Poor Grenada … allegedly named by Columbus after Granada, but he couldn’t be bothered and sailed on. Then the French invaded, then we decided we fancied it and booted out the French. Later they took it back, so we put on our big pants, took it back and kept it for over 200 years.
Much later, in 1983, Ronald invaded (that’s Reagan, not MacDonald although I suppose there are some parallels) much to the chagrin of Britain (by this time it was independent but part of our commonwealth.) The US claimed it was to protect their citizens, I remember it wasn’t quite that clear cut.
Nowadays it’s all calm on the southernmost Windward island and truly a paradise nation.
We’re only here because two other islands have become closed to ships. And here the same rules as Barbados apply - ship’s tour or approved taxi to an approved destination. As it’s been 14 years since we were here with John and Sheila we decide we can cope with a ship’s tour, and choose the rainforest option.
So pleased we did this! As it’s rainforest nearly everywhere it’s no surprise we’re heading to a waterfall, gorgeous and wet. We drive next to a spice farm and finish at the lake in a volcanic crater.
The topography of Grenada is wonderful - basically the entire island is mountainous, and every single road is like a rollercoaster. One can’t go for more than 100 yards without a hairpin, brow, sudden drop or steep climb.
Our charismatic driver / guide Nick is very entertaining if slightly scary, breaking the Highway Code seems to be entirely normal here. The bus is only small, these roads can’t cope with anything else, but still the largest vehicle around which he uses to advantage, terrorising other road users as necessary.
First we drive past St George’s natural harbour and head up to Fort Fredrick for views over the capital, with its recently completed House of Parliament on the hillside - they continue to follow the British administrative model in independence, including driving on the proper side of the road!
The waterfall is pretty impressive, we all trek down to see it and do the obligatory photos. We notice an alternative return path and head up into the jungle for a while, taking care not to slip on this treacherous terrain. We’re still back before the others on our bus!
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The journey takes us right over to the Atlantic coast, though colourful villages, even past Lewis Hamilton’s grandparent’s house, and on to a spice farm where we see cocoa, nutmeg (the islands biggest export,) cinnamon and many other spices.
We finish at Grand Etang, the island’s largest lake, in a (for) now dormant crater. Whilst there we sample rum punch, at first sight it looks very watered down but no, it kicks like a mule!!
Our return journey takes us though town, we see the sports stadium named after Kirani James the 2012 gold medalist.
We also see the botanical gardens, so successful they have taken gold at Chelsea Flower Show 15 times since they started exhibiting just 25 years ago.
We wondered about trying to blag our way back into town, but decide it’s not worth it, so wander around the port for a while and then return to the ship, straight up to the New York Deli to order pizza.
An afternoon by the aft deck beckons, sadly the internet not able to sustain my work so again I spend most of it in the pool, until it’s time for canapés anyway.
The evening sees the return of a Company show, still sans one dancer, but they cover well, and once again the incredible 270 display system is astonishing. Requested not to take photos so I was good!! It’s a brilliant contemporary dance routine, we thoroughly enjoy it.
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