Bali Botanic Gardens
When going to the Bali Botanic Gardens (it is 2km uphill walk from the hotel) I was lucky to get a lift from a Dutch couple staying at the hotel who were passing the gardens. Pouring with rain when I arrived but it cleared and I enjoyed it. Although it is a large places (157 hectres) much of it is given over to convention hall, hotel, meeting spaces, offices and labs. I found four areas of interest : orchid park, cactus glass house, fern garden and the begonia house. The two which I found of most interest were the begonia house and the fern garden. I cannot say that there are any flowers that I dislike, but before this visit would probably have put begonias is the 'so what?' category. I guess I was missing the point because this collection is stunning. It is the incredible variety of leaves (assymetiral according to the signs) which fascinated me. There were a few plants in flower and some looked as delicate as orchids. It was pouring with rain outside so I had two leisurely circuits around the glass house. Imagine my surprise when I stepped outside and the rain had stopped and the sun was out. The pouring rain I was hearing in the geenhouse came from the waterfall feature. Its sounds were echoing all around the place. Good thing I got to a door and looked out .. I might have been there for hours.
The Fern Garden is large with a .5 km trail winding up and down back into the recesses of the garden. I was the only person there. It is built against a hillside of natural jungle and has that characteristic which I have found in the best botanic gardens.. it is not always easy to see where cultivation stops and nature takes over. The ferns are in huge tree form, some familiar looking smaller ones and some very small ones growing in the waterways along the path. The path required a lot of attention. It was well laid out - stone on a concrete base and drainage was good but moss was growing on it which could be very slippery. No slides or falls; I have become super cautious.
The orchid collection was odd because quite an elaborate structure was built for it but it is not for the generalist. Several times the notices explain that the collection is devoted to wild orchids which appear unattractive to most people but are important for conservation and research purposes. The cactus collection was very much like ones I have seen elsewhere. On balance, this is a beautifully maintained garden and well worth a visit. But be prepared for the recreation activity (including a few people who could not have their picnic without rock music),
The Fern Garden is large with a .5 km trail winding up and down back into the recesses of the garden. I was the only person there. It is built against a hillside of natural jungle and has that characteristic which I have found in the best botanic gardens.. it is not always easy to see where cultivation stops and nature takes over. The ferns are in huge tree form, some familiar looking smaller ones and some very small ones growing in the waterways along the path. The path required a lot of attention. It was well laid out - stone on a concrete base and drainage was good but moss was growing on it which could be very slippery. No slides or falls; I have become super cautious.
The orchid collection was odd because quite an elaborate structure was built for it but it is not for the generalist. Several times the notices explain that the collection is devoted to wild orchids which appear unattractive to most people but are important for conservation and research purposes. The cactus collection was very much like ones I have seen elsewhere. On balance, this is a beautifully maintained garden and well worth a visit. But be prepared for the recreation activity (including a few people who could not have their picnic without rock music),
Photo Gallery
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