Holidays in Grenada

Understanding Grenada

History

Christopher Columbus discovered Grenada in 1498 The island was already inhabited by the Carib Indians, who had migrated from the South American mainland, killing or enslaving the peaceful Arawaks who were already inhabitants there The Amerindians called their island Camerhogue, but Columbus renamed it Concepción However, passing Spanish sailors found its lush green hills so evocative of Andalusia that they rejected this name in favor of Granada

Over the centuries, although control of the island passed from France to Britain and briefly back to France again, the name endured with just the slightest of alterations, changing from "Granada" to "La Grenade" to "Grenada"

The French were the first to settle Grenada Legend holds that in 1652 the last of the defending Caribs rather than be ruled by the French, threw themselves into the sea from a spot that was christened Le Morne des Sauteurs, and is known today as Leapers' Hill and Carib's Leap

Exploited first for indigo hence the name of an area "True Blue", and later for sugar production, the island prospered and, like many others in the Caribbean, attracted the attention of the British Captured by Admiral George Rodney in 1762, near the end of the European Seven Years' War 1756-63, Grenada reverted to French rule from 1779 until 1783 when the island was restored to Britain by the Treaty of Versailles

The inhabitants' loyalties remained divided between the two European powers for many years, as illustrated by Fedon's Rebellion of 1795 In the course of this violent episode, a group of rebels under the command of the mulatto General Julien Fedon, and inspired by the rhetoric of the French Revolution wreaked havoc on the island and its British settlers in an unsuccessful attempt to reunite with France

From 1784 until its independence in 1974, Grenada remained a member of the British Empire, passing through various stages of colonial status and multiple associations with other regional states In 1967, Grenada became an "Associated State of Great Britain" within the British Commonwealth With this, the island nation gained control of its internal affairs, while the government of Britain continued to control external matters

Early in the twentieth century, it produced one of the region's outstanding leaders, T Albert Marryshow His Representative Government Association, which inspired similar movements in other Windward Islands states and in Trinidad, did much to encourage the liberalization of British rule in the Caribbean

It is ironic that the achievement in 1950 of universal adult suffrage, long a goal of Marryshow's, led directly to his displacement in Grenadian political life by a new figure, Eric Matthew Gairy Whereas Marryshow had been a man of the middle class, Gairy and his Grenada United Labour Party GULP appealed to the lower class, the peasantry Suddenly empowered by the vote, Gairy's supporters swept him to the leadership of the Legislative Council in 1951; he dominated the island's politics for almost three decades

The most successful electoral challenge to Gairy between 1951 and 1979 was posed by Herbert Blaize's Grenada National Party GNP in 1961, mainly on the issue of union with Trinidad and Tobago the "unitary state" proposal Again reflecting the Grenadian penchant for looking outward for support and viability, the GNP campaigned on a platform urging acceptance of the Trinidadian offer of union Although Blaize's party won the election, it subsequently lost a large measure of prestige and credibility when Trinidad failed to follow through on the proposal The GNP's fall from grace paved the way for the return of Gairy, who has never tired of the role of political savior of his country Complete independence was achieved in 1974, with significant opposition, under the leadership of the late Sir Eric Gairy -- a charismatic and controversial figure who had been in the public eye since the early 1950s

In 1979, after a Coup d'etat, an attempt was made to set up a socialist/communist state in Grenada Four years later, at the request of the Governor General, the United States, Jamaica, and the Eastern Caribbean States intervened militarily Launching their now famous "rescue mission", the allied forces restored order, and in December of 1984 a general election re-established democratic government

The last 23 years have been a peaceful, democratic and fruitful back to normal existence, which has included many new building structures and vastly improved infrastructure

Climate

Average temperatures range from 24°C/ 75°F to 30°C/ 87°F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds The lowest temperatures occur between January and April The driest season is between January and May Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day

• The Grenada Board of Tourism 2, PO Box 293, St George’s, Grenada Tel: 473 440-2279, fax: 473 440-6637, gbt@spiceislecom

Talking in Grenada

English is spoken throughout the country with a Grenadian accent that can sometimes be confused for a different language However, it is in fact English! French Patois used to be the dialect language spoken within Grenada, but it only remains within the older generations and in scattered pockets Most Grenadians only know a few words

What to see in Grenada

There is so much to see in Grenada historic forts, lakes, waterfalls, spice estates - some of them still operational today, spice gardens, floral gardens Grenada won its 7th Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London in 2009, rum distilleries with generous samples, plantation houses, Amerindian petroglyphs, etc

