Beautiful Barbados

Barbados Flower Forest is worlds away from the manicured resort garden

By Ailsa Francis, Citizen Special March 19, 2011

In the Barbadian hills overlooking the rough seas of the Atlantic Ocean is a botanical wonderland called the Flower Forest. When we were there in the middle of February, we were told it had been unseasonably wet, since the rains usually come between June and November. Thankfully, the showers didn't last long and when the sun returned, our stroll through this huge, privately owned garden felt like a walk back in time when tropical forests originally blanketed this island. Open every day of the year, it is lovingly tended by David Spieler (and his team), who is also the owner of a ceramic business on the island called Earthworks Pottery.

The Flower Forest is located in what is known as the Scotland District of Barbados. This means that the area is quite wild and hilly, with elevations ultimately reaching between 850 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The island boasts a sub-tropical climate with 3,000 hours of sunlight every year (compare this to Ottawa at 1,989 hours a year) and an average daily temperature of around 30 C.

This horticultural delight was christened the Flower Forest in 1983 after several years of development by the Hill family, with the design help of American architect Fritz Laundy. Don Hill must have been at his wit's end since his first attempt to farm the land ended in failure, followed by an unsuccessful stint at growing fruit trees (the monkeys ate the fruit and damaged the trees). After Hill, the land was run by a board of directors until it was purchased in 2008 by Spieler (who had been a member of that board for three years).

Helped along the way by Kewtrained horticulturist Richard

IF YOU GO

Flower Forest, Richmond, St. Joseph, P.O. Box 5T, St. Thomas, Barbados, West Indies. Telephone/fax: (246) 433-8152

Website: www.barbados.org/ flowfrst.htm

Open: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $20 Barbadian (approx. $10 Cdn.) for adults; $10 Barbadian (approx. $5 Cdn.) for children.

More: There is a gift shop on site as well as a café serving a modest selection of small meals and snacks. Coughlan, who runs another botanical must-see on the island called Orchid World, Spieler has been continuing to build this garden into a worthwhile tourist destination.

The Flower Forest has a vast array of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, many of which are indigenous to the Caribbean and, in many cases, Barbados in particular. One of the most common plants is the Royal palm (Roystonia oleracea, known colloquially on the island as the Cabbage palm) which can reach heights of 40 metres (130 feet). Spieler describes this plant as very fertile; the three gardeners employed here have to regularly remove the seedlings to keep them from overtaking less vigorous species. Other plants showcased here include the Agave barbadensis or Maypole, (indigenous to Barbados and all the islands of the Lesser Antilles) and the grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), a hybrid citrus actually bred in Barbados during the 18th century. The pineapple (Ananias comosus), which is indigenous to South America but made its way to the Caribbean, is also present. A rare and primitive fern known as the Skeleton Fork Fern (Psilotum nudum) has also been introduced; found in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world, this rootless plant has an unusual branching form that resembles coral.

Outrageously colourful and exotic tropicals like false lobster claws (Heliconia), torch ginger (Nicolaia elatior), glory bower (Clerodendron thomsoniae) and the Pride of Barbados (Poinciana pulcherrima) are all found blooming throughout the gardens. I also spied huge crotons, philodendrons, Sago palms, snake plants, bougainvillea, blue sky vine (Thunbergia grandiflora) and orchids while walking along, as well as the unusual Chinese hat or parasol plant (Holmskioldia sanguinea). And on our visit, we were routed around the fallen orange-red blooms of the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulate) that decorated the paths.

Growing plants in this tropical location has its own unique brand of challenges. Last fall, Hurricane Tomas brought damaging winds and eroding rains to the island, the detritus of which the gardeners are still clearing. There are also giant African land slugs that are eating their way through the garden. At 20 centimetres long and 10 cm wide, these pests are not to be scoffed at.

Spieler has been introducing a predatory wasp to deal with a thrip problem that is affecting the Sago palms.

Unchecked, these pests would really mar the beauty, not to mention affect the vigour of these majestic palms.

If you're in Barbados, do seek out this treasure. It showcases tropical plants the way in which they were meant to be seen.

Visit Ailsa Francis's blog at hortus2.wordpress.com

From: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Tropical+tour+force/4469211/story.html

Barbados is one of the most popular Caribbean holiday destinations of all time. It is a gorgeous tropical paradise that is far from most of the other Caribbean islands. For this reason, it hasn’t been overrun with tourists especially since only a handful of cruise ship itineraries include it.

Barbados is part of the Netherlands Antilles chain of islands, with a decidedly English flavour. Cricket is the sport of choice and the island has been home to more world-class players than any other country.

Bridgetown is the capital city and is full of activity just about any time of the day or night. Visitors could spend their entire holiday just in the city proper and still not run out of things to do. There are fabulous facilities, including luxury hotels and resorts, along with a limitless array of restaurants and eateries appealing to all tastes and budgets. There is also a wide range of museums and archaeological sights, in and around the capital, that highlight the unique and rich heritage of this little island paradise.

