| Eva |
Jun 29th, 2001 10:21 AM |
Congrats on your upcoming marriage! When planning my own honeymoon a dozen years ago, I wish I knew what I now know about the Caribbean. If I did, I would have gone somewhere like Grenada instead of the island I did choose.<BR><BR>Yes, Grenada could very well be for you, especially if you liked the BVI (I have been to each 3x). There are many lovely beaches. Some, like Grand Anse (a beautiful 2-mile strand) are lively and sociable like Cane Garden Bay; others, like La Sagesse or Morne Rouge, are more secluded and off-the-beaten path, like Brewer's Bay. You will undoubtedly find a spot to call your own.<BR><BR>Sailing in Grenada is different than the BVI. You can do some sailing (including day-sails) in the area from Mt. Hartmann's Bay (where the Moorings base is) up through the bays in the southwest part of the island, through the Carenage at the main town of St. George's, BUT, except for sailing within those bays themselves, this is open ocean. To get to the islands beyond Grenada (Carriacou, the Grenadines) involves a 30+ mile open ocean crossing. Exhilirating and challenging to be sure, but not like the gentle, protected, line-of-sight stuff in the BVI.<BR><BR>Like the BVIs (other than Anegada), Grenada is a green, hilly island. But Grenada is far lusher (much more rainfall in the mountains) and geologically more active, so that in addition to the rain forest, you have volcanic crater lakes, sulfur springs, and waterfalls to explore. As well, there is a great deal more agriculture here (nutmeg, spices), so you can visit processing plants and dine on a cuisine which is reflective of the island's bounty.<BR><BR>Like the BVI, the people are warm and friendly (and, IMHO, friendlier than the folks in the TCI). <BR><BR>Tourism on Grenada is low-key and small scale. No establishment may be taller than a palm tree. You should be able to find a place to stay which suits your style and budget. Other than the arrival of smaller cruise ships a few times a week (you should be able to avoid the crowds), mass market tourism has yet to hit this island.<BR><BR>The only real drawback to traveling here is the travel time. My last trip, in December, 2000, took 17 hours from door to door (from Maryland), attributable largely to the 6+ hour layover in San Juan and the fact that American Airlines has discontinued jet service (substituting prop planes) to Grenada because the government refused the pay the extortionate sums demanded by AA. I think its worth the effort, and will return; indeed, it may keep the island as relatively unspoiled as it is.<BR><BR>If you want to read more about my 12/00 trip, visit my personal website at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html. Or drop me a note if you have any further questions. |
