Here are some pictures of Grenada from the 1970′s , and more recently. They come to us compliments of Jerry Rogers in the USA. A Big Thank You to Jerry.

It will be obvious to you which photos are from the 1970s.

Jerry and his family lived on Grenada from 1976 – 1980. He was the pastor at the Westerhall Berean Bible Church. They have visited Grenada many times since, and in his words:

“We have never gotten over the beauty of the Island and especially beautiful St. Georges”.

Many of Jerry’s Pics of Grenada in this album are of the Carenage in St. George’s, and it’s easy to see the contrast between the 1970s and 2000s. But my favorite old pic is of the Old Lighthouse at Point Salines, it brings back memories from my youth.

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Do you have old or new Grenada Pictures that you will like to share with us? If yes, then contact me here.

Are you planning to travel to Grenada end of May? If yes, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. If No, then maybe you should seriously consider it.

Why?

A ton of Grenada’s Culture will be on showcase, along with Superstar artists like Shaggy and Third World.

Rock d Spice is the first major festival to be introduced in Grenada over seven years. It will be staged from May 29th to 31st. This event is geared towards giving locals as well as visitors a varied experience of Grenada’s Culture, Music, Art, and Craft, at different venues throughout the Island.

Here’s the Line Up

FRIDAY MAY 29th – Opening Night

The Celebration will take visitors to the opening night at the Cuthbert Peters Park in Gouyave, where there will be a fusion of food, local arts and craft market, and an explosion of music from Grenada’s most celebrated artiste King Ajamu.

There will also be other top local artistes accompanied by HEATWAVE, including Tivoli Drummers, Steel band and other performers. Patrons on the opening night will be treated to an awesome fireworks display. The event runs from 6pm-1am and is FREE to the general public.

SATURDAY MAY 30th – The Concert

On Saturday May 30th the spotlight will be on The National Stadium – this promises to be a colossal night of entertainment featuring Grammy Award superstar SHAGGY, the #1 Caribbean Female Soca Icon – Destra & her Band, Rayvon, Rick Rock, Tivoli Drummers, Mr. Killa, Brother B and more. The event runs from 9pm – 3am.

SUNDAY MAY 31ST – Reggae on the Beach

On day three the attention will shift to the northern part of the island where Bathway beach will be transformed into a Reggae village for REGGAE ON THE BEACH – featuring the legendary reggae band THIRD WORLD.

They will be joined by top local gospel and R&B acts, local reggae artistes, and others. As part of the package patrons will be treated to a Beach Fashion show featuring locally produced designer clothing; there will also be Bouncing Castles, Rides, Face painting, a Games area, Food, and a local Arts &Craft Market. REGGAE ON THE BEACH is captioned as a family day. The event will run from 11am to 8pm and there will be a small entrance fee of $20.

Promises to be Good and Safe

Rock D Spice has been long in the making, and the committee is quite excited about the start of this annual event. Security will be provided by the Royal Grenada Police Force throughout the entire festival.

For More details:
Website: http://www.rockdspicefestival.com/
Email: rockdspice@gmail.com
Tel: 1 (473) 418-4442

Cilia from neighboring Trinidad and Tobago wrote Grenada Beaches to ask an interesting question. The question in essence sums up the challenge that many business travelers to Grenada face… How to squeeze in some fun in the sun, and still get your work done?

Here’s Cilia’s situation:

Like myself, many people I know travel for work or study and are unable to participate in the day activities. They come back home having seen nothing but the conference hall and eat hotel food. In [date removed] I will travel for a conference at Grand Beach Hotel. I will stay there and will check in on Friday afternoon and leave on Monday midday (I have classes to teach on Thursday evening and Monday evening at home [Trinidad] so I cannot go early or stay extra time.

I imagine that the conference will go on up to as late as 6 pm each day.

• How can I still enjoy Grenada?
• Also, how can I move around without paying $40-$60 US for a hotel taxi to take me to town etc?

