Heaven Scent

The sweet and alluring odour of Ylang Ylang ( Cananga odorata ) wafts through the humid air. A very inconspicuous yellow flower dangling in clusters high in the leafy branches. It is a scent that has to be experienced to describe. But it comes with good pedigree as its a base note for the famous Chanel No.5 perfume. Im not about to describe the scent but I had to laugh at Wikipedias description " rich and deep with notes of rubber and custard, and bright with hints of jasmine and neroli " Rubber and custard it is not...........Where im staying the past matriarch of the family always had blossoms in her clothes drawer. I have taken 2 blossoms into my room and the intensity of the scent increased as it dried, very interesting.

From tiny "acorns" grow mighty Mahogany

Throughout the Diamond Botanical Garden and Soufriere Estate are towering Honduran Mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla) planted by the present owners father decades ago. The estate house where I stay has many fine pieces of furniture and cabinetry made by her father. The pods that fall from 100 plus feet crash to the ground and shatter open spreading maple key like seed. You do not want to be under these trees when pods fall. Sections of the garden have to be closed off during leaf drop and "pod season". This picture is of a seedling I found while weeding.