For many years, Grenada has been known…
The Island Blog
- August 31th 2011
From the moment we landed in Grenada, we knew that this little Caribbean Island was something special. Never had we imagined that we would be greeted at the airport with the sweet sound of live steel pan music, rum punch and little clay pots filled with coconut drops and tamarind balls. It was our second time there and we knew that it was a great decision. When we return next year, there are five things that we must do all over again.
1. Sailing to the Grenadines
It wasn’t long before we realized that Grenada was truly the gateway to the Grenadines. We used Horizon Yacht Charters for our 5 day sailing trip that took us to islands such as Canoun, Bequia, Mustique and Carriacou. It was nothing short of amazing. With our complimentary bottle of Westerhall Rum in hand and the cool breeze caressing our faces, we stood captivated by pristine lands and majestic views of the islands.
2. Experience the Spice Mas Festival
We have seen many Carnivals around the world but Grenada’s Spice Mas Festival is the best we’ve ever experienced. The highlight for us was the early morning J’ouvert. If you have never seen a ‘Jab Jab’ then you are surely missing out. These revelers come out at around 5am covered with shiny black paint while sporting red lips and horned helmets. What amazed us most is how well these Jabs maintained an orderly line while chipping to the music. It was truly something to behold.
3. Dive the Titanic of the Caribbean
Being huge dive enthusiasts, we just had to see the Bianca C Ship “Titanic of the Caribbean.” It is the largest underwater ship wreck we have ever seen. We could hardly contain our excitement when we realized that we could dive into the upper deck pools of the ship. What was even more thrilling was the story behind it all. It was no wonder this wreck was considered one of the ‘Top Ten Wreck Sites in the World.’
4. Explore the Natural Beauty
When it comes to the natural beauty of a destination, Grenada really has it all! In one day, we discovered seven waterfalls on a single trail, estates dating back to as many as 300 years, beaches with rich black sand and two enormous crater lakes. We could not believe that Grenada had the world’s first West Indian Cricket Museum or a total of 45 white sandy beaches. It was such a tiny island with so much to offer.
5. Sample the Authentic Creole Cuisine
Coming from strong culinary backgrounds, my wife and I are always excited to try new dishes! It was our first time with Grenadian cuisine and just as we thought, it was absolutely delicious. We still don’t know if it was the herbs and spices used or the way that the locals cooked the food, but the taste was remarkable. Our favorite restaurant was the Belmont Estate! The burst of flavors from the papaya salad and coconut ice cream became a household topic. The buffet displayed on live coal pots and the exotic cocktails were an absolute feast for our eyes.
We were never so intrigued during any vacation. We were never so eager to return to any destination but the Spice Islands of the Caribbean gave us an amazing experience; an experience that is worth repeating.
