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Monte do Casal - Estoi
An Hotel surrounded by the first private Botanical Garden in the Algarve
 On September 30th 2006, Bill Hawkins, Managing Owner of Hotel Monte do Casal in Estoi, launched his new project for the “First Private Botanical Garden in the Algarve.” The development of the garden will continue over the coming years and the future plans are extensive. All visitors to the gardens are welcome and those choosing to stay at the Hotel would, of course, have the benefit of the garden throughout their stay.
 The Olive Lake below the hotel has been planted with marginal plants and various varieties of water lillies. Fifty various types of Koi have also recently been introduced to the lake. There is a five metre waterfall that you can sit under if you wish and which also, at the same time, oxygenates the water for the fish. This sundeck will make an excellent viewing point to watch the Koi and view the Bird Sanctuary at the lower Pine Lake.
 The Pine Lake has just been completed along with the four metre waterfall and the `The Sanctuary': this is a small building on the Pine Lake where it is ideal for someone to read a book quietly, meditate or bird watch. The Sanctuary also gives the fish shade in the heat of day and it is also ideal for couples who want to be on their own in a romantic setting, glass of wine in hand, watching the sun setting across the lake. One of the objects of the Pine Lake is to attract bird life and become a bird sanctuary for resident and migrating birds. Sr. Luis Moreno, bird life specialist for the Faro Airport and Ria  Formosa Nature reserve has kindly given his professional advice. The Pine lake will be stocked with Koi and Sturgeon amongst others. Dra. Luisa Damasio, a specialist on fresh water fish from the Algarve Regional Department, will work with Bill Hawkins to develop the range of fish in the lakes.
 Mary Wildner, from the Environmental Management course at the Loulé Higher Institute, has been advising the project on the environmental issues and on ways to utilise the natural resources for optimum effect. The lakes will be kept full by using the rain water gathered from the hotel roof and other water collection  points. Irrigation of the Botanical Garden can be supplemented from the lakes when required. The Lakes are approximately one thousand two hundred and fifty square metres in size.
Close to the border of the lakes there are to be further plantings of bog plants and marginals. Along the fence that borders the road, 65 or so different climbing plants were  planted in the spring of 2006 which will create spectacular colour as they flower during the course of the year.
In spring 2007, the planting of trees around the lakes will start. Flowering trees will be planted in certain locations, depending on the time of the year when they flower, to create colour in the gardens throughout the year. Engineer Joao Costa and Architect Margarida Costa from the Algarve Regional Department for Agriculture have given valuable advice and suggestions in this respect. There is to be a nature and  fitness trail through the Botanical Gardens. All plants, bushes and trees will be clearly identified giving information such as the method of propagation, flowering periods and other useful details. The Algarve has a superb climate, as we know, and this gives a wonderful opportunity to create a beautiful Botanical garden.
Apart from Bill Hawkins' personal interest in the development of the Botanical Garden and Bird Sanctuary, he hopes this initiative will help inland tourism in the area as well as being enjoyed  by the residents of the Algarve.
Following a suggestion by Dr José Apolinario, the President of the City of Faro, Bill Hawkins is pleased to be assisting in developing a visiting and practical Botanical training programme at Monte do Casal with Dra. Dulce Diogo, Chief Principal of the Junior High School in Estoi, because he feels that this will benefit the children from Estoi and the surrounding area.
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