St George’s, Grenada

Overnight sail of 162 nautical miles.

Usual morning routine, then off the ship for river tubing, although we had time for a look around the shops before we left.  We left the cruise terminal at 10.30am for a 45 minute drive to get to the river.  St George’s was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, then again by Hurricane Lucy in 2005.  Ivan brought lots of wind (no surprises there), while Lucy brought lots of water.  Grenada is volcanic so therefore mountainous with lots of vegetation.  (You can tell by this commentary that we had a very good tour guide.)  The main crops are cocoa, nutmeg and bananas (yellow and red).  Along the way the guide also pointed out those three trees, along with avocado (in blossom), mango, wax apple, and papaya (which he said if you throw the seeds on the ground they easily sprout and grow).  After Ivan hit, all the trees lost their greenery and over the entire island there were only tree trunks left.  Yet now, most of them have recovered and fully green again, ie only a few bare tree trunks to be seen.  90% of the houses lost their roofs, and even now some of those houses have not been repaired.  After Lucy in 2005, the Chinese Government built a new stadium in preparation for the Cricket World Cup in 2007 (or ‘09 – can’t remember).  The Canadian Government helped rebuild a high school, as education is very important here.  Mandatory for 3-year-olds to start kindergarten till they are 5, then primary school through till 12; high school till 18, then 2 years’ college.  University if they want to, and there is one on the island, otherwise they have to go further afield.

Anyway, back to river tubing.  The island is in the dry season, however the expected rain has not eventuated so the river was lower than usual.  Hence I now have a bruised bum cause I kept bouncing over the rocks.  Never mind.  About 40 in our group in total.

It was great fun – I laughed all the way, swirling round, and down the rapids.  We were told that each rope we saw that crossed the river, we had to hold on to and wait for the guides.  The guides helped us into the tubes (just like on a river ride at a water park – tube with handles, and a base – you had to sit in with legs over the side) – and away we went to the first rope.  The guides (about 10 in total) then ran ahead with their tubes and positioned themselves along the next course of the river to help us through; then we’d get to the rope, and they’d pick up their tubes and run along to the next bit.  Four times in total.  Golly it was good fun.  Back on the bus, and back to the cruise terminal.  Back to the ship to get out of our wet togs and on with dry clothes, then out for lunch.  Great location but disappointing menu (see foodie blog).

Ice creams again once back on board (which we’ve done for the last few days – I’ve just forgotten to tell you!), then to our room to watch the Grand Princess, which was docked next to us today, sail away.  Gins on the balcony for our sailaway, then I wrote the blog.  Downstairs to watch On Point again, then to the Jack Walker show at the theatre.  He’s Scottish, and has been in all sorts of broadway musicals and Las Vegas shows.  He was OK.  Dinner with Terry and Chuck again, then off to bed.  It’s knackering this holiday business!