Grenada Beaches and Waterfalls
Grenada is full of treats. Heady with aromatic spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, the coast is pretty picture postcard gorgeousness with pristine beaches whilst its mountainous interior is covered in rich lush rainforest and gives rise to lakes, rivers and falls.
Grenada Beaches
For the real taste of paradise, Grenada’s beaches have plenty of competition with about 45 around its coastline. Grand Anse is widely acknowledged to be the best, a 2 mile stretch of blindingly white sand and lapis lazuli waters that have a real wow factor. Even though Grand Anse is never crowded, Morne Rouge and Pink Gin Beach, amongst many, have a Robinson Crusoe, only footprints in the sand, quality whilst Levera Beach with its lagoon has the stunning view of Sugarloaf Island. Your only company here is likely to be a turtle rather than other humans.
For escaping the heat of Grenada’s beaches, there’s the crystal clear Caribbean Sea waters, but taking a trip inland to the waterfalls and rivers that cut their way through rainforest covered mountains is an exhilarating experience.
Grenada’s Waterfalls
Best avoided on days the leisure liners cruise into St. George’s, the jewel in the crown of Grenada’s waterfalls is Annandale Falls. With Mother Nature at her best, here 9 metres of foamy sparkling water cascades between rock faces littered with ferns and orchids into a beautiful plunge pool. Pushing a close second in the stunning stakes is Seven Sisters Falls reached via the beauteous scenery of Grand Etang National Park with the magnificent volcano and lake filled crater. For those who enjoy hiking, trails lead to the triple cascade of Concorde Falls, the highest falls at Mt. Carmel and but it’s a 3 mile trek to reach the Tufton Hall Waterfall. Reaching some of Grenada’s waterfalls is not for the fainthearted but they sure provide adventure.
Filed under Grenada | Tags: Beach, Caribbean, Grenada, Waterfall | Comment (0)Caribbean cruises in St. George’s
Grenada features on the intinerary of many cruise line operators and their stopping point is the capital St. George’s. Pulling into the fine natural harbour the view of the town as it slopes up the hillside has more of the look of Provencal French than typically Caribbean. Red tiled roofs sit atop white sugar cube houses that smack of old colonial times whilst there’s a distinctly British touch of iconic red telephone boxes.
St. George’s is full of attraction for the cruise ship passenger who wants to go it alone. Widely recognised as being one of the most picturesque Caribbean harbours, St. George’s is full of cobbled streets, colourful friendly locals and some great architecture and points of historical reference. The late 18th century Fort Frederick and the younger Fort Frederick hark back to the days Britain and France were fighting for control of the region whilst also providing terrific views of the town. Enjoy shopping in and around the market square and then take a relaxing sojourn in the gorgeous Bay Gardens.
A St. George’s cruise stop is also the chance to experience some of the delights of Grenada; touring old sugar plantations and working rum distilleries, enjoying the scenery of the interior rainforest, sightseeing at Etang Lake in its volcanic crater home and the famous Annandale Falls are all on the agenda, as well as, naturally the gorgeous beaches and a chance for a bit of reef and wreck snorkelling.
St. George’s Spicy Attractions
The menu card of organised tours available from cruise operators generally includes taking in a spice related experience. Known as the Island of Spice, Grenada produces nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and cocoa. Options include watching spices being prepared at Gouvaye’s processing stations or learning how cacao is turned into chocolate at the tiny Grenada Chocolate Company.
Filed under Grenada | Tags: Caribbean, Grenada, St. George’s | Comment (0)Grenada – The Caribbean Island of Spice
Known as the Island of Spice thanks to an abundance of nutmeg trees, Grenada is a beautiful Caribbean island of volcanic origin. It covers an area of 344 square miles, has a mountainous interior peppered with rivers and waterfalls and beautiful beaches. It’s the largest and the capital of the Grenadines and has a population of around 110,000.
The history of Grenada
History first makes note of Grenada in 1498 when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus. The island had already been named Camerhogue by Carib Indians who’d bloodily seized control from the existing Arawak inhabitants but Columbus conferred on it the name Concepcion. Later sailors however, preferred the name Grenada in homage to Andalucía. The Caribs fought off European occupation by Spain, France and Britain until they were finally all wiped out by the French in 1650 whereupon Concepcion became La Grenade. Fort Royal was established as the capital and for the next 90 years the French engaged in constant battle with Britain for possession of the island. The British finally prevailed and under the 1783 Treaty of Paris, France relinquished claim.
The name Le Grenade was abandoned, Grenada was born and it became a sugar producing island thanks to the imported African slaves. The first challenge to British rule was in 1795 when a black planter, Julian Fedon was inspired by the French Revolution. The slave rebellion was initially successful and they managed to gain control of Grenada, briefly but the rebels were eventually once again subjugated by the British. Slavery continued until abolition in 1834 and Britain continued to prosper from Grenada’s sugar and spices right up until the island gained independence in 1974.
Since Independence, Grenada has seen off a prolonged attempt by insurgents to establish a communist state which required American military assistance to re-establish democratic government.
Today, the Island’s Franco/English heritage is enjoyed by visitors from all over the world.