Below is my response (slightly edited).  Because she is tied up in conference every day,  everything has to be scheduled around her sessions.

My Response:

1. Grand Beach Hotel is on Grenada’s most popular beach — Grand Anse Beach — so that will cover your beach side of things. You can take an early morning dip before the conference starts, or relax in the evening after the conference. Friday after you check in is also a good option.




2. Grand Beach hotel is located right off the busiest bus route.
   
   

   ********Side Note*********
   This is true for many of the hotels in the Grand Anse area, not only Grand Beach. It’s a 5 or 10 minute walk to get to the main road, after which you will have several buses to choose from.
   ***************************

   There is bus stop right at the entrance/exit to Grand Beach. Catch the bus there and it takes you right into St. George’s. A 15 minute drive that will cost you about EC $2.00. Compare that to a US$40 taxi.

   You can explore every inch of St. George’s in a couple hours, if you plan it properly, and don’t dilly dally. Walk along the Carenage, visit the museum, visit Fort George, and pick up a few Souvenirs while you move about.

   Another option is to catch a bus early Saturday morning to St. George’s, and head over to the market. You’ll have sufficient time to get back for the start of your conference.

3. Gouyave Fish Friday is always fun. But it is a little out of the way. Ask your hotel front desk if they organize trips to Fish Fridays. Local tour companies are also a good option to inquire about. Finally, I heard Le Phare Bleu hotel, organizes a boat excursion up to Fish Friday. Give them a call to verify if this is true. Sounds like fun if you are not too scared of boats.




4. There are several Restaurants at other hotels along Grand Anse Beach, and many others within walking distance. One of my favorite hangouts is Rick’s Cafe right across the street from Grand Beach Hotel, and at the back of the Grand Anse Shopping Center. Good bites, and great ice cream.

Getting Around at Night

If you plan to do anything late evening/night (Club Karma maybe?) or out of the way, then you cannot escape taking a taxi. The safest bet is your hotel taxi, but they will charge you a lot.

If you are a savvy traveler (my guess is… you are), then while exploring St. George’s you can make contact with a taxi driver, and set things up for later. If you are uncomfortable with this then DO NOT do it; make alternate plans or use a hotel recommended taxi.

So Cilia (and anyone else) I hope this helps a bit. Grenada is safe enough to explore, and have some fun even with a tight business schedule. Always be aware of your surroundings, and do not take unnecessary risks, like walking by yourself, late at night, in poorly lit areas.

Kindest Regards
Gooch

How about you?

Any tips for the Grenada Business Traveler to squeeze in some fun? What will you try to (or must) squeeze in on a business trip to Grenada? Leave us your comments below.

by Derrick Huggins
(Nevis, West Indies)

Friends And A Cold Carib In Grenada: The Perfect Vacation

I had the pleasure of traveling to Grenada, for the first time, in July of 2008. My fiancee is from Grenada and I wanted, not only to go on a little vacation, but mainly, to meet her family.

I was truly amazed to see how warm and welcoming Grenadians were on a whole. In most territories, a stranger in town is, well, treated like a stranger, but in Grenada, it’s quite the reverse.

I had heard so much about the Fish Fry at Gouyave (I tuned in to Wee Fm everyday. Sorry, but I had to get a head start on my bearings), and when I finally got there, it was everything that I had expected to be. Once again, in this beautiful, street-fair setting, Grenadian hospitality took center stage. Everyone there was so kind and welcoming: from the ladies on the corner, selling little portraits of a woman dressed in Grenadian clothes, to the guy on the other side, who was preparing what seemed to be an oriental dish. Isn’t that something? (Smile)

The Island is beautiful, nature preserved in it’s purest form. I enjoyed driving from Grenville to St. Georges, via the rain forest (after I got accustomed to the narrow and winding roads, of course). This was too funny: when returning to Grenville from St. Georges, I would always get lost on that road that lead to the Annandale Waterfalls. That junction could be a little tricky, I’m sure most of you would agree. Especially if you have a tour-guide fiancee that goes to sleep and tells you that the way home is simply to stay on the straight road. Wow, some experience that was: we spent more time getting back on track, than actually going home.

