Author Archives: Theresa

Randy & Theresa, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent

Christmas in St. Vincent – by Theresa

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Randy & Patton on the Bamboo Bridge, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent

Randy & Patton on the Bamboo Bridge, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent

Dark  View Falls

While our family had not originally intended to spend Christmas in St. Vincent, when the weather prevented us from heading off to St. Lucia, we made the most of it and set out to explore our tropical holiday home. St. Vincent is an island with pristine bays, dramatic peaks, tropical forestry and picturesque waterfalls. We ventured out to Dark View Falls, on the north end of the island, and were rewarded with a set of dual cascading waterfalls over 200 feet high. To reach the falls we had to first cross a river via a long bamboo bridge. We were advised to not all cross the bridge at the same time! The good news, that our guide shared with us, was that the water below was warm and not that deep in case anyone didn’t make it all the way across.

Dark View Falls (with Bamboo Bridge in the Background), St. Vincent
R&R on the Bamboo Bridge, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
R&R on the bamboo bridge, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
R&R on the far side of the bamboo bridge

After crossing the bamboo bridge there was a short hike through lush rain forest like vegetation to reach the lower falls.

On the Trail to Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
Trail to Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
Trail to Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
Trail to the upper falls, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
Dark View Falls, (lower falls), St. Vincent

Just a short hike uphill past the lower falls we were rewarded with views of the second, larger waterfall.

Dark View Falls (lower falls)
Randy & Theresa, Dark View Falls, St. Vincent
Ronan & Ryan, Dark View Falls (upper falls), St. Vincent
Wallilabo Bay, St. Vincent (Pirates of the Caribbean Set)

Wallilabo Bay, St. Vincent (Pirates of the Caribbean Set)

Pirates of the Caribbean

In addition to its natural beauty, St. Vincent is also famous as the main filming location for the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Much of the filiming took place in Wallilabou Bay where many set props and building structures remain on display. We enjoyed touring the set, viewing the artifacts and dining at the Wallilabou Anchorage Restaurant which is used in many of the scenes in the movie and is also dog friendly!

Pirates of the Caribbean set, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Wallilabou Bay
Pirates of the Caribbean Set, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Ryan on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Pirates of the Caribbean set, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Ryan and Ronan, Pirates of the Caribbean set, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Arch, from Pirates of the Caribbean, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Pirates of the Caribbean Set, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
R&R, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Pilot's Discretion, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent

Pilot’s Discretion, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent

We enjoyed Wallilabou Bay so much that we decided to move Pilot’s Discretion from Blue Lagoon Marina, at the south end of the island, to Wallilabou Bay.  We took advantage of our new position to explore the surrounding area and bays, including the stone archway, filmed in the opening scene of he Pirates of the Caribbean, and nearby Cumberland Bay.

Ronan was so entranced with the Pirates of the Caribbean theme that even on the water he immersed himself in his latest acquisition instructing how to build “The anti-Pirate Potato Cannon.”

Stone Arch, from Pirates of the Caribbean, Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Cave at Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Cumberland Bay, St. Vincent
Ronan
How to Build an Anti Pirate Potato Cannon!

When not building anti-pirate potato cannons, the boys busied themselves fishing off the dock with their friends from S/V Madhatter and S/V Shoe Shine. Since the next weather window has presented itself, our next post will be from St. Lucia. We are all very much looking forward to sharing our continuing adventures with everyone in the New Year!

Fishing off the docks at Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent

Fishing off the docks at Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy & Patton in front of Tthe Indians, B.V.I.

Patton’s healthcare while in Grenada – by Theresa

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A not small part of our trip planning has revolved around making sure that our soon to be 14 year old Cocker Spaniel “Patton” has had access to appropriate healthcare during our cruise. We are happy to report that Grenada has a college of veterinary medicine at St. George’s University that is the equal of any that you would find in the United States. The school’s faculty and students that we interacted with were all extremely kind and caring in all of their interactions with Patton and they readily addressed the health issues that Patton has been facing as he approaches his 14th birthday. In addition, they have been very accommodating as we have worked our way through the paperwork jungle that is a part of bringing our four legged family member along on our journey through multiple countries with varying and inconsistent requirements for entry. If you are fortunate enough to be able to bring a four legged companion along on your Caribbean adventure, you can find comfort knowing that your furry pal will receive top level care at the St. George’s University small animal clinic. They can be reached at (473) 435-2900. Tell them “Patton” sent you.

