It’s not often that I’d used the words “sinkhole” and “beautiful” in the same sentence. Having grown up in Florida, sinkholes are something I’d usually describe as frightening. They’re a subtractive force waiting to gobble up trees, cars, and even entire buildings at any given moment. This is one of the reasons why I found Hunte’s Gardens so impressive. Located in Barbados, the gardens have been constructed in the cavity left by a sinkhole.
As I entered the gardens, I forgot about the world outside. Just like a sinkhole can plunge structures into darkness, the garden draws you in and envelops you. The path into the garden begins at the top of the ravine. From here, you descend some steps and get to see how expansive the gardens really are. This part was surprising for me. I didn’t know much about the gardens prior to the visit (except that they’re expansive) and on Google Maps, the footprint of the gardens is small. I wondered how much could possibly be fit into such a small area.
Rest assured, in his planning of the space Anthony Hunte has taken advantage of every inch. He’s a renowned horticulturist and his garden is nothing short of a masterpiece. Much like a curator, he’s considered the views, the diversity of the display, and the overall experience. Take, for instance, the soothing classical music which does even more to immerse visitors in the garden’s beauty.
The paths twist and turn, winding through the gardens until you reach the bottom. Here, you can get panoramic views and crane your neck to take in all the dynamic, vivid hues of the many blooms. There’s a lot to take in. Colorful bromeliads at your feet. Coconut trees swaying up above. And tucked away are little seating areas where one can pause to savor the gardens.
After making rounds in the garden, we were invited to ascend the stairs once again and pass through part of Hunte’s home. We were welcomed to sit and enjoy the veranda which also had fantastic views of the gardens. (But then again, what part of the gardens isn’t fantastic?). On the day I visited, we were greeted by the gardener who assists Hunte in the upkeep of his vision. On some days, you may run into Anthony Hunte himself who is a gracious host.
Nevertheless, even without meeting him I could tell that Hunte was likely a welcoming soul. He has opened up his gardens and his home to visitors from all over the world, sharing this stunning, meditative space he’s created. To return back my likening of Hunte to a curator, museums are often thought of as places where one can feel safe, welcome and free to reflect. These descriptors can easily be applied to Hunte’s Gardens. Moreover, having the presence of mind to transform a gully into a vibrant garden is on par with the creative thinking expected of premier curators.
To drive this point home, when we finished our walk through the garden and passed through Hunte’s residence we also got to admire art objects and curios. There were sculptures and elegant pieces of pottery. Arranged in the entry area and sitting room of the house were colorful paintings that resulted in a beautifully choreographed buffer from outdoor to indoor space. Overall, the gardens capture a lot of the same principals that museums aim for when putting on exhibitions. And like many of my favorite exhibitions, Hunte’s Gardens was quite the show.