Travel suggestions for Grenada?

[RonJames]

The wife and I were thinking about taking a trip to grenada next year for some R and R. I'd love to hit up River Antoine, Sugar factory(old grog land), and westerhall (it looks like they're making a new sipper) but the real question is this.
-If anybody has traveled down there, was it a pain in the rear and was it a positive experience?
-Also what stuff is a must do other than rum stuff?

Thanks,
Ron James

[TheRumelier]

Ron,
I have only spent a couple of days in Grenada a long time ago at the end of a now defunct "Windjammer" cruise. I had a great time though. Lots to see around this beautiful island. Beaches, forts, rum distilleries, cricket games, steel bands, rum cruises, nutmeg factories, waterfalls, markets, etc. the usual Caribbean stuff.
I was thinking about another trip in the near future too, but mainly for the rum sights, as I did not do much last time, so I would be very interested to hear and see the results of your trip.

[Edward Hamilton]

Grenada is one of my favorite islands and where I wrote most of the first edition of Rums of the Eastern Caribbean. I would recommend a visit to River Antoine to everyone. Grenada has retained much of its West Indian heritage though it is changing. Spend some time researching accommodations and you will be rewarded. Take a couple of days to go to Carriacou and you'll remember your trip a long time.

All of the public buses run from the waterfront in St Georges. The early months of the year would be the most interesting to see River Antoine.

[Berbician]

Definitely not a pain in the rear!

I was last there in 2006. River Antoine is the most interesting of the three distilleries to visit, although the rum itself leaves a lot to be desired eek.gif. They make two strengths - 69% alcohol which you can take with you on the plane, and 75% alcohol which you can't.

There's no actual distilling done at Westerhall now - they only age and blend imported rum - although it's still worth a visit. I would rate Westerhall Plantation as the best rum made in Grenada, and one of the best in the entire Caribbean.

Clarke's Court stopped doing tours after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 - hopefully they've restarted now - but you can still taste and buy all of their products at the factory.

Dunfermline was derelict and overgrown when I was there, and I have heard a rumour that they are going to try and re-open. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

You can probably visit all these sites in one day - I would recommend hiring a taxi for the day so that you can relax and enjoy the views.

Plenty of other things to see in Grenada. Lots of waterfalls, lakes, rainforest, nutmeg trees, beaches.....

The Nutmeg Processing Station in Gouyave is a "must-see", there's a chocolate factory and there's De la Grenade Industries where they make jams, jellies, syrups, rum punch and other drinks, all of which can be sampled and bought.

Finally, if you're in St George's on a Saturday morning, take a look round the market - you can buy all of the spices, as well as all the usual/unusual fruit and vegetables.

[Edward Hamilton]

Thanks Berbician, the market is worth seeing, especially on Saturday. I love the honey roasted peanuts sold by the vendors.

The National Marketing Board on Young Street across from Tikal is also worth seeing for local produce, spices, etc. And don't miss Art Fabrik (http://www.artfabrikgrenada.com). On Saturday, you can find fresh fish cakes in the market.

[RonJames]

If Berbican, Ed Hamilton, and the rumelier speak for it, than thats a great mark for it. If the misses has any doubts I'll show her the art fabrik site Ed, they look like they have some awesome stuff! Thanks guys.

[Edward Hamilton]

Art Fabrik is an amazing store where everything is made on the premises, Chris and her staff work with the deaf community to make unique handmade clothing and wearable art. St Georges is full of history and worth the visit. There is a lot to see and do on Grenada and the neighboring islands.

[RonJames]

Thank you again guys. This is been the brightest part of my day, well, that and whats in my glass.thankyou.gif

[TheRumelier]

Ron, there are some good photos of rum attractions amongst other things on this facebook page, just scroll down to the photos albums and pick the Island tour, I'm really thinking about taking a trip now. This is how rum should be made!!!
http://www.facebook.com/laecottages#

[RonJames]

Thanks rumelier, Im a gonna check this out during lunch. Nothing wrong with a little mid-day day dreaming right?you rock.gif

[RonJames]

wow rumelier, I couldn't wait for lunch so I looked ahead. Thats an awesome photo tour of River Antoines. Puts me in the mood. I know it isn't premium sipping rum but small places like this that have been doing it "their way" since the dawn of time hold tremendous respect from me.glass.gif

[TheRumelier]

Thanks rumelier, Im a gonna check this out during lunch. Nothing wrong with a little mid-day day dreaming right?you rock.gif

That's exactly how I found the photos!! It really has me thinking about a trip next year sometime, there seems to be some cheap, good hotels.

[Edward Hamilton]

River Antoine is an amazing place. When I first visited there in '93 there weren't any light bulbs in the distillery area, but this wasn't the only distillery without electricity in the islands.

There is a book called, Red Rum Punch about this distillery which gives some good insight into Grenada after the American rescue in '89.

There's plenty to do and see in Grenada, I wrote much of my first two books anchored off the south coast of Grenada in one of the most delightful places in the Caribbean to spend a few months.

[TheRumelier]

Some great photos of River Antoine Distillery by Kenneth Chritian. Just hit the next button to see some more amazing shots. I'm going!!!

http://www.pbase.com/kchristi/image/92709156

[Rum Runner]

Great photo essay on an Old World distillery Bob! Makes me want to buy a ticket to Grenada also.

[RonJames]

I've gotta sit down with the wife and plan out some stuff...meaning grenada. Funny thing is when I was recently talking about going she thought I was talking about the southern region of spain.party1.gif

[Rum Runner]

And that would be Granada. Not a bad place to visit either. The Alhambra is worth the price of a ticket. Your New England accent must have confused her Spanish ear!glass.gif

[RonJames]

You know those Puerto Rican women Rum runner, they always think of visiting the mother country. Im sure she was selectively thinking spain while I was thinking a caribbean island.

[Rum Runner]

I hear you James!

[RonJames]

HAHA! I won, the misses has agreed that we are honeymooning in Grenada the island! For the 1st time ever thank god for pricey euros and tanking US Dollar. Thank you Rum Runner and Rumelier as well as you two were also pivotal in her decision. Just booked the tickets for end of july!

[ChrisAroundTheWorld]

Ron - You will enjoy Grenada. I just got back. I visited River Antoine - if you love rum, it's a great place to go. Very old school (although 75% alcohol is too much for me! I found the best rum punch at the Aquarium...it was certainly fun trying!

Chris
Post and photos from River Antoine:
http://caroundtheworld.com/2009/11/17/rum-grenada/