SIGHTS OF GRENADA

Indians of the Arawak, comers here at a turn of the millennia from nearby islands and the coast known now under a name Venezuela were the first inhabitants of modern Grenada. They, and started to force out their tribes of the Carib, called the island Cameron and lived here before arrival of Europeans, hunting and parting cattle. Columbus, the first of Europeans seen island coast in 1498, called it Concepcion, but this name didn't get accustomed and was quickly replaced with Mayo, and then and to Granada in honor of the province of Spain of the same name. The French who have occupied the island in 1650, called it La-Granada, and the British who have received it as a result of the Parisian agreements in 1762, began to call it on the of manners - Grenada. Deserved the second name - "the Spice island", Grenada really makes huge for so small plot of land quantity of a nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and a carnation. But the main thing that attracts here in a year more tourists, than all population of Grenada, is a mountainous landscape, green rainforests and falls, and also the extended coast with the fenced reeves gulfs and excellent beaches from volcanic sand.

Saint George's

 The capital of Grenada is one of the most picturesque cities of the Caribbean region. Based at the end of the XVII century, in the eighteenth century the city was almost completely destroyed by destructive fires that forced local authorities to adopt the law under which height of buildings is limited to tops of palm trees three times, and wood shouldn't be used in construction. As a result of it Saint George's quickly found lines of the British colonial architecture with distinctly expressed Mediterranean charm which is so inherent in it and today. More never I burned!

Almost all historical part of the city is built up with low buildings in style of the Creole architecture, tiled red which in the majority got here from Europe in the form of a ship ballast. The labyrinth of narrow small streets and lanes runs up on slopes of hills from deep horseshoe harbor of Karenazh which has been eternally filled with cargo vessels, cruise liners and colourfully ornamented wooden schooners. The internal harbor of Saint George's throughout three centuries was a starting point for the vessels going to swimming from islands of the Caribbean Sea through Atlantic in Europe. Almost ideal Karenazha in the horseshoe form is the real tourist downtown sated with duty free shops, cafe and restaurants, and the old guns which were once protecting harbor, are used today as mooring curbstones for vessels and yachts. The West side of the port area is now the favourite vacation spot of many tourists and allows to wander for hours round surrounded with commercial buildings, warehouses of the XVIII century and pier cafe. Here the bronze statue of the Christ of Depth rises, established in memory of the largest ship-wreck of the Caribbean region when the Italian ocean liner "Bianka S." lit up directly on parking (a vessel sank at distance of 2,5 km from the coast during towage to the high sea).

In the western part of port, on Young Street and Moncton Street crossing, in the old French barracks dated by 1704, the National museum of Grenada is located. The exposition of a museum is extremely various - here it is possible to see an exhibition of pottery of Indian tribes, a collection of old rum, the marble bathtub which was once belonging to empress Dzhozefina, and also an extensive collection of documents on events of 1979 which led to invasion on the island of the American armies in 1983.

On the hill at the western entrance to harbor the fortress of Fort-Dzhorzh constructed by French in 1705 (then it was called as Fort-Royal) rises. The fort has the fine survey platforms, allowing to admire city views and bays, and in an internal court yard it is possible to see openings from the bullets, left in memory of Maurice Bishop's execution during intervention of the USA. If to rise to a fort from the embankment, the road will pass on Church Street, by one more sight of the city - Sacred Andrew's Presbyterian church (1831), also known as simply Kirk. On a belltower of church there is a bell cast in Glasgow to 1833, but still regularly carrying out the mission.

At east entrance to Karenazh the Fort Frederick constructed in the XVII century rises. The fort rather well remained and can serve as the manual on fortification architecture of the colonial period. It is obliged by the safety to a tragic mistake of the American pilots who have destroyed by bombing in 1983 instead of it the Fort Matthew, lying in only several hundred meters to the north (during this period the Fort Matthew was used as psychiatric hospital).

 One of the most noticeable reference points of the city - Sacred George's Gothic church (1818), so-called York House (1801, now institutes of parliament of the country here are placed), the building of Registry (1780), the Esplanade leaving to the western coast - a fine place are also interesting to evening walks, and also the tunnel conducting to it Sendall who was considered at the end of the XIX century when it was open, one of miracles of architectural thought. Eternally noisy and colourful market on Market-Skvea - the real center of civil life of the capital deserves attention, being there is no time the market of slaves (the slave trade is cancelled on islands in 1807) . Here hundreds types of spices, tens types of fruit and fish are on sale, practically any clothes and footwear, and also regularly are arranged various political debates or public meetings. Here the Main bus terminal of the island is located. Streets round the market also deserve attention as here it is possible to find a set of architectural monuments or it is simple to get acquainted with everyday life of locals. Above a market square, on Apper Church Street, the cathedral of Immaculate conception (1820) which is famous for the stained-glass windows and a panoramic view from its walls on harbor and city quarters is located. Opposite to a cathedral, at York House, the muscat tree which is considered as the biggest in the world grows.

To the south of docks the area of Lagoons - a site of the first European city in the territory of Grenada lies. The fort Louis constructed by the governor of Martinique in 1650, towers over the natural bay being today popular yacht parking. The coastline round a fort and the gulf is turned into a landscape gardening zone, and slightly further from the coast the train of hotels, restaurants and shops over which roofs of the hills of housing estates located above on slopes are seen lasts. In only five minutes of walking on the southeast the Botanical gardens of Saint George's being the biggest green zone of the capital were stretched. And in the suburb Saint Paul Botanical gardens Baye-Gardens in which picturesquely planned territory more than 3000 species of plants from all Caribbean region are presented are located.

To the north of the capital "The country of spices" - area of infinite plantations and the farms making nearly 90% of all spices in the country begins directly. Here it is possible to find some of the most nice fishing villages on the island. Among red roofs to Guyava the factory at which almost all spices of the area are sorted, dry and ground hides, and in the small town usually pass the main events of celebration of Birthday of the fisherman (June). Many visit Dugeldston-Estate - a traditional plantation of a nutmeg and cocoa. Some falls most fascinating of which are the Annandeyl cascade (height of 15 m) and Maunt-Carmel (the highest falls of the island which two cascades have height on 21 m) are nearby located.

East coast

Grenville

 Located in a convenient bay on east coast of Grenada, the small town Grenville is the second-large city of the island. Based by French in 1763, the city is the center of agricultural sector of the country and a venue of the most picturesque festivals of Grenada. Its main sight - the biggest factory on processing of a nutmeg of Grenada which offers visitors the excursion showing all process of processing of nutmegs. Grenville's colourful Saturday market also deserves attention as local farmers, fishermen and the dealers selling all types of local products and spices, and also products of domestic industries here gather. Annually, at the end of July and at the beginning of August, here celebrate a festival of Reynbou-City in honor of release from slavery. This bright holiday is famous for the street dancing representations and competitions of the musical groups executing Calypso.

In 4 km to the north of Grenville the thrown airfield Perlz lies. Surrounded with old shops and benches, the airport was left in 1984, after opening of the airport of Poynt-Salines. Two rusting relics of times of Cold war - the Russian and Cuban planes, lie at a runway and slowly collapse weather and vandals. And round the airport the set of settlements and places of burial of Indian tribes that allows to consider this area as a large archaeological zone is revealed.

In 10 km to the north of Grenville the beauty spot round the lake of Antoin stretched in an ancient volcanic crater lies. On the river feeding the lake of the same name it is located винокурня River-Antoin-Rom-Distilleri where still cook rum on a compounding of the XVIII century, and less than in kilometer from it the gulf Antoin-Bey in which Columbus landed at the first visit of the island in 1498 (the great seafarer lies called this gulf, as well as the island, Concepcion). The leader from the gulf to the north the road leads to border of National park of Lever. It is easy to understand why this remote coast attracts so many visitors - hilly areas of this volcanic landscape are covered with the rare woods and penetrated by a set of tracks.

In the most east part of the island, between Grenville and Sutursom, absolutely open beach of Betuey lies. Local waters are considered quite dangerous because of abundance of sea currents and whirlpools, but the beach is very popular venue of picnics, here even there is own information center in which the exposition on area geology, and also a small amphitheater in which various representations are regularly carried out is exposed. Opposite to a beach the thrown islands Green-Aylend and Sandie-Aylend visited only by divers and fans of "wild" rest lie the private island Shugar-Louf (Levera) both.

In the territory of the nearby Center of the nature of Lya-Sagess it is possible to find the salty lakes framed with mangrove thickets, and beautiful sea coast. Some more to the north the anonymous rock, often simple the called Maunt-Rich-Amerindian-Remaynz covered with petroglyphs with the excellent graphic description of life of the earliest inhabitants of Grenada rises. And in the northeast of the island, approximately in 3 km from Antoin's lake, hot springs of the river of Sali are located.

Northern coast

Сутурс

The biggest city on the northern coast of Grenada, Suturs received the name from the French word "jump, jump". This place is known to that in 1651, at approach of the French forwarding case, the whole families of the Indian Carib jumped from local rocks in the sea, preferring death to shameful captivity (here as it is considered, the last representatives of these people though their blood still flows in many inhabitants of the island were lost). Since then 40-meter coastal rocks and rocks where there was this tragic episode, Karibs-Lip ("the Jump of the Carib") call. From numerous ledges of rocks the majestic view of the island Rond and nearby islands, on the sea covered with fishing boats, on a rural beach at the bottom and on destroyed time and by the rock sea opens. Here it is possible to find two modest churches - Catholic and Anglican, and also the well-known natural rocky arch London Bridge lying on some removal from the coast. In several kilometers the zone of old rocks, mangrove bogs and the shallow reservoirs, Levera a part National park as one of the few sites of reproduction of a sea turtle to the east lies.

Southwest

 The southwest part of the island is famous for the most popular coast of Grenada. In only 4 km from Saint George's the most beautiful beach of the island - Grandens Bich lies, whose flat three-kilometer arch from faultlessly white sand is the best beach zone of the country. In northern part of a beach there is the small market offering fruit, spices and products of domestic industries, also round all coast it is possible to find a set of bars and cafe. Slightly to the south the isolated gulf separated from the cape Karantin-Poynt Grandens Bich to Morna-Ruzh - a favourite place of rich tourists and divers lies. The strip of the white sand washed by turquoise-blue water, is framed here with the woody hills giving protection both from the scorching sun and from casual heavy rain. All coastal strip is built up with numerous hotels, bars and restaurants, and also has rather well developed infrastructure of rest. In only 1,5 km from the International airport of the country very picturesque sandy beach of Portichi-Bich where it is possible to pass away easily time between flights, and also La-Long's luxurious Kurortny district lies small, but. Between Morna-Ruzh and Lya-Sagess one more beach area - Pti-Bakaye's isolated and nice beach is located. The gulf Prikli-Bey is popular yacht parking and a good beach zone. The area round the hill Maunt-Hartman-Bey lying already on East side of the island, can't brag of magnificent beaches, however doesn't test a lack of the most picturesque panoramas and it is considered the only zone on Grenada where the nudism (in all other places this practice is resolved isn't welcomed).

Island to Karriaka

 The small island to Karriaka ("the island of reeves", the Arawak), the most southern and the biggest in a chain of islands the Southern Grenadines, lies in 27 km North to the east of Grenada. Silent and patriarchal to Karriaka, with his fine harbor and an extended wall of coral reeves, is one of the best yacht ports on Caribbean Islands and a fine place for acquaintance to unique culture of descendants of the African slaves. The system of the African beliefs strongly became stronger on this island, long ago having turned into independent sight. The well-known local rituals, like "Big dance of a drum", connecting on local beliefs of ancestors and their descendants, along with street representations and Calypso festivals, are basic elements of the Regatta to Karriaka who is carried out every August (vessels for a regatta are under construction only seamen). The Parang festival and various Christmas ceremonies don't do without various ritual representations and a local Carnival (passes on the eve of the Lent).

Hillsboro

The administrative and commercial center of the island, Hillsboro represents the tiny small town stretched on the coast of the beautiful gulf. The city is surrounded with the low, set trees hills and, in general, won't be able to detain the tourist for long term. Hillsboro lasts along ordinary-looking Meyn Street which runs practically parallel to the coast generally occupied with port constructions. Here all banks and commercial city institutions, and also its main sight - the Museum to Karriaka which is widely known for the impressive meeting of subjects of Indian culture and exhibits of the period of the European colonization of the island are located. And the real downtown is its port which occupies almost all central part of the coast. From here, from walls of old stone buildings of the colonial period, the panorama of the nearby Union Islands opens. Quite interesting Historical museum on Patterson Street, placed in the restored cases of old plant on production of gin is nearby located small, but. On Mondays at port the market in which it is possible to buy the food delivered by local farmers and fishermen opens.

