Excursion Suggestions 2016

[tigstoy]

We will be here February of 2016. Any advice and suggestions for excursions?

[TLCOhio]

We will be here February of 2016. Any advice and suggestions for excursions?

 

For our "neighbors" to the north in Michigan, I can share what we did through a ship tour that worked well for our interests. Much depends on your personal interests, plus what other islands you are visiting during your upcoming Caribbean "adventure". From our visit, there is so, so much wonderful to share in Granada. And, the pictures? So many exciting visuals to share. If you are not liking these visuals from yesterday, we'll be happy to refund your money, double! What was not to like about Granada? Hopefully, my pictures will prove it!

 

Grenada was where we did a ship tour called "Around The Isle of Spice" that was seven hours and departed a little early at 8:00 am. When we landed at their capital of St. Georges, there were 19 of us doing a circling of the "Isle of Spice". Fortunately, I had the front seat, next to the driver who was expert with these curving, hilly roads. It was somewhat of a long journey with lots of bus riding, but it gave us an excellent sampling of the splendid beauty, vistas and historic estates here on this island. Our excursion explores the Dougaldston Estate, Gouyave Nutmeg Factory, 'Carib Leap', the 18th-century River Antoine Rum Distillery and Grand Etang, a volcanic lake.

 

From Frommers, they summarize well on this charming island: "The southernmost nation of the Windward Islands, Grenada (Gre-nay-dah) is one of the lushest islands in the Caribbean. With its gentle climate and extravagantly fertile volcanic soil, it's one of the largest producers of spices in the Western Hemisphere. There's a lot of very appealing local color on Grenada, particularly since the political troubles of the 1980s seem, at least for the moment, to have ended. There are beautiful white-sand beaches, and the populace (a mixture of English expatriates and islanders of African descent) is friendly. Once a British Crown Colony but now independent. Grenada's capital, St. George's, is one of the most charming towns in the Caribbean."

 

From the Cruise Critic website, they offer this sampling of its history/background: "To the uninitiated, the Southern Caribbean island of Grenada is better known for its political history -- U.S. troops intervened in a coup during President Reagan's administration, at the time a controversial volley in the Cold War -- than it is for being a vacation paradise. But, for the tourists pouring in through the island's increasing cruise business (on a recent day, five ships were docked at the capital of St. George's) to explore its numerous beaches or hike its mountainous rain forests, such associations belong in the past. So, too, does Hurricane Ivan, which damaged 90 percent of Grenada's buildings, destroyed 85 percent of its nutmeg trees and left more than half the population homeless in September 2004. While you'll still see some lingering effects as you tour around the island -- churches without roofs, homes still being rebuilt -- St. George's is as colorful and charming as ever, and most restaurants, tourist attractions and hotels are back in business -- in many cases refurbished and looking even better than they did before."

 

Many more pictures and background are detailed below from my live/blog. Happy to share more and/or answer any added questions. Don't be shy!!

 

For "Grenada: Pix's, Fun, Experiences Jan./2015!", see:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2263775

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 34,016 views for these postings.

 

 

Here is a sampling for some of the initial sites as we traveled north from the port/capital. Notice the lush, green views? Second is a sample of the shore fishing action as people from the village there pull in the nets. Next, our excellent guide, Bertrand Antoine, who had the perfect island voice/style, plus lots of details, personality and sharing skills, took us to an old estate. He gave us background for the various spices and items from this island. Below you can see certain of the examples as he share more for how these are produced, processed. He passed around samples so that we could smell and feel these unique items. He also told us about the flag for Grenada, its color and design, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Goosebear Mum]

I appreciate this thread is old but thanks for posting about that trip. We're considering booking a similar trip with P&O later this year. I was doing some searching on here for Grenada nutmeg factory and came across your posts. Thanks.

[TLCOhio]

I appreciate this thread is old but thanks for posting about that trip. We're considering booking a similar trip with P&O later this year. I was doing some searching on here for Grenada nutmeg factory and came across your posts. Thanks.

 

Appreciate your follow-up and posting. Good luck with your upcoming visit to Grenada. Hope things work out well for doing your tour. Let us know any added questions. Here is more on my pictures and experiences on this scenic island:

 

"Grenada: Pix's, Fun, Experiences Jan./2015!", see:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2263775

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 151,312 views for this posting.