The hidden Melbourne - the lesser known natural charms

Think of Melbourne, and chances of most will think of a hep and happening city, a huge cricket stadium, one or two lovely beaches and a wonderful population. The fact that it has been voted as the best place to live in many times draw focus to the concrete infrastructure. Yet, hidden from the knowledge or itinerary of many who visit Melbourne for a day or two, are a whole host of spectacular charms. Melbourne's geological position presents it with an astonishing variety of landscapes and rockfaces. Built on the confluence of lave flows and Silurian mudstones, it follows the Yarra River and the Dandenong Ranges, spreading into a flat country later on. The ocean-side situation further provides it access to the oceanic geology. The result is an astonishing variety of landscapes and natural wonders with breathtaking scenic beauty.

Northeast of the city proper one can see the beautiful Yarra Valley. The Black Spur Drive is an enchanting 30 minutes drive between Healesville and Marysville. The drive links the Yarra Valley with the mountains around Marysville, and crosses through tall trees, fragrant air and heady scenery. The famous Lady Talbot Forest Drive is a round-trip drive of 46 kilometers through rare old growth myrtle beech forests, boulders, gorges and creeks lined with ferns and mosses. The drive takes one through the Marysville State Forest and the Yarra Ranges National Park with rolling valleys of eucalyptus. Nearby is the Steavenson Falls Reserve which is full of pristine mountain ash, mountain gray gum, peppermint, and other trees. It has any number of beautiful walks, one of which will take you to the top of the central attraction - the Steavenson Falls, 84 meters tall and one of the highest in Victoria. The Mt. Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery is situated within the Yarra Valley providing another unforgettable forest experience. At one end of the Yarra, merely one hour from the Melbourne CBD, is the SkyHigh - the summit of the Dandenong Ranges. If offers a wonderful vista of the whole city and nearby landscape amid its cool ferns and verdant ageless forests. It offers a spectacular sight after sundown as the stars pop out of the sky - one by one - and as the city lights are switched on to welcome the dark night. While you savor this stellar performance you can enjoy the SkyHigh caf? and bistro, or you can light your own barbeque. With a beautifully crafted garden and trails, SkyHigh has something for everyone. One can take the picturesque and enchanting Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road to arrive at the Mt. Dandenong Observatory.

The Mornington Peninsula, on the other hand, much south of the city proper, is a haven for the beach lovers. Mornington has an endless parade of beaches. The Frankston is a large and safe sandy beach popular for all sea activities - including swimming, snorkeling, sailboarding, yachting and diving. Safeguarded by a Lifeguard club, this is a popular family picnic spot and is also known as a boating location. Between Mount Eliza and Mornington there are a large number of small bay beaches, like the Daveys Bay, Ranelagh and Sunnyside beaches and the Canadian and Half Moon bays. Mornington itself is another focal point of other spectacular beaches. Around this picturesque bay harbor lie the Scout, the Mill, Shire Hall, Fishermans and other beaches. In fact the list is quite endless. You could visit the Mount Martha beaches, the Safety Beach, the Dromana, the Rosebud, the Rye or Blairgowrie, the Sorrento Front Beach or the Portsea Front Beach.....Just across the Port Bay from Mornington are the two fabulous pair of the French island and the Philip Island. But let these two enchantments be a tale for another day.... The simple fact is that far too many people shy away from exploring the Melbourne hinterland - a treasure trove of natural spectacles. Far too many...

Produced by the team at http://www.travelAU.com.au - A group of travel and technology industry professionals promoting unique Australian tourism and travel products produced this article on behalf of http://www.vervebeachside.com.au

February Birthstone - Amethyst

The signature February birthstone is amethyst which is characterized by its many variations of purple. When amethyst is subjected to extreme heat it changes color to a yellow colored amethyst referred to as burnt amethyst.