In total in kilometer to the north of Hillsboro it is located most the island point is high - the hill Beleyr (215 m), from where opens a fine panorama of passages between islands to Karriaka, Grenada and Sandy-Aylend. Round the hill in a set ruins of the old French and British plantations which were almost completely hidden by thickets of a white immortelle (Xeranthemum, here this low tree) are scattered. Approximately in 4 km South to the west of Hillsboro the small village L'ester - the homeland of the most known local artist to Kallista Kanut who claims is located that in the childhood it was visited by the mermaid, presented to it gift to painting and music. His cheerful and bright pictures can be seen in shop studio at his house (locals claim that sometimes he writes on sixteen pictures in a day). The main road runs from L'ester to the south, coming to the gulf coast Tirrel (Harrikeyn) - one of the most popular beaches of the island and its best yacht parking. Excellent coast from golden sand are reliably protected here from the sea by a wall of coral reeves, and his oysters are considered the best on the island.

The peace beach Ens-Laroche lies on the most northwest extremity of the island - Gan-Poynt who has received the name from the coastal battery which here was built in the middle of the XVII century for island protection from attacks of corsairs. Here it is possible to reach only on water or on foot from the small village to Bogl where buses from Hillsboro go. The main baits for tourists are a crescent beach Ens-Laroche who is considered by one of the best places for a snorkeling in Grenada, excellent coral reeves and places of a laying of eggs of sea turtles. On East side of the cape Hay-Nord-Pik (290 m) - the highest point on the island rises. Near it the territory of the same name natural резервата and a picturesque fishing small village Uindvard which inhabitants are descendants of Scots who arrived here from Glasgow when the island was under the British management was stretched. Between Gan-Poynt and the village the tiny gulf Karenazh in which 14 years the international project on restoration of the mangrove woods (here is carried out stretches Kido's Research station) is located. Round the gulf it is possible to get acquainted with a unique and ancient ecosystem of mangrove thickets, the dense vegetation and which small waters are the house to numerous species of fish, insects and birds. From Kido's station regular tours on the coastal woods are conducted, and also supervision over migrating whales and the dolphins being frequent guests in local waters will be organized.

Island of Pti-Martinique

 The tiny island of Pti-Martinique lying in 5 km of North to the east to Karriaka, represents a roundish volcanic cone, no more than 1,5 km wide with a height about 220 m (the island area about 2,5 sq.km). Pti-Martinique was populated with the French settlers at the beginning of the XVII century, and about one thousand her modern inhabitants are descendants of those first colonists. The sea still is the main source of the income for islanders who catch fish, build boats and are engaged in smuggling (it is considered that here the highest income per capita in the country). Inhabitants Pti-Martinique have reputation of people of independent spirit and still speak French (more true - on its Caribbean dialect "патуа"). The island has own school, church, board and shop with bar that already in itself rather unusual occurrence for so small island, but absolutely there is no police, customs or banks.

As the sizes of the island are insignificant, there are no large sights. Actually it "a place not to do anything". It is possible to walk on the road surrounding all island on perimeter, or to rise to top long ago the fallen asleep volcano, the majestic panorama of the ocean and nearby islands from where opens, or to lie on the beaches surrounding all island. On the eve of the Lent on the island the Carnival Pti-Martinique is carried out, and for Easter there passes a two-day regatta. And sea fishing with local professionals attracts here fans of sports fishing from all over the world.

THE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GRENADA

In 1994 within Shell Caribbean Cup the football national teams of Barbados and Grenada met. For an exit in the following round the victory with overweight in 2 balls was necessary to Barbados. In 5 minutes until the end of a match the account was 2:1, and at this moment barbadosets specially hammered a ball into the gate. According to regulations of competitions in case of a draw the extra time was appointed, and to the first team which has hammered in it the victory 2:0 was awarded. The last minutes the main time barbadosets had to protect both own gate, and gate of the rival that he too didn't hammer an autogoal. As a result Barbados transferred game to an overtime and still achieved success.

On islands Barbados, Grenada and Santa-Lucia on a wedding bake huge "black" pie with dried fruits and rum. The recipe which is transferred from mother to the daughter, includes a flour, dark brown sugar, oil, eggs, cherry, raisin, prunes, currant. Dried fruits отмачивают in rum also keep in a clay jug from two weeks to six months.

ETHNIC CUISINE OF GRENADA

The ethnic cuisine of Grenada has Indian, African and French roots. Such freakish mixture of culinary schools generates surprising dishes. Seafood and fish is very popular. The majority of hotels and restaurants offers the international kitchen, however local cooks are able to give even to widely known dishes "a national shade".

