April 2, 2025 - Grenada

Grenada is an island country in the Caribbean, known for its volcanic origins and numerous mountainous. It is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The island is oval-shaped, measuring approximately 34 km long and 19 km wide. Grenada’s coastline stretches 121 km, offering charming beaches and deepwater harbors.

The island features a ridge of mountains running north to south, with steeper slopes on the western side and a more gradual incline to the east and southeast.

Grenada is part of the Grenadine Islands chain, which consists of numerous islets. The southern Grenadines, including Carriacou and Petit Martinique, are dependencies of Grenada. The capital, St. George’s, is located on the southwestern coast and serves as the island’s main port, featuring a natural harbor. The population of Grenada is 120,000 with St. George’s having 34,000 residents.

Grenada’s history is similar to other islands we have visited. The island was originally inhabited by the Caribs, before European contact. Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 but did not land. The French were the first Europeans to settle there in 1650, but Britain and France fought over control of the island throughout the 18th century, with Britain ultimately prevailing. Slavery was abolished in 1833, and in 1885, Grenada became the capital of the British Windward Islands.

Grenada gained independence from Britain in 1974, becoming a sovereign nation. However, in 1979, the Marxist New Jewel Movement staged a coup, leading to political instability. In 1983, the United States invaded Grenada, overthrowing the government and restoring democratic rule. In 1986 Clint Eastwood made a movie about the invasion called Heartbreak Ridge.

Grenada’s culture is a vibrant mix of African, French, and Carib influences. The island is known for its music, dance, and storytelling traditions, which have been passed down through generations. Grenadians celebrate Carnival, a lively festival featuring calypso music, steel bands, and colorful costumes. The cuisine is diverse, with dishes like Oil Down, a hearty one-pot meal made with breadfruit, coconut milk, and salted meat.

Grenada’s economy is largely tourism-based, with visitors drawn to its beaches and spice plantations. The service sector dominates the economy, contributing around 69% of GDP, while agriculture accounts for 11%. The island is often called the "Spice Isle" due to its production of nutmeg and mace, and its lush tropical landscape is rich in natural resources like timber and tropical fruits. Other key exports include fish, bananas, cocoa, and citrus fruits. In 2004, Grenada’s nutmeg industry suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, impacting the island’s economy.

Docked next to us in St. George’s harbour was a boat named the Odessey.  It is a condominium on water, which travels around the world. The cost of a room is reasonable, but the fees could reach over $100,000 / year. This is not for us.

We took an excursion that stopped at a chocolate factory and then went to a waterfall deep in the mountains for a short swim.

Our guide was very informative, but he is a die in the wool Naturopath. In his opinion there is no aliment that can’t be cured with herbs and spices. I guess living on the spice islands does that some people.

Our stay at Jouvay Chocolate factory was educational. We got an up-close look at the various plants and trees that can be mixed with the coco beans. This included nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

At the waterfall, Marg was able to buy a nice collection of spices and herbs. We should be able to make some interesting meals in the future. Part of the show were 2 lads that would climb to the top of the waterfall and jump into the pool, doing cannonballs. It was good fun betting on who would die first.

The roads to these locations are equal to any thrill ride at any amusement park. The road can handle two vehicles but with very little wiggle room. The roads were topsy turvey and were never straight for more than a maximum of a quarter mile. It seems the driver was performing 90 degree turns every minute. During the ride we passed Lewis Hamilton childhood home. He is one of the top F1 drivers in the world and you can see where he got his training.

It seems that like the other islands, the houses are a combination of pastel colours. Our guide told us the housing prices and in comparison to Canada, they are dirt cheap. Unfortunately, there are a large number of dilapidated houses.