Hello! Do I need to mention Club Karma? This club is a state of the art facility that no other in the world can look down upon. I really enjoyed the show that included Ajamu, Tall Pree and the great Doctor Sparrow. I certainly cannot leave out the Heat Wave band,as they were the ones that held everything together with their sugary notes. I also met Jon, I believe he manages the place. For a guy who runs such a top notch facility, he is so down to earth.

I was only able to spend a little over a week in Grenada, and there is just so little you could do in a week. That’s why I’m already planning my return trip to Grenada. If all goes well, I’ll be taking advantage of your hospitality, once again, from December 22nd.

See You Soon:

Derrick Huggins
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
(Nevis)

by Lee
(Toronto, On, Canada)

Heard about the Gouyave fish friday and gave it a try. The road up to Gouyave was not very good, but the food and the atmosphere made up for it.

My sister-in-Law was intent on buying up all of the fried Jacks. The fried breadfruit was great also. The hit of the night was the snapper in tin foil. It was a meal to enjoy.

It was nice to see how well attended this event was. There was a mix of locals and tourist. It was very safe for anyone planning to attend.

Met the owner for Phare Bleu and he takes a boat up to Gouyave every Friday. He also has a great deal for locals on the weekends. Next time I am in town, I am going to try the boat route.

Gouyave = Fish and Fun

It’s Friday, you’re in Grenada, and you’re a seafood lover, then Gouyave Fish Fridays is the only place you need to be.

I was still in San Juan Puerto Rico, and about to start the last leg of my trip to Grenada. I got to talking to this guy and the question Where is the best Grenada hang out on a Friday Night? came up. That’s when I first got the scoop on Gouyave Fish Fridays.

Gouyave the town that never sleeps

Gouyave is a fishing village to the northwest of Grenada, about 45 minutes from the hotel district in the south. It’s known in Grenada as the town that never sleeps.

More fish is caught by Gouyave’s fishermen than anywhere else on the island. Some Gouyave fishermen were even awarded medals by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. So what you need to know is that Gouyave people know their Seafood.

With the introduction of Gouyave Fish Fridays this already lively little coastal town, has become even more lively. The event as the name suggests takes place every Friday, from 6PM – until (normally about 1AM).

Stop Here before you go to Gouyave

On my last Friday in Grenada I decided to check out Gouyave Fish Fridays. We planned with a few friends to all meet in Gouyave. I did not not want to drive (I wanted to drink, and was still a tad bit uncomfortable Driving in Grenada ) so I asked my buddy to pick us up. We left St. George’s around 7:45PM.

On our way to Gouyave we stopped of at Pappy’s shop in the village of Concord to taste some local Grenada Wine and Liqueurs. It’s a nice stop, and all part of the fun driving up on the west coast. Needless to say by the time we arrived in Gouyave around 8:20 PM I already had my buzz going.

The Main Event

Gouyave Fish Fridays is of course open air. Vendors line St. Francis and St. Dominic streets with their grills, fryers, steamers and cookers, which result in some of the most mouth watering Grenada seafood you could imagine:

Fish Cakes Shrimp Kebabs Jerked Marlin Barbecued Snapper fry jacks Lobster Conch

… and all the other things to go along with local seafood like

• roast bakes, fry bakes (especially great with fish cakes)
• tropical juices
• and of course beers, and genuine Grenadian Rum

Fish cakes are a personal favorite. They are made from shredded salted Cod or Pollock, that’s battered and deep fried … you just got to love it! They are especially good when eaten with fry bakes (taste like a chewy bread, but 10 times better)

Here is Mia getting some fry Jacks. Which she totally fell in love with. I think some made it all the way back to the Washington DC.

