Grenada: Sugar and ‘Spice,’ Everything’s Nice

by Dontré L. Conerly

Locals tell the story a ship captain who asked a young passenger, as they sailed by a long stretch of white sand beach framed by a lush green rainforest, “isn’t that island green, Ada?” Her answer in the affirmative, it is said, gave the island its name: Grenada.

Located in the Southeastern Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela and Trinidad, the tri-island state of Grenada consists of Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and it’s most populous island, Grenada. Pleasant year-round temperatures of 80oF make the island nation the perfect tropical paradise. Pristine white-sand beaches glisten in the Caribbean sun as the cerulean sea cossets the expansive coastline with gentle, rolling waves. Overhead, fluffy white clouds hang low over a rich green rainforest; the fertile soil home to Grenada’s array of spices, giving it the moniker the ‘Spice Island,’ where more spices are grown per square mile than any other place on Earth!

It is those same attributes today that Grenadians are keen to preserve, even as they promote their primary industry: tourism. Unlike many of their Caribbean cousins, Grenada isn’t a transient destination; guests to the island opt for all-inclusive luxury stays, rather than short puddle-jumps between the islands. Envisioned to become the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean,” the Board of Tourism and the island’s people keep a watchful eye to ensure that future developments on the isle attract visitors and vacationers alike, but preserves the natural allure of the island, such as its famous black sand beaches and rolling green rainforest.

For more information:
The Grenada Board of Tourism
PO Box 293
St. George’s, Grenada
Tel: 473 440-2279
www.grenadagrenadines.com

activities/excursions: There’s only one way to truly see all that Grenada has to offer: a taxi tour; and there’s only one man who can truly show you all of it: Mandoo (né Simon Seales). This estimable taxi-driver-cum-tour-guide combines his lifelong knowledge of the isle with an audacious prowess on the narrow Granada roads that offers a panoramic view of the island and all its wonders (www.grenadatours.com). Starting with a drive up the western coast, where a lone road snakes into the hills of St. George, one of the island’s six parishes, and the most populous. Local color is radiant in the smiles of vendors at the St. George’s Market, where vivacious vendors and locals joyfully greet each other amidst their offerings of spice and handicrafts.

The roots of Grenada’s spice industry can be found in places such as the historic Dougaldston Spice Boucan, where centuries-old traditions of milling and harvesting Grenada’s famous spices are still in use today. World-renown for producing more spice per square mile than any other place on the planet, the Grenadian air provides a unique olfactory experience, scented with smells of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cocoa, mace, and turmeric. Used in every way possible, the spices are ingredients in foods, medicines, and spiced cocktails, even the remains of the plants themselves are even used as utensils in the home.

Built in deference to their ancestors, the Grenadians have erected a model village in the northern parish, St. Patrick. It is told that the indigenous people of the island, the Ciboneys, Kalingos, and Caribs, jumped from a cliff to the rocks below to avoid enslavement by the French, in the invasion of 1650, at a spot since named Leapers Hill.

Crossing to the eastern side of the island, Lake Antoine sits as a majestic marvel, a placid pool, collected in a volcanic crater; its waters flow into the River Antoine, which fuel an eponymous rum distillery. Known on the island for its potency of 75% alcohol, or 150-proof, the River Antoine Rum Distillery is the oldest-functioning water wheel in the Caribbean. From a channel that runs from its namesake river, water propels the wheel which crushes sugarcane. In the same fashion since 1785, the cane juice is fermented into the high-potency rum that is so strong federal aviation rules forbid it to leave the island; there is a lower potency version available for travel. Take care on the windy, hillside roads leading from the estate, as the former British colony follows the custom of driving on the right side of the road.
Similar to Lake Antoine, Grand Etang Lake occupies a large crater of an extinct volcano. Its still waters, set against high walls of lush green rainforest are picturesque and serene. The trees of the Grand Etang National Park are inhabited by gregarious monkeys who exhibit no prudence to human contact.

Explore the depths of Grenada—literally—on a snorkeling journey to the underwater Moilinere Bay sculpture garden (www.underwatersculpture.com), the world’s first underwater sculpture park, created by artist Jason de Caires Taylor. Devised to create a diversion from the endangered reef, the submerged sculptures are dazzling and mystifying. Aquanauts (www.aquanautsgrenada.com) scuba instructors guide beginning and advanced scuba divers to see the incredible creation.
When night falls, head over to Karma night club (www.karmavip.com), where posh Grenadian 20-somethings mingle with international businessmen who descend from yachts “parked” in the Carenage, Grenada’s inner harbour, just outside the club’s exclusive door. The 10,000 square feet, two-story club is the vision of Grenadian Stephen Duncan, a former airline pilot for Delta airlines, who combined some of the concepts of mega-clubs around the world. Start-of-the-art laser technology combine with thumping beats, as videos flash across flat screen TV’s, creating a frenzy of dancing tourists and locals on the sunken dance floor. Duncan says that is club is more than just a dance club, it’s a “concept club,” where the stylish and sophisticated come to have fun.

PROCEDURES FOR A WEDDING IN GRENADA

1. Documents needed for Civil Marriages (originals)

- Passports
- Birth Certificates
- Divorce or Death Certificates (if applicable)
- Change of name by Deed Poll - proof required (if applicable)
- Notarized proof of singleness (from Solicitor)

2. Residency

The period of residency is three full working days (not inclusive of week-ends) before an application can be made for the licenses. Application is made at the Magistrates Courts or the Prime Minister’s Office.

3. Ceremony

Conducted by Registrar and is legal according to British Law.
The date selected is subject to the Registrar or the Clergy
being available.

4. Location

At Hotel, other requests will be considered.
Choice of beach or in tropical gardens.