Grenada - Topside Suggestions

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divesergeant

Contributor
Messages
594
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Location
Midwest USA
# of dives
500 - 999
Hi All,

We just booked twelve days on Grenada in April. We'll be staying at True Blue Bay Resort and diving with Aquanauts. (Saw their "Free Nitrox" banner ad on scubaboard and couldn't pass that up!)

Does anyone here have any first hand suggestions on things we should do on our non-diving times?

Thanks,
DS
 
I just visited Grenada while on a cruise and took a tour with MANDOO (Grenada Tours with Mandoo's Tour and Taxi Service in Grenada). Because we were on cruise and on the island for just a short time, we did his half day, spice tour. We enjoyed it very much. Mandoo is very involved in the activities on his island and he was able to tell us abut much of the history. Also, we went to a spice plantation and bought a lot of spices for lower prices. I also tasted the fruit of the cocoa pod which was something I had really wanted to do. His tours are not expensive and you get a really nice personal tour of the island by someone who really loves is and appreciates what he has.

JoAnn
 
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like a guided tour is the way to go, with driving on the island being a hair-raising experience! I think we're going to plan a few dry days during the dive trip so we can explore the place. A guided tour is a good start!

Thanks again,
DS
 
I lived in Grenada for 1 1/2 years. Go up to Grand Etang and see the mona monkeys! The local market down-town is also very interesting. It's fun to pick out a fruit or vegetable you have never seen before and ask them how you cook or eat it! Most times you will get 3-4 ladies all around you giving you the best local recipes! Grenada also has a couple of popular waterfalls that are worth seeing but be prepared to hike to get to them. If you are deep diver certified, dive the Bianca C, a cruise ship that caught on fire and sank many, many years ago. If you happen to be there on a Friday night (Or it might be thursday...can't remember), have a driver take you to the Fisherman's Fish Festival and get ready to pig out on fish cooked anyway and every way you can think of! There is also the best pizza down in Prickly Bay at the "Tiki Bar" which is very close to True Blue. Have a great time and don't try the "manish waters" unless you are feeling very brave!
Oh yea...I almost forgot!! Go to Rogers BBQ on Sunday. It's on Hog Island for the most local treat ever!! You have to ask around a lot to get a boat to take you there but worth it for sure if you like bare feet on the beach and REAL local food. Tell Roger Dwight and Stephanie said hi!
 
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Jumpinghorse,

Thanks a ton. I like the idea of BBQs, fish and pizza.

I laughed about the local fruits and veggies and local women. My mom is into culinary arts and once, while we were all on Grand Cayman, she went to the grocery store for a field trip and did just that, checked out all the fresh produce and got recipes from the locals there. She spent a couple hours at it and had a great time.

So, what is/are "manish waters"!?

DS
 
Your most welcome! Grenada is the place to be if your interested in culinary delights. Because of the location of the island, they have a mix of West Indian, Indian (from the large Indian population in Trinidad) and Latin food. They have a rum factory which is worth visiting and don't forget to ask for the top shelf...or would that be the "under the counter" blend? Eitrher way, that rum will take your breath away...literaly! Grenada produces it's very own organic chocolate from the coco plants grown on the island. As you probley know, Grenada is the "Spice Isle" so don't forget to get all the nutmeg, cinnimon and marsala you can pack up. As for the "manish waters" it's a soup made from the privates of goats to help the libido...if you know what I mean! One thing I found in the islands is that every single one has it's own remedy to help the man....uh....help his palm tree and coconuts if you catch my drift! In the Dominican Republic it was a bush rum called "mommajhuana" which I know I didnt spell right. Too funny! I hope I helped and I hope you enjoy Grenada.
Oh yea...if you like animals go to the Grenada SPCA and pay them a visit. I volunteered at the vet clinic there for the entire time I was in Grenada. There is also an American owned medical/veterinarian University on the island. St. Georges University. Grenada has a little bit of eveything!
Take care.
 
Jumpinghorse

Let's hear it for the goats! And, um, er, tactfully explained on your part;)

There seems to be a wealth of activities to keep us going, in addition to our arduous dive schedule. We'd probably back off on the diving to see more on land, but several of our local dive shops are counting on us for an evaluation and, gosh darn it, we don't want to let them down. Out of the three we trade with, none have been to Grenada, so they said they'd love to have some feedback. Being service oriented, we're all too happy to oblige.

It's a shame my mom won't be along on this trip, she'd be in culinary heaven with all the varied influences in dishes. I'll have to work on her a bit to see if she'd change her mind. In any event, there'll be plenty of fresh spices sent back home!

About the chocolate, any chance you know a link to the producer? I once had some organic chocolate from Hawaii, sweetened with stevia rather than sugar, and it was fabulous.

Yours,
DS
 
There is sure enough to do both top side and under the deep blue! Hopefully your Mom will make the trip because from what you describe, she would absolutly love it. I am not sure about the stevia in the chocolate in Grenada but here is their link. I haven't read it but I will later. It looks like a great site. Grenada Chocolate - Organic Dark Chocolate

I can't wait to hear aout your trip when you get back! I know you will enjoy the diving and the island activities. Are you diving the Bianca C? That's one thing I regret I did not do while I was there. Not sure why I never dove it but I am Texan and have never visited the Alamo either...so go figure...ha,ha...anyway, I am looking forward to hearing from you. Take care.
 
Hey Sarge,
I see you're well taken care off. Mandoo certainly one of the best tour guides. The Fish Festival is "Fish Friday" in Gouyave, he does the tour every week. If you like hiking, go for one of those tours, we can hook you up with Telfor Bedeau, the best local guide. There are trails for every level. Renting a car for a day is ok. As soon you're "out of town" it's great fun "getting lost", so many beautiful places to discover. You'll love the chocolate.
See you soon,
Peter
 
Jumpinghorse,

We'll have to see about diving the BiancaC. Everyone seems to really recommend it, but we pretty much limit ourselves to conservative rec depths and it seems to be a bit deeper than we're used to going. Still, it seems to beckon....


Hey Pete,

We're looking forward to diving with Aquanauts. We usually plan a dry day midway in the trip for sightseeing and such, and may rent a car for that day. And, we'll probably try to schedule an afternoon trip or two once we get settled in.

And yes, we'll love the chocolate; great chocolate is one of life's great pleasures!

DS
 

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