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Limbe Cameroon is
another of very interesting towns in the Cameroon countryside.
It is a typical agricultural town with a number of
rubber plantations and many other plantations dealing in
the different cash crops.
Likewise the town is filled with several agro-processing
industries thus attracting a host of job hunting youth
from all parts of the country. Limbe has boasts as the
petroleum capital of Cameroon with a refinery (Societe
nationale de rafinage; SONARA) located here. These and
many other industrial activities have led to the growth
of Limbe from being a small town like Bamenda to a more
important industrial town in south western Cameroon.
Attractions
- The towering
slopes of Mount Cameroonmake the
background of Limbe, while the sea coast is remarkable
for the cool weather, fishing and Cameroon
holidays. It is a very clean town with several
attractive beaches, a good climate and several
historical sites.
Formerly called Victoria from
the early British times of 1858, Lime boasts a long
history of both colonization and Christianity. This
small town before it came to be called Limbe was founded
by british missionary Alfred Saker in 1858 but later in
May 1886, it was handover to the Germans who at the time
ruled Cameroon as their colony.
The people of Cameroon in Limbe are welcoming and
friendly. The language used here includes French,
English and several indigenous languages such as Bakweri.
A popular tourist attraction of the town is the Limbe
Wildlife Centre and Limbe Botanical
garden with a diversity of fauna and flora
species as well as a jungle village at its centre; all
serving as major tourist attractions in the town.
The Limbe Wildlife Centre
(LWC), a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project
situated in the South West Region of Cameroon, was
started in 1993 by the Pandrillus Foundation, a
conservation NGO, and the Government of Cameroon.
Limbe wildlife centre is home to several species of
animals such as 15 Gorillas, 50 endangered vellerousus
chimpanzees, drills, madrills and Preus monkeys. You
will also find different species of birds and flora.
Other interesting sights in the town include the
Bismarck tower, the museum, the cement factory at Bota
and Limbe stadium among others.
Getting there.
Limbe is only 70 kilometers from Douala.
It is connected by train from Douala while the Limbe
Port is not only for commercial purpose but also
connects Cameroon to other west Africa countries. Limbe
Botanical Gardens in
Cameroon - the coastal
trail, which enables tourists to have a good view
of the western part of the garden ; - the biodiversity
trail, which enables the tourist to get a picture
of the biodiversity found in the garden
; - the Bota
adventure trail, where big trees and some wild
animals can be seen; - the riverside
trail, where trees and creepers more than 100 years
old etc. are found. ADDRESS: Limbe
Botanic Garden Kirstenbosch
and South Africa's National Botanical Garden Entebbe
Botanical Gardens, Uganda Green
Airports for
Africa? America
in Bloom The city of
Chicago and the Chicago Park District will host
this year's America In Bloom (AIB) Symposium and
Awards Program September 18-20 at the Hyatt
Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk. Known
internationally for its greening and beautification
efforts, Chicago was the grand winner of AIB's
largest population category last year. Judges
visited the communities this summer and the winners
will be announced at the awards banquet, which will
be the grand finale of this year's program in
Chicago. Nearly 40 communities are participating in
the second edition of AIB. Last year's winners are
participating in international In Bloom programs.
http://www.americainbloom.org/splash.asp CREATING
A MEMORIAL GARDEN A memorial garden
provides a long-lasting tribute to a loved one who
has passed away, as well as offers a place for the
survivors to remember and to heal. The garden can
be as small as a single tree or perennial plant or
as large as an oversized flower bed or garden with
many different flowers, ornamental grasses, and
even shrubs and trees, depending on available
space. When selecting
plants for a memorial garden, consider the favorite
flowers of the individual you are honoring. Did
that person love daisies or lilacs? Prefer peonies
or poppies? Did he or she have a favorite season
such as spring, making a bulb garden of daffodils,
tulips, and other spring bloomers the perfect
tribute? Or think about the
fragrances or colors that evoke fond memories.
