Jardin de Balata 10 km. up the mountain north of Fort-de-France is a spectacular tropical botanical park teeming with indigenous flora that evokes Martinique's original designation as "Madinina" - the island of flowers. This extraordinary garden comes complete with 3 ponds, a view over a tall stand of palms to the sea, shaded paths through lush ferns and a profusion of orchids growing in unique tree stump planters. The grounds are over-flowing with tropical species including torch gingers, antheriums, begonias, parakeet flowers and hibiscus.