Grenada Favorites

Annadale Falls

by ultipost

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Annadale Falls
by ultipost
Fish Friday in Gouave
by ultipost
Carnival in August
by ultipost
Favorites
by DAO
Favorites
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

A little history

by Dabs

The name of the island comes originally from the Spanish who named it after the Spanish city of Granada, under the French it became known as Grenade and then finally dubbed Grenada by the British. Throughout the 17th century, the indigenous Carib Indians battled with the French. In 1651 the remaining Carib Indians leaped to their death at the spot now known as Carib's Leap instead of surrendering to the French. The British then took control of the island in 1762, the French took it back in 1779 and then officially under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 it went back to the British at which time they brought in African slaves to work the plantations.Grenada became an independent of Britain in 1974.

Hurricane Ivan

by Dabs

Hurricane Ivan, a Category Four hurricane, hit Grenada in September 2004 damaging 90% of Grenada's buildings, 85% of its nutmeg trees and leaving more than half the population homeless. You can still see a bit of the lingering effects of the hurricane but the parts of Grenada we saw, including the capital city, looked to be largely rebuilt. I was a bit surprised to hear that China had undertaken several major projects in Grenada including the cricket stadium in St. George's, our guide, a skeptical and practical man, seemed to think that the Chinese would eventually trade in their charitable efforts for fishing rights for the tuna that comes out of the local waters. But after reading a few articles on it suggesting that the Chinese aid might have something to do with Grenada's former ties with Taiwan, I think there's more to the story.

Cruise information

by Dabs

One of the best places for information on what to do in various ports is Cruise Critic. The Cruise Critic Grenada forum board was very useful in planning shore excursions, whether the ones offered by the ship or independent, and there is also Grenada port information with hints on where to go, what to do, where the ships dock, where to eat and how to get around.To find out how many other cruise ships will be in town along with you, check Cruisett.com. The more ships in town, the more competition for independent guides and tours and the more crowded the main attractions will be.

Money matters

by Dabs

The local currency in Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. We didn't need to use an ATM but they do exist on the island in St. George's and other tourist areas. You can use US dollars to pay for tours, prices are quoted in USD. We also were able to use USD at a grocery store near the cruise port although we got change in local currency and also to buy spices from the vendors around the cruise port.I always like to bring small bills with me when we go to the Caribbean, that way you can hand the taxi drivers exact change, have money for tips for guides or buy things at the market without having to get change. If you are coming in by cruise ship, the passenger services desk can break larger bills for you.

Why I cho(o)se Grenada part 1

by ultipost

When I returned home from a business trip my youngest son said “What’s Daddy doing here” and that was my sign on the wall that my business life had overtaken my personal life. During a Sunday morning walk my wife urged that living in a heather shack would be better than having no time for the family. So I decided to give up my well paid executive life and started to research the ultimate destination. Main considerations where: a nice climate, safety, natural beauty and nice people. While I checked out the world my oldest daughter saw a feature on Grenada on Dutch TV and enthusiastically proposed it as a potential destiny. Checking out the globeI almost scientifically approached my mission to check out the ultimate place to live. I evaluated political stability, safety and [lack of] discrimination by talking to people that lived on my short list destinations. Grenada scored highest on all...

BLIND DRIVERS - AND PROUD OF IT

by DAO

Yes, the words “We drive by faith, not by sight” really are painted on the back of this large van on a very steep hill with a very narrow road. Some people say that drivers on Grenada can be a bit dangerous. This might explain it! I don’t actually know if it will reassure anyone that this is actually a Church Bus.

DRINKING A NICE COLD CARIB BEER

by DAO

Let me tell you, cruising can be hard and thirsty work. I had an enjoyable experience with my first Carib at the Sol City Sports Bar & Grill on their deck overlooking the cruise ship pier. I had some postcards to write, time to kill and I wanted an ice cold beer. Well, a Carib will satisfy any adult thirst and it was lovely and cold. After a few Caribs I was relaxed, had finished my postcards and strolled happily to the waiting ship. Find out more about this locally brewed nectar here:Enjoy Carib Beer!

THANK YOU AMERICA ! AND THE 82ND AIRBORNE

by DAO

A local man kept telling me how appreciative Grenadans were of American troops liberating their beautiful island from the wretched Cuban army in 1983. The Communists had decided to make the island a ‘Paradise’ and started by murdering the leading politician and his family. President Regan sent in American forces to oust the Communists and restore order. Many of the troops were from my native North Carolina – the 82nd Airborne. At least 19 soldiers died in Operation Urgent Fury and many more wounded. Today Grenada is a peaceful and democratic society. I salute the fallen.

La Source a hotel where you are pampered

by bianchis

Blue A day trip of the whole island. You see a bit of everything Blue As the wind caresses the trees and the sails drift by on smooth seas, I watch the evening go by with a sense of loss but gratitude to this wonderful island of my beloved West Indies. Years of roaming always bring me back to the people their simplicity, trust, smiling faces and the eyes of deep sorrow.

Useful website

by Rachael71

http://www.grenadaexplorer.com/This website was really useful to us before our trip. It contains lots of information about what's on on the island, details of places to visit, and links to local tour companies, so that we were able to think about what trips we wanted to take before we took our holiday.