Amethyst is made up of several different varieties of quartz mineral. Amethyst comes from the Greek word amethystos which means sober. It is common belief that the name was made after the color of wine.

You are able to mine amethyst is South American countries that include Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. You are also able to mine it in African countries such as Zambia, Argentina, and Namibia.

There are a few key locations you can find certain amethyst. In Guerrero, Mexico you can find dark deep purple amethysts, known to be one of the most precious in the world. Also in Vera Cruz, Mexico you can find pale crystallized amethysts that have grown in light colored rocks.

In Maraba, Brazil the crystal is generally medium or pale colors. These amethysts are commonly cut. In Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil you can find amethyst stones from large volcanic rocks and is generally big.

North Carolina, USA offers some beautiful blue-violet colored amethysts. Maine, USA used to hold amethysts but they aren?t for distribution any more.

Amethyst is thought to have powerful calming effects on the owner. It is believed to enhance a person?s ability to learn new ideas quicker. It is can help you stabilize you mind and balance of emotional, mental, and physical states.

Amethyst is commonly known for being the gemstone for those who are the zodiac signs Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, and Capricorn. It also symbolizes the gemstone for the 17th wedding anniversary.

These stones are beautiful and colorful, and for that reason usually pretty expensive. Amethyst has been cherished for quite some time, dating back as far as 25,000 years ago.

Find a vast selection of February birthstone jewellery, as well as other great birthstone jewellery gifts.

Pendant Lighting - Fun & Versatile!

 

Pendant lighting is not seen as a genuine lighting alternative for many of us because we have been brainwashed into thinking there are the three basics: the lamp, the flush-mounted ceiling fixture, and when you want to get fancy—the chandelier. Most of us even think of wall sconces before the word pendant will ever come to mind.

The pendant is actually one of the most versatile of the light fixtures and can be used to provide the three main types of lighting: ambient, task, and even accent lighting. Unlike table, desk, or even floor lamps, the pendant light fixture is not limited in placement options. A table or desk lamp always needs some sort of furniture or desk to place them upon. Unless you want to place furniture in the middle of your room in order to set the lamp upon, table and desk lamps are not good sources of ambient lighting. Although great for task lighting such as reading, lamps—including floor models—are limited by their placement restrictions and in the types of lighting they are able to provide (great task lighting, poor ambient, no accent).

Because pendants are mounted to the ceiling, they can be placed anywhere in the room so long as you run power to them during installation. In most cases, your home already has wiring in place for ceiling fixtures. Without wiring restrictions, you can let your imagination run wild when choosing pendant fixtures for each room.

In the kitchen, an elegant pendant with ornate glass shades will create plenty of ambient lighting while adding some flare and subtle elegance to the room. If you have a center island or breakfast nook, try placing a 3-bulb pendant overhead. This will provide these work/eating areas with additional task lighting and can be coordinated with the primary pendant fixture for a more compelling decorative effect. Even the sink area would benefit from a small overhead pendant to provide additional task lighting for dishes while also serving as accent lighting when the other lights are turned off.

The living room is another area when pendant lighting should be considered as a serious option as the primary source of ambient lighting. While a chandelier may be overbearing in the space, the right pendant will brighten the room and give the décor the added class and sophistication it had been lacking when a simple ceiling fixture was in place. Pendants come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes, there is literally no limit to the number of options they bring to your lighting blueprint.

Pendant lighting fixtures work especially well as sources of illumination for hallways and stairways. A simple ceiling fixture at the top of the stairs can be too far away to provide enough illumination for everyone in your family to navigate safely. However, a hanging pendant can bring the source of illumination closer to the stairs and thus eliminate dark spots created by flush-mounted ceiling fixtures. Foyers and entranceways are other great places for pendants and they should be used to set the tone of your décor as people first enter your home.

Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a complete product line of indoor lighting such as Pendant Lighting and Buffet Lamps, as well as outdoor lighting from the industries leading manufacturers. Everything to light your home in style.