100 Aussie Icons

Brand: Mr Bob Puzzles

Pieces: 101
Size: 40cm x 30cm

Product Code:  -

It's Australia Day this week, and the public holiday will fall on a Wednesday, so I'm excited to get a mid-week day off work! 

But besides that, I think a lot of the public favour for the day has gone sour. 

While a lot of people celebrate the day, there are just as many people who are disgusted by it and have renamed it 'Invasion Day'. I personally feel for the Aboriginal people that this day has affected and would be happy for the day to be renamed or even for the date to be changed so that it has less negative connotations. 

But even though I feel this way, I couldn't let the day pass by completely unrecognised, so I have posted up a picture of a fantastic wooden puzzle that I purchased from small Australian company Mr Bob Puzzles. They design and cut all their own puzzles in Western Australia, using quality products and including whimsy pieces. 

The artworks are incredible and the overall quality is amazing. You definitely need to check out what they have on offer. This puzzle celebrates 100 Aussie Icons and is designed by artist Jim Tsinganos. It includes whimsy pieces such as the Sydney Opera House, a kangaroo, an Australia outline and much more. This would be perfect for wooden puzzle collectors or even as a souvenir of the country. 

Australia Day, Sydney Harbour, NSW

Brand: Ken Duncan Images Of Australia (Crown & Andrews) - The World's Most Beautiful Jigsaw Puzzles
Pieces: 504
Size: 64cm x 24cm
Product Code:   -

Yesterday, January 26, was Australia Day- a public holiday! 

It's meant to be a day when Australian's celebrate the anniversary of the First Fleet landing on Australian shores in 1788, thus paving the way for colonization of the country. 

But in recent years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the day- particularly for indigenous Australians who have renamed the day 'Invasion Day' and want Australia Day celebrations to fall on a more inclusive day for everyone.

At the moment, things are still up in the air about the future of Australia Day, but until then, it will continue to be a day filled with Aussie flags, barbecues and a day off with family and friends (if you're lucky enough to get time off work). 

Above is a puzzle that I found by renowned Australian photographer Ken Duncan, featuring a scene on the Sydney Harbour from Australia Day in previous years past. This panoramic puzzle was quite easy to do, despite all the yachts and boats dotted throughout the picture, and the quality was wonderful. 

It's rare that I can find a puzzle that fits perfectly with a day's theme- so I was happy to find this one to put up from my collection! 

Sydney Opera House And Harbour Bridge

Brand: Ravensburger
Pieces: 1000
Size: 70cm x 50cm
Product Code:  192113

I love living in Australia. 

This is something I have learnt after travelling across several countries over the years. While it is wonderful to see other cities and cultures, there's never any place quite like home. 

With this in mind, I decided to do this puzzle which features Sydney's iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Living an hour's drive away from Melbourne (which, in turn, is about an hour's flight from Sydney), I haven't had the chance to visit this amazing city as much as I would like. There is still so much that I would like to see and do there, but completing this puzzle brought back great memories all the same!

On my last trip to Sydney, I did a twilight climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge- a wonderful experience that I hope I never forget. It is something that every visitor should do if the opportunity arises. While it is a bit pricey, it's also a unique experience that's well worth the money! 

Doing this vibrantly-coloured puzzle, which features Sydney's most iconic structures (maybe even Australia's most iconic structures), was a pleasure. The imagery is beautiful and the dusky pink and purple tones of the sunset are captured perfectly. This would make a great memento of a Sydney trip, guaranteed to bring back any delightful memories you may have had. 

This puzzle is available from Fishpond by clicking the link below:

Ravensburger Sydney Opera House - 1000 Piece Puzzle