Tunia poses for a photo before visiting St. George, Bermuda.

Tunia sits on the root of a tamarind tree. The tamarind is a slow-growing, long-lived, massive tree, which can reach a height of 80 or even 100 ft (24-30 m), and may attain a spread of 40 ft (12 m) and a trunk circumference of 25 ft (7.5 m). Though it is highly wind-resistant, many of Bermuda's tamarinds were lost during a hurricane. The fruit of the tamarind tree is used in many kinds of recipes including seasoning for rice dishes, beverages, desserts, chutney, and jam. Tamarinds are very high in calcium, so they help build strong teeth and bones.

Tunia sits on a bromeliad. The bases of bromeliad leaves form a cup that collects rainwater for the plant's use. Small animals also use the collected water.

Tunia poses next to a hibiscus flower.

Tunia is surrounded by an epiphyte. It looks like a grassy growth to the left of Tunia, but it is a plant that uses a tree or another tall object to support it. By clinging to a tree, epiphytes also get more light than they would on the ground and they take moisture from the air around them. They do not take any nutrients from the trees they cling to. In the southeastern United States, an epiphyte called Spanish moss attaches itself to trees.

Tunia is sitting on the beach at Tobacco Bay. On the sand around her you can see small pieces of seaweed that have washed up from the ocean.

At Tobacco Bay, Tunia sits on some of the coral, which can be found all around the warm waters of Bermuda. Coral comes from marine (saltwater) animals. These animals secrete a form of calcium that is very hard, and it protects them as a suit of armor might. As these animals die, their rocklike skeletons pile up and together form reefs and islands in warm oceans and seas.

Tunia found more coral where she could sit and rest.

September 7, 2000: Today, Tunia finally met her new friends in Room 201. Everyone was excited to hear that Tunia will be traveling again this year. Her schedule is not completed yet, but the students were excited to hear that Tunia will be visiting Ms. Hogben's class in Australia for the first time, and she will visit Mrs. Koroll's class in Canada again this year. The students enjoyed hearing how much Tunia likes reading and writing, because they like reading and writing too. One little girl even guessed what Tunia's favorite book was before seeing Tunia's Favorite Books page. Can you guess what Tunia's favorite book is? Check your guess by clicking here for Tunia's Favorite Books page.

Tunia takes a close look at the map as she prepares for her journey.

September 14, 2000: Everyone took a look at the changes in Tunia's website this morning. Then Tunia spent time at each student's desk. As the students worked, Tunia watched closely. She especially enjoyed seeing the children write. Tunia always likes to watch them read the different books in the classroom. Right now, the children in Room 201 are beginning an author study. They are enjoying Eric Carle's books. Eric Carle wrote The Grouchy Ladybug, which is Tunia's favorite book. Everyone agreed that Tunia could never be grouchy like the character in the book. Tunia is a lovable ladybug!

To the right, Tunia looks at the new things on her website.

September 22, 2000: Summer went out as autumn arrived at 1:27 PM. Though the changing of seasons wasn't very obvious, the weather was a little cooler today. Tunia is lucky to be going to Australia. We have autumn in Rhode Island and in the rest of the United States now, and winter is on the way. In Australia, however, Tunia's friends in Ms. Hogben's class are enjoying spring with summer just around the corner.

September 25, 2000: Tunia spent most of the day observing her friends at work. She liked what she saw. Today, the students learned where Tunia will travel. Her schedule is posted on Tunia's Second Journey page. She will leave Rhode Island this Friday and travel to Concord, California. Ms. Beltramo at Highlands Elementary School in Concord said that she and her students will be doing something very special with Tunia. Everyone will have to keep checking Tunia's website to see what she will be doing in Concord. Tunia really does have great adventures!

September 28, 2000: Today was Tunia's last day in Room 201 until she returns from her travels. The students had mixed feelings about her leaving. They didn't like knowing that Tunia would be away for so long because they would miss her, but they did want to follow her journey. Last year, Tunia made new friends everywhere she went, and her friends in Room 201 know that will happen again. While Tunia does the traveling and meets new students around the world, her friends in Room 201 will have a chance to learn about new places and read about what is happening in classrooms that Tunia visits. For the chance to do that, Tunia's friends don't really mind that she is going away for a little while. They know she'll be back home before the school year is over. Happy traveling, Tunia!

Here Tunia hides in some plants that came from her garden. These plants cannot survive the cold temperatures of winter, so Tunia hopes her friends in Room 201 will take care of them while she is gone.

Click Tunia's photo to see some background information about Tunia's garden and the beautiful city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Click on the flower to return to Tunia's main page.

Click the blue arrow to go to Tunia's next stop in Concord, California.