Grenada Tour.........Rum and Spices

Hi folks...........sorry I went awol for a couple of days but the internet connection here went down and couldn't communicate at all!
Anyway, all is well now and have just returned from a lovely interesting day out covering the islands's perimeter and giving us a taste of this beautiful island's history, with visits to a Rum Distillery and a working spice plantation. The whole island is covered with nutmeg, cinnamon and banana trees with a few sugar cane plantations left after the hurricane of 2004.

First photo is the fantastic beach that fronts my hotel.........Grande Anse. It stretches for about 2 miles and I have walked most of it. Sand is pure white and the sea is the bluest I have ever seen........been swimming here a few times. We visited a nutmeg factory where we watched the nutmegs being brought in, sorted and dried ready for export to Britain, Holland, USA and many other places. Then on to a rum distillery where we followed the process from sugar cane to finished product and were given a tasting of 75% proof rum which just about blew my head off!
The other big exports are bananas, cinnamon and coconuts. It really looks like a really simple uncomplicated life here, the men fishing in the villages and the women making baskets and hats from the local greenery!! Wish things were so simple in the UK!

Last two photos taken today to give you a feel of the island. Everything is nutmeg-based, from the ice-cream, shower gel, hand cream to the topping they put on the cocktails!!
Tomorrow I have the option of a hike in the Grand Etang Forest or a very lazy day here at the hotel. Think I will opt for the second option as I know we have a very early start on Sat to get to St Vincent and more form-filling, bags being searched(though the quantity of Silk Cut is decreasing!) Our rep is trying to get us on a direct flight rather than going vis Trinidad again.
Watch this space.............thanks again to those people who have been emailing me. I am receiving them but for some strange reason cannot reply. Keep them coming, and I can receive and send texts.

Thanks Pauline for update on H and H.....pleased to hear they are behaving themseves in my absence!!