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Diamond Botanical Gardens St Lucia |
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The
Diamond Botanical
Gardens are situated
close to the town of
Soufriere on the west
coast of St Lucia. The
gardens were laid out
and planting only began
in 1983; however, the
warm temperate climate
promotes fast growth and
you could be forgiven
for thinking that the
gardens are much older. |
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Diamond
Waterfall |
Heleconia
(Lobster Claw) |
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Located
in a sheltered gorge at
the foot of the Pitons,
the gardens feature a
fine waterfall and
mineral baths which are
fed directly from the
dormant volcano sulphur
springs and underground
hot springs. The mineral
baths have been on the
site since 1784 and it
was believed that the
waters had therapeutic
powers for those
suffering from
rheumatism, respiratory
complaints and ulcers.
King Louis XVI of France
was convinced and
allocated funds to build
a bath house with twelve
stone baths. |
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Also on
the site of the Diamond
Botanical Gardens is a
nature trail, old mill
and waterwheel. The mill
and waterwheel were
built in 1765 and used
to crush sugar cane.
After the collapse of
the sugar industry the
mill was utilised for
crushing limes to make
lime oil and later
provided electricity by
hydroelectric power for
the village of
Soufriere. |
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Etlinger elatior (Pink
Torch Ginger) |
Mineral
Waters |
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Passengers
on visiting
cruise ships can book a
day's shore excursion
(6 to 7 hours) which
will take in the
delights of the Diamond
Botanical Gardens, the
majestic
Pitons,
a visit to the Soufriere
Volcano (sulphur
springs), lunch in
Soufriere and a stop
at
Marigot Bay midway
on the
rainforest road
which runs down the
western side of St Lucia. |
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The Etlinger elatior is
one of the most
beautiful tropical
flowers. These "Pink
Torch Gingers" can reach
a height
of more than fifteen
feet and each flower
grows on it's own five
foot stalk which is set
off by deep green
foliage.
Travel, holiday, vacation and
cruise guide to the
Diamond Botanical
Gardens in St Lucia,
Caribbean
All text and images are Copyright
Paradise Islands
org 2009. |
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The Pitons |
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Castries |
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Rodney Bay |
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Drive-In Volcano |
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Marigot Bay |
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Rainforest |
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More Photos |
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