There are a whole bunch of regulations on what you can bring in and out of Australia by air. You would have to have clearance to take live plants out of the country, and paperwork to bring that many live plants into the US. Not as easy as just packing them unfortunately.

You even have to report if you have been to, or work on a farm, or work with animals at customs to enter the country. They want to make sure you haven't brought any viruses, etc. in on your shoes or person. As a (very large) island they have to be very careful because foreign germs/viruses can be spread easily. Last time I was there I had to report that I worked with endangered cats. They decided that working with tigers, leopards and such didn't pose a threat since they have no wild cats in Oz.

Makes sense...........

When I went to New Zealand, they asked if I'd been in a forest... Um... I live in one... I guess it didn't concern them enough to sanitize me..

I have a friend in Australia, Tried to get her to bring them home. She flat out said no way to much of a pain in the butt going through customs! Lol. I waiting in an email back from Barry. In the last email he said the import paper would not be nessary any more and the $100.00 sanitizing fee was done away with. He was checking on cheaper freight charges.

That would be good news!

I have flown in and out of the US and I know the things to go thru with customs and all. I know its not east but wish it was.

Way back when they used to sanitize you in the plane when you landed in New Zealand. They actually asked you to stay in your seat, and a spray came out of the air vents. Oddest thing I ever experienced in a plane, and I have witnessed some odd things.

I remember that going to Australia, Leslie! Guess it was so weird my mind blanked it out until now.

Fortunately they quit that on the Aussie flights now Debra!

Good, it was unpleasant. But then I have better odds of winning a $300Million Powerball Lotto than of going back to Australia, so it is a moot point, I guess.

Well if you win that much in Powerball you could afford a nice way to travel back to Australia!

...and send everyone here a roundtrip ticket, too, right?

Not me, Deb -- I don't *do* airplanes. I'll settle for an assortment of Blyth Irises and a home video of everybody!!!

In that case, Mary Ann, I'd buy you any and all you wanted. But I won't be on the video. I don't do videos, just barely do photographs.

Im not big on video either Mary Ann. I would get you a few irises though..

I have no choice with pictures and videos when we play. People will sometimes post the most unflattering pictures.. Although my Facebook profile was taken by someone at one of our shows. It was a rare good one.

Awwh -- thanks guys!!

Sherry -- I'm one of those un-photogenic people who just can't hardly get a decent picture. I'm not beautiful (by any stretch) -- but I'm not a gargoyle either. But a good photograph is a rare event.

I'm gonna go look at your picture on Facebook!!

Muddymitts said:Oh. My. Gosh. I'm having palpitations............

wow! Beauteous!

Tough to get a picture when you are the one behind the camera.