A walk through a botanic garden (Mauritius)

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Last week I went to the Pmplemousses Botanic Garden in Mauritius. I have been to the park several times, but I have allways walked around by myself. This time I was here with my sister and her husband, as it was on her list of places she wanted to visit. It was the first time for them and we chose to take a one hour walk with a guide. That tured out to be a very good idea. He could not only tell about the history of the garden and how many species when it comes to plants and palmtrees. He took us on a walk that was also an experience for the sense of smell. He found leaves, bark, nuts etc. Then he either gave us a piece or broke the leaves so they released the smell: cinnamon, vanilla, anise, cloves etc.

After end of tour we spend most of our time at the White Lotus pond and the Giant Water Lily – the Victoria Amazonica. I really like those two and usually I spend most time here. This time also with a macro lens.

This park dates back to the period when Mauritius was under French rule and it was the French govenor who desided to set up a fench around the place where the main gate is. But it was first in 1767 that a Frenchman started the creation of the oldest Botanic Garden of the northern hemisphere. He was the one to introduce vegetables, fruits and spices.

In the park there are more then 80 species when it comes to palmtrees. Many are importet from different places around the world. The guide did point out many of the trees, explaining from which country the came from and which ones are used to make drums. There was even a «bleeding tree». It really did look like it is bleeding! We would never have found this tree withou the guide. This was definitly a different experience than my previous visits. Thanks to the guide.