Weekend Trip, Destination: Grenada, West Indies
Grenada, West Indies, is one of the southern-most Caribbean islands and boasts such grand ecosystem diversity; you can spend your morning hiking through the dew-coated trees of the Etang National Forest, your afternoon exploring an underwater playground, and still have time to surface for a breathtaking sunset on the sands of Grand Anse beach. This little island of spice just north of Venezuela packs a punch of adventurous opportunities in just 133 square miles.
Home to the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Molinere of Grenada attracts a wildly diverse marine life to the manmade, artificial reefs that create a stunning, and somewhat eerie gallery under the sea. The park is comprised of 100 contemporary art sculptures designed to repair and regenerate eroding coral reefs. Even the novice snorkeler can dive down to fascinating discoveries that include various depictions of the human form and the most popular sculpture, ‘Vicissitudes,’ comprised of 26 children standing in a ring holding hands.
From the sea to the interior of the island is only about six miles. For $20 USD, tourists can hire a local Grenadian to lead a personal, hike through the Etang National Forest to the base of the Seven Sisters Waterfalls. Brave adventurers have the opportunity to traverse the slippery climb to the top of the falls and jump approximately 60 feet to the refreshing swimming pool below. The locals (even the children) are knowledgeable about the flora and fauna as they educate tourists on the unique Grenadian plants and trees.
Photo: Expat Imports
Grenada’s cultural music scene should not be missed! Regularly scheduled concerts called “Dinghy Concerts” take place on a tugboat stage in the sea and are only accessible by small boats (dinghies) or kayaks. Visiting boats connect around the tugboat stage creating a large, floating concert. An interesting fact regarding the musicians who play the dinghy concerts? At least one song during each set must be about Grenada.
Wrap up the weekend Sunday with a water taxi ride to Roger’s Barefoot Beach Bar located on Hog Island. Roger serves up cold beer, island drinks and native BBQ along with a healthy mix of music allowing local musicians to express the strong history and culture of the island with a decidedly Caribbean groove.
Photo: Beach Bar Bums
Seeking the ultimate Grenadian farewell? The island’s southern location is just outside the hurricane belt and rarely endures heavy storms like much of the Caribbean. Chances are excellent to experience a clear, Caribbean sunset on the beautiful and serene, Grand Anse Beach that stretches two miles on the west side of the island. Dig your heels in the sand and breathe in the sights and sounds of pure Grenada.
* CROSSFIT NOTE: for the die-hard CrossFitter who will never miss a WOD, check out the only CrossFit Affiliate on the island, CrossFit True Blue, at St. George’s Medical University. You’ll find rusted, welded together barbells weathered from the sea air and discarded basketballs filled with sand that serve as rustic wall balls.
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