• Belmont Estate Located in St Patrick only an hour’s scenic drive from the island’s capital, St George Belmont Estate is a unique and authentic 17th century plantation that offers guests an opportunity to participate in and observe the workings of a fully functional historic plantation Belmont Estate has forged a strategic alliance with The Grenada Chocolate Company 4, to make the world's finest dark organic chocolate The Grenada Chocolate Company and Belmont Estate are members of the Grenada Organic Cocoa Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd, that grow organic cocoa to make the product The co-operative consists of about twelve farmers that have received organic certification through the German certifying company Ceres
• Grand Etang Nature Reserve is in the parish of St Andrew and is famous for its Crater lake
• Mt Qua Qua is a mountan within the Grand Etang Nature Reserve
• Mt St Catherine is with 840 metres 2756 feet the highest mountain in Grenada
• Concord Waterfalls are 3 Waterfalls located at Concord in St John
• Annandale Waterfall in the St George's district
• Mt Carmel Waterfall is the highest Waterfall in Grenada
• Seven Sister Waterfalls is a group of 7 Waterfalls close to the Grand Etang Nature Reserve in St Andrew
• Honeymoon Waterfall is secluded in the rain forest close to the Seven Sister Waterfalls
• River Antoine Rum Distillery is the oldest Rum Factory in the western hemisphere and still operating with a water wheel
• Clark's Court Distillery is in the St George district and is famous for a wide variety of rum products
• Dougladston Estate is the oldest Spice Plantation in Grenada - close to Gouyave in the parish of St John
• Gouyave Nutmeg Factory a "must do" in Grenada the "spice island"
• Carib's Leap a historic place in the north of the island where the last Carib Indians jumped from a high cliff
• Grand Anse Beach the most famous beach in Grenada and in the tourist belt
• Morne Rouge Bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Grenada - secluded and close to the Grand Anse area
• Levera Beach nice secluded Beach in the north of Grenada with view of the Grenadines
• Bathway Beach a famous black-sand beach in the north of Grenada with a nature pool
• Black Bay Beach secluded black beach on the west coast of Grenada close to the Concord Waterfalls
• Fort George above the main town of St George´s with a beautiful view of the town and the Carenage
• Fort Frederick high above the sea with oustanding views of St George´s, Grand Anse, Grand Etang and the southern part of the island
• Marketplace nice caribbean market with newly renovated spice market hall in St George's - great for spices and fresh fruits & vegetables
• Bay Gardens a tropical Garden with a rain forest style - located in the St Paul`s area of St George's
• '"St George's University'" The School of Medicine opened in 1976 and now offers a range of graduate programmes The True Blue campus features breathtaking panoramic views of the south of island and is ideal for sunset viewing

What to do in Grenada

• Gouyave Fish Friday Gouyave is regarded as the town that never sleeps It is a great evening out with a nice drive to this West Coast fishing village Don't be afraid to venture out It is perfectly safe and frequented by tourists and international students from the Medical School The food is fresh, inexpensive, and prepared before your eyes There is festive music, lots of kids milling about, and the night ends in a party at various night clubs One can have a great meal and a couple of beers for less than $10 US Lobster, shrimp, and fresh fish, right out of the water is prepared in various forms Dress casual with comfortable waking shoes and check out all the stalls and offerings before deciding on what to eat It is actually possible to take a bus to Gouyave from the tourist areas for about $2 US, but if you plan to hang late, there is no guarantee of getting back to town after 8 pm So taxi or "on demand" vehicle may be your best bet Some hotels and ground tour operators also offer tours that will take you to/and from Fish Friday Gouyave is full of "characters' who would do no more than entertain you No need to be alarmed if they are overly friendly You are not likely to be accosted by hustlers as the locals are very protective of guests who patronize their showpiece event

• Diving & Snorkeling The island has an abundance of marine sites both Grenada & Carriacou and the first Underwater Sculpture Park in the world The island is known as the Diving Capital of the Eastern Caribbean It has the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean - the Bianca C - a 600ft cruise ship which sunk in 1961, now lying in 167 feet of water There are more than 50 sites, including reefs, wrecks and walls most within 5-15 minutes boat ride from the dive shops

• River Tubing; Hiking; Mountain Biking; Sporting and family activities

• Get Married! Weddings are legal and you only need to be on island for 3 days including weekends; beautiful and unusual wedding sites beaches, waterfalls, forts