The nightlife in Bridgetown is non-stop, with nightclubs galore and live music and dancing going until the wee hours of the morning. The city is very easy to get around and taxis are plentiful and readily available. There is also an extensive bus service on the island that will take you just about anywhere for a very reasonable price, usually around 75 cents, but make sure you have exact change. You can also rent a car for about $75 per day or you can hire a private car with driver if you would like a custom sightseeing tour. The driver also doubles as your guide and most are intimately familiar with the entire island.

Shopping is a popular activity in town and there are stores and other retail outlets to suit just about any budget, from upscale designer showcases to places that sell touristy type gifts that are perfect for friends and relatives or shops offering a variety of uniquely Barbadian craft items. While the Barbadian Dollar is the official currency on the island, the U.S. dollar is also readily accepted just about everywhere.

The weather is ideal most of the year. The only time it can be bad is between July and October, which is the hurricane season, when there will be more rainfall than usual. Temperatures during the day for most of the year hover in the 70’s (F), down to the 60s (F) at night. A sweater or light wrap might be desirable in the evenings.

There is much to see and do in the Bridgetown area, including visiting Harrison’s Cave and exploring the underground world of the island from an electric tram and trailer. You can view underground streams, tumbling waterfalls and deep pools of subtly lit water. Stalactites hang overhead, while others rise from the floor, creating an eerie glow that visitors find enchanting.

Visit the Flower Forest, which is a tropical paradise located on a former sugar plantation. The garden also boasts sweeping panoramic views of both the Chalky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. While in the area, make a stop at Welchman’s Hall Gully, where you can walk a trail that winds through the island’s only remaining rain forest.

If more active pursuits are your game, Barbados is known for its spectacular diving and snorkelling opportunities. It is also a haven for just about any type of water sport, including windsurfing, fishing, kayaking and sailing.

Barbados is also home to many excellent beaches, each with its own unique charm. Some cater to the young crowd, with upscale resort hotels located nearby, along with a full range of amenities including outdoor eateries and bars, and water sports rental kiosks. Other beaches are more secluded and offer a quiet haven for people who just want to relax and enjoy the pleasures nature has to offer.

Horseback riding is also a popular activity and the Caribbean International Riding Centre has nearly 40 horses in its stables and will offer guided trail rides to people of all riding abilities. You will get to see some of the most panoramic sections of the island, including the hilly terrain of the Scotland district, where you’ll view ducks in their natural wild habitat and some of the most beautiful water lilies in all of the Caribbean.

Most people arrive in Barbados by air, but the island also has a good many cruise ships calling by. The cruise ship terminal is a modern facility located at the front door of Bridgetown, making it easy for passengers to get around the city, especially if they want to tour independently.

Whether you arrive by air or by cruise ship, staying a day or a week, Barbados is the perfect holiday destination and is sure to please the entire family.

A combination of old world colonial charm, coupled with the most modern facilities and amenities, Barbados offers a little something for everybody and a lot of long-lasting memories. It’s a place you will want to return to again and again.

 

From http://www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=314/Port-Guide--Cruise-Port--Barbados

by Jerry Lowell - Jun. 12, 2009 09:37 AM
Special for The Republic

We hoped our trip to Barbados would be filled with fun and excitement, but it started with a bigger thrill than we were anticipating. As we waited at Los Angeles International Airport for our flight, we were rocked by an earthquake. Welcome to LA! No harm done, though, and we were soon on our way to Barbados.

Our home for 10 days was the Bougainvillea Beach Resort on the southern coast. Although this is considered one of the more modest areas by Barbados standards, we faced a gorgeous beach. The western side, or "Platinum Coast," of Barbados is the preferred location for movie stars and other travelers with few budget restraints.

After de-stressing for a day, we summoned up the courage to rent a car to see the sights. Equipped with our driving experience in Scotland last year and two free maps, our confidence was high as we started out, on the left. We soon found our confidence was misplaced, however, as we got lost wherever we tried to go. Our advice is to have a better map, a strong marriage and plenty of courage.

We did manage to find Aerial Trek Zipline Adventures in Jack-in-the-Box Gully. Zip-lining across treetops was pure fun and highly recommended. Harrison's Cave also is a worthwhile stop. Seeing beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and underground streams and waterfalls aren't normally associated with Caribbean islands.

We saw as much of the island as we could. Our drives took us to the Flower Forest, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Farley Hill National Park and numerous other highlights. The wildlife reserve was especially memorable, as we were visited by a troupe of mischievous green monkeys. Quietly they came out of the deep, dark rain forest, stopped to say hello, then continued on their way.

Another must-do is spending a day on a catamaran. Several companies will take you out for a day of snorkeling among turtles and a shipwreck, lunch and an afternoon cruise. We chose Silver Moon Charters (oceanadventuresbarbados.com), and it was a fun and fitting way to end our trip.

Details: visitbarbados.org.

 

From http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/06/12/20090612trpeople0614.html