MountCinnamon BeachClub, Grenada

Our Neighborhood is Disbanding – by Theresa

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Bus Load of Cruisers from Port Louis Marina

Bus Load of Cruisers from Port Louis Marina

As we have reported to you before, our entire family has enjoyed this amazing trip of a lifetime in ways that we could have never imagined prior to our departure. The friends we have made and the sense of community that we have experienced with our fellow cruisers is something that I do not think any of us fully anticipated. As this is being written during the third week of November, 2015, we are still tied to the dock at the Port Louis Marina in St. Georges, Grenada. The Pilot’s Discretion is ready for departure and once we have addressed a few minor issues, that required a last minute trip back to Florida, it will be time for us to cast off.

It appears that we will be some of the last members of our floating neighborhood to get underway. Each day for the past two weeks or so has been a new opportunity to say farewell to another fellow cruising family as our Grenadian flotilla has gradually begun to scatter to the four points of the compass.

S/V Slo Down Departing Port Louis Marina, Grenada

S/V Slow Down Departing Port Louis Marina, Grenada

Some of our friends are headed west, through the Panama Canal, others are headed south towards South America, while still others are headed north to continue exploring the islands of the Caribbean.

Regardless of the next destination, all of our new cruising friends agree that leaving Grenada has felt a bit like it did when we all left our respective homes at the beginning of our individual adventures. We have been in Grenada for 5 months and as a result have had the opportunity to get to know Grenada as our home away from home.

Our Favorite Beach

We have our favorite beach – Grand Anse, where we spent many a Sunday afternoon at Coconut Beach Restaurant. Toes in the sand, listening to live music, watching the cruise ships come in and out of port, all while enjoying local cuisine and fabulous sunsets … what’s not to love!

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Theresa & Randy at Coconuts, Grand Anse Beach
Patti & Chuck dancing at Coconuts, Grand Anse Beach
Cruise Ship, St. Georges, Grenada
Sunset, Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Our Favorite Resort

We have our favorite resort, Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club (at the south end of Grand Anse Beach in St. Georges), where guests of ours visiting us in Grenada were pampered with turquoise Caribbean waters, lush tropical gardens, exquisite cuisine and magnificent scenery. Cruisers can enjoy fine dining in the resort restaurants and obtain day passes to enjoy all of the resort amenities. It is truly a hidden Caribbean gem!

Mount Cinnamon Beach Club, Grenada
Balcony Room
Beach and Villas
Restaurant Overlooking Carenage
Garden Trail
Balcony Suite

Balcony Suite

Our Favorite Taxi Driver

We even have our favorite taxi driver, Martin “Cat Eyes” Lawrence (a.k.a. ‘Yellow Man’). Cat Eyes is well known throughout the island and easy to spot given his signature yellow highlighted A/C taxi and matching attire. He is available for island tours, airport delivery & pickup, shopping and running all around the island. He is often stationed at the taxi stand at Port Louis Marina, however, he can also be reached at (473) 440-8032 or (473) 414-7742.

Martin “Cat Eyes” Lawrence (a.k.a. Yellow Man)
Martin “Cat Eyes” Lawrence (a.k.a. Yellow Man) A/C Taxi
Martin “Cat Eyes” Lawrence (a.k.a. Yellow Man)

What ever expectations each of us had for Grenada before we arrived here, they have all been surpassed. We will always have fond memories of our time on this Caribbean jewel but as Tennessee Williams wrote “There is a time for departure even when there is no certain place to go.” It is now time for us to move on.