Buying stuff in Grenada

Nutmeg is Grenada's cash crop, so be sure to bring some home in some form - whole, jam, jelly, syrup, Nutmed medicinal ointment In addition, you can purchase nutmeg flavored ice cream, which has an unusual flavor that is difficult to find elsewhere Due to Hurricane Ivan in September of 2004, over 90% of Grenada's nutmeg crop was destroyed, but thankfully, you'll now see an abundance around the market, town, and tourist shops Other fine spices include mace, cinnamon, ginger cloves, vanilla, tumeric

To bring herbs/spices back to the US and several other countries, they need to be within properly sealed containers Most responsible sellers offer them packaged - check to be sure

Real vanilla is a steal in the markets, sometimes it can be found for as little as $1US for a 1/2 litre bottle The concentration of the fluid does vary, but in its pure form there is a noticeable and very pleasant difference from the vanilla extract that most North Americans are used to You might also look for dried vanilla beans in podan essential to a full range of kitchen herbs/spices

For liquor rum, see "Drink" below

The large cruise ship pier outside the main harbor offers a small, enclosed, "duty-free" mall It has several shops and food outlets offering both local items and those typically for cruise passengers Prices on local products may be at a slight premium to stores elsewhere on the island

Food and eating in Grenada

• Aquarium Restaurant & Bar 5 located at Point Salines and is famous for its Sunday BBQ - great location on the beach
• Bananas Restaurant is in True Blue and caters to every budget and taste Whether you are looking for a cheeseburger in paradise or steak and lobster you are sure to find it at this restaurant and bar; economically priced and packed with fun For the more adventuresome, stay and dance the night away in the state of the art club 6
• Coconut Beach Restaurant & Bar is located at the Grand Anse Beach
• Beach House Restaurant & Bar is located at Point Salines
• The Red Crab in Lance Aux Epines on the main road and has a fabulous menu
• The Spiceland Mall in Grand Anse has a food court that includes a local fruit smoothie stand, a Chinese restaurant and a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant
• Le Marquis Complex in Grand Anse with Nick´s Donut World, Carib Sushi and Le Boulangerie a pizza restaurant
• De La Grenade 7 manufacturer of nutmeg products including liqueur, syrup, pepper sauce, jams and jellies
• Grenada Chocolate Factory 8 produces organic dark chocolate with vintage machinery run by solar power You should be able to find the colorfully packaged bars in stores throughout the island and at the duty-free shop at the airport Tours of the factory itself are also very interesting
• Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Lounge Bar True Blue Bay Resort True Blue near SGU 473 443 8783 http://wwwtruebluebaycom 7AM to 11PM $$ Waterfront dining, popular lunch spot and a celebrated sunset and night-time hot spot Caribbean and Mexican food, daily happy hour 5PM

Seasonal live Caribbean music Tues, Fri, Sat Exotic tropical cocktails

Drinking in Grenada

Grenada is known for its rum distilleries The three largest companies are Clarke's Court, Westerhall and River Antoine All three offer educational tours that demonstrate the sugar production for rum They are all located on different parts of the island with only Clarke's Court and River Antoine being the true remaining distilleries Although Westerhall is not completely produced here, their special rum with the wax casing is probably the best rum on the island Clarke's Court makes both light and special dark rums which are also quite delicious Be forewarned about River Antoine It has a 75% alcohol content which you are not allowed to export They make a version with 69% for exporting At all the distilleries you can buy small bottles, and rum is sold in most grocery stores and rum shops

In many bars, take care with drinks made with "under the counter" ingredients, eg, highly-overproof rums for "locals" often used in "Pain Killers" They can overwhelm the most experienced drinkers

• Fruit juices are made from locally grown fruits such as mango, papaya, carambola five fingers fruit and various citrus fruits are readily available

"Pirate's Cove Restaurant and Jolly Roger Sports Bar"

Grand View Inn, Grand Anse - phone "4734442342/4984" 9 Open for "B-7 10, L- 11-2, D- 7 -9 Offering local fare at modest prices, to include banquets, catering, and parties Fresh, local ingredients emphasized, Offers an excellent view of the island

• La Boulangerie is an Italian restaurant located across the street from Spiceland Mall and serves delicious pizza and pasta dishes, as well as sandwiches and salads

Accommodation in Grenada

Greenland is expensive Nice hotels exist in all of the more visited areas Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk, Hotel Arctic - with its igloo rooms - and Hotel Hvide Falke in Ilulissat, but cheaper options exist Try for the Seaman's Home hotel in Maniitsoq, Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Sisimiut and Aasiaat Also check with the Nuuk Tourism office for its hostel program, where locals have rooms they will rent out for a third the price of the town's hotels They usually speak Danish and Greenlandic, along with very rudimentary English

Cities in Grenada