Touring Granada With Sam & Friends

 We were both excited for Sam's arrival in Granada and spent several days prepping for her visit. We got groceries delivered, cleaned and got bread, wine and fish from the farmers market. Sam arrived exhausted from a very long overnight flight from the west coast. While getting to Granada from the east coast is no big deal flying from California or anywhere west is a nightmare. Multiple legs, no good times and often times a red eye. Nevertheless she made it and after dinner we all went to bed early. 

The next day we launched the dink and went to the famous Grand Anse beach. We got chairs at one of the beach clubs and settled in with a rum punch for the afternoon. Coming from California Sam is very much a beach girl and if it were up to her would spend everyday there so this was a good start to her trip. After several rum punches, lunch and lots of swimming we got back in the dink and headed back to the marina. We had dinner at the Knife and Fork restaurant at the marina. 

Dinghy Dock at Grand Anse Beach 

Jeff & Sam Grand Anse Beach

The Beach Club

The next day thanks to a recommendation from the Sea Sisters we hired a good driver to take us touring around. Our first stop would be the famous 7 Sisters Waterfall hike located in the Grand Etang National Park, a rainforest that leads to pools for swimming. I heard mixed reviews for this hike everything from, "we would never do that it's too steep and slippery to it's no big deal do it." The drive to the hike was stunning weaving through the interior of Granada in and out of small communities all with lush green abundant foliage. At the hike we were given walking sticks which were much appreciated because the hike was in fact steep and slippery but totally doable. It took about an hour to reach the falls and we were so hot and sweaty that the cold water was a welcome refresher. All three of us couldn't get in fast enough. We bobbed around for a bit then made our way back out again. Before heading back to the boat we made a stop at Grand Eton Lake, a volcanic crater located in the central rainforest. There is no swimming there but we saw tons of fish. Another stunning site. Our driver who has obviously done this many many times also made a stop at a couple of local shops where they also have trained a couple of monkey to eat bananas from peoples hands. Loving monkeys but not loving the domestication we stopped and shopped and played our roles. 

Climbing Up- Marina Below

Lush Granada Interior

In the Tour Van

Starting 7 Sister Hike

7 Sister Hike

Hiking 7 Sisters

7 Sister Waterfall 

Grand Eton Lake 

Monkeys 

Mona Monkey

The following day we really packed in the activities. Grenada is known as the Isle of Spice so it was only fitting that we visit the famous Laura's Spice Garden. Sam and I were really looking forward to this. Jeff not so much. When we arrived a woman who worked at the garden walked us around showing, labeling and describing each plant, tree and herb telling us their scientific name and also their medicinal use. It was fascinating and something I could have listened to all day. The garden was well groomed with nice wood chip paths and perfectly maintained plants. Of course at the end Sam and I bought several spices- allspice, nutmeg and grater and several others. On our way back to the marina we visited Fort Fredrick, one of two famous forts in Grenada, constructed by the French in 1779 after they recaptured the island of Grenada. 

Laura's Gardens

Touring the Gardens

Laura's Gardens

Fort Fredrick 

View From Fort Fredrick

Our Marina From the Fort

Our touring concluded just in time for lunch. We waited to try a place called Vegan Vibez on Sam to arrive. A one man operation by a very sweet man who is owner and chef and features a single plate of the day which was a feast full of food. We ate veggies, bread fruit, rice, veggie patties and everything was fresh and delicious. 

Outside of Veggie Vibez

Lunch at Veggie Vibez

Back at the boat we chilled and rested up for the night in order to go to the famous Dodgy Dock for dinner and live music. Every Wednesday the True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada hosts something called Dodgy Dock which features several restaurants all providing catered food, a full service bar and live music and dancing. When you arrive you walk around and see what food items you might be interested in for dinner from circular tables full of chaffing dishes filled with a variety of foods from salads, to veg to meat and it item cost a certain number of tickets. You purchase that amount of tickets and then exchange them for your dinner. All while pounding rum punch and working up the nerve to dance to wonderful local live music. As you can imagine it was a very fun and memorable night. 