Mount Cinnamon

Family Visitors in Grenada (a.k.a. “Spice Isle”) Part II – by Theresa

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Following up our previous post, while Grenada is only 21 miles long, and 12 miles wide, there was still much to see and explore on the spice isle.

THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Diamond Chocolate FactoryWe continued our journey exploring Grenada with our knowledgeable local guide, Mr. Rawl Bell (“Rawl”), and our visiting guests, Randy’s sister Patti and her husband Chuck. Rawl informed us that no visit to Grenada would be complete without a trip to one of the island’s two (2) chocolate factories. It did not take much convincing to get us to agree. At the Diamond Chocolate Factory, we  learned how chocolate is made from bean to bar. Our guide escorted us to the Cocoa fields laden with Cocoa trees producing buds. Harvesting the cocoa pods is still done by hand. The cocoa pods are carefully broken open to release the cocoa beans, which are embedded in a moist, fibrous, white pulp. We had the opportunity to taste the cocoa beans right out of the pod!

Diamond Chocolate Factory
Guided tour of the Cocoa Fields
Guided tour of the Cocoa Fields
Cocoa Pods are hand harvested
Cocoa Pod broken open (cacao beans embedded in a moist, fibrous, white pulp)
Tasting the Cocoa Pod right off the tree

In sum, the beans are then dried, fermented, mixed, and heated, with additional ingredients added depending on how the chocolate is to be used.

Cocoa Bean Drying and Storing Shed
Inside the chocolate facory
Cocoa Beans
Grenadian Chocolate Bar (60%)

At the end of the guided tour, visitors are able to sample chocolates with varying degrees of cocoa (i.e. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% &100%) and purchase all kinds of chocolate. It was not at all like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, however, the sampling and purchases in the end were deliciously delightful.

DESTROYED RUSSIAN PLANES

Grenada is an island nation rich not only in spices, but richly steeped in history as well. In 1983, the U.S. launched Operation Urgent Fury, during which U.S.-led forces successfully defeated a threat posed to the United States and the Caribbean by the “Soviet-Cuban militarization” of Grenada. As we explored the island, we observed Russian planes, abandoned and destroyed, at the now closed Point Salines Airport.

Abandoned and destroyed Russian Plane
US Welcome Sign
Abandoned and destroyed Russian Plane

We were pleased and proud to also see signs prominently displayed around the island thanking the U.S. for its part in liberating Grenada from the then untenable government.

THE RUM DISTILLERY

River Antoine Estates Rum Distillery

River Antoine Estates Rum Distillery

Exploring the Antoine River Estate Rum Distillery provided yet additional insight to the never ending beauty of the “Spice Isle,” its history and resourcefulness. To start, the distillery uses locally grown cane and a hydro-powered water wheel that has been operational since 1785! It was delectable tasting the fresh cut cane and then watching it go up the hydro-powered conveyor belt so that the sweet sugary juices could be squeezed out of the cane in the first step of the rum making process. The discarded cane remnants are then piled up and carted away for mulch. (To the gear-heads who want to see the hydro-powered water wheel in action, click on the video tab at the top of this page to view video of the wheel in motion.) Click on any picture to enlarge or for slide show.

Hydro-powered water wheel operating since 1785
Hydro-powered water wheel operating since 1785
Raw suger cane
Cutting cane
Ronan tasting freshly cut sugar cane
Ryan tasting freshly cut sugar cane
Patti and Ryan Tasting freshly cut sugar cane
Raw sugar cane going up hydro-powered conveyor belt. The machine squeezes out the juice.
Discarded sugar cane plants are manually gathered
Discarded sugar cane is transported away for other uses
Ryan on the cane mulch pile
R&R on the cane mulch pile

The sugar cane juice is then transported to large vats in the boiling house, where it is boiled and then fermented. The fermented remnants then continue their journey through large distillery pots where locally gathered wood fuels the fire that heats the pots converting the fermented sugar cane juices into steam. The steam is subsequently cooled and reconstituted into the rum liquid that is bottled and sold throughout the island.

