Jardin de Balata

Our guidebook said, “If a visitor was only going to make one day trip, this should be it.”

The guidebook was referring to the Jardin de Balata, a private botanical garden located 6 miles northeast of Fort de France, Martinique.

After paying the admission fee (16 Euros), you are free to roam the 6.5 acre garden.

It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk the prescribed route on the well maintained paths.

Horticulturist Jean-Philippe Thoze began the garden in 1982.

It was opened to the public in 1986.

The park is situated on former farmland with views of the Pitons du Carbet.

The park contains about 3,000 varieties of tropical plants from around the world.

The different varieties were labeled in both Latin and French.

Sorry, no English, but we did occasionally recognized a plant name.

Royal Palm Tree

The collection includes about 300 types of palm trees.

Many were quite unusual.

This palm tree grew large seed pods.

Then blew the seeds all over the manicured grounds.

Also enjoying the park were several different species of birds.  Most like the humming birds near the parks entry were too fast to photograph.

Other creatures did not mind posing.

Some creatures were caught doing what they do best.

For the more adventurous, there was a suspension bridge walkway.

It provided spectacular views of the park.

Even though the signs were in French, it is apparent you are not to bounces the suspension bridge and scare your husband, Pollie.

I am sure this damn thing is not OSHA approved.

More pictures:

Bamboo Stand

The guidebook was correct.