Jacks are quite small, about the length of your palm, and about the width of you two fingers together (some larger some smaller). When fried they are a treat. Just watch out for the bones.

You probably won’t find such a wide collection of fresh tasty Grenada seafood like this anywhere else, so do like me … go wild! Sample everything! Be adventurous! Try things you’ve never had, nor heard of before … how else are you going to find out if you love it madly?

But Watch out for that hot pepper sauce. It’s a Ball of Fire!!! I put too much on my fried Marlin, and suffered dearly … it took several Carib beers to bring the temperature in my mouth back to normal.

Music at Gouyave Fish Friday

One thing you will quickly discover with Grenadians is that where there’s food, and people … music is sure to follow. We got there in time to catch some incredible drumming. That was a nice complement to the DJ.

Gouyave Fish Fridays is still in it’s infancy, and no doubt will blossom into something magnificent. I want to make a point to you if you are a Non Caribbean Visitors to help set your expectations.

I believe that Grenada is one of the safest places you will find anywhere to bring your family on vacation. And that Grenadians are as friendly and welcoming as it gets.

That said you should know that this is largely a local event, that is patronized mainly by locals. Everyone is welcome to Gouyave Fish Fridays, BUT just know that it is NOT your typical made especially for tourist event .

If you are comfortable being in the company of locals, and open to learning about Grenada’s culture you will have a great time. But if you are uneasy about mingling, then you best remain at your hotel. Remember you create your own reality.

The event by itself was magnificent, but being with a great bunch of friends made it even more spectacular for me. I say this to encourage you to bring along some friends with you.

What about Kids?

Gouyave Fish Fridays is not the best environment for kids. It might be okay if you get there right at the start when there aren’t as many people. But in general you can expect

• 95% adults,
• Alcoholic beverages being consumed in the open,
• And the occasional Adult Language.

So if this does not sound like the environment you want little Johnny and Jenny exposed to then you might want to make other arrangements for them …

The Wrap Up

It rained a bit while we were there, but that did not take away one bit from the good times we were having. Gouyave Fish Fridays was a super hang out.

After loading up on some Fry Jacks to take away, we left at about 11:00 PM and headed south to Club Bananas (more good times)… our Friday night (or Saturday morning) was just beginning.

Gouyave Fish Friday Pictures

Here are some more pictures of our awesome hangout at Gouyave Fish Friday. Hope you can insert yourself in there some where. Enjoy:

What’s Your Best Ever Gouyave Fish Friday?

Well I always have a fabulous time at Gouyave Fish Friday. But what about you? What did you enjoy most at Fish Friday? Was it the:

• Tasty Seafood?
• Lively Music?
• Vivacious People?
• Or the whole shebang?

If you liked it, then share it with us! Right here!… Let’s hear your favorite Gouyave Fish Friday Story.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Click below to see contributions from other Fish Friday visitors…

• Enjoying A New Grenadian Tradition
  Heard about the Gouyave fish friday and gave it a try. The road up to Gouyave was not very good, but the food and the atmosphere made up for it.

Eating in Gouyave…

Restaurants, Eateries, Snackettes

One of the hidden secrets of this quaint little town called Gouyave is its reputation as a “center of cuisine” featuring daily access to all of the local favorites.

There isn’t a single Gouyave restaurant in which you can use a credit card. However, the cosmopolitan nature of the town allows for free spending of major currencies with the confidence that the locals know the exchange rate verbatim.

Whether it is Euros, Pounds, Barbados, Canadian or US Dollars, you can whip out any note and be assured of the correct converted change in EC dollars. The essence of that transactional knowledge speaks to Gouyave’s increasing reputation as a tourist destination not only for Fish Friday but for day tours and stay over guests.

