Castleton Botanic Gardens

Castleton Gardens is not just beautiful, it is magical. As a boy I spent summer holidays on its fringes and enjoyed the wonderful profusion of its exotic plants, the quiet walkways, the goldfish pond, the rushing Wag Water River just behind it and the cold Ginger River a little way off. There was a profusion of birds like the streamer tailed Doctor Bird, gold finches, orioles, and from the shadows, one could hear that mysterious bell-like thrush, the Hopping Dick.

On my trips to the Island, I still make nostalgic stops to recapture some of the images of happy summers. Sadly so much has changed. There are no more crowds of tourists from the cruise ships and their fast-talking guides, or hustling vendors hawking hand made souvenirs. The majestic century palm has bloomed and died; the swiftlets and the palm tree from which they darted in and out exist no more; the goldfish are long gone. On my last visit I saw no Doctor Birds, one lone Banana Quit and a black and white bird that I did no recognize. There were no familiar faces--just somnolent tranquility. The Wag Water rushes on.

Fifty years is a long time.

(5.0/5)

Jamaica is a helluva place (helluva dangerous too) but this garden quite quiet. Come here.

(2.0/5)