Grenada, "The Island of Spice"

Grenada is an island country with an estimated population of 110,000. Besides Grenada there are six small islands that are dependencies of Grenada. Of the six, only Carriacou (see previous blog post) and Petite Martinique are inhabited.

We anchored in Prickly Bay at St George's, the capital of Grenada.

This cruising vessel has been around the block a time or two!

Grenada is also known as "The Island of Spice" and for good reason.
It produces a treasure trove of Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon, Saffron and Cocoa.


Early the next morning we immediately hit the renowned downtown Farmer's market in Ancestor Square... Jeff and I were besieged with the abundant visual and olfactory delights of the crafts, fruits and spices for sale in a block-size area of tiny booths.

Fresh nutmeg

Ultra fresh nutmeg

Sour Sap

These calabash shells make excellent bowls.

Many booths contained an almost decadent mixture of fresh spices and sauces.

We rented a vehicle and did a mini-tour of the island. Of course we had to go to the Grenada Chocolate Company. 

I couldn't help taking photos of these beautiful flowers marking the entrance way.

The Grenada Chocolate company uses cocoa beans grown by the Grenada Organic Farmer's cooperative. 

Cocoa pods

 The Cocoa trees are protected by banana, nutmeg and mango trees

Our very informative guide gave us a great tour of the grounds and the processing plant.

The Grenada chocolate company is known for their exquisite organic dark chocolate.

The beans

Cocoa beans drying in the sun

Harvesting is done year round and the beans are processed in the Grenada Chocolate factory's small solar-powered factory to be made into creamy mouth-watering bits of ambrosia.

Last stage of the drying process

Also many of cocoa beans are sold in bulk and exported for processing.

Original bell used to call the workers in from the fields for mealtime.

As often seems to happen, when looking for one treasure, we stumble upon another!

Frangipani Hornworm

And then another! On the way back to the boat we had stopped at a little spice stand along the side of the road. As we were leaving the woman that ran the stand called over to us to come see this wild Mona monkey that hangs out in the area. (I'm thinkin' because she feeds him!) 

Anyway this adorable creature eventually jumped on Jeff with lightening-quick speed and ran back up to its haven in the trees.

WHAAAAT'S UUUUUP?!!!!!!!!

Assessing the situation before making his move.

Enjoying a banana. Hmmm, I wonder where he got that from;). 

A wondrous journey to all,

Pam