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....