The fishing industry provides the basis of the emerging “food culture” that is creating a cottage industry of small cafes of “snackettes” as they are called locally. Gouyave is divided into two main business segments that split between the south side and the north side of D’lance Bridge. The locals simply refer to the two segments as D’lance, and Downstreet. Both segments are part of what is officially named Depradine Street.

Gouyave Breakfast on D’lance

D’lance has eight eating points that serve regular meals or pastries or snacks at various intervals. Many duplicate each other with operating hours from as early as 7:30 a.m. with breakfast offerings to as late as 2 a.m. on weekends…with the final closing hour often dependent on the whim of the crowd or the flow of business.

Breakfast is often the usual fare of:

• Baked or fried bakes
• Hot bread
• Fried fish or jacks
• Cod-fish fritters or souse
• And the local beverages from passion fruit juice to cocoa tea (hot chocolate made with locally grown cocoa beans).

Locals somehow prefer cold drinks with breakfast and “a juice”, often served in a plastic bag with a straw, is a local favorite. Most of the small snackettes offer some kind of breakfast offering.

Lunch Downstreet Gouyave

Downstreet by contrast is less of a morning hub and more of a mid-day operation. Step In Delight near the police station, post office and Bank, is the one exception that features the typical Gouyave breakfast.

When my friend and two colleagues stepped in to Step In Delight, they enjoyed a standard breakfast of fried fish and bakes. And they each had a shandy, a local drink combination of ginger ale and beer. This remarkably tasty and filling breakfast cost then $20 EC or 7.50 US total for all three. That general price rule holds true for most meals in Gouyave.

The primary lunch in Gouyave, served at the long standing Kelly’s Hot Spot, the closest thing to an established restaurant with seating for more than 30, cost less than $5 US. This can be a full compliment lunch with meat or fish, vegetables and drink. Roti, a local favorite is even less and can be served with sides.

Oil Down, regarded as Grenada’s national dish, can be had daily in Gouyave at one of the snackettes. It is a once per week offering at Step In Delight, and is often featured at the other “down street” lunch spots.

Dinner in Gouyave

Dinner in Gouyave is less formal. Often, the “heavy” food, in this fisherman’s town, is served in the mid-day hours. Locals, and invariably local establishments, tend to offer the lighter fare of hot breads and bakes, along with fried plantains, fritters, and soups at night.

A visitor to Gouyave, other than a Friday night, can expect to find available food outlets open at any hour that there is activity. The prices are reasonable, the handling is clean and legally sanctioned, and the vendors take particular pride in keeping the prices reasonable for the local market.

Stretch your dining budget and enjoy a delicious variety of food as you sample the cuisine of the town that never sleeps.

More Gouyave:

1. Gouyave Fish Fridays
2. Gouyave Fisherman’s Birthday
3. Gouyave Dougaldston Estate

Gouyave is called the “town that never sleeps” and it does a fine job living up to its name. It is also called the “action city”, and that label also fits like a glove. It is noisy; it is action packed; it is glitter; it is characters that offer impromptu comedy; and it is a delight; it is Gouyave.

Located half way up the western coast of Grenada, Gouyave is a town of approximately nine thousand that prides itself on being the “entertainment capital” of the sensual Spice Isle. Originally known as Charlotte Town, Gouyave is Grenada’s primary fishing village.

What once was a subsistence economy of poor fishermen and rural nutmeg and cocoa farmers has blossomed into a cosmopolitan town with fine houses, glittering bars, attractive nightlife, appealing festivals, and a reputation for its safe yet risqué appeal.

A trip to Gouyave is a must when you visit Grenada. In fact, it has become a favorite destination for tour operators due to its multiplicity of attractions.

In a hurry?… Skip right to Gouyave’s biggest attraction: Gouyave Fish Friday.

