Grenada Spice Island

2022, Sep 18    

Grenada | Country 12 | 4 day |

My first time ever in the Caribbean with to St. Thomas, a US Virgin Island. Grenada was my second time ever to the region.

Unfortunately, I lost most of my photos from Grenada (same reason as Belize) due to a backup error. I hope that I can recall the trip as well as possible.

Some aspects of the Grenada trip that I find really unique:

• I barely missed Hurricane Ian. I was looking up the weather every few hours throughout the trip. Fortunately and unfortunately, Hurricane Ian missed Grenada and landed in Florida a few days later.
• Used to be a French then British colony
• Uses the East Caribbean Dollar currency shared between multiple island countries
• I love the Creole spoken there - my Airbnb host said to me “Do you want some chow?” and it took me a whole 20 seconds to figure it out.

I took a short trip yet again over a long weekend to the Carribean. I arrived in Grenada on a Sunday afternoon. I rented a car and was driving on the left hand side of the road.

I had a hard time finding the Airbnb, which is a backyard house with air conditioning. The host had the cutest chicken and dogs.

I was staying close to Grand Anse beach, and grabbed dinner there. I also bought my SIM card from a vendor - somehow I managed to offend her and I probably should have tried harder on figuring out how to activate the sim.

Around the island we go

The next morning, I drove around the island.

I visited the Annandale Waterfall, a really cozy spot tucked in between the green mountains.

The cutest dogs were in the entrance booth

I also visited Belmont Estate, a former plantation, which now has tours on the various produce the island is growing. I tried different colored chocolates and brought some back.

Gosh I really wish that I didn’t lose all these photos

I visited the River Sallée Boiling Springs, a relatively hidden mud bath place off the road. After walking down bushes and seeing leashed-up goats, I was greeted by the shops that offered mud massages.

These holes in the ground with mud supposedly have healing properties.

I drove back towards the east side of the island. The road conditions definitely gave me trouble.

I made my way to Grenville, the second largest town on the island. The town has two big one way streets and street vendors and shops were everywhere.

I had lunch at a Chinese restaurant called New Thriving. The owners thought that I was a Chinese international student studying at St. George’s University, and I learned that they immigrated a long time and now call Grenada home.

I made two stops: True Blue Beach, a beautiful beach with no one there and sadly garbage everywhere, and St. George’s University, the island’s university with resort vibes.

Spice Island

Grenada is known for the spices that it grow. I visited The Tower Estate, a farm and factory that produces jars of spice products. The tour was fantastic where I tasted all sorts of jams made from various fruits, especially the nutmeg.

I also stopped by the fort (Fort Frederick) along the way, where I could oversee the whole western side of the island. Hundreds of years ago, there were probably guards who watched for pirate ships 24 hours a day in these walls.

St George

The main town of St George was crowded. There were quite a few small malls and many many tourist traps along the docks. According to the locals, the cruise ships usually stop for a few hours during the summer travel season.

I walked for a few hours, as I parked far away, and visited a bunch of the local shops.

As my time was running low, I visited Grand Anse beach again, and spent time at Spiceland Mall, where the locals visit regularly.

I hope to be back to more Caribbean adventures throughout the next few decades!