by Sail Kestrel

Time to Say Goodbye to Grenada

Grenada, you’ve been good to us.  We will always be grateful to you for opening your arms to cruisers and letting us ride out the COVID epidemic in safety.  But after 522 days, it’s time to go. 

We were able to make local friends and have grand adventures.  We delivered a catamaran across the Atlantic Ocean from St. George’s to Faial, Horta, a journey of just under 3000 nm and 21 days (more on that in a later post).  I learned to scuba dive and to spearfish, and the Captain was able to achieve some certifications he’s wanted.  We ran hashes everywhere from mountainous jungle to rolling sugarcane fields.  I rode a mechanical bull and didn’t die.  We saw the only working traffic light in the entire country. 

Tomorrow we leave the island of Grenada to head for Carriacou, a sister island in the nation of Grenada.  We’re looking forward to more diving, more exploring, and new horizons.

Beautiful ruins dot the countryside.
Grenadians are proud of their country, and their national colors are found everywhere.
Mona monkeys are not native to Grenada but were instead most likely brought over on ships from Africa during the slave trade. They have no natural predators, but they are considered a game animal here and have a regulated hunting season.
Concord Falls, one of the more famous waterfalls in Grenada. There are lots to choose from.
Intricate tropical flowers are everywhere here.
Cannons atop Fort George guard the entrance to St. George’s.
And we cannot forget the mighty nutmeg. The black seed is ground into nutmeg powder. The red lacy bit is mace, another spice that is ground into powder. And the yellow husk dries into two hard brown cups that are used for mulch. Nothing goes to waste.