El Jardin Secreto (The Secret Garden)
The second garden behind Casa Gallo is affectionately known as "El Jardin Secreto." It is a bit of a surprise as you pass through the door on the second floor mirador and enter into a 2,300 square foot garden area. As you step down into a 10 foot by 45 foot roofed patio, a green lawn and fruit trees greet you. There are lime, orange, mango, aguacate, and guanabana trees. The entire garden is surround by a ten foot terracotta colored concrete wall, itself covered by a profusion of colors of bougainvillea plants, which reach to the top of the wall and beyond. Giant banana plants give a tropical coolness to the area that cannot be described; it must be felt. On the patio porch are a hammock, comfortable chairs and tables, providing a quiet and cool place to relax from the heat of the day, or to enjoy your first cup of coffee, or your glass of wine. As the sun sets beyond the western wall the birds flock to the giant tamarindo tree that dominates the southwest corner of the garden.