Guide to Gouyave

Here is a guide for places you want to hit, in and around the Gouyave area. Assuming you are traveling North from St. George’s you take it in this order:

Places to Visit

1. Pappy’s Wine and Liqueur Shop – this is really in Concord but it’s worth a stop to sample and stock up on some fine local made beverages like Grenada Wines and Liqueurs.
2. Concord Waterfalls – although the Concord Waterfalls essentially proximate the town, it is still not a primary part of the Gouyave experience though it is often a routine stop en route to “action city.”
3. Dougaldston Estate – As you descend from the alternate route of Mt. Nesbitt, (carved due to persistent slides from the Mabouya hillsides that once overlooked the prior main road), you obtain quick access to this historic estate, where remnants of the slave/colonial days still linger.
4. Gouyave Nutmeg Pool – everything you ever cared to know about this enchanting spice called Nutmeg you will find here

Gouyave offers more than just agricultural processing. As the primary fishing town, the local beach is dotted with hundreds of small canoes and the waters around the jetties are filled with mid-sized trawlers all frequent visitors to the deep.

Gouyave Eateries

Hundreds of thousands of pounds of tuna, marlin, swordfish, and mahi mahi, are caught and marketed from Gouyave’s three fish processing centers each day. Snappers and other small catch such as the flying fish are very popular with locals and visitors.

Consequently, a fish or seafood meal is an inexpensive and very available treat at any of the over one dozen local eateries in Gouyave. A full lunch with an ample portion of fish and vegetables, prepared home style with meticulous care and hygiene, can cost as little as $4 US, and if one desires a smaller portion, it will typically be less than $3.

Gouyave’s D’Lance

D’Lance on any night is a hodgepodge of competing sounds from the six or seven bars that dot the quarter mile strip. Often this is where the local characters and resident dancers “perform” informally to the cheers of onlookers no doubt spurred on by consummation of the local spirits (Rivers Rum and Clarke’s Court).

There are several well established clubs where dancing the night away to the sounds of Soca and reggae music, or lately, a generous helping of hip hop, is the action of choice for the locals, many of whom drove in from other parts of the island.

Gouyave has become the hangout town of choice for youngsters from all over the island largely because adults in the town give way to the young and bars readily serve the drinks of their choice, no questions asked.

Gouyave’s Main Events

Gouyave has two main events that you simply can’t afford to miss:

1. Gouyave Fish Friday – a weekly event on Friday Evenings that’s sure to get your taste buds screaming for more. It’s more seafood than you can handle in an authentic Grenadian atmosphere
2. Gouyave Fisherman’s Birthday Celebration – This one is held annually so you might get lucky if you’re in Grenada the week of June 29th. A little bit of tradition, history, fun and games, carnival type events, and of course more seafood than you can handle

Gouyave on the whole is worth a day…most of all, a Friday. Even the local beach on D’Lance, or the more attractive Palmiste Bay just a mile from the edge of the town to the south, would offer access to the delightful waters of the tranquil west coast.

Finally, a drive from Gouyave to Grenville over the Belvedere hills can be a cool, relaxing treat through some virgin forests and agricultural lands that would take a visitor back to an unspoiled world of yesteryear. All of this makes up the wonders of Gouyave. Come and experience it.

Return from Gouyave to Grenada Beaches Home

Gouyave Nutmeg Pool

Nutmeg once drew the most tourists to Gouyave, which still hosts the largest processing station on the island – Gouyave Nutmeg Pool. Prior to Hurricane Ivan, Grenada was the world’s second largest producer of the spice which largely accounts for the faint aroma that pervades the town of Gouyave.

(Photo above: Nutmegs drying at Gouyave Nutmeg Pool)

Over the years, thousands of tourist acquainted themselves with the processing of the nutmeg fruit at the Gouyave Nutmeg Pool

• from the separation from the pod,
• to the detachment of the surrounding mace,
• to the cracking of the shell,
• and eventual sorting of the nutmeg.

This four step process was carried out and explained to visitors in what for many years was the largest building in Grenada.

(Photo above: Nutmegs dried and ready for export)

Now, although the nutmeg industry is largely in recovery, the process continues on a smaller scale at the Gouyave Nutmeg Pool. And it is even more defined for visitors like you.