Our Table at Dodgy Dock 

The Dinner Set Up

The Band

The next day and Sam's last full day we took a cab into St. George's the capital of Grenada and visited the spice market where I got nice little Christmas gifts for my mom, sister and girlfriends. It's full of various tables of mostly the same spices and you are hard pressured to buy. The one who applies the most pressure wins. From there we visited the chocolate museum which defiantly was a highlight. It's basically a big chocolate store that also provides a demonstration about chocolate making. It was informative and of course we all left with bagfuls of chocolate. We went to a nice lunch at a place called Sails where we were afforded  nice water views. And of course in true Sam fashion she was jonesing for the beach so at the very last second before sunset we pilled into a cab and in rush hour traffic made it to the beach as the sun was going behind the mountains. We dipped in the water a bit before returning to the boat. 

Spice Market

Chocolate Museum 

Eating Chocolate Ice Cream and Listening to Chocolate Presentation

Sunset at Grand Anse Beach

The next day November 7th, 2025 Sam was leaving Grenada. The driver wasn't coming until 1:30 and we had one last place we wanted to take Sam for lunch, Patrick's across the street from the marina for the famous national Grenadian dish Oil down. A traditional one pot stew like dish made with breadfruit, meat, dumplings, callaloo and other vegetables all slow cooked together in coconut milk and spices. This is cooked until all the liquids reduce, leaving an oily layer at the bottom giving the dish its name. Patrick's will make a vegan version if requested a few days in advance and this was our bon voyage lunch with Sam. This was the first time Jeff and I were trying the dish as well so it was nice for all of us. After lunch we said our goodbyes and Sam made her way to the airport and the long flight back to California. 

Lunch at Patrick's 

We spent the next several days putting the boat back together and starting to make our final plans before departing Grenada. We knew there were a few more touristy things we wanted to do so we called our driver and made a plan with Chad to visit the Mount Carmel Waterfalls and also take tour of the Grand Antoine Rum Distillery. 

Mount Carmel Waterfalls Hike

Hiking With Chad

Stream on the Hike

Mount Carmel Waterfalls

Swimming in the Lower Falls

Driving to the Distillery 

Grand Antoine Rum Distillery 

The last place we wanted to visit before leaving Grenada was a place called Aquarium for dinner. It was listed as one of if not the best restaurant in Grenada and we didn't want to miss it. Chad drove us and we enjoyed the lovely view over the water while have a cocktail and a wonderful dinner. 

Dinner at Aquarium 

Getting a little nervous that we wouldn't be in Granda much longer we decided to hop on the free Meat and Meat van for one last time at the market, swimming in the Phar Blu pool and enjoying our final roti. Fortunately our friends Ella, and Bill and Kris were going as well. We shared cocktails, swimming time and lunch together and this truly felt like our last hurrah before everyone was departing. Cheers. 

The Final Meat & Meet

Getting Our Bearings In Grenada

 Our first night sleep tied to a dock in Grenada after a thrilling 4 day passage we slept like babies. Air conditioning, more than three hour naps at a time and nothing throwing us around. Ahhhh. The little things. Our first day we did a lot of purposeful things- we checked into customs and immigration, we walked the marina grounds and saw the three restaurants and duty free shops, the boat got washed and an air conditioning guy came and fixed the pilot house a.c. I worked at putting the boat back together after passage tearing down the makeshift bed in the salon, repositioning items that got stowed, opened hatches to get air and just made sure everything was ship shape. Not a fun day but one that has to be done after a long passage. 

Secure In Her Slip

The next day having put the boat back together we were ready to explore our new neighborhood- the capital city St. George's. From the marina there is a nice sidewalk that goes all the way around the basin into town. It was hot but a nice view right on the water. When we arrived in town we noticed a statue near the water we were checking out when a man approached us and said, "let me tell you about that statue." We listened intently as he told us about Maurice Bishop their former president. As we started walking away Jimmy followed us pointing out more town highlights like the oldest hotel and several streets. As I gave Jeff a look he said it's fine we can learn something. Jimmy walked us through the tunnel by the cruise ship dock and through the spice market and the fish market all while telling us historical factoids. After the spice market Jeff thanked him and gave him some money and we made our way back on our own.  

