Plans Change...

I thought by now I'd be posting this blog from another island-- certainly not Tierra Verde, Florida.  But, plans change and I find myself aground at our Pirates Cove townhouse with a broken ankle.  Before I get to this temporary set back, let me share some of the more upbeat moments of our recently extended Grenada stay.

Toi et Moi moved!  Jon was antsy to test some of our new upgrades and the F40 was more than willing to stick her bow out of Prickly Bay so off they go... To Mt. Hartmann Bay.  Just the next bay over but a move is a move!

What can beat a happy hour and fun times with good friends?  Here we celebrate with a rum punch won on trivia night.  Andrea and Phil (forward) hosted the team aboard their beautiful catamaran, Anastasia.

While I recover in Florida, the team won again; this time first place.  The prize was a dinghy donut ride, 2 pizzas and a case of beer.  Now that would have helped my recovery, for sure!

As we thought we would be leaving soon, Jon finally decided an island tour was in order.   Overlooking  busy St. George's harbor.

This is my third waterfall visit while visiting Grenada.  Concord Falls.

A first for both of us was a trip to the nutmeg processing plant.  Bought Opti a souvenir, her very own burlap bag.  She loves to rub and roll on it after her daily swims.

We toured both the chocolate factory and the rum factory and had samples at each.  FYI, we did NOT drink both bottles of rum!  The first bottle is 75% alcohol and is above the 70% limit allowed to be exported or flown off island.  The second bottle is called airplane rum and is 69% alcohol.  Both are way too strong (think rot gut) for me.  Now the chocolate is another matter.

One of my favorite pictures!  Jon is walking on the beach that was instrumental in making all beaches public in Grenada.  A private owner had blocked access to this spot.  Locals protested,  and the property owner had to allow public access. Now all beaches are public.  Even the ones behind the fancy resorts!

Then I went on another hash ...

And this happened!  Not a bad break but try climbing from the dinghy to the deck...

With this.  So now I'm biding my time on land here in Florida while Jon and Opti patiently wait for my return.  Hoping to get my sea legs back soon.

In the meantime, I am trying to make the best of a change of plans!

The Colors of Grenada

I was looking back on all the pictures I have taken and I noticed all the colors!  Granted, a lot of them were from Carnival (called Spicemas by the locals)!  So here goes, enjoy the colors of Grenada.

Nature always provides the best colors!

Boat along the Carenage in downtown St. George

The many colors of Mexican Train.  I enjoy a game once or twice a week. 

Flags (and people) from around the world are represented.

I believe the costumes these women are wearing represented a tropical drink!

Dancing on the street!

This was the family parade.

. Young and old, all dressed up!

Each group had a queen...

or King.

And lots of well decorated dancers.

All were having a great time.

Loud music and lots of energy, especially from the kids!

Lots of smiles... and glitter!

But life in Grenada is more than just partying on the street.  We have to shop too!

The Wednesday morning farmers market always has a beautiful bounty of vegetables, eggs, spices and more.  Glenda is my favorite vendor.

And there is always time for a little fun.  We are getting ready to take a hike through the rainforest to...

Seven Sisters Waterfall.  The reward was diving into to this clear lake and letting the current and falls hit you.  Natures own jacuzzi!

Some friends talked us into participating in a "Hash" with the Grenadian Hash House Harriers.  HHH is an international group of non-competitive running social clubs.  It's a great way to see parts of the island as hashes are held in different locations every Saturday.  

Unfortunately for us, first timers (or virgins) are doused in beer after completing their first hash.
Not all of it was wasted, however!

Still Limin' in Grenada

One of the best things about limim' is watching the boats come and go.
Not all are as magnificent as this 478' mega-yacht, supposedly owned by
the founder of Oracle.

Not sure what the story is on this J-Class boat but she was a beauty.  Look at the size of
that mast. 

This place combines the best of both worlds, Cafe Mocha Spokes.  A coffee shop
and bike hangout close to St. George University.  A great place to chill
out with a latte.  

And of course, there is dominoes.  The version they play here is
Grenadian Train Dominoes.  This particular day was a fund
raiser hosted by Cruisers Against Cancer.  With over 50 players participating
and a well stocked raffle, over $2,000 was raised.   

One of the most amazing things about cruising is the
people you meet along the way.  When I was in the states
I responded to a Facebook post from a lady in Grenada who asked any stateside
cruisers to bring something back for her from Home Depot.  I did and we
arranged to meet for the exchange.  Turns out that Connie lived
across the dock from us 35 years ago, when we were first married and living on our 23'
Alberg!  What a memory.! So great catching up with her and comparing our paths along
the way.

While at our Whisper Cove anchorage I recognized a familiar
boat, Voyager.  Turns out our friends, Deb and John, were aboard.
I originally met them at Curtis Marina, in Tavernier, when I first
moved to the Keys.  They had taken off to go cruising about a year later!
We enjoyed reconnecting and renewing our friendship.

Opti also enjoys the limin' life. Duck is still her toy of choice
and she still enjoys chasing her around the boat.  Even though
she is almost 13, she still enjoys running around the boat
and her daily swims.  And to think we considered not taking
her with us!

Pretzel rods.  Who knew they are next to impossible
to find in the Caribbean?  Who knew they were both Opti and
Jon's favorite treat?  Who knew I would be smuggling bags back
from the US every time I went to visit?  At least Jon is willing to share
with Opti.  

Time for a walk.   Opti has a little stubborn streak in her
so Jon has to get in the dinghy and convince her it is
worth her while to jump blindly into the inflatable.  

But once she is there she loves to hang over the bow.  I guess
it's the cruiser dog version of hanging your head out of the
car window!

I guess I should be excited when Jon brings me a conch.  Cleaning one is not near as easy as the locals make it look.
I don't complain (too much) because the results are always so tasty!

As part of the Grenada Chocolate Festival we enjoyed yoga
and chocolate meditation at the local resort.  The free samples
of chocolate and cocoa tea made the yoga worthwhile!

Not to mention the view!

Of course, the view from the boat is pretty amazing
as well!

What's not to love about Grenada?  They even have their own
craft beer at  West Indies Brewery.

Once there, we had to try a taste of everything...
Well, not quite!  Guess we will have to return
for the rest of the brews!