During our first month in Grenada, we hadn’t ventured far from the capital city, St. George’s, so we took Green Man up on his offer to show us around the island. He spent several days driving us around and sharing the country’s culture and history with us.
He brought us to several markets, a river where he swam as a child, and then to Pilgrims Good Food Restaurant to try Grenada’s national dish, oildown. It’s a delicious combination of chicken, salted pigtails, breadfruit, pumpkin, callaloo, okra, and dumplings, all stewed together in coconut milk and spices. Afterward, we washed it down with an ice-cold glass of mauby. If you haven’t tried this bitter Caribbean beverage, you can order it here on Amazon.
Next, we visited Bellmont Estates, where we learned about chocolate production and the many fruits and spices produced in Grenada. Although, we’d already enjoyed most of them on the side of the road with Green Man. More times than we can count, he’d stopped to pick fruits, herbs, and spices from the side of the road: cacao, shado beni (cilantro), june plums, sugar apples, zaboca (avocado), figs (banana), five-finger (starfruit), nutmeg, sorrel, cinnamon leaves, and Seville oranges.
The next day, we visited a big freshwater lake in Grand Etang National Park. We searched for the wild monkeys but couldn’t find them, so we visited a nearby beach instead. Then we spent a while relaxing in the River Sallee Sulfur Springs before rinsing off and heading to see abandoned Cuban planes at the former Pearls Airport. The construction of this airport prompted the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983, on the claim that its long runway would be used for military aircraft and weapons. Although, we now know it was built solely for civilian passengers.
Before arriving in Grenada, we’d never even heard of “Operation Urgent Fury”, so we felt a little naive being unaware of a U.S. military campaign that had impacted so many lives in Grenada.
We spent the next few days making some minor repairs to the boat while still med-moored in Port Luis Marina. While taking out the trash, Isaiah didn’t quite make the big jump from our boat onto the dock. He hit his forehead on the dock and fell into the water. Thanks to God, he remained conscious and, aside from a small dent in his skull, has fully recovered.
Later that week, our friends aboard S/V Koinonia arrived in Grenada. The kids were so excited to reconnect with them and show them their favorite places on the island.
Over the next few weeks, we frequently piled into Green Man’s van with them to try new restaurants, attend church, and see nearby attractions.
Pastor Ib of Grace Lutheran Church, invited us for coffee at Le Phare Bleu, where the kids played in the pool, and he kindly offered to begin meeting them for a weekly catechism class on Tuesdays. The boys were excited to learn from someone other than their parents for a change!
Isaiah and I spent the last week of September sanding, caulking, and refinishing our teak deck. It was a lot of work, especially in the high heat and humidity, but it turned out great. Afterward, all three boys and I serviced our diesel engines, generator, and the outboard motor on our dinghy. They are getting more and more capable with each project.
I love hearing your stories!!! We are living vicariously thru your adventures!! ❤️