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Grenada, The Isle of Spice |
Rich in rainforests, waterfalls and beaches |
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Island of GrenadaThe lushness of Grenada reminded early Spanish sailors of their beloved green hillsides above their home port, so they named it Granada. However, the French and British later corrupted the name to a different spelling and pronunciation which has caused endless confusion ever since. The Spanish city of Granada is called "Grah-NAH-dah," while the deep Caribbean island of Grenada is known as "Greh-NAY-dah." Located 158 miles southwest of Barbados and 100 miles north of Venezuela, Grenada is only 12 miles wide and 21 miles long, yet its mountainous interior provides some of the Caribbean's most scenic--as well as most accessible--hiking. I rank the Mt. Qua Qua hike as one of the Caribbean's best. (See Grenada Things To Do) Grenada began protecting its natural resources well before the concept of eco-tourism was invented, so the landscape is wonderfully unspoiled. Also called the spice basket of the Caribbean, Grenada produces 12 different spices, including cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and mace. Early sailors claimed they could smell their sweet fragrance as much as 20 miles out at sea. Grenada's most important spice is nutmeg, and touring the nutmeg estates and production facilities are a must do day trip. It's said that nutmeg was introduced to the island in 1843 as a surprise addition to the rum punch at a local bash. Since then, no one in Grenada would consider drinking rum punch without it. The main port city of St. George's, a horseshoe-shaped harbor known as the Carenage, is very photogenic. Its market is incredibly lively and colorful, one of the best open-air markets in the Caribbean, with mounds of papayas, yams, oranges, bananas, plantains, exotic roots and vegetables piled atop display tables. (See Map of St. George's) Grenada's high mountains receive more than 160 inches of rain a year, creating a verdant forest with 450 species of flowering plants, and 85 different types of trees. Most of the island's 150 types of birds, especially the rufous-breasted hummingbird, live in the island's main sanctuary, the Grand Etang National Park. Grand Etang also offers an extensive system of hiking trails, among the Caribbean's most scenic. The wreck of
the Bianca-C is Grenada's most famous dive. More than most,
Grenada's diving is impacted
by runoff. Detailed
Background Facts & Map Grenada
Arrival Briefing Getting
Married in Grenada MAJOR ATTRACTIONS St.
George's Walking Tour Annandale
Falls Carib's
Leap/Leaper's Hill Concord
Falls Fisherman's
Birthday Celebration Grand
Etang National Park Hikes
of Grand Etang National Park La
Sagesse Lake
Antoine National Landmark Levera
National Park/Bathway Beach
Marquis
River Waterfall Mt.
Rich Amerindian Remains River
Salee & Boiling Springs Scuba
Diving Seven
Sisters Falls
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