Our sister, Monique, joined us in Grenada, on Monday, 6^th March, for a couple of weeks of glorious Caribbean cruising and exploring. We met her at the Port Louis marina, where she was thrown into the Oyster World Rally party whirl right away. That night she and I stayed at the Radisson hotel, in a bed that did not rock, bump, or lurch, on Grenada’s most acclaimed Grand Anse beach. Dinner on the veranda was a 3 siblings affair. Next morning, jet lag set aside; we embarked on a day long land tour of the island. In a large only slightly air-conditioned van with tour guide Richard and driver Max, we set off with our friends from Seabird and Irish Blessing. First stop was a market visit, where we bought juicy locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as local spices. Grenada is known as the spice island, famous for nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. During the tour we breathed in the pungent aroma of all three in their natural tree form. A plunge in the Annandale Falls in the north of the Parish of St. George, (one of the six parishes in Grenada), was very refreshing after the stuffy ride in the van filled with 15 people. Onward bound, with Richard telling us spicey political and cultural stories, stopping every so often to point out a view or the spire of a church, we came to the Grand Etang Forest Reserve. The views were splendid. We had an enchanting encounter with a band of Mona monkeys, who live beside the deep volcanic 30-acre reservoir, which supplies water to the whole island. The lake breeze offered us another cooling moment, sitting as it does approximately 1,740 feet above sea level in the middle of the magnificent rain forest.  Lunch time came and went, and tummies were rumbling! Michael took matters into his own hands and asked Richard to stop at a fast-food fried chicken hut. We all ate hungrily. Afternoon tea was replaced by afternoon rum! We toured the River Antoine Estate, a privately owned rum distillery founded in 1785. Our distillery tour guide waxed lyrical about the taste of the 69% and 74% rum. Most of us did not fully concur! I referred to it as paint stripper, under my breath! The miraculous significance of this splendid operation is the traditional distilling practices that are still being used 240 years later. River Antoine Estate is the oldest functioning water-propelled distillery in the western hemisphere. A pre-lunch organic chocolate snack was enjoyed at Belmont Estate, a 400-acre plantation, goat dairy, and chocolate factory. Finally, at the most northern tip of the island in the parish of St. Patrick, we arrived in the rural town of Sauteurs and our long-awaited lunch. The lengthy ride back to the boat had us all soporific, so upon arrival, we hung out on the boat lazily for the evening, followed by a night cap on Seabird before an early to bed night.

Next day, most of us went diving in the renowned underwater sculpture park. On 7^th September 2004 Grenada received a direct hit by category 4 Hurricane Ivan. The island was totally devastated. Grenada, sitting outside the hurricane belt, usually avoids the worst of the Caribbean hurricane season, so is not really prepared for this level of destruction. The Grenadian government sponsored the underwater sculpture park project to reenergize the local tourist industry as it slowly rebuilt the island post hurricane. The park is the first of its kind in the world, home to 14 unique sculpture installations that encapsulate Grenada’s colorful history, culture, and folklore. English sculptor Jason deCairnes Taylor was chosen for the unique and quirky project. A mermaid, Christ of the Deep, the Nutmeg princess, a ring of children, are among the engaging sculptures, as well a newer interactive selfie sculpture sitting on a bench, with a sitting space for a human photographer. In the 9 years since the sculptures were created, they have become a haven for marine life. Corals, clams, seaweeds, and more cling like accessories to the larger-than-life size sculptures, spooking some observers and enthralling others.

On our last trip through Grenada, over a year ago, we had been horrified to discover that the clearly labeled, well maintained and clean, recycling bins are purely for show. At that time, we learned that all rubbish of every sort, (with the exception of some clear glass which is sold for reuse), is sent to the same place to be burned and buried. Sadly, nothing has changed. So grudgingly, we disposed of all our debris in the same bin keeping what we could accommodate for future dispos