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Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Bahai Gardens


Has the start of spring turned your thoughts to gardening?

Yeah, me, too.  

I'm chomping at the bit to turn a little nook in my backyard into a "secret" garden.  Thing is, I'm not a gardener. I really have no idea what I'm doing, but that doesn't stop me from trying. I've been pinning photos onto my "Garden Nook" inspiration board on Pinterest all winter long.

When I was going through my photos yesterday, I came across these, of the Bahai Gardens... which are, oh, just a tad bigger than my little nook, and they are hardly a "secret." 


Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

In fact, they are one of the most holy places for people of the Bahai faith, many of whom try to visit this site at least once in their lifetime.

We were fortunate to have visited the Bahai Gardens in December 2012. 

These magnificent terraced gardens are located in Haifa, Israel, and span from down near Haifa Bay, all the way up to Mount Carmel.

Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes 
I hadn't heard of the Bahai religion until we visited the gardens. The central message of the Bahai faith is Unity. The founder of this world-wide religion, Bahá’u’lláh wrote...

"The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

I like that sentiment.  

One of the three entrances is at the top of the mount, through these beautiful gates. 

Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

We had a spectacular view of the gardens and all the way down to Haifa Bay.


Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

It was very overcast, and even rained a bit. I can only imagine how beautiful it is on a bright and sunny day.


Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I wonder what Junior Goo Shoes was thinking at this very moment. I'd like to think he was enthralled with the scenery, but he was probably thinking about which X-Box game to get next.


Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We didn't have time to walk all the way down.  That would have been nice, but then we'd have to walk all the way up.

Never mind, then.
 
Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The Shrine of the Bab is where the remains of the founder of the Bahai faith is buried. I would have liked to have seen it close up, but we were on a tight schedule.

Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The Bahai Gardens were the only site we saw while we were in Haifa...except for this magnificent view from our hotel room at sunrise...

Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

And the same view at night...

Bahai Gardens - Haifa, Israel  --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

What beautiful gardens have you visited? Have they inspired you in any way in your own garden?






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46 comments:

  1. What magnificent place, what splendid view from your hotel room!
    Gorgeous pictures, I feel as if I had been there.

    I have been to many beautiful gardens, but two stand out, in my memory: Villa Borghese Park in Rome and Villa Sciarra, also in Rome.

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    1. I haven't been to either of those gardens. We were in Rome for only two days, which means I need to plan another trip back there!

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  2. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! How very beautiful. I have visited many beautiful gardens-but none of that magnitude. xo Diana

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    1. It was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen (not that I've been to that many).

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  3. I met a Bahai missionary in my early college days. I remember it was weird talking with him about this new (to me) religion. But he was nice, and normal looking:) A lot of work went into creating the gardens, but the results are breathtaking.

    I like your gardening inspiration, Amy. I am the same way-- just in the initial phase of may garden (meaning, just thinking about it). I know it is a lot of work but it is very gratifying and worth it.. it's just so damn hot here in the summer that a luscious garden of my dreams is probably not going to happen.

    Good luck with your secret garden. I look forward to seeing some pictures!

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    1. I hope I can pull off the garden in a way that I'll be proud to photograph, lol! Where are you, that the summers are so hot?

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  4. Beautiful! I have to laugh at what you said about your son. My boys would probably be thinking about xbox as well. I have a black thumb, but I try every spring to plant something new. It always looks great for a few months, but then it dies for some unknown reason. One day I will hire a landscaper. I just have to finish all my other million projects first!

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    1. I try my hand each spring, too...I've gotten good at containers but laying out a flower bed is not my strength! I hope I don't mess this up!

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  5. One of the thngs I enjoy most about your blogs are the ones about your travels. I get to see things which I may never have the opportunity to see and learn some history at the same time. Thanks for these entertaining and educational blogs.

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  6. Amy, amazing photos of the Bahai Gardens! Such vibrant colour and light and the water in the background! Do you miss it? It certainly makes me miss Crete, just looking at the lushness of the greenery and the ceramic roofs of the houses. The sun piercing the skyline and beaming its luxurious warmth, as your beautiful photo shows, is what I miss the most.

    Thanks for this wonderful introduction to this most gorgeous landscape and spiritual place.

    Hugs,
    Poppy

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    1. I would love to go back, Poppy, and see it on a brilliant sunny day. The colors were so pretty, even on a cloudy day. How long until you return to Crete?

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  7. Those gardens are really amazing! Looks like a lot of walking to be able to see all of it. I recall seeing the gardens at the Biltmore Estate in NC. They were gorgeous and somewhat relatable since they weren't far from our own region.

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    1. I have always wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate. I have heard it is beautiful, and I know I would enjoy it. Someday I will get there!

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  8. Your pictures of the Bahai gardens are fantastic! We visited there in 2012 and it was amazing! Not to be compared to these but we also visited some beautiful gardens near Victoria, B.C. called Butchard Gardens!!! Very nice as well.