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Time of GRENADA

Lags behind from Moscow at 8 o'clock

Holidays of GRENADA

January 1 - New Year

August 1 - National holiday

December 25 - Christmas

Currency of GRENADA

East Caribbean dollar equal to 100 cents.

Communication in GRENADA

The majority of hotels and resorts is equipped with Internet access points. Also it is possible to connect Network from the numerous private Internet cafes located in the cities everywhere.

Cellular communication is developed quite not bad. Roaming with local operators of Cable and Wireless Grenada Ltd. (GSM 850, www.candw.gd), Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular Service (the American AMPS), Digicel Grenada Ltd. (GSM 900/1800), Grenada Wireless Holdings Ltd (Cingular Wireless, GSM 900/1900) restrictedly is available to subscribers of the largest Russian operators. The coverage zone covers 60% of Grenada, part Karriaka, Pti-Martinique and the most part of adjacent waters, however outside the capital coverage focal. Sim cards of local operators can be got at offices of the cellular companies, on mail and at the airport.

The telecommunication system of Grenada is developed rather well. Public call boxes can be found everywhere. The devices working on telephone cards (are on sale at the airport, in shops, at Management offices on tourism of Grenada and Cable and Wireless Grenada offices), have a direct exit to the international lines. It is also possible to find and the devices of outdated designs working on coins - on them it is possible to call only within the island. Also trunk call can be made from the Main post office of the country (works Monday through Friday with 8.00 till 15.30), located on Lagun Road in Saint George's, and also from all settlements of Grenada, to Karriaka and Pti-Martinique where there are post offices. Also directly it is possible to call abroad from the majority of hotel rooms.

Transport in GRENADA

The main automobile on Grenada – a minibeads which is surprisingly reminding our Russian minibuses. They stop everywhere, on demand, and the price of a trip is quite comparable (for example, a trip from Saint George's to a beach Grand Anse will cost only 1,5 local dollars – about 1 American). Taxi are numerous, absolutely safe and quite available at the price. Though the fixed tariffs have the majority of routes, nevertheless it is better to coordinate a total amount in advance. Car rent – quite available pleasure, but is two moments which should be considered, - first, it is necessary to issue the local rights (it the rolling firm will be engaged, there are rights about $15) and, secondly, the movement "English", that is on the left side. There is "a water taxi", especially popular on a route Saint George's – the Grand-Anse. These are brightly painted motorka, very inexpensive at the price, allowing not only with a breeze to reach quickly a beach, but also to take pleasure in views of Grenada from the sea.

The Osprey Express ferry connects the main island about Karriaka and Pti-Martinik, the wonderful small islands, quite deserving one-day mini-cruise.

AIR FLIGHT

The greatest number of flights from Europe arrives to Grenada through London (airlines British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Excel Airways, Virgin Atlantic) but as all of them take off from Getvik, it isn't so convenient for the Russian passengers. So it is best of all to fly to Grenada through Frankfurt, by means of the Lufthansa/condor – with convenient joining and without any visas. There is a fine opportunity to build the interesting islands-hopping programs on the intra Caribbean flights of the Air Jamaica, LIAT, Caribbean Star and SVG Air airlines connecting Grenada to Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Vincent, Tobago and Trinidad.

Grenada while has no own airline.

Customs

Import and export of national and foreign currency isn't limited. Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, and also alcohol liter is allowed.

Import of firearms, ammunition, drugs, fruits, vegetables, meat and meat products, and also samples of plants and the soil is forbidden.

The visa to GRENADA

For entrance on the territory of Grenada with the tourist purposes the visa isn't required to citizens of the Russian Federation.

On border control it is necessary to provide the existing international passport (it has to be valid not less than 6 months from the moment of departure from the territory of Grenada), the tourist voucher and to produce the evidence of existence of sufficient financial means for the entire period of stay in the country. In the international passport the visa mark (one blank page is necessary at least), allowing stay in the country for a period of up to 3 months is put.

For the child aged till 18 years, following accompanied by one of parents or the third party, it is necessary to present the consent certified by the notary from the second parent (parents) on departure of the child, with the obligatory indication of the country of visit and period of validity of the power of attorney (no more than 3 months). The photocopy of all pages of the internal passport of the principal and the international passport of the accompanying person is applied to the power of attorney.