Ghana Tastes: Day 50: Aburi Botanical Garden

Standing in front of the oldest surviving tree in the area; the 300 year old silk cotton tree.

Tim inside a hollowed out parasitic tree in Aburi Botanical Garden.

Aburi: You know, most people don't get too excited when they hear about a trip to a botanical garden. I mean, how interesting can some old plants be? But this garden built in 1895 by the British is tranquil and lush. The tall palm trees lining the main drive are majestic and there are so many trees and plants with interesting stories. My favorite parts of the tour with our guide Maxwell of course dealt with food. We got to understand how nutmeg needs both male and female trees to grow, saw a cinnamon tree, and a cocoa tree. There were several varieties of palm tree, and cotton tree that produces cotton Ghanaians use to stuff their mattresses and pillows with. Wedding parties and school groups were everywhere. There was a dead tree sculpture by the resident artist, parasitic trees that take over their hosts and kill them to leave an imminently climbable hollow shell, and a three hundred year old silk cotton tree. After the tour we purchased some souvenirs and had a pick nick lunch in the shade. It was a lovely, peaceful time.

The way to Aburi was equally beautiful with soaring scenic views of the surrounding mountains and of Accra, and quaint mountain towns built right along the road. After we left Aburi on our way to Akosombo, the roads began to deteriorate. Pretty soon we were wondering if the four wheel drive Isuzu two seater truck would hold up to the surface-of-the-moon-like conditions. When we finally arrived in Akosombo and found the Afrikiko Resort I initially thought we were in for a terrible experience. The long driveway down was only partially paved. By the time we reached the bottom it looked very rocky as if the dirt path had been washed out. We crossed some wooden planks that lay across a small creek. This crossing looked very dangerous, as if the boards would give way at any moment. But one thing Tim and I are learning is that nothing we expect of where paved roads and sidewalks lead, applies here in Ghana. You could be driving through the bush on a very rough rocky dirt road and come upon a place as lovely and splendid as this Afrikiko Resort. Landscaped gardens, brick and moss covered paths, plant covered trellises, shady hut structures, and a dining room that is built on a pier to afford you a magnificent view of the Volta River. The river, so tranquil that it looks like a lake, was ringed by lush green mountains, and palm trees. Young men in longboats forded the river all day, shuttling various people back and forth across the smooth as glass river. It was absolutely stunning.