More about St George’s, Grenada.

They celebrate their Carnevale in August, ‘having a grand time.’ Singing calypso.

We stopped for a tour where nutmeg, and other spices are harvested. Tried rum punch and loved it enough to take a Mickey to try on the ship. Lol.

30% unemployment is one of the barriers for people who live here, however they are friendly and warm people, highly educated. Outside the shop there were varieties of Spices being offered for sale by local woman. Spice liquor also for sale and jams and syrups. Second stop was a herb and spice farm. We had a tour and enjoyed the fragrances and feel of the items offered to us to try. We saw cocoa pods, fruits, grasses, weeds, and spice bushes. The main crops are cocoa and nutmeg due to climate. Tourism is really the main business in this area.

Plenty of very big posh homes in the hills, however they typically are not owned by locals. Perhaps some wealthy people who once fell in love with the island had a home built, however do not take the time to come enjoy what their money can buy.

Snakes and mongoose are local wildlife, we saw a larger gecko, and interesting to see goats and cows dotting the road side, some on rope. According to our tour guide, parents will gift an animal, a goat or cow, to their children hoping to teach responsibility. The youth ensures the animals are cared for and then reaps the benefit of making money from the animal.

On the island, they import fuel, diesel and it is expensive. They also now have to import sugar for use in many products for local consumption. Building materials including wood, steel and cement are also purchased from off island. Roads and homes are made mostly of cement and it is a high cost. Education is encouraged and in fact by law all will go to school and graduate. Medical costs are privately paid, no government assistance for that.

Stopped at old Westerhall Rum Distillery, including museum and how it used to work when sugar cane was planted here. Tasting followed. 140 proof. And then sipping rums. People bought Christmas presents. I am not a big fan of the strong alcohol flavour.

A very interesting day all around. Back to the ship and had appies, a glass of wine and ready for the best meal yet, at specialty Italian restaurant Toscana. I had some amazing items including risotto with lobster, and lobster with gluten free pasta. The flavours of the many courses and the balsamic vinegars and olive oils to dip my gluten free bread, were carefully selected by the wait staff. Dining in this restaurant takes time and is worth the extra attention to detail. Fantastico, piacere!,

Now it is time for bed and tomorrow landing in Bridgetown Barbados.