Next step is the Boiling House
The Boiling House
Fermenting Room
Wood for fireplace under distillery pot
Next step rum distillery
Fireplace under rum distillery
Rum Distillery
Rum Basin (Made in KY)

The vapors at the distillery were truly intoxicating! Like the chocolate factory, we were fortunate to taste a sampling of the final product at the end of tour.

Randy andPatton exiting the Boiling House, Rum Distillery, Grenada
Sampling the end product
Patti & Chuck exiting the rum factory

GRAND ETANG

Our last spot of exploration with Rawl  took us through the rainforest around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, to the focal point of the reserve, Grand Etang Lake. Grand Etang Lake fills the crater of one of the island’s extinct volcanoes and is located 1,800 feet (550 m) above sea level. The rainforest was fraught with tropical flowers that can only flourish in a rainforest.

Grand Etang
Grand Etang
Tropical Flowers
Tropical Flowers
Tropical Foliage
Tropical Flowers

Rawl Bell provided us with a fascinating tour of the island, one which none of us will soon forget.

Vista
Patti, Ronan, Ryan, Chuck & Rawl

Alas, the time came for Patti and Chuck to return to the states. We shared our farewell dinner at the elegant Mount Cinnamon Resort, on the south end of Grand Anse Beach. We were all sad to see Patti and Chuck leave, however, on our journey, there are no “good-byes,” only “until we meet again!” So, until we meet again …

Randy, Patton, Theresa, Patti, Chuck, Ronan and Ryan, Mount Cinnamon Resort

Randy, Patton, Theresa, Patti, Chuck, Ronan and Ryan, Mount Cinnamon Resort

Cliff Diver, Concord Waterfalls

Family Visitors in Grenada (a.k.a. “The Spice Isle”) Part I – by Theresa

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Patti & Chuck at PLM beach, Carenage in the background

Patti & Chuck at PLM beach, Carenage in the background

My sister-in-law “Patti” recently asked me “When are you coming home?” I replied, “We are home. Home is where the boat is!” Upon hearing this, she decided that if she and her husband “Chuck” were going to visit us in the near future, then it was going to have to be on the boat. Since we are currently stationed in Grenada, she promptly made arrangements and within weeks we had the pleasure of hosting both Patti and Chuck on board the Pilot’s Discretion.

HASH HIKE

We wasted no time introducing them to our Grenadian adventures and on the first full day of their visit they accompanied us on our weekly hike. This week’s hike began on the north shore beach in Sauteaurs, continued up mountainsides, and did not disappoint in providing the usual vigorous exercise and spectacular views (click on any photo to enlarge or for slideshow).

Patti & Chuck, pre-hash
Theresa & Patton, pre-hash
Hash Hike
Patti hash leading the way
Hash Hike
Post hash – we did it!

GRAND ANSE BEACH

Having exerted ourselves on the hike, we opted to spend the next day relaxing on the beach.  First, some 50’s music, and dancing, at Coconuts, on Grand Anse Beach, and then dinner at The Aquarium Restaurant, Point Salines, at sunset.

Theresa & Randy at Coconuts, Grand Anse Beach
Patti & Chuck dancing at Coconuts, Grand Anse Beach
Patti & Chuck at Coconuts, Grand Anse Beach
Point Salines, Aquarium
Patti & Chuck at Aquarium

CLIFF DIVING AT CONCORD WATERFALLS

With so much more to see and explore in Grenada, and only a short time to share with our guests, we chartered an air conditioned bus, with an experienced guide, Mr. Rawl Bell (“Rawl”). Rawl provided us with a wealth of  information regarding the beauties of Grenada, a.k.a. “The Spice Isle.” Our first stop was Concord Waterfalls, one of the countless natural waterfalls on the island.

Concord Waterfalls
Concord Waterfalls
Concord Waterfalls

The kids enjoyed playing on the rocks and we all enjoyed the natural beauty of the falls .

