Famous Australian people and landmarks on Burke’s Backyard
One of the most memorable things about Japan for Don was the roofs. Mostly constructed of fired clay tile, they are made with the most incredible precision. The roof shown in our segment was was made of a grey fired material, which was then painted silver. Australian...
The cherry blossom (Sakura) is the national flower of Japan. In spring, the Japanese travel all over their country to see the wonderful displays of cherry blossom. They regard this as a time of happiness, celebration and optimism. Viewing sites in Tokyo include...
When Burke
A word of warning! Merrick and Rosso aren’t gardeners. This week these Australian comedians hosted Burke’s Backyard as part of the Channel 9 ‘star swap’ promotion. This is where show hosts appear as presenters on other programs across the...
The Adachi Museum of Art is famous for its collection of around 1300 contemporary Japanese paintings, including works by Taikan Yokoyama and Shiho Sakakibara. There are also ceramics by Kanjiro Kawai and Rosanjin Kitaoji, as well as wood sculpture and gold lacquer...
Don met with a group of Japanese dogs and their owners to test the Bowlingual, a dog ‘translation’ device. The Bowlingual is made up of two parts, a microphone and a console. The 8cm wide, wireless microphone is attached to the dog’s collar. It transmits sounds to the...
Don travelled north of Tokyo to see the famous Nikko Suginamiki, or cedar avenue. Thousands of Japanese cedar trees (Cryptomeria japonica) line the 37 kilometre route from Nikko City to the Toshogu Shrine. (Toshogu Shrine is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder...
Don visited the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute – guardian of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the world famous Pohutu geyser. Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve This is Rotorua’s largest and best known thermal reserve and a major Maori cultural...
Maori people have long been famous for having some of the world’s most spectacular tattoos. Traditional tattoos, or Mokos as they are called, are more than just body art to the Maoris. They are personal statements about themselves, their families, their history...
Don visited Possum Pam, a Christchurch company that is making a whole range of products from Australian brushtail possum pelts. The company is the brainchild of Pam and Dave McKinstry. Pam, who describes herself as ‘a guardian of New Zealand conservation’...