Walking Into St. George's 

First & Oldest Hotel 

Walking Through The Tunnel With Jimmy 

Former Slave Quarters

Streets of St. George's

Fish Market

Fish Market Offerings

Lunch At Sails Restaurant In St. George's 

The next day (little did we know) would make a profound difference in our cruising life here in the Caribbean. We first went to the IGA for provisions and later that day made our way to the marina pool where we met Kitra and Ben from Daggers Down. The told us about the large boating community that existed in Grenada and informed me about ladies coffee at the marina that takes place every Thursday and invited me into the Sea Sisters boating community, an online WhatsApp group for women only that has groups in every country and are a wealth of knowledge and information. This would change everything for Jeff and I. 

As it turned out the next day was Thursday October 16th and there was ladies coffee. I went and met so many nice women all kind and welcoming and full of information to share. I came back to the boat jacked on caffeine and excited to tell Jeff about my experience. Unfortunately I don't have a photo since I was only just put into the WhatsApp group that day. Later on that day we took a stroll around the property and over to the private beach and met James and Danielle fellow powerboats on our dock. We felt like we were really getting to know people here. 

Beautiful Tree on Marina Property 

Walking the Property 

St George's From Marina Walk 

After working around the boat the next morning we decided to lower the dink. With no neighbors on our starboard side we had nothing but room. We buzzed around the basin and saw town then outside to the mooring field and checked out the famous Grand Anse beach which was stunning. We made a note to pack towels and have a beach day soon. It was so great that we could dingy there and not have to worry about getting a taxi. That night we went to what we thought was going to be a nice dinner at the upscale restaurant at the marina but it just turned out to be weird and not great food. The service was odd and the waitstaff seemed to have attitudes. They were out of several items and Jeff's fish came cold. Hence no pictures from the restaurant. 

St George's From The Dink

Grenada From Grand Anse Beach

Every Saturday at the marina there is a small but very impressive farmers market. There are fresh fruits and vegetable sold by Jenny from her garden. Fresh homemade breads from Sherryann's kitchen. Freshly caught and vacuum packed fish from Aiden. There is also a wine stand and meat monger. Basically anything you would need you can find there. We had a ball picking out things and I even got Sherryanne's WhatsApp number so I could place my weekly bread order in advance. Her focaccia and sourdough were wonderful. We did some more exploring around the marina property and walked to the top of the hill for a great view of the water and sat inside a little old gazebo. Jeff bought and grilled fish for himself that night. 

Top of the Hill at Port Louis Marina 

Jeff's New Shades From Duty Free Store at Marina 

The next few days were continued meeting more people from the dock and exploring our neighborhood. We took a local bus to the mall where I got my nails done and Jeff went to lunch while he waited. Then on Wednesday October 22nd we took for the first time the Meat and Meet free shuttle from the marina to the La Phare Blue resort. Once a week on Wednesday the owner of a shop called Meat and Meet provided a free shuttle from all the marinas down to the south of the island to her store which is situated in La Phare Blue resort. So a bunch of us took the bus and did some shopping in her store. It used to only be a meat shop but she has expanded it into a small cute international market. It's customary to buy something from her store in exchange for the free ride then from there we went to the coffee shop and enjoyed views of the water while drinking some Joe. Then we met our friends over at the pool and had some cocktails while we waited for it to be lunchtime. Some people swam in the pool. This time we didn't. We enjoyed chatting with our new friends and experiencing this great perk from the marina. 

Meat & Meet with Mary, Tom, James & Danielle 

Lunch With The Gang at Meat & Meet 

After our fun Meat & Meet day we decided we needed some exercise and made our way over to Grand Anse Beach. We tied up the dinghy dock and took a long beach walk before taking a cool, refreshing swim. The water color mixed with the pristine beach was amazing. It felt like a postcard. Later that evening we had our boat neighbors on Sacagawea over for some sundowners. 

Dink Tied Up at Grand Anse 

Beach Walk Grand Anse 

Grand Anse 

View From Grand Anse 

Sundowners With Sacagawea 

We had such a nice time at the Meat and Meet that we decided to go back the following week. This time it was just Jeff and I but we still had a good time nonetheless. We followed the same routine- shop at Meat and Meet, grab a coffee, sit on the beach, head to the pool & drink then get lunch before coming back on the shuttle. We have a long list of touristy things we want to do around town but Jeff's daughter Sami is coming in next week so we are saving them to do with her. 

Lunch at La Phare Blue 

La Phare Blue Marina