On your visit, get your hands on sample packs of Grenada’s array of some of the most aromatic spices. So when you visit Gouyave add some spice to your life, by checking out the Gouyave Nutmeg Pool.

Related Pages:

1. Grenada Spices
2. Gouyave Dougaldston Estate

Dougaldston Estate, Gouyave

Dougaldston Estate is the first stop into Gouyave from the south. It was once one of the largest and most productive cocoa and banana plantations on the island. At Dougaldston, you can still witness the remnants of old slave and laborer barracks that lie in ruins amidst the shadow of the “big house”, commonly called the “great house.”

This, of course, is the name accorded to the former slave master or subsequent estate owner’s house. The plantation itself, though just a shadow of its former self, still operates on a small scale.

Here is a photo of a Cocoa tree with cocoa pods at Dougaldston Estate. This is where your chocolate products really begin.

The processing of cocoa, that prime bean that produces some of the world’s finest chocolate, is the main agricultural activity still evident. Banana trees, once the economic life blood of the plantation, now are few and far between as are nutmeg trees that largely were victim to Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

To the left is a photo of “Drying Cocoa”, an intermediate step before it is exported for manufacturing.

Dougaldston Estate is still an interesting tourist destination as many of the traditional activities are scheduled to accommodate visitors. Make this a quick stop off on your way into Gouyave.

Return from Dougaldston Estate to Gouyave Page

Return from Dougaldston Estate to Grenada Beaches Home

Grenada Wine At Pappy’s

En route to Gouyave Fish Friday, we stopped at Pappy’s to sample some Grenada Wine. Pappy’s located in Concord, St John’s just a few minutes outside Gouyave.

Now I must warn you that you won’t find any

• Cabernet Sauvignon,
• Merlot,
• or Chardonnay.

In fact Grenada Wine is grapeless. And certainly not the wine you are use to.

The bottle says: “Makes a wonderful drink when served with crushed ice”. Wine with Ice? Oh well, what the heck: When in Rome … Right?

The wide variety of tropical fruits, and flowers used to produce the many flavors of Grenada Wine lining the shelves impressed me.

Except for the occasional reds like a Merlot, Cabernet, or Pinot Noir, I am hardly the wine connoisseur or wine lover. We were prepared to just meet the shopkeeper, take a drink, purchase a single bottle as a token of support for the local Grenada Wine industry (if one exists), and walk out the door.

Well you probably guess by now that did not happen. I instead left Pappy’s Wine/Rum shop with six bottles of fine Grenada Wine in hand.

How did I go from one bottle to six? Well our quite, generous host, broke out two wine glasses, and the next thing I knew is that am tasting all these very unique wines, and loving them.

Here is Mia pictured left trying some of that sparkling Grenada Wine.

First was the Hibiscus Wine

I never knew such a thing existed. I mean Hibiscus is a flower for crying out loud. I tried it … quite interesting. I liked it.

Then came the Tamarind Liqueur

Tamarind is from a curved brown bean-pod from the tamarind tree. The pod contains a sticky pulp enclosing one to ten shiny black seeds. It is the pulp that is used as a flavoring for the sweet, sour, fruity aroma and taste of this Grenada Liqueur.

Viagra? Cialis? Any takers?

Relax guys you don’t need that stuff in Grenada. Just try the all natural Bois Bande Wine (pronounced Baw-Ban-day). Since I was a little boy growing up in Grenada I’ve heard the stories about Bois Bande.

Local legend has it that if you consume too much … it might be hours before things return to normal. Bois Bande comes from the bark of a tree. If you really want some potent stuff just, get the bark. Boil it and drink just like tea.

The Bois Bande concentration in Pappy’s wine is not too strong, not too weak … I guess just enough to get the job done (nod, nod, wink, wink… ). This Grenada Wine is not the best tasting of the lot, and the aroma … well it takes some getting use to … definitely an acquired one. But I just had to have a bottle … give a guy a break.

