Israelis love flowers. There are flower shops everywhere. I do not know too many other places where there are flower shops that open 24 hours a day.
As a child I hated flowers. Looking amongst the yellow flowers of the briar bush in our driveway only meant that my brother Ian and I had lost another cricket ball. And then there was my mother telling us that we could not kick a football in the back yard as it might knock over the daffodils. Once a year we used to drive to Bowral in the southern highlands of New South Wales and look around endless front gardens and parks full of tulips. The memory is indelibly imprinted.
But that was in the days of heedless youth; years later, Muna and I would never miss a visit to the hills of Perth each year to marvel at the amazing display of tulips at Araluen. And so it is that we love the wonderful colours and diversity of the flowers
both around Haifa suburbs – 
and in the countryside, most notably the wild flowers in early Spring in the Golan Heights.
A walk around our neighbourhood gives an idea of the beautification that is being implemented by the local Council – a great effort is being made to beautify every roundabout and street, especially now that it is spring. 
We live near the suburb of Vardiya and the entrance is a roundabout.
Haifa is a series of mountain ranges – dwellings are built on very steep gulleys (called wadis or steep valleys). 
Looking south from our flat we see Haifa University with its distinctive tall high rise – visible from all over.
As a child I hated flowers. Looking amongst the yellow flowers of the briar bush in our driveway only meant that my brother Ian and I had lost another cricket ball. And then there was my mother telling us that we could not kick a football in the back yard as it might knock over the daffodils. Once a year we used to drive to Bowral in the southern highlands of New South Wales and look around endless front gardens and parks full of tulips. The memory is indelibly imprinted.
But that was in the days of heedless youth; years later, Muna and I would never miss a visit to the hills of Perth each year to marvel at the amazing display of tulips at Araluen. And so it is that we love the wonderful colours and diversity of the flowers
both around Haifa suburbs – and in the countryside, most notably the wild flowers in early Spring in the Golan Heights.A walk around our neighbourhood gives an idea of the beautification that is being implemented by the local Council – a great effort is being made to beautify every roundabout and street, especially now that it is spring. 
We live near the suburb of Vardiya and the entrance is a roundabout.
Haifa is a series of mountain ranges – dwellings are built on very steep gulleys (called wadis or steep valleys). Looking south from our flat we see Haifa University with its distinctive tall high rise – visible from all over.The flowers are familiar to us – Haifa and Perth have similar latitudes and both share a Mediterranean climate. Our Aussie gum trees do so well here and just this week the jacarandas have started to cast their glorious lilac shade.
Geraniums, jasmine, bougainvillea, frangipanis, hibiscus, oleanders and roses abound.
A few weeks ago, a pink flower appeared outside our bedroom window. A few days later there were half a dozen. Today thousands, and they come in both pink and white – we do not know what they are called, but they adorn many streets.
We have made several trips with friends to the eastern and northern Galilee regions. 
Like parts of Western Australia, wild flowers abound for a few short weeks. Late March to early April is the best time to see them, and they come in an amazing display of colours.
In the Golan heights, just a short distance from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, a permanent waterfall flows through the wadis. This land has been inhabited for thousands of years and you can see a field of Dolmens built of massive basalt rocks, placed together to form rectangles with one short side open; dolmens served as graves for nomads who lived in the Golan Heights four millennia ago.
This time of year is also the greenest; the winter rains have finished and the crops are tender and green. Like so many parts of the world, Israel has had well below average rainfall for many years and water rationing is now necessary. But the wild flowers abound.
Looking at these scenes, who could believe we are in Israel? 
Wildlife is also plentiful – from vultures to skinks and Syrian hyrax – a wombat-looking rodent to lots of lizards.
The Bahá’í gardens are looking spectacular; hundreds of tourists flock to see the Shrines and enjoy the environs.
It is such a privilege to be here and to partake of this special bounty.
Geraniums, jasmine, bougainvillea, frangipanis, hibiscus, oleanders and roses abound.
A few weeks ago, a pink flower appeared outside our bedroom window. A few days later there were half a dozen. Today thousands, and they come in both pink and white – we do not know what they are called, but they adorn many streets.
We have made several trips with friends to the eastern and northern Galilee regions. Like parts of Western Australia, wild flowers abound for a few short weeks. Late March to early April is the best time to see them, and they come in an amazing display of colours.
In the Golan heights, just a short distance from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, a permanent waterfall flows through the wadis. This land has been inhabited for thousands of years and you can see a field of Dolmens built of massive basalt rocks, placed together to form rectangles with one short side open; dolmens served as graves for nomads who lived in the Golan Heights four millennia ago.
This time of year is also the greenest; the winter rains have finished and the crops are tender and green. Like so many parts of the world, Israel has had well below average rainfall for many years and water rationing is now necessary. But the wild flowers abound.
Looking at these scenes, who could believe we are in Israel? 
Wildlife is also plentiful – from vultures to skinks and Syrian hyrax – a wombat-looking rodent to lots of lizards.
The Bahá’í gardens are looking spectacular; hundreds of tourists flock to see the Shrines and enjoy the environs.
It is such a privilege to be here and to partake of this special bounty.
