I Visited a Botanical Garden in Tortola

Back in early March, I went on a cruise with my massage therapist. Some time last year she said "I could really use a trip to Mexico or something" and so I said to her "My friend is a travel agent and told me about this great deal he has on a cruise coming up...want to come with me?". And off we went on an adventure sorted by my friend Terry the Travel Guy that started in Puerto Rico, stopped in Aruba, Curacao, and the British Virgin Islands.

Terry took care of booking the cruise, arranging our room and all of the details that I don't want to deal with. I didn't have to worry about when to put down a deposit, or when to pay a remainder - all done for me! Thank you Terry!

Now - let's get to the fun part - the botanical garden! We weren't too sure what to do in Tortola, and we were all excursion-ed out. (And my original plans had fallen through since we docked there on a Sunday) My friend told me she had found a botanical garden that was in walking distance of the port! We put on some walking shoes and made our way over there. I was not sure what to expect, but I did see online that they had some tortoises on the grounds, and in some images people were holding them.

When we arrived we paid our admission, and my friend immediately asked if we could pick up the tortoises. They were in a small enclosure area to the left. We were told yes, we could pick them up. We started the gardens with the tortoises, they mistook my bright nails as food and took a little nibble. I only picked up the baby because I was too scared of the big ones! (Picture below!) When we were done in the park, the lady minding the gates even showed us some eggs the tortoises had laid.

They had roosters roaming the gardens, and lots of familiar, as well as unfamiliar flowers. I took pictures of most things, ensuring to get pictures with the things that impressed me most. Notably, the aloe that was almost my height (I am 5' 9"), the hanging heliconia in PERFECT condition, beautiful red hibiscus (I have a tattoo with a hibiscus flower), a section for just bromeliads, and some ginger taller than some of the trees!

Of course, there were many many more things in the garden - a beautiful fountain, archways covered in sprawling plants, palm bushes, and many flowers that I don't dare try to identify. But I took pictures of everything. Enjoy the gallery below!