If you have previously visited the West Indies, and were slightly dissapointed at the level of tranquility you experienced, this is the place for you.
The other Islands (Barbados in particular) seem to have become victims of their own tourism success. The tiny, lush, green islands have begun to lose their identity, and devote almost everything they have into exploiting the hugely succesful tourist industry in the area.
Nothing wrong with that, you might say...but most of the islands are considerably smaller than London. A few big hotel complexes can dominate a large percentage of the land, and you would be forgiven for forgetting that these places have history and culture...they are not purpose built for tourists. The true beauty of the West Indies lies in the unspoilt.
If you want to escape the 'Club Tropicana' feel of the over-developed West Indian islands, then Grenada is the place for you.
Flying into Grenada, you should be able to get a view of almost the whole country as you circle it preparing for landing. The view is basically GREEN HILLS AND BEACHES. And this is exactly what you get. Dont get me wrong, it is far from boring. There are many activities and beauty spots to enjoy, but the fun is finding them.
You wont find big signposts or advertisments giving rise to wild expectations, and ultimately delivering more hype than substance. Rather, a local may advise you on a place or activity, or you may just stumble across one on your wanderings. Even the best food is not in the expensive restaurants, but sold at beach huts, freshly prepared and cooked in front of you.
Night life may not be to everyones tastes, but a few clubs offer regular nights for locals and tourists...you may find the dancing especially intimadating, but just join in! Its all done in the best possible taste.
Driving in Grenada will either be an arduos, sometimes frightning, experience, or an adventure - providing great training for off-road 4*4! The cheap tarmac used, and very hot and sometimes very wet conditions, mean that the roads are constantly in need of repair. Gaping, foot-deep potholes litter all but the main highways, and many of these roads wind wildly round blind turns with barrier-less 80ft drops!
Obeying traffic laws in Grenada does not seem obligatory, so I recommend seeing it for yourself before deciding whether or not to hire a car.
I have visted Grenada a few times, and think I'll always be happy to return. Highlights included the beautiful Concordewaterfalls, ALL the beaches (especially up North - rough seas but less tourists), various hikes through the rainforrest areas, and the amazing food, especiall fresh fruit, that leaves you feeling completely toxin free.
A week in Grenada will leave you crying out for more. Two weeks maybe enough for the less adventurous, but anything up to a month for those who truely want to explore the island. Day trips to other islands are also available easily and fairly cheaply.
General cost can be very high, but if you shop around you can avoid unscrupulous tourist-robbers.
Great weather, obviously, and if you burn easyily, YOU WILL BURN EASILY. Be warned.
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Apr 12th, 2001
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