Posts tagged botanical garden
Big Island, Hawai'i (Day Three): Polulu Valley, Rainbow Falls, & Kaumana Caves
Big Island, Hawai'i (Day Three): Polulu Valley, Rainbow Falls, & Kaumana Caves

The Kohala Volcano is the oldest of the volcanoes that make up the Big Island, and when part of this volcano slid into the ocean hundreds of thousands of years ago, it formed the sea cliffs along the Kohala Coast. Erosion has formed seven valleys along this coastline, including Pololū Valley, the most northern valley, then Honokāne Nui, Honokāne Iki, Honokeʻa, Honopue, Waimanu Valley, and Waipi’o Valley. Waipi’o Valley is the most famous, perhaps because of its daring grade or the breathtaking views through the cliffs and back into the valley. We faced Waipi’o last time we visited the Big Island (read about that hike here), but it has actually since been closed to non-locals. Since we loved Waipi’o so much, we decided to do another of the Kohala Coast hikes and settled on Pololū Valley, which is a short but steep hike down to a black sand beach.

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Hiking, TravelHannah Schultzhike, hiking, big island, hawaii, polulu valley, rainbow falls, waterfall, kaumana caves, state park, lava tube, Tex drive-in, malasadas, botanical garden, university of Hawaii, freeComment
Amsterdam, Netherlands (Day Four): Hortus Botanicus, Oude Kerk, & a Day-Trip to Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam, Netherlands (Day Four): Hortus Botanicus, Oude Kerk, & a Day-Trip to Zaanse Schans

We heard about the Hortus Botanicus from our Festival of Lights tour guide, and it didn’t take much convincing for me to add this to the itinerary. The Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, established in 1638 by the Amsterdam city council (the Oxford Botanic Garden is one of the few older ones; check out my last visit to it in 2017). Like many European botanic gardens, its collections were initially amassed through imperial pursuits—in this case, largely by the Dutch East India Company. Much of its initial collection served either a medicinal or commercial purpose.

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TravelHannah Schultzamsterdam, netherlands, hortus botanicus, oude kerk, zaanse schans, botanical garden, christmas, cheese, dutch wooden clogs, travel with me, International travelComment
Travel With Me: São Miguel, The Azores (Day One)
Travel With Me: São Miguel, The Azores (Day One)

After our overnight flight to PDL, we decided our first stop would be to see some nature before checking into the B&B. The Jardim Botânico António Borges was founded in 1861 by a wealthy citizen of Ponta Delgada, and it is now a free public park. There are tree species from across the globe, caves, and a viewpoint that you can access at the top of a restored cistern. This introduction to the island did remind me of Hawai’i, as that was the only other place I’ve ever seen Moreton Bay fig trees like the one pictured above.

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TravelHannah Schultztravel with me, International travel, azores, islands, portugal, sao miguel, ponta delgada, botanical garden, Jardim Botânico António Borges, Pópulo beach, Forte De S. Caetano, Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Vista Do Rei, Boca do InfernoComment
Big Island, Hawai’i (Day Two): Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden & Snorkeling in Hilo
Big Island, Hawai’i (Day Two): Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden & Snorkeling in Hilo

Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden is tucked away at the end of a scenic drive outside Hilo. The botanical garden was created somewhat accidentally when a couple vacationing in Hawai’i decided to retire and move to the Big Island. Dan Lutkenhouse Sr. and his wife Pauline purchased 17 acres in the late 70s and fell in love with the natural beauty of Onomea Valley. To preserve this land, they established the garden, carving the trails out of jungle overgrown with invasive species and undergrowth. The Lutkenhouses collected and planted over 2,500 tropical and subtropical plants, both native to Hawai’i and species from around the globe, including some brought back from their own personal trips. The garden is now run by their children, who wish to use the space to create a larger hub for sustainability education and climate change.

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TravelHannah Schultzhawaii, big island, hilo, Hawaii tropical bioreserve & garden, botanical garden, Onomea Valley, Carlsmith beach park, snorkel, green sea turtle, richardson ocean park, green sand beach, black sand beachComment
A Reflective Walk in the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother (Portland, Oregon)
A Reflective Walk in the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother (Portland, Oregon)

In 1924, three thousand people gathered for the first mass and dedication of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. At the blessing, Archbishop Alexander Christie offered this prayer: “Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.”

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Hiking, TravelHannah Schultzportland, oregon, national sanctuary of our sorrowful mother, grotto, servite order, monastery, botanical garden, catholic, mass, cave, shrine, pilgrimmage Comment