capturing on my lenses had I not taken this instinctive split second decision to alight and take a quick ‘sneak peep’ into the garden before rushing back (this time on foot) to where my Ma n Maasi sat waiting for me.

Located at Darling Harbor, in close proximity of China town in Sydney CBD, it reflects the very essence of Oriental Gardens with its majestic Pagoda’s & a harmonious display of plants, rock n water elements in the form of ‘the Water Pavilion of Lotus Fragrance’ & ‘the Twin Pavilion’.

The garden was officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial celebrations and aptly named the Garden of Friendship. This Dragon Wall (below) symbolizes the bond of Friendship between Guangzhou, China n New South Wales in Australia.

Dragon Wall

The entrance to the garden is guarded by this traditional Chinese Sculpture.

Once inside, the garden offers a rare insight into the Chinese Culture n heritage with beautiful display of Suihan Penjing / Bonsai right at the entrance of the garden.

These Bonsai’s are considered sacred n auspicious in the Oriental culture and are often seen on display in many a homes n even commercial organizations in China n most South East Asian countries.

Being a Bonsai lover myself, I was in complete awe… admiring these so very beautiful and well maintained living piece d’art.

Today, as I glance back at the pictures, I can’t help but smile, recollecting the dilemma I was in - whether to stay put to complete the tour or disembark right then.  I am glad I choose to get off n visit this beautiful n serene Garden Of Friendship amidst all the hustle bustle of Darling Harbour with the monorail offering a sky view of the CBD; the cruise boats, the ferries n motorboats coming into the harbour; the toy people mover's train &  kids whizzing past on skates.....n more....

   The city skyline n the Harbour Bridge…

…as seen from our Room @ Star City, Casino

Sky Watch Friday: The Hills Beckon

Vishwa Vriksha

What is the first thought that comes to your mind, when it comes to TREES?

Do you feel motivated when you see its webbed roots firmly entrenched deep into the soil, keeping the tree grounded, while the trunk never ever ceases to reach out for the sky high above?

Do you find them visually appealing n beautiful, or do you appreciate them for the fruits that they bear for us – The Mangoes, Pears, Guava’s, Peach, and the Figs n more?

Is it the whiff of fragrance from the flowers which delights your senses… or the rustle of the leaves… with the gentle breeze or roaring winds?

Or is it the fact that they provide us with WOOD for our furniture & log for the fire? How about the Green Foliar Canopy providing us with Shade, as we relax on a bench underneath it on a balmy evening admiring the sunset?

Or, Is it all these things clubbed into one…… defining Vishwa Vriksha - A World (Vishwa) Tree (Vriksha), that provides shade and shelter for all humanity, a life line for the earth and its environment, protecting n balancing the ecosystems.

What is it that you might find inspiring about the VISHWA VRIKSHA i.e. THE WORLD TREES????

Well….In lieu of the WORLD EARTH DAY today, I thought I would 'GO GREEN' and share some pictures of beautiful TREES, which caught my attention, during my trip to the country down under. So...

Lets GO GREEN...

....with Trees from OZ

Sitting under the shade of  this tree's majestic umbrella Canopy  (above)  our family of twelve enjoyed a pleasant evening, sipping coffee n chit-chatting, overlooking the Cooling Blue waters of Balmoral Beach

This grassy patch lined with Tall Fountain Palms and Eucalyptus trees led to the golden, sandy beach just ahead....Balmoral Beach, Sydney

Fascinated by the florescent foliage of these Twin Tree's

Twin Jacaranda’s  - Circular Quay, Nr Opera House

called for a picturesque snap shot from a distance

My cousin’s en- route to the NSW Art Gallery, from Woolloomooloo, where we had parked the car. All four of us instantly liked the Location name..... WOOLLOOMOOLOO .....and kept trying to pronounce It over n over again ... ...Woooo Lloooo Moooo Looooooo .....

A Magnificent MORTEIN BAY FIG Tree (Ficus macrophylla)

 showing off its buttress roots

Now, that’s the NSW Gallery at a distance....across the Domain, adjoining the Royal Botanic Garden @ Sydney. The Domain : Its a 34 hectares Open area located on the eastern edge of the Sydney central business district, near Woolloomooloo, lined with hundreds of these remarkable Mortein Bay Fig Trees, also referred to as the FIG AVENUE, by the locals.

What’s that stone doing up there???????

 Btw, this interesting piece d'art above stands tall right opposite the entrance to New South Wales Art Gallery, Sydney.

Clicked this cute little slanting tree when out on a Morning walk

 @ The Esplanade, Cairns

Further down the Esplanade …

I caught this cyclist enjoying a GROOVY bicycle ride, early in the morning.

Couldn’t resist taking a pot shot of a Mango Tree, loaded with Mangoes....
Notice the epiphytes growing on the tree trunk – a common feature on most of the trees growing in the vicinity.

Later, it had started to drizzle slightly, while I continued walking further down this beautiful stretch (lined with rows of trees n more trees on one side and the sea on the other) towards the Pier n the Lagoon. Somehow, these trees definitely looked a lot greener after a shower that morning.

Finally, though I like all the above shots I am sharing here today, this one is my Personal Fav from the lot ~  a Picture Perfect setting of a bench under the shade of this Majestic TREE…..  An Ideal location for relaxation n some blissful reverie! @ Warook County Farm, Melbourne

So, here’s wishing all a GREENER EARTH on World EARTH DAY today!

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 :)