~This post is in collaboration with Haron Forteau of Haron Forteau Design & Photography~
In light of Grenada’s Independence Celebrations, I thought I should do this post about GRENADA – a brief history and a little insight on where I’m from.
February 7th, 2016, marked 42 years of Grenada’s Independence. In Grenada, Independence Day is one holiday we anticipate and take pride in celebrating. Lots of cultural presentations and activities are usually organized leading up to the day and Grenadians from all across the world take the time to dress in the national colors to represent and proudly boast of their heritage.
Grenada gained its independence from the British in 1974 with Sir Eric Matthew Gairy being the first Prime Minister. Since then, the island has had eight Prime Ministers and is now being led by The Right Honourable Dr. Keith C. Mitchell.
Grenada, known as the Isle of Spice, is the largest of a tri-island state – Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The capital town is St. George’s.
This tiny island is located in the Eastern Caribbean with Trinidad and Tobago to the south and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the north. The size of the island is only 133 sq. miles but, believe me when I say, the heart of the people is quite enormous.
The population is approximately 110,000 and I guarantee you, all you need is to take one stroll down the street and you will be greeted with a lot of friendly hello’s and some of the most contagious smiles. We are known to be a warm and friendly people.
The Flag:
Oh how I love those colors! What do they represent?
The flag was designed by Anthony C. George of Soubise, St. Andrew’s, Grenada. The red in the flag represents the people’s courage and vitality, yellow stands for their wisdom and warmth and green for lush vegetation and agriculture.
[ctt title=”Grenada – truly in a nutmeg shell” tweet=”Grenada – truly in a nutmeg shell http://ctt.ec/vExj2+ + via @islepreneur” coverup=”vExj2″]
The six stars – three at the top border and three at the bottom – represents Grenada’s six parishes/provinces and the star at the middle represents the sister isles, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The nutmeg in the corner is one of Grenada’s main crops and was once its main export and so it was included to signify its contribution to the nation’s economy.
Main Dish:
Oildown. One of my favorite Grenadian dishes. It is a mixture of provisions (breadfruit, green fig, yam, callaloo, etc.), different meats, coconut milk, dumplin and seasonings to make a tasty, finger licking, flavourful meal. See how it’s done here.
The island:
Some refer to it as an unspoiled, tropical paradise. Others say the Spice of the Caribbean. I call it my home.
Grenada is very lush and mountainous with some of the most spectacular views and amazing sunsets.
Definitely a great place to do some nature walks. The famous Grand Etang Lake, nested in the heart of the rain forest, is an excellent location for hiking, site seeing and family picnics.
Still a developing island, many of the buildings in each of the five towns have a rich historic feel, adding a unique identity and beauty to the island. The commercial hub is in the capital city, St. George’s, where some buildings have been around for more than 100 years. Evident in the aged bricks and shingled roofing.
[ctt title=”Mountains, beaches, waterfalls, sunsets. Grenada – truly in a nutmeg shell.” tweet=”Mountains, beaches, waterfalls, sunsets. #PureGrenada – truly in a nutmeg shell http://ctt.ec/k1b8t+ + via @islepreneur” coverup=”k1b8t”]
The Beaches:
Grenada is home to some of the most magnificent beaches you can find in the Caribbean. I may be biased, but I may be right. Lol. Home to the world renowned Grand Anse Beach, there are also other beaches we can boast about. 😉 Magazine Beach, BBC, Bathway and one beach I’ve been falling in love with, Dr. Groom’s Beach are all very beautiful and inviting. You can also find breath-taking, almost untouched beaches in Carriacou with crystal clear water and powdery white sand.
Waterfalls:
If you’re into adventure, try a hike to one of our waterfalls like Concorde Falls, Seven Sisters Falls or Mt. Carmel Falls. If you’re not into hiking and want to get to the falls really quickly, Annandale Falls is just right for you!
This is my island in a nutshell. Grenada – My home.
Have you been to Grenada? Share your experience below:
