Went on my 1st "Hash"!

Every Saturday, the Locals arrange a 'Hash' which is an organized hike where anyone can join in. Some run & many walk the designated trail that the organizers scope out in advance.  They usually post the location 3 days ahead & it can be anywhere on the island.  I was amazed that ~100 people showed up - all ages, locals & visitors alike.  Here's a picture of the group hashing...



 

The climb was steeper than expected - it even involved 'ropes' at one point.  The view from the top was worth it.  This is Woburn Bay and the surrounding area in the southern part of Grenada. A neat way to see the country.

 

The climb down required major braking with my old tennis shoes (very little treads left).  Needless to say, I'm recovering from stiff thigh muscles!

 

So Nice To Have Visitors From Canada

Friends from Canada have arrived to get a sense of life in Grenada &... no doubt, escape the cold for some R&R.  It also gives me a chance to see things I haven't visited.  For example, went to the Nutmeg Factory in Gouyave where they dry & manually sort 5 grades (sizes) of nutmeg for export.

....the Diamond Factory in Victoria where they process the cocoa beans into chocolate branded Jouvay (this is 1 of 2 Grenadian brands - the other is the Grenada Chocolate Company). The factory and land was a former plantation built in the late 1700's. 

 

...even saw local farmers pick the cocoa beans along the roadside & another, delivering it to the Diamond Chocolate Factory

 



 

Ended the day by returning to St. George's via Grand D'Etang, a rainforest up in the mountains with no monkeys to be seen - likely hiding during the rain mist we had. 



February 7th... Independence Day!

This is the 41st Anniversary "Independence Day" in Grenada.  A national holiday similar to Canada Day.  Lots of red, green & yellow on the streets with loud music & huge pots of 'oil down'.  These are school kids outside the house and Sabrina and I dressed up in Grenadian colours.  The last picture are the marching bands going up and down Melville St. - the oldest street in St. George's.

 



Market Research Fieldwork Begins...

So far we have interviewed 8 Purchasers (ie. hotels, restaurants, grocery stores) on specific fruits, vegetables & root crops to understand their local needs and in turn, help bring these products to market with local farmers.  One of the Purchasers we interviewed was Belmont Estate - previously a plantation & now an operating organic farm with a restaurant that is a wonderful setting for meetings, conferences or, weddings.  They grow cocoa beans, some vegetables and, goats.  Here's pictures of cocoa beans being dried, the Factory they partner with (The Grenadian Chocolate Factory) &, the end product that is very yummy.

 

Took a trip to Carriacou - a Parish of Grenada, much smaller (population 6,000), & a less rugged island that is a 90 minute boat ride to the north.  This is a picture of Hillsborough - the largest town on Carriacou, a fishing trowel being built and to the north about a 20 minute boat ride away is Petite Martinique - another island (or Parish) under Grenada.  In the distance you can see the many Grenadine Islands of St. Vincent.  So many little islands dot the sea... it's no wonder there is piracy in this area of the world.