The 'Isle of Spice' & a wet waterfall
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Tue 15 Jan 2008 20:03
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12:02N 61:48W
Grenada is the biggest island we will visit in
the Caribbean as we have now decided to not go further south to Tobago and
Trinidad. We'ld rather have time for Cuba.
This islands green mountains and rich interior is
also visible from the sea.
Coming into St. Georges reminded us of coming into
Bergen with its round harbour and 'Hansalike' houses, including the big
cruiseship. Even Minerva who is from Bergen thought so! A new marina is under development and especially the kids
enjoyed a break from anchoring and always dinghy to get ashore. Instead,
they came into *Kardemumme by* with paths for their small scooters, which has
not been in use since Europe. Even more fun when ARC friends from
Roxanne also showing up in to port - even if Dutch is difficult to understand.
The five children made the marina suddenly very lively!
This seems an island to explore for
days...with plenty of tourist traps (cruise ship crowds).
We wanted off the beaten track and hiked to
the 'Seven Siters' waterfall with our friends from Minerva. A great jungle
path up and down. It turned to be quite a challenge - and slippery and muddy -
given the recent rain. Even more so when we got tropical rain just as we hit the
waterfall. Everything was wet within seconds. We were a sorry bunch for a while,
but got a memory for life and some really muddy shoes. Wonderful on a boat.
Coming down to the falls with sticks
to not
slide.
Einar of course loved this hiking (yes the picture is not in focus but watch the
path!)
  We still had a very educational 'jungle' experience
of the island's nature and spices. We got fresh Cinnamon cut off the bark
of the tree - it smelled Christmas. We walked between trees of bananas, bread
fruit and passion fruit, and got to cut down a chocolate 'fruit'. Thebig
chocolate seed are actually white and slimy its plant and needs to be
burned and grounded before it comes out dark and with its rich smell.
In the small spice shop on the way we
learned more about the local spices - lot's of nutmeg (muscat). Chocolate
in yellow open fruit.
 Mannikou - a local delicatesse - was less appealing
as we saw it getting skinned outside the shop. A big cat like
rat...
The local market is another 'must' experience in
St. Georges on Saturday mornings. Farmers from the island come to
town.
We can learn more about cooking the new fruits and
vegetables. Grandmas sweet potatoes is now very popular.
 With school starting, we make sure the kids also
feel it is weekend. Easier this time with Sunday being Regi's birthday. We went
for our first (!) full beach day!
Fortunately, the taxi driver took us to a more
'local' beach! In its quiet waters Magnus could practise his new fins and
snorkel, which he has wanted for so long.
We continue on Grendada's south coast. Many small
'fjords' while we wait for a new oven glass coming from Europe.
It exploded inside while in use....all is not fun.
No pictures from recent toilet repairs....
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