My favorite places: Grenada | grenada, travel, scuba | DONNE TEMPO
My favorite places: Grenada
April/11/10 02:47 PM Filed in: grenada,
travel, scuba
by Lisa Ruth, Special to Donne's
World
If you are looking for a spectacular Caribbean destination off the usual tourist track but full of options and amenities, choose Grenada.
Grenada, the smallest of the Winward Islands, has an embarrassment of riches, both natural and human-enhanced. Its beaches are often ranked as one of the top 10 in the world, and its capital – St. Georges – is considered the prettiest city in the Caribbean with brightly-painted, clean buildings winding their way up a mountain. It has volcanoes and mountains and rain forests and reefs and forts and waterfalls and shops and mouth watering food.
Grenadians welcome visitors with genuine kindness, not the over-the-top cultivated enthusiasm of some more traditional Caribbean destinations, but with appreciation and interest. It is truly on “island time,” a slower, more relaxed pace, and while there is plenty to do, vacationers will leave with a sense of solace and peace.
Many
American’s associate the island with the 1983 US
invasion, but for people in Grenada, that was
only one blip on the radar. The country has lived
through volcanic eruptions, coups, invasions,
demagogues, hurricanes, and rebellions, and has
emerged smiling and beautiful.
One of the most amazing things about the island is the spices. From the time the airplane door unlatches to wheels up, the sultry, complex smell of spices engulfs visitors to Grenada. The seductive smell of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger is everywhere, and the taste of fresh, pure spice is divine. Most bittersweet moment: unpacking after a trip to Grenada and releasing the incredible smell from the suitcase.
The other stand-out feature of the island is its absolute pure beauty. The island is lush and green, with soaring mountains and pristine beaches. To protect the natural beauty in the face of growing tourism, Grenada has established national parks and protected areas, guaranteeing it will remain naturally beautiful.
If you go to Grenada, plan to be outside.
You
could go just for the beaches. Grand Anse Beach,
2-miles of blinding white sand nestled against
the clearest blue-green water, is consistently
ranked by travel magazines as one of the top ten
beaches in the world. It offers a plethora of
restaurants and shops, including dive and
snorkeling shops, vendors, and a lot of people
watching. For a less crowded option, try Morne
Rouge Beach, which is smaller and more secluded,
and the water is generally calmer. The island
offers several other, isolated beaches, but they
are only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Much
of Grenada is covered with lush, tropical rain
forest and woodlands, and there are trails and
destinations for people of all fitness levels.
Grand Etang National Park has several hiking
trail options. The easiest trek is a leisurely
walk around the flooded collapsed cone of a
volcano, now Grand Etang Lake, where you can see
tropical flora including wild orchids.
Adventurous hikers can hike to the top of Mount
Qua Qua, with a peak of 2,370 feet, where you can
enter a cloud forest and emerge to see
spectacular views of the island.
Two other difficult but worth it hikes are The Concord Falls trail and the path to Fedon’s Camp. The Concord Falls Trail leads to, not surprisingly, Concord Falls, three waterfalls. At the lower falls, there is a large swimming area, restrooms, and refreshments. The second falls are approximately 20 minutes further.
Because of the additional distance, they are generally uninhabited. The vegetation is thicker and allowed to grow untrimmed, and the swimming area is much quieter. The third set of falls, approximately two hours from the second set of falls, and is rarely visited. The Fedon Camp Trail is cut-back but difficult, but leads hikers into the unmolested center of Grenada’s rain forest.
As
if all that wasn’t enough, you can scuba dive,
snorkel, and bird watch to your hearts content.
Bird species in Grenada include the
green-throated carib, the yellow-billed cuckoo,
the brown-crested flycatcher, Caribbean coot,
green-backed and little blue heron, and the
northern jacuna.
Two additional – although far from final – attractions are Fort George and the Sugar Factory Ltd. Fort George was built in 1705 and sits on a cliff on the mountain overlooking the harbor. Guests can climb through tunnels, over walls and cannons to explore the historic fort. The Sugar Factory, built in 1937, produces sugar, fancy molasses, rum, and spirits.
Food in Grenada represents its varied population and generally incorporates its fresh spices. Local food is often West Indian with a French flavor, and everything is good. An outstanding choice, Cicely’s, serves Grenadian fare directly on the sandy beach at Prickly Bay. Canboulay also serves local food and is on Morne Rouge, overlooking the city of St. George’s.
Our favorite bar is Boatyard Bar in Prickly Bay and offers both local food and local bands. Regardless of your restaurant choice, have the nutmeg ice cream. A true treat when made with fresh nutmeg.
All the attractions make Grenada a wonderful destination, but it is the beauty – and the spice – that makes it spectacular.
If you are looking for a spectacular Caribbean destination off the usual tourist track but full of options and amenities, choose Grenada.
Grenada, the smallest of the Winward Islands, has an embarrassment of riches, both natural and human-enhanced. Its beaches are often ranked as one of the top 10 in the world, and its capital – St. Georges – is considered the prettiest city in the Caribbean with brightly-painted, clean buildings winding their way up a mountain. It has volcanoes and mountains and rain forests and reefs and forts and waterfalls and shops and mouth watering food.
Grenadians welcome visitors with genuine kindness, not the over-the-top cultivated enthusiasm of some more traditional Caribbean destinations, but with appreciation and interest. It is truly on “island time,” a slower, more relaxed pace, and while there is plenty to do, vacationers will leave with a sense of solace and peace.
One of the most amazing things about the island is the spices. From the time the airplane door unlatches to wheels up, the sultry, complex smell of spices engulfs visitors to Grenada. The seductive smell of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger is everywhere, and the taste of fresh, pure spice is divine. Most bittersweet moment: unpacking after a trip to Grenada and releasing the incredible smell from the suitcase.
The other stand-out feature of the island is its absolute pure beauty. The island is lush and green, with soaring mountains and pristine beaches. To protect the natural beauty in the face of growing tourism, Grenada has established national parks and protected areas, guaranteeing it will remain naturally beautiful.
If you go to Grenada, plan to be outside.
Two other difficult but worth it hikes are The Concord Falls trail and the path to Fedon’s Camp. The Concord Falls Trail leads to, not surprisingly, Concord Falls, three waterfalls. At the lower falls, there is a large swimming area, restrooms, and refreshments. The second falls are approximately 20 minutes further.
Because of the additional distance, they are generally uninhabited. The vegetation is thicker and allowed to grow untrimmed, and the swimming area is much quieter. The third set of falls, approximately two hours from the second set of falls, and is rarely visited. The Fedon Camp Trail is cut-back but difficult, but leads hikers into the unmolested center of Grenada’s rain forest.
Two additional – although far from final – attractions are Fort George and the Sugar Factory Ltd. Fort George was built in 1705 and sits on a cliff on the mountain overlooking the harbor. Guests can climb through tunnels, over walls and cannons to explore the historic fort. The Sugar Factory, built in 1937, produces sugar, fancy molasses, rum, and spirits.
Food in Grenada represents its varied population and generally incorporates its fresh spices. Local food is often West Indian with a French flavor, and everything is good. An outstanding choice, Cicely’s, serves Grenadian fare directly on the sandy beach at Prickly Bay. Canboulay also serves local food and is on Morne Rouge, overlooking the city of St. George’s.
Our favorite bar is Boatyard Bar in Prickly Bay and offers both local food and local bands. Regardless of your restaurant choice, have the nutmeg ice cream. A true treat when made with fresh nutmeg.
All the attractions make Grenada a wonderful destination, but it is the beauty – and the spice – that makes it spectacular.