The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

G renada may be one of the smaller islands in the Car- ibbean but it is unarguably one of the most beautiful. A place where you can just kick back and relax and the pace of life is much slower, you’ll soon find yourself totally at ease in no time. Once you’re in this little haven of heaven, it will lit- erally feel like being in paradise with its enchanting islands made up of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Here you’ll find silky stretches of white sand beaches, with sunken treasures adorned by corals, undiscovered and unspoilt land- scapes.Whether you just want to take a break from a hectic life or a thrill seeker looking for a challenge, Grenada could be your anchor of treasure. With the world’s first underwater sculp- ture park and numerous trails to venture, some of which follow the shoreline of the lakes while others are rugged and untamed, travellers will gain an insight into the paths carved out by the first settlers on the islands.There are colour- ful coral reefs, spectacular shipwrecks and exhilarating drift dives to keep you intrigued. It is also said that love begins in Grenada, so why not allow its peace- ful locales and captivating beauty set the scene for your moment of love whether you’re a newlywed, a honeymooner or on holiday with that special person. History has always played a role in how a country or island is shaped today. It is said that Grenada was formed as an underwater volcano around two million years ago. Before the Europeans arrived in the 17th century, the island was inhab- ited by Caribs who had driven out the Arawaks before them.When the French colonists took over, most of the Caribs were driven off the island and plantations were established, eventually importing African slaves to work on the sugar plantations. In 1609, the English tried to settle on the island but their attempt failed when they were attacked by the indigenous islanders with many killed and tortured. Forty years later, the French settled in Grenada and quickly established a treaty with the inhabitants which partition the island between the two communities. However, this didn’t last long and a con- flict between the two sides broke out with fighting lasting for five years.When the last opposition to the French realised they had lost the battle, rather than sur- render, Kairouane and his followers chose to throw themselves off a cliff which is known as Carib’s Leap in St. Patrick.The French colony ended when the British captured Grenada during the SevenYears War on 4th March 1762 without a single shot being fired. However, the French recaptured the island in 1779 during the American War of Independence but it was restored to Britain through the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. On 7th Feb- ruary 1974 Grenada finally became a fully independent state. From the severe earthquake that rocked the island in 1766 and the burning of the town of St. George in 1771 and 1775, to the devastating Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Emily in 2005, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique have always bounced back. Visitors to the island could never imagine the magni- tude of loss that these islanders have experienced during the time of the hur- ricanes unless they were told because of the many smiles and the friendly faces that pass their way. It is a huge relief that these temporary setbacks have not killed the spirit of the country and with so many places to visit and things to see, you’ll have a whale of a time in Grenada. If you’re into all things green, the Grand Etang National Park in St. Andrews is the perfect place to escape the heat and enjoy nature.This beautiful, lush park set high in the mountains of Grenada is a natural resource where you can admire its waterfall, lake and endless walking trails again and again.You’ll be pleased to know that there are many more water- falls to experience in Grenada such as the Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls in St. Andrews, located just 3km south of Grenville, which is said to be the tallest waterfalls on the island. It may take 20-30 minutes’ walk to get to the falls but it is a great place for a picnic and a swim. For beach lovers, there are a number of gorgeous beaches that you can visit. La Sagesse Beach in St. David is a really stunning cove with soft sand, clear waters and palm trees. The interesting thing about this particular beach besides being one of the most beautiful is that you can walk the length of it and then cross through the trees at the end into the next secluded bay. Levera Beach in St. Patrick located at the northern tip of the island is another fantastic spot for a picnic. Here, you’ll see leatherback turtles nesting in March and the hatch- lings head out to the water by July. To see the turtles, the best time is in the evening. If you want to see something different from normal white coloured sand, Petit Bacolet Beach in St. David will provide just that.This place is amazing because it is one of the black sand beaches on the island but to get here, you have to hike from St. David’s Harbour or from Bacolet Bay. Grand Anse Beach in St. George is the largest beach in Grenada where you’ll find lovely soft white sand and clear calm bitetravel