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    1. I know of Butchard Gardens...I have always wanted to go to Victoria, and have read up on it. But when we went to Vancouver, we weren't there long enough to hop over to Victoria. I still have it on my list of place to get to some day!

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  9. How beautiful Amy - that must have been a trip of a life time - really!
    I've visited the Tuileries in Paris - and the gardens of Versaille ( out of this world )
    But never took photos - WHO DOES THAT?
    We used to go to Paris so often ( for business ) that I guess I always assumed I'd get to it one day.................
    S.T.U.P.I.D lol - they're engraved in my heart though.
    Great post!
    xxx

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    1. I've been to Paris only once, but wasn't there long enough to see either the Tuileries of Versaille. I was so sure I'd be back, but not so far! It must have been great to go there so often!

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  10. Amy - I always love your photos...and you crack me up...yes video games! LOL...At any rate, the Bahai Gardens are beautiful. So manicured, but I agree, on top of gorgeous flora there's the view. Priceless.

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    1. I wish I could have seen them on a bright, sunny day. But there was something special about the moody, dark clouds as a backdrop. Thanks for the compliment about the photos, Corinne - I'm no photographer, but I try hard!

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  11. Such beautiful gardens and a lot of hard work! Yes, my thoughts are now with the garden now that everything has come back to life again. Where I work the gardeners are busy once again especially in the greenhouses ready to put on a magnificent display. It's all busy again xx

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    1. The rebirth of spring is a wonderful thing! Nothing has come back to life here, yet, but the spring bulbs are poking through the ground, so it should be soon!

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  12. I had heard of that faith but not the gardens. LOL I wouldn't have wanted to walk all the way back up either! :)

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    1. I think they should have had the tour bus waiting for us at the bottom!

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  13. This is a very inspiring garden, thanks for taking us. The view from your room wasn't too bad either!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Magali! I could have stared at that view for hours!

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  14. What a beautiful view! The gardens is lovely.. I remember the days of gaming with my son.. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing. Have a happy week!

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    1. For a second, I thought you meant "hunting" gaming, Eileen! LOL! OK, I am a little slow before the first cup of coffee!

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  15. Wow! I am overwhelmed by the beauty of this garden. Interesting religion.

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    1. It was spectacular! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!

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  16. Wonderful series of photos of a beautiful place ~ love the contemplative young man photo ~ xoxo

    artmusedog and carol

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    1. Thank you, Carol! It was a beautiful place to visit, and I'm not quite sure if he was contemplative or bored, LOL!

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  17. Those gardens looked beautiful. My favourite gardens are Kew gardens in London.

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    1. I've never seen the Kew Gardens. I should make a list of everyone's favorites, and see how many I can see! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!

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  18. What wonderful gardens and spectacular shots of the view.

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    1. Thank you, Ladyfi! It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to visit such splendid gardens!

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  19. Wonderful pictures of the garden and the city! Lovely indeed!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kusum! I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit my blog!

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  20. Love the quote…and the pictures are beautiful. Hope your garden work is going well?

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    1. Thank you! It's still so chilly here that garden work has begun yet! I'm hoping it will warm up enough in a couple of weeks so I can get going!

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  21. I saw this post on Between Naps on the Porch and was instantly intrigued. My son-in-law is from Bermuda and was raised in the Baha'i faith, even though he no longer practices this religion. These gardens are incredible and I have never heard of them previously. I was totally pulled into your blog and looked at some of your other posts. I have been a stay-at-home mother and wife for most of my married life, so we have different backgrounds, but there was not one of your posts that did not speak to me in some way. I am your newest follower and I am so delighted to have found your blog. Even though I have been blogging off and on for three years, I think I am now encouraged to take a new look at my our blog, which is mostly my frivolous self and begin showing a bit more of my more serious self. Thanks!!

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    1. Hi Diane, thank you from the bottom of my toes for leaving this comment! It really make my day! I've been at this for a year now, and sometimes I wonder -- is anybody out there? And then I hear from someone like you, which is what it is all about. Thank you for following - I hope that you do get back to your blog...be it frivolous or serious or both...whatever is your authentic self!

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  22. i aspire to be a gardener, planted tomatoes and peppers yesterday and some mesculuns. lovely photos.

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    1. I wish you great success with your garden! I always want to plant a lot, but somehow, end up with some herbs and one tomato plant!

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  23. Amy, I have to say looking down from the top of the Bahai gardens in Haifa has got to be one of most inspiring views. The work it takes to garden...not for me. I just like to look! Thanks for once again linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

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  24. Wow, that looks stunning. Would love to see it one day, not just because of how amazing it looks, but also to learn about the Ba'hai faith. Thanks for linking to Weekend Travel Inspiration!

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