And all the rest … Mango, Plum, Guava, Sorrel

We tasted everything, and it was not your connoisseur kind of tasting. It was more like a full drink. Is there any wonder why I had a nice buzz by the time I got to Gouyave Fish Friday?

Mia loved the Guava Wine and the Sorrel Liqueur, they were on the sweeter side.

In all we spent about forty US dollars maybe more, which is a lot. Now the challenge I faced was figuring out a way to get them all back to the US …

We enjoyed the little stop at Pappy’s Shop. And I encourage you to drop in on Pappy’s when traveling on the western coast. Sample to your hearts content then take a couple bottles of your favorite.

If you do drop in please tell me here.

And Guys you definitely want to get your hands on some of that Grenada Bois Bande wine, the ladies gonna thank you for it.

Check out these other Grenada west coast hot spots at Gouyave

or

Return from Pappy’s Grenada Wine to Grenada Beaches Homepage

Randy counts Gouyave Fish Friday and one of the favorite things to do in the lively coastal town of Gouyave. Randy lives in Texas (USA), is a regular to Grenada, and is without question a Gouyave lover … maybe because he has some roots there.

Here is his overview of the popular Gouyave Fish Friday celebrations:

The main allure of this exciting town called Gouyave is the nightlife. The most intriguing aspect is “Gouyave Fish Friday.’ Originally crafted few years ago to mimic the Anse Le Ray and Soufriere productions in St. Lucia, Gouyave Fish Friday has become one of the main attractions in Grenada for tourists and locals alike.

On a Friday night, the “back” streets of Gouyave are

• closed to traffic and adorned with entertainment, music, lights,
• over twenty vendor booths offering everything
• • from steamed fish,
  • to grilled fish,
  • to baked fish,
  • to fried fish,
  • plus all varieties of seafood done to every delight
  • served with local vegetables and side items such as roast bakes.

Fish Friday pulls in many tourists who partake of the inexpensive delights of freshly caught, never frozen, protein rich Gouyave fish. And the locals play a key role in allowing the guests the local courtesy of eating first, by choosing to arrive later in the evening primarily to sip a beverage and partake of the entertainment.

The food and festivities go until about midnight, when the action shifts further north to D’Lance, the core of Gouyave’s legendary nightlife.

Return from Randy’s Gouyave Best- Gouyave Fish Friday to Grenada Beaches Home

Concord Waterfalls Grenada

After a long day touring this beautiful island we arrived at Concord Waterfalls almost in the twilight of the evening. Concord Waterfalls is located in the hills of Concord, St. Johns on the west coast of Grenada.

You will also find that it’s pretty close to the fun fishing village of Gouyave, and the Douglaston Spice Plantation. Concord waterfalls is actually three waterfalls, but only one is easily accessible. The other two require some hiking for which we did not prepare.

To get to Concord waterfalls number one, we first turned off the main road in the village of Concord. And then drove for about 5 minutes up a narrow, steady incline all the way to the top. The road dead ends at the waterfalls, so you can’t get lost … just follow it to the end.

(Concord waterfalls and mountain backdrop)

It felt cooler at the top. And we were alone with nature … there was no one in sight when we arrived. There’s a small building across from the waterfalls, which looks like a visitor center. The access gate was locked, so I could not get in, but its varandah sure looked like a great vantage point for photos.

I definitely enjoyed Annandale Waterfalls more than I did Concord Waterfalls. But something about the nature lover in me made Concord Waterfalls feel more natural. Maybe it’s becuase we were up there alone.

(Here is Ryian with the falls pictured in background)

I think if you are in the parish of St. Johns or nearby it’s worth making the short detour, just to see the village, and the falls. But unless you want to do some fun hiking to the other two Concord waterfalls, I won’t recommend making big plans just to see this one only.