|
|
North of Scotland, the colorful, sprawling Andromeda
Botanical Gardens (daily 9am-5pm; B$12) make up one of the most
attractive spots on the island, spread over a hillside strewn with
coral boulders and with vistas over the Bathsheba coastline. Created
by local botanist Iris Bannochie, the gardens feature masses of
local and imported shrubs and plants, landscaped around a trail that
incorporates several ponds and a giant, ancient bearded fig tree.
The colorful hibiscus garden, on your left as you enter, is the best
place to see the tiny hummingbirds that frequent the place. The
trail then takes you past some old traveler's trees and a small
clump of papyrus before turning uphill past a series of heliconia -
including the bizarrely shaped "beefsteak" heliconia - and a Panama
hat tree.
|
The bearded fig tree is the real star of the gardens, but
there are plenty of other highlights, including a bank of
frangipani, rose of Sharon trees, superb cycads and a Bombax
ellipticum, also known as the shaving brush tree for the large
pink-bristled flower it produces. At the lower end of the trail is
the Queen Ingrid Palm Garden.
Beyond the gardens the road continues to the seafront and the
Atlantis Hotel , a slightly faded and very easy-going place
overlooking Tent Bay . Built in the 1880s, this was one of
the first hotels to be put up outside Bridgetown and, though there's
not a great deal to do, the place offers an excellent buffet lunch.
|
Caribbean guide
Barbados Travel Guide
Barbados
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Money and costs
Getting around
Food and drink
Phones, post
Brief history
Best of Barbados
Information, maps
Festivals, holidays
Sports, outdoor activities
Tours
Explore Barbados
-
Bridgetown
Eating, nightlife
Listings
Central Bridgetown
National Heroes Square
Old City
Central
Barbados
Explore Central Barbados
Flower Forest
Francia
Gun Hill
Harrison's Cave
Welchman Hall
Gully
East Coast
Explore East Coast
Andromeda Botanical Gardens
Bathsheba
Codrington College
St. John's Parish
Garrison
Hackletons Cliff & Scotland
Barbados Museum and
Gallery of Art
Savannah, Garrison area
Barbados
Wildlife Reserve
Cherry Tree
Hill
Farley Hill Nat'l Park
Grenade Hall
Morgan
Lewis Sugar Mill
St Nicholas
Abbey
Bridgetown
North
Mount Gay Rum Factory
Tyrol Cot |
|
