My mind has been on the islands lately, and I keep going back to an idyllic visit to Grenada last year. I think Grenada is one of the unsung heroes of the Caribbean. It is an extremely lush island, with stunning topography, lovely, friendly people, and of course, earns its nickname of “the Spice Isle.”
While there, I took what I thought would be an innocuous little waterfall hike. I didn’t really think I needed a “guide” to walk less 
than two miles along a path through the hills to the waterfall, but John and his side kick, also John, were so charming, my companion and I thought the company would be nice. We met several other people who the Johns had gathered and we choose a walking stick from an assortment leaning near a tree. After about a half mile of hiking through open fields and grass, I almost discarded it. Luckily, I didn’t. After rounding a bend with an incredible vista over the valley, we turned into the rainforest to follow the river. It got dark and wet. Our path wound along, constantly descending at a precipitous angle. It became thick mud studded with slick rocks. Suddenly, I was immensely grateful for that walking stick and John’s strong outstretched forearm when I had to step/leap just a bit further than I thought was possible without embarrassing myself by wearing a mud backside. I should have suspected something when John wore rubber boots, aka waterman’s boots or wellies.
So who would have thought I’d be out of breath going downhill? The end result was worth the toil – the path opened up to an absolutely fairytale glen; fern covered rock walls and a 50 foot waterfall free-falling into a swimmable pool before rolling off another tall cliff into a lower pool. Another young man appeared from nowhere, scaled the lichen covered walls like Spiderman, and performed a swan dive worthy of an Olympic medal. Quite unbelievably (and uncharacteristically), I caught this feat for 
posterity, which I proudly share with you. Of course, the water was absolutely irresistible, so we swam. We floated in the center of the pool where the sun shone down into the horseshoe of cliffs. I swam into the shadows, over to the waterfall, my fingers and toes finding little crevices to grip, and let the force of the water rain over me. It was a magical place.
But alas, we could not live in that Shangri-la and had to make the arduous climb back UP 
that same muddy path! You might understand that going up was actually easier than going down, but let me tell you, I definitely got my aerobic workout for the day! In the end, I was so very grateful for meeting the Johns. Along the way, they showed us all the lovely spices that give Grenada the nickname “Spice Isle”: cinnamon, ginger, saffron, cocoa, and nutmeg. Beyond guiding us to the waterfall, the Johns taught me a lot about the people of Grenada and their lives.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck the island and damaged or destroyed 90 percent of the homes and businesses on Grenada. The next year, Hurricane Emily struck the one part of the island that had not been devastated the year before. About a third of the residents have left the island for greener pastures, but I was amazed and impressed by the resiliency of the people of Grenada who have stayed. The storms ripped out huge swaths of forest and spice groves and devastated whole communities, but they have replanted and rebuilt. Although Grenada provides 20% of the world’s supply of nutmeg and has strong exports of other spices, tourism remains a major contributor to the economy. My new friend John doesn’t only escort “tourists” to waterfalls, he operates a construction business and has been politically instrumental in getting funding to replant forests and rebuild schools and businesses.
I was incredibly taken with Grenada, but a large influence was her people. Men and women who have worked hard to heal the scars nature has dealt, who love their country and are willing to share it with me. I’ll definitely go back and maybe the Johns will show me another adventure.
30 comments
slamdunk says:
March 19, 2010 at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Good photos. It looks like a fantastic place.
travelmaestro says:
March 19, 2010 at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, I was pretty amazed that I caught the diver in the frame! Grenada is lovely.
writing4sanity says:
March 19, 2010 at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
Sold! where do I sign? :)
travelmaestro says:
March 20, 2010 at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
Covington advisors are ready when you are! :) Thanks for reading here, come back soon. – Beverly
Christofer Ashby says:
March 19, 2010 at 9:17 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you for the lovely article. If you have the opportunity be sure to visit Grenada’s tiny sister island of Carriacou. No big hotels, no fast food, unbelievable nature and exquisite beaches. If you are interested in visiting, plase let me know as I visit on a regular basis.
travelmaestro says:
March 20, 2010 at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
Hi Christofer – I’ve seen Carriacou from sailing in the Grenadines, but never spent any time there. Sounds great and I’ll be sure to check it out. – Beverly
Chris Cafferkey says:
March 20, 2010 at 9:11 am (UTC -4)
What lovely photos, and an intruiging insight into a place I have never had the opportunity to visit.
travelmaestro says:
March 20, 2010 at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
Thanks, Chris. It is a special place. Hope you get to visit Grenada soon. – Beverly
Lakia says:
March 20, 2010 at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
These pictures are beautiful. I think Grenada is a lovely place.
