9 月初雪梨舉行了第一屆國際花展, 在去與不去之間猶豫了兩天, 花展當然是毫不留情地謝幕了, 然而賞花的念頭並未隨之消退, 這念頭生了根, 發了芽, 成長速度可比傑克魔豆, 到了月底, 在報紙上瞄到一年一度的 Canberra Floriade 花展開幕的消息, 便和老何跳出沙發, 驅車如箭, 南下賞花去了.
9 月底雪梨已是初夏光景, Canberra 卻仍是初春景緻, 帶著涼意的春風, 還是逼人抖出些雞皮疙瘩, 還好臨出門抓了擋風外套與圍巾, 稍抵寒意, 然而這正是植物長出鮮艷嬌嫩花朵需要的溫度, 於是頂著紅鼻子賞花也怡然自得了!
Canberra Floriade 在 Commonwealth Park 舉辦, 規模不大, 但畢竟花展不收門票, 主辦單位每年在有限經費中, 依不同主題, 將整座公園佈置成花團錦簇的大花圃, 平日且派工作人員整理花圃, 服務人員提供咨詢, 週末還辦名人演講, 仍是一項挑戰性高的公共工程.
賞完花, 繞道去看看國會大樓, 原只預計在外頭照照相, 到此一遊, 到現場竟意外發現國會大樓當天沒開會, 開放大眾參觀, 且不需預約, 我們當然不假思索, 大搖大擺的逛進去了.
通過金屬探測門與X光隨身物件掃瞄後, 參觀者便得在國會大樓內隨意閒逛, 跟參觀美術館沒兩樣, 我們很幸運地跟上了免費的國會導覽, 在導遊精彩的介紹中, 對澳洲的歷史, 國會運作, 以及國會大樓設計有了基本瞭解.
導覽結束, 我們搭了電梯上頂樓, 仰望澳洲國旗高高豎立於鋼塔頂端 (這每天負責升降旗的工作人員得有顆強壯的心臟!), 遠眺將 Canberra 包圍的群山, 遠遠的戰爭紀念碑隔著湖, 與國會大樓遙遙相對, 但Anzac Parade 大道, 就像一隻畫筆, 將兩棟建築給連接起來了.
Canberra 國會區內有許多幾何設計的趣味, 國會大樓內簡潔但充分表現澳洲特色的設計, 與類似枯山水的庭院, 耐人尋味. 無心插柳柳成蔭, 參觀國會區竟成了當天最有意思的部份, 有機會到 Canberra 旅遊的朋友們, 值得花點時間參觀國會大樓與導覽.
I missed the chance to visit the First Australian Garden Show taking place in Sydney in early Sep, it is a rather short exhibition period I have to say...
Spring is in the air and the missing of the Sydney Garden Show didn't put me off.. As soon as I learnt the annual flower show, Floriade in Canberra, was on I grabbed the camera, pulled the driver out of the sofa and headed south straight away.
A few heat waves were pushing Sydney from Spring to an early summer temperature in late Sep, but Canberra was still in early Spring, the chilling winds encouraged me to zip up my coat further, nevertheless, it was the right temperature for flower blooming. It's very enjoyable to walk along Commonwealth Park and see layers of layers of colourful flowers being displayed in the park.
After the flower show we drove to Parliament House thinking of viewing it from outside but luckily we found out that it was open to the public that day and no reservation was required. We therefore walked into the building, passed through the security check, and had a good look at the interior of Parliament. The interior has a modern, sleek design with many natural materials, such as wood and stone, used in the design.
The scheduled guiding was remarkable. Through the detailed, yet interesting introduction, we learned some general knowledge of the building's structure, design, and the Parliament's working procedure and functions - it was a very educational and relaxing tour.
After the tour we took the lift to the roof top to admire the tower where the Austrian flag flies, and had a good view of the War Memorial, Anzac Parade, old Parliament house. The Parliament's fundation rock lines up between the old Parliament House and the current Parliament.
The visit to the Australian Parliament was definitely a highlight of this Canberra outing.
經典花海
Layers of various types and colours of flower
三種顏色並存的高雅鬱金香
What a wonderful colour combination in this tulip!
花仙子現身
The flower fairy!
隱身花叢中的袋鼠
The Australian symbol blends into the flower bed.
萬紫千紅的罌粟花
Colourful puppy flowers
澳洲(新)國會大樓
Parliament House
從國會大樓正面遠眺, 國會基石, 舊國會大樓,
Anzac 大道, 與戰爭紀念碑筆直地排成一列
The view from the new Parliament House of the War Memorial,
Anzac Parade, old Parliament House and the Parliament foundation rock
all of which align in one straight line.
眾議院以澳洲森林顏色 - 深淺不同的灰綠色設計
The House of Representitives is arranged in a Green colour scheme,
representing the different tones of green found in the Australian Bush. In Australia the further the trees get into the distanc the lghter the colour, this different from the Northern Hemisphere countries where the trees get darker.
參議院則是以澳洲紅土, 岩石為主色
The House of Senate consisits of red colours,
representing the colour of Australia's earth and rocks
- the end -
