Sulpherous Cauldrons and a Walk in Paradise

They call it the "Drive-in Volcano! And, sure enough maxi-taxis and mini-busses line the lane leading into The Sulpher Springs. The scent of rotten eggs waft by on the breeze. We approach this volcanic interior of an old caldron. The steep remaining sides surrounding us. The earth has a yellow-white crust, could fry an egg. Pools of sluggish black mud boil and the sulpherous steam rises and drifts. It's fenced off now, after one of the guides went through the thin crust and into the boiling interior at one point.

Leaving this Dant'e image of Hell behind we enter through the gates of "Diamond Gardens and Waterfall". Bright busy hummingbirds have found their paradise in the huge tropical flowers and fruits along the neat, bamboo-edged paths. There is a little Japanese garden with pools and a tiny red bridge. But with a definite Caribbean flavor. The red-orange "Crab's Claws and deep red-hot-chili hanging flowers are spectacular. Our window sill potted plants are huge flowering bushes or air-plants. Palms and gigantic fans of bamboo cast a green light over this jungely botanical garden. The compost bins, huge, sturdy corrals are impressive. Signs explain how the coconuts husks, huge tropical leaves, donkey manure is used to create new topsoil. The rain forests have almost no layer of lome, the decaying debris going straigt up into the vines and leaves almost immediatly.

There is a water-wheel from the old sugar mill that's still running. And there's a waterfall. The sulpherous waterfall leaves a bright orange layer on the rock behind it. Then the waters go on into a mineral bath, three small pools. They are still in use today, having been built originally on order from French King Louis XVI! This estate, 2000 acres of land, was given by Louse XIV in 1713 to the two brothers Devaux and the descendants developed the run these gardens today.

A quick trip from hell to heaven. Nice direction to go. Then I spoke to sister, Jocelyn on the cell phone. Bad news from home. Dad broke his hip. The good news is that he's doing well at the hospital. And his choice of turkey/fish or fish/turkey reminds us of our Charlotteville, Tobago, dilemas.