When Warbucks and I were in Barbados, I think my favorite day was, besides any beach day, the day we went to Hunte's Garden, a little-known gem on this luscious island. It's embedded in the hills of Saint-Joseph parish on the rugged east coast, the 3 acre oasis is home to hundreds of tropical plants and flowers, a most colorful spectacle packed to the brim designed to delight the gardener and a wonderous mind. Anthony Hunte is the fabulous man behind the gardens, now in his 80's, a devout horticulturist since the age of 27. Born on the island and always admired the beauty of the countryside he dreamed of building a public garden. Unlike most Caribbean islands formed by volcanic eruptions, Barbados consists of limestone built up by coral debris that occasionally erodes into giant sinkholes. Fascinated by this geological wonder, he and a team of four laid out his garden in a crater about 150 feet deep and 500 feet across. At first sight, that's what made this place stand out. Vegetation clings to the slopes and creates a cascade of color tumbling out along the flagstone paths. Given the singular terrace like structure, guest can linger on different rest areas located on each level, with different gardens, filled with bits of surprises like statues, fountains or full patios for a rest.
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A visit also wouldn't be complete without a stop to Hunte's house itself. nestled among the towering royal palms, he lives in a wooden veranda where he hosts guest after the tour, where he regales everyone with cakes, a secret rum punch and local tales. This was where we discovered the garden was also at a time a former sugar plantation where Hunte grew up. And his home is nothing short of sublime chaos, yet charming. We had a table set up for our tour in the refreshment room.
Everyone is greeted and welcomed by Hunte at the end and given opportunity to chat about the garden. We learned that it was his grandmother who helped him develop his love of flowers, orchids and plants suited to Barbadian climate. He said he still enjoys working in the garden personally, but at his ripe age, he is seeking to ensure a sound future for it. May this garden long live.
So lush and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to leave. I'm more sure than ever now going to be living near a beach and if it happens to have a rainforest or Lush Garden attached to it all the more merrier.
DeleteIt so reminds me of living in Hawaii, though I didn't see monkees.
ReplyDeleteI liked the monkey best
ReplyDeleteIncredible. What a masterpiece. And so special that he personally hosts.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can tell that he enjoys it, and that he enjoys the people enjoy the gardens. He's lived there all his life in the house in the gardens.
DeleteYou could move there and garden away for the next 40 years.
ReplyDeleteLove those orchids; better in their own environment than on someone's breast or lapel.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the first time I saw orchids in the natural habitat and not in a garden venue or show.
DeleteNow that is a wonderful place to live.
ReplyDeleteHow humid was that?
ReplyDeleteI'd probably be sweat-drenched in minutes being away from the beach.
Not very. It was almost 89 degrees and the humidity was low.
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo absolutely tropical and lush. And I had heard of the sinkholes. I am going to hunt down this on youtube because i need MORE.
XOXO
One could barely see any evidence of a sinkhole anymore.
DeleteA tropical feast for the eyes! It must have been wonderful to see such beautiful orchids... and the monkey is cute too!
ReplyDeleteThe monkey was cute. But we saw far more monkeys when we went to Costa Rica.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning! I would love it. Jx
ReplyDeleteI thought of you and the Madam a few times and how you'd enjoy seeing this.
DeleteThat makes two of us.
DeleteBeautiful and magical.
ReplyDeleteOui, magique et magnifique.
ReplyDeleteTant de jardins spectaculaires dans les Caraïbes.
J'ai vu les Jardin de Balata en Martinique, les jardins botaniques de Deshaies et Valombreuse en Guadeloupe, le jardin d'Ardastra aux Bahamas, le jardin botanique d'Andromède à la Barbade et le jardin botanique de Vignales à Cuba.
Paradis tropicaux avec une profusion de fleurs exotiques et rares.
Maîtresse, vous prenez de jolies photos, vous devriez publier un livre photo :)
-Beau Mec à Deauville
Oui, j'ai déjà parlé de notre visite aux jardins de Balata en Martinique, et c'était tout aussi joli. Cuba est sur ma liste de destinations à visiter. Tu as beaucoup voyagé, mon ami.
DeleteThe gardens look absolutely breathtaking and serene. I can only imagine seeing orchid which I love in their natural habitat. If you wished, you were back there we sure couldn't blame you.
ReplyDeleteYou've brought back some great memories of my own trip there with my sister years ago. No place on earth comes close to these beautiful gardens. You experience, pure peace and relaxation taking in the magical noises of nature and the vibrant colors of the wonderful plants and flowers. It was so beautiful we went twice in the same week! And like you, we got to meet Anthony Hunte on both visits, and he was a dream host, full of enchanting stories.
ReplyDeleteI was tickled that he was still toiling in the garden himself doing the work. He was quite charming I do agree.
DeleteMy gosh! How strikingly gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous find! Was the cake good? It looks like a marvellous garden for rum punch and cake!
ReplyDeleteSx
It really was Scarlet. We were surprised not more people were there walking about.
DeleteInsanely gorgeous! Im traveling with you from now on. I loved seeing the cat taking a nap.
ReplyDeleteWow how amazing is that and the only word is Lush
ReplyDeleteLush it was. You two would have loved the orchids.
DeleteOh, Maddie, what gorgeous tropical gardens! I love the waterlilies in their big, wide bowls, and that dazzling iris-like orchid (or orchid-like iris?) above the little red pineapple. What a wonderful visit!
ReplyDeleteP.S. That peacock is rather far from home but fits in very well.
The results of a white peacock but he was not very photogenic. I have no idea how there's peacocks there.
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