Mount Dandenong

Mount Dandenong

            

                 I suppose you know what Tulips are. Tulips are spring flowers that come out of bulbs and once considered as expensive.  Most likely you have seen one planted in a pot. Or most probably you have seen rows of tulips in a backyard garden.  But have you seen half a million tulips in one place at one time? Yes, half a million tulips?

                One bright Sunday morning, before the end of spring, we motored to Mount Dandenong which was some 45 minutes away from the city proper. The trip was urgent as it was the last day of the Tulip Festival in the vast Dandenong Ranges.  We had to see those beautiful tulips as they were to be harvested the next day,  The festival was hosted by a Dutch family that lives in the Sylvan town.

                We were expecting to see a variety of tulips in an average -sized garden.  But what unfolded before our eyes were more than half a million tulips of different species properly arranged in a vast tract of land in the Dandenong Ranges. There were different colors: yellow, red, orange, beige, black, pink, violet, white, etc. The sight was a feast for the eyes and food for the soul, as one writer puts it.  You see, you don't write about flowers.  You look at them to really appreciate their beauty.

                   That was my first trip to the Dandenong Ranges and it was only for a few hours.  I had no time to explore the other areas and vowed to make a return trip.  And that return trip happened 6 months after.  This time with my first cousins who are permanent residents of Melbourne.  We had lunch at Miss Marples Resto along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, strolled up and down the main and side streets, looking for unique items in partly hidden antique shops. And I was busy with my digicam, unmindful of the passing hours.

                   Just when I thought I had seen everything,  I was astonished by what I saw when we parked at Grants Picnic Ground.  There was a large flock of white cockatoos and crimson rosellas.  These forest-dwelling birds were sedentary and friendly, unlike the ones I saw at Nagambie. One perched on my shoulder and another one on top of my head. Instead of flying away, they kept us company, following us wherever and whatever we did. And when we were about to leave for the city, I took one last look at the Australian birds and promised myself that there would be a third time.  Yes, a third time. 

- Konted

The ascent to Mt. Dandenong

Tulip cultivation in the Dandenong Ranges

Rows of Tulips of different colors in a vast tract of land

These Tulips are supposed to be harvested the next day.

Amidst beautiful and colorful Tulips

The Tulip Festival in the Dandenong is an annual event

Assorted colors grouped together

In full bloom

Big horses pull an old carriage

Holland windmill replica

Selling baked potatoes

Follow the sign so you don't get lost

A Dutch farm house

Dutch store selling assorted items

Dutch Poffertjes are like small fluffy pancakes

Side entertainment provided by Seniors

I have always been attracted to this type of Australian Tree

A lake at Ferntree Gully near Mt. Dandenong

Bridge leading to an islet

Boating as pastime

Woman steers boat

Ducks swiftly and gracefully moving

Man-made waterfalls

Chairlift system

Chairlift crosses the lake

Taking photo of a Nissan sales outlet near Mt. Dandenong upon request of classmate Tony Tuason of Toronto, Canada

My 2nd time to visit Mt. Dandenong

Tea houses by the road in Mt. Dandenong

Antique shop on Prince St.

Another antique shop at a side street

Collectible items

Nice English bike as store prop

Stores near Olinda

Flowers in a box sold at Olinda within the Dandenong Ranges

Flowers of different colors placed in a box with faucet

 Classic Ford Fairlane sighted in Mt. Dandenong

The classic Ford Fairlane still in mint condition

Closer shot

Late lunch at Ms. Marples

Long time Sydney and Melbourne residents Celeste and Sonny

Delicious Cottage Pie

Truly satisfying

Take out counter

Souvenir shot

Another coffee shop near Olinda

With Sonny

Tiny car parked near Olinda

Sonny's MB

The last stop

Cockatoos all over the place

They don't fly away

White Cockatoos in formation

All together one more time

These are friendly Cockatoos

Crimson Rosellas and another Australian Parrot

White Cockatoos and Crimson Rosellas surround visitors

Too friendly

A Cockatoo lands as I stretch my left arm

One Cockatoo costs P29 thou in the Philippines

Unmindful of passing cars

Rosellas and young cockatoos

Birds outnumber visitors at Grants Picnic Ground

Very young Slender Billed cockatoos

Old, old Holden pick-up

Dinner at Lygon Street, Melbourne City

My 3rd trip to Mt. Dandenong

SkyHigh

Dining al fresco

With a commanding view of Melbourne city and suburbs

Do you believe in giants?

Igor's story

Maximus with his father and grandma

Way to the Secret Garden

Part of the Secret Garden

Unusual tree

Maximus and the Wishing Tree

Story of the Wishing Tree

Life-sized figurine inside the garden

Giant tree near SkyHigh resto

Bridge connecting garden to resto

The Maze House near the garden