Perhaps the scent of lavender or roses reminds you
of that person. Another possibility is to include
plants that have the same name as your friend or
loved one, such as black-eyed susan (rudbeckia),
veronica, or sweet William. If red was his or
her favorite color, consider planting a garden
consisting primarily of red hues with a single
accent color such as silver. For example, you could
plant a mixed bed of red impatiens, geraniums, and
verbena edged with silvery dusty miller, lamb's
ear, or one of the silver-leaved varieties of
artemisia. You also could
select plants that have specific meanings, such as
forget-me-nots (memories), rosemary (remembrance),
poppies (rest or eternal sleep), yellow tulips
(friendship), or pink carnations (I'll never forget
you). If the memorial is for a baby or young child,
plant daisies for innocence or white lilies for
purity. Or use varieties such as baby's breath
(gypsophila) or 'Sweet Dreams' coreopsis
rosea. Plant sweetheart
roses to remember a spouse. Or if your memorial
garden is a single tree, plant an oak for strength
or a yew for immortality. Just keep in mind that
these can get quite large and need adequate space
if they are to last and remain there over the
years. If commemorating a
war hero or veteran, plant a red, white, and blue
garden, including varieties such as red poppies and
daylilies, white phlox and peonies, and blue
Jacob's ladder (polemonium) and Siberian irises.
There are very few true blue flowers, so you may
need to substitute dark purple varieties, perhaps
some of the delphiniums or campanulas for
blue. Or choose plants
with inspirational names like the 'Patriot' hosta,
'Peace' rose, 'Freedom' alstroemeria, and 'Over in
Gloryland' Siberian iris. Other popular choices are
gentle shepherd daylily, remember me hosta, or
guardian angel hosta. When planting your
memorial garden, you will probably want to include
a mix of varieties, as well
as keep rules of proportion in mind--taller plants
in the back, smaller ones in the front, for
example. What makes it a memorial garden though is
that it's planted from the heart. Don't worry
whether your planting fits rules of design or will
be appreciated by others. Do what is most
meaningful for you. Include
appropriate statuary and hardware. If memorializing
someone who loved cats, why not include a small cat
statue? For a bird lover, add a birdbath to attract
backyard songbirds. If the person was known for a
great sense of humor, buy or make a garden whimsy
or two as a remembrance. Add a bench for
visitors to sit and reflect or a water feature,
such as a fountain or water garden, to create a
soothing, comforting environment. Or put in an
arbor or trellis, training honeysuckle, ivies, and
other climbing vines to cover the structure to
create a quiet, secluded spot for contemplation and
remembering. Where you locate
your garden will depend on where you have adequate
space and/or the type of plant--sun lovers or shade
lovers--you want to include. Or you could choose a
quiet, private spot or one with a favorite view
or Meaning to the
deceased. When choosing a
site, keep in mind that for a successful garden you
need to select the right plants to fit the soil,
sun, and other growing conditions. Full-sun plants
such as peonies will not do well in a shady spot.
Siberian irises don't mind wet feet while varieties
that need a well-drained soil will struggle to
survive in wet areas. If you live in an
apartment, or don't have a backyard, you can still
create a memorial. Tie a colorful ribbon around a
pot of rosemary and keep it by your desk. For a
deck or patio, fill a special container with a few
choice perennials that you can move indoors to over
winter when the weather turns cold. Or check with
your local town officials to see if you can have a
tree planted at a park or near a town landmark or
building in memory of your loved one. It doesn't matter
what you plant, where you locate the garden, or
what form, size, and shape it takes, what's most
important is that you create the garden that is
most meaningful to you. Involve your family and
friends, and let the planning, planting, and caring
for the garden be part of the healing process not
just for you, but also for others |
Great
Botanical Gardens of Africa
During
the ATA Eco Cultural Tour of Cameroon in West
Central Africa, we were captivated by the Limbe
Botanical Gardens, whose trees and shrubs contain
many of the health giving and curative products
known to mankind. Here is what Cameroon's Ministry
of Tourism has to say:. "Created in 1892 by German
horticulturists to acclimatize economic and
medicinal plants such as quinine, coffee, rubber,
cocoa and banana, the botanic garden in Limbe also
serves as a training center for Cameroonians in the
field of agriculture, horticulture and
forestry.
Today, it has become the greatest tourist
attraction in the South West Province after Mount
Cameroon. It is also an international research
center in the area of biodiversity. A tourist
attraction center known as
"jungle
village" has been developed in the garden. Here,
popular cultural activities take place during
certain events or simply for the pleasure of
tourists.” 
Great
gardens are potentially everywhere, which is why
"