Otehei Bay

 

Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island
This lovely bit of Paradise was once home to Zane Grey, a well known American writer and adventurer. Located on Urupukapuka Island, the largest of over 140 islands in the Bay, Otehei Bay is a beautiful beach with grassy picnic areas and the perfect place to enjoy a spot of island life.

Waikato River

The longest river
This beautiful flowing river is the Waikato and is New Zealand's longest. Rising from the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro NP as the Tongariro River, it then flows north through Lake Taupo and issues from the lake's north eastern corner, tumbling over the Huka Falls and flowing northwest to enter the Tasman Sea south of Auckland. The Waikato is 425 km long with a gentle gradient and carries a heavy load of ash from the volcanic highlands. The Waikato has formed numerous lakes and lagoons along its lower reaches.

How the river got its name
The name Waikato originated during the voyage of the Tainui canoe, which had journeyed from Polynesia. Arriving just off the mouth of the river, the crew remarked upon the kato (the pull of the river current in the sea) and the name Waikato (wai meaning water) was given to the river.

I took this photo between Rotorua and Taupo in the North Island.

Today's Quote: No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning - Native American proverb.

Kek Lok Si Temple

 

This lovely pagoda is part of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang. The base is inset in a lotus flower and there is a buddha in each window. I was fortunate to be there while the Chinese New Year decorations were still up - don't they add a festive colour?
The temple consists of prayer halls, temples, monasteries and lovely landscaped gardens.
Kek Lok Si means Temple of Supreme Bliss and is the largest temple in Penang and the most well known.
Overlooking the town of Ayer Itam, the temple is set in a hillside and you get maginficent views of surrounding areas and Georgetown.

London Court

Above: London Court
London Court in Perth, Western Australia was built in 1937 and is located between the Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace. The court was built in the Tudor style buildings of England.
The clock is a replica of France's Great Clock of Rouen. The inscription under the clock reads
"No minute gone comes ever back again
Take heed and see ye nothing do in vain."

Today's Quote: A good holiday is one spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours ~ John B. Priestly

Yellow Water Billabong

Yellow Water Billabong is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River. There are beautiful lily-covered wetlands, floodplains, backwater swamps and river channels.

About one third of Australia's bird species are found here in Kakadu National Park,and there are at least 60 species found in the wetlands - whistling ducks and magpie geese are prolific.

Yellow Water Billabong

We went on a 2 hour cruise in the early afternoon and our "Captain" was Agnes.

Some Places In My Travels

Haven't really had the time to post here for a while, but here are a few of the places I've been to.

 

I've been to places
I've travelled around
To Darwin and Tassie
And Kalgoorlie town
But no matter how far
Or how wide I roam
I still call Melbourne home.

Hawana - Is Tiwi For Hello

Friday 23rd June 2006

Hawana, how are you? Hawana is Tiwi for hello.

This little moppet hid around the trees as we approached and peeked around and smiled shyly. His name is Bom Bom. which I was told means bottom.

Tiwi Design, located on Bathurst Island, started from a small Catholic Presbytery in 1969. Two young men, Bede Tungatalum and Giovanni Tipungwuti, worked with the art teacher, Madeline Clear, to produce woodblock prints.

The artists soon began to transfer their designs onto silk screens and printing textiles quickly became a major activity. Today, Tiwi Design artists provide diverse works across many mediums, including fine art sculptures and paintings.

This bird was created at Tiwi Design at Nguiu on Bathurst Island and was hand carved by Mario Munkara whose artwork is fine and therefore higher priced.





Another lady also wanted to purchase it. I made sure not to put it down while I contemplated buying it as it was fairly expensive. I'm glad I bought it.
Mr. Munkara goes "walkabout" selects a suitable branch which he brings back to carve. On the day I visited I was fortunate as he had just returned that morning and kindly consented to pose with me.

Ngaruwanajirri Arts Centre
One of the ladies who make beautiful paintings.
Tiwi Art


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