Flowers In New Zealand

Flowers in New Zealand are gorgeous. Everywhere you look, various species showed off their foliage. Most of the photographs of flowers were taken in Auckland, New Zealand at the Wintergarten Horticultural Centre.

Showcased are lily pads in a water garden, begonias, a carnivorous pitcher plant, and the embryonic parts of a fiddle head fern (after blanching, they are a delicacy used in salads). You can easily identify the day lilies and coral berry bush, as well as fuchsias in hanging baskets.

Here are a few flower photographs incorporated into a video:

Wildlife (sanctuaried) in Australia

What an amazing three weeks away in New Zealand and Australia. This post will highlight just a few of the animals that I saw in Australia at the Healesville Sanctuary, under the auspices of the Australian National Zoo.

Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most recognised attractions, showcasing more than 200 species of Australian wildlife, only one hour from Melbourne.

The pictures, top to bottom, are of the Brogla crane, a wallaby, a sleeping koala bear, a kangaroo, and an emu. These photos were taken Jan. 30, 2009, in the heat of the Australian summer. Most of the animals we saw (including a platypus, whose picture did not turn out due to underexposure in his habitat) were suffering from the hottest summer on record there.

In fact, the Australian Open was being played in Melbourne last week on one of the record high heat days in that area, with temperatures recorded on the court at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The daytime temperatures hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit when we were walking around the city!

More about the sights Down Under to come later this week.

Travelling to New Zealand

We interrupt this blog to bring you a notice that I will not be posting for about three weeks due to exciting developments on the National Scrabble front.

Thirty Scrabble players and our 27 companions will be traveling on a Scrabble cruise (Jan. 16-Feb. 1, 2009) with esteemed travel guides Barbara Van Alen and Larry Rand from Phoenix, AZ. Both are Scrabble directors and have overseen hundreds of tournaments and local club games. Barbara and Larry are excellent tour guides and an all-around wonderful couple who also run a travel agency named "Van Rand Travel". They were highlighted in the Phoenix Magazine in 2008 in a very complimentary article. You can read about their game passion and directing abilities at Word Play in Phoenix Magazine.

You might also check out their Phoenix Scrabble Club information at Phoenix Scrabble Club News.

We (30 Scrabble players and 27 companions of the players) will be leaving from Los Angeles and arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on January 19, 2009.

We will be travelling on the Celebrity Cruise Line around New Zealand, ending our journey in Sydney, Australia on February 1.

Travel itinerary includes:
Auckland, New Zealand Day 1
The "City of Sails," known for its sparkling waters, bustling harbor and cosmopolitan flair, and an ideal spot for water sports and sailing.

Tauranga, New Zealand Day 2
Located at the entrance to one of the largest natural harbors in New Zealand and nestled beside magnificent Mount Maunganui.

Napier, New Zealand Day 4
Arguably one of the prettiest cities in New Zealand, with elegant art deco architecture,captivating beaches and award-wining vineyards.

Wellington, New Zealand Day 5
The cultural, commercial, cosmopolitan capital of New Zealand and home to one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

Christchurch, New Zealand Day 6
New Zealand's "Garden City," featuring numerous parks and gardens as well as Victorian architecture, avenues and squares.

Dunedin, New Zealand Day 7
Dramatic scenery and some of the finest historic buildings in New Zealand, including remarkable architecture that reflects the city's Scottish roots.

Dusky Sound Day 8
One of three amazing sounds featured on most itineraries. The largest and most complex of the many fjords along this coast, with steep-sided cliffs and hundreds of cascading waterfalls.

Milford Sound, New Zealand Day 8
One of three amazing sounds featured on most itineraries. Situated within Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and surrounded by sheer rocks and lush forests.

Doubtful Sound Day 8
One of three amazing sounds featured on most itineraries. An unusual sound with two distinct layers of water: fresh mountain water atop cold,heavy, saline water teeming with remarkable deep-sea species.

Melbourne, Australia Day 11 Day 12
The capital of Victoria and Australia's second largest city. A cultural melting pot of Greek,Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese and Lebanese and host to major international events.

Sydney, Australia Day 14 Day 15
Among the world's most exciting cities with dazzling beaches and the Sydney Opera House, an architectural marvel and arguably the most recognizable performing arts venue.

This will be a tremendous opportunity to learn about another country, to play the addictive game of Scrabble, and to enjoy the summer weather of New Zealand and Australia. I am really looking forward to this trip. Hubby is staying home with the pups and keeping the home fires burning (his choice :o)

See you in a few weeks!