Cindy (notjustagranny) says:
March 20, 2010 at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Wow! what fabulous photos!!! well done. Thanks for sharing this with us, your words beautifully describe the adventure. I will now have to put Grenada on my very long list of places to visit :)
Good fortune to the people of Grenada and may their islands recover beautifully
travelmaestro says:
March 20, 2010 at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you, Cindy, on best wishes to the people of Grenada. You’ll have to move Grenada toward the top of that list! – Beverly
aar says:
March 21, 2010 at 12:15 am (UTC -4)
Nice artikel..Thank
ellysuryani says:
March 21, 2010 at 3:35 am (UTC -4)
Grenada, hm amazing. Interesting post. I like the plant on that picture, Heliconia. We have various kind of Heliconia in Indonesia.
titi says:
March 21, 2010 at 4:24 am (UTC -4)
Hi, nice posting! Verry beatiful photo, thanks. Jendelakatatiti.wordpress.com.
elmer says:
March 21, 2010 at 7:02 am (UTC -4)
love that dive shot
knoxblevins says:
March 21, 2010 at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
Are their any Grenada mini gators in the water? Cause if not, I want to jump off the waterfall too!
travelmaestro says:
March 21, 2010 at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
Haha! Glad I didn’t think about gators nibbling when we were swimming!
mmaste13 says:
March 21, 2010 at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Beautiful photos!
garythepink says:
March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
Grenada is a wonderful place. the culture, weather, friendliness of the people, the food, the sun, the markets, and oh the roads…
the waterfall pics bring back great memories, of our last visit. We have been there 3 times in the last 4 years… looking forward to returning soon
GP
travelmaestro says:
March 22, 2010 at 6:50 am (UTC -4)
Gary, I agree whole-heartedly!Thanks for your comments. – Beverly
Aysha says:
March 22, 2010 at 3:01 am (UTC -4)
is that in Spain?
travelmaestro says:
March 22, 2010 at 6:55 am (UTC -4)
Aysha, this Grenada (pronounced with a long “a”) is in the south eastern part of the Caribbean, in a group called the Grenadines. Grenada (with an “ah” sound) is in Spain. Thanks for asking. – Beverly
singkey says:
March 22, 2010 at 4:08 am (UTC -4)
These pictures are beautiful. I think Grenada is a lovely place.
webnep says:
March 22, 2010 at 4:43 am (UTC -4)
Cool picture … huuu
clairela says:
March 22, 2010 at 5:42 am (UTC -4)
very lovely photos! looks like a great vacation spot!
Alexander Gray says:
March 22, 2010 at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
I have family in Grenada…been travelling there for years and I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above…
I also have family in Granada, haha – and it too is lovely!
travelmaestro says:
March 22, 2010 at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Alexander – Cool! You have family in great places to visit! If they ever feel the need for a guest, I’m submitting my application. Thanks for your comments. – Beverly
Best Travel Writing of 2010: Favorite Blog Posts from the Past Year says:
January 13, 2011 at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
[...] Travel Maestro wrote Waterfalls, Spices, and Life in Grenada [...]
Cruises » Blog Archive » Best Travel Writing of 2010: Favorite Blog Posts from the Past Year says:
January 14, 2011 at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
[...] Travel Maestro wrote Waterfalls, Spices, and Life in Grenada [...]
Best Travel Writing of 2010: Favorite Blog Posts from the Past Year — The Ultimate Green Blog says:
January 19, 2011 at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
[...] Travel Maestro wrote Waterfalls, Spices, and Life in Grenada [...]