JAMAICA: Hope Botanical Gardens

Description

History:
The Royal Botanical Gardens, commonly called "Hope Gardens", occupies 200 acres of land in the Ligunaea Plains of urban St Andrew. The gardens were established in 1873 on a section of land from the estate of Major Richard Hope, one of the original English colonisers who arrived with the invading force of Penn and Venables. Today the gardens are the largest public green space in the Kingston metropolitan region, and are home to Jamaica's most popular collection of endemic and exotic botanical collections. Of particular interest is the Cassia siamea grove by the main entrance, which was planted in 1907, and the other mini-gardens within the park - notably the cacti garden, with its rare varietals; the bougainvillea walk with its magnificent explosions of tropical colours; the annual gardens, with numerous species of exotic flowers; the sunken gardens and the lily pond.

Local Flavor:
Most of the plants and trees, particularly the mango and various spice species found here and in the gardens at Bath, originally came from a captured French ship on its way from Mauritius to Hispaniola in 1782. It is still highly unclear as to where exactly the plants went, but we do know that the Receiver General, one Mr Hinton East, owned and operated a garden near to the gardens at Hope. Since all cargo entering the country had to pass through his hands and be cleared by his office, it is not surprising that years after the fact, the whole collection was deposited in Mr East's garden which later was transplanted to the Hope Estate.

Famous For:
There are many rare and beautiful species of tropical plants and trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, including the Hibiscus elatus (blue mahoe), the national tree of Jamaica. Blue mahoe is a small spreading tree with flowers that open in primrose colour in the morning and change to orange and deep red as the day advances.

Don't Miss:
The Amphitheatre, where the Honourable "Miss Lou" Louise Bennett-Coverly, a famous Jamaican folklorist, poet and storyteller, used to hold Saturday morning tapings of her famous TV show, Ring Ding. She occasionally hosts band concerts by the Jamaica Military Band and poetry readings.

Contact Details

Tel: 876-970-3505
Email: hopegardensevents@gmail.com
Website: http://https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-Gardens-Zoo-Kingston-Jamaica/112145902134684

JAMAICA: Jamaica To Start Cruise Ship Routes To Cuba

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said he has been holding discussions to develop new cruise ship routes between Cuba and Kingston.

Bartlett told the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) council meeting on Tuesday that he was not worried that the opening up of Cuba would affect Jamaica's tourism.

"For me its an opportunity that can broaden market size," he said.

He said that the cruise shipping infrastructure in Kingston will have to be developed to lure tourists to the city.

The Government plans on setting up the Norman Manley International Airport in a way that would give confluence for cruise, sea and air activity, the minister added.

Meanwhile, Barlett told the councillors that Hope Zoo and Hope Gardens in the municipality are to be developed as major tourist attractions.