The resort's extensive grounds have been laid out with rambling paths, palms and shade trees. It is known for its spa facilities. The view is pleasantly green. Swimming pools and lagoons dot the landscape. Yet somehow there is little to uplift the senses. You could ask if I have been too long in luxurious surroundings and am now dulled to it all? But no, these gardens and general grounds, while pleasant, lack colour and life.
Waterlilies grow wild in this area but the resort has none. The vibrant bouganvillea grows prolifically in private gardens locally, but the resort has none.Tropical fruits grow well in the area but again, the resort has none.
When we come to a destination such as this there is an expectatation that we will come away refreshed and renewed, our senses uplifted, having experienced something of the glorious environment in which we are staying.
To really achieve all that a resort can provide it needs to provide more than just a green view. Visitors need a taste, a feeling of something of the exotic. We need to feel we are part of this wonderous landscape.
Any well designed healing sensory garden can provide that sense of recharge and uplift. We can have that truly uplifting resort feeling at home, in our care homes, our schools and even our social housing projects. It costs no more financially but gives so much more environmentally and socially, enhancing not only our physical and mental well being, but adding bio diversity to a land sorely in need.