R&R Concord Waterfalls
Family Concord Waterfalls, Grenada
R&R Concord Waterfalls

Shortly after our arrival at the falls, a local “cliff diver” climbed to the top of the falls and amazed us all with his daring cliff diving acumen.  It did not take long for my ever-adventuresome brother-in-law Chuck to dive in after him (click on any photo to enlarge or for slideshow).

Concord Waterfalls Chuck Cliff Diving
R&R watching cliff diver Concord Waterfalls
Cliff Diver, Concord Waterfalls

(Note: We have created a dedicated YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com where we have compiled videos from our blog, and uploaded additional videos from our journey. To view the videos, including VIDEOS of Chuck, and the cliff diver, cliff diving, click https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94z5hCIrRiEvY8MTJegTbA  (or copy and paste into browser).

NUTMEG FACTORY

Nutmeg Receiving Station (Examined, Weighed, Payment to Farmer

Nutmeg Receiving Station (Examined, Weighed, Payment to Farmer)

After the cliff diving adventures at the waterfalls, our guide informed us that Grenada is the world’s second largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia, and that nutmeg is Grenada’s principal export crop. He then took us to the nutmeg-processing co-op, in the center of the west-coast fishing village of Gouyave (pronounced gwahv), where we got to witness first hand the nutmeg process from tree to spice. There we saw locally grown nutmeg being received, examined & weighed with payments made to the local farmers. We learned the nutmeg is then dried in drying racks for 6-8 weeks.

 

Nutmeg Air Dried in Shells (6-8 weeks
Nutmeg Air Dried in Shells (6-8 weeks
Nutmeg Air Dried in Shells (6-8 weeks

Once dried, the seeds are cracked by a machine and then sent down a chute to the floor below where workers manually separate the shells from the nuts. No resource is wasted and discarded shells are collected in burlap sacks and sold for mulch. The nutmeg fragrance at the factory is intoxicating.

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Next, nutmeg kernels are graded by floating them in water (sinkers are sound and floaters are defective). Workers then hand grade the remaining nutmeg, removing residual defects and running the remaining nutmeg through metal graders (for size). The final nutmeg product is bagged in hand painted stenciled burlap sacks with international destinations throughout the world. We were surprised to learn that Rotterdam and Antwerp are the two largest importers of Grenadian nutmeg. The factory produces approximately 3 million pounds of Grenada’s most famous export each year.

Kernels Graded by Floating in Water (sinkers are sound and floaters are defective)
Workers Hand Grade Nutmeg (remove residual defectives) and Run through Metal Graders (for size)
Bagged in Hand Painted Stenciled Burlap Sacks
Rotterdam Burlap Sack
Burlap Sacks Ready for Export
Antwerp Burlap Sack

A lot of effort for a small, yet delicious, spice present in almost all spice racks!

LEATHERBACK TURTLES IN LEVERA BAY

After the nutmeg factory, we visited yet another notorious spot on Grenada, Levera Bay. Levera Bay is a Sanctuary to the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle. Each year, Leatherback Sea Turtles return to Grenada to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches of Levera Bay.

Levera Bay
Baby Leatherback Sea Turtles

Leatherback Sea Turtles can grow to more than six feet long, weighing as much as 1400 pounds, however, the initial hatchlings, only inches long, are left on their own to find their way from the beach to the sea. Due to a recent invasion of Sargasso Sea weed on Grenada’s coastline, the baby Leatherback Sea Turtles have been finding it difficult to reach the sea. On the day that we arrived in Levera Bay, the Park Rangers were assisting this group of baby Leatherback Sea Turtles in reaching the sea!

(To view a video of the baby Leatherback Back Sea Turtles click the “VIDEOS” tab at the top of this page.)

After all the excitement exploring Grenada, we stopped to rest, enjoying some local cuisine on the north shore of Grenada looking out over “Kick em Jenny,”  and Ronde and Caille Islands.

Chuck, Patti, Ronan and Ryan, lunch on the north shore

Chuck, Patti, Ronan and Ryan, lunch on the north shore

There was still much more of Grenada to explore … however, we will leave those adventures until another post!