Tiptoe through the Tulips!

 September has been a rather jam packed month. It began a new season, the colours changed, the weather became more warmer if not more windy, fashion week rolled out, my blog turned 2 (let's hope it's not the terrible two's) and many many more occasions and happenings to list here. So, when it all just gets too much, sometimes you just have to bake yourself some gluten free muffins and hit the road for a scenic road trip moving far away from the bustle of the city. That's what we set out to do last Sunday when our intention was to visit the National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda, up in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. It was a special day to celebrate Hanami day, when the cherry blossoms were to be in full bloom, only Melbourne weather sprung early and the blossoms had already had their peak, leaving only 20% of them left. Once we got off the train though to catch the connecting bus and saw the cue of Japanese who were not deterred by the lack of blooms, we knew there was no chance of getting on a bus that only runs 1 per hour! So-back on the train where another wonder of nature awaited at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Silvan.
Celebrating its 60th festival and having been a few times before, I can honestly say that it is like existing in an alternate universe! Everyone there is happy. How often can you say that? Even the lady cleaning the toilets had a beaming smile on her face! The air was clean, the altitude was different, the clouds appear to sit lower that you can almost touch them and the sounds of festivities and clicking cameras are everywhere! 

What first strikes you is the abundant colour. No need for adjusting here-it is nature pure and simple expressing her glorious self. You can walk through the rows and rows of different varieties while stopping every two steps to take another photo or getting in the way of everyone else's. This weekend was Dutch weekend. Every weekend is a different theme, there was Turkish, Irish, Food and Wine, but I've always wanted to go to Dutch weekend and hear the music, which was great-especially played out of the organ which we just had to purchase the CD to and keep the carnival spirit alive at home. Fun for young, to old-even those in wheelchairs made their way down the dirt tracks-all the stress and life pressures just seem to escape you once you are there. Leaving is always sad, but as the coach meanders through the winding roads with mountain views as the sun sets and reflects the trees and everyone around you is on a high from their day out, comparing each others photos, it leaves you with a warm feeling. If you are in Melbourne, I urge you to make the trek and check it out. I know I'm looking forward to next year.

And in case you haven't heard Tiny Tim singing Tiptoe through the tulips- I assure you, you need to watch this, just so it too can linger on in your head as you frolic through the tulips. Enjoy!