Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Because we had an early excursion, we started our day with a room service breakfast. It was soon time to gather our snorkel gear and head out to meet our tour operator. This was our first time in Grenada.
One thing I have noticed on this trip is that there have not been any shuttles, pedal carts, or golf carts to help people get from the ship to the port area. And some of these piers have been very long. With the heat and humidity we’ve had, I know it has been a struggle for some.
We plodded down the pier until we came to the Shore Excursion representative in the port area. He told us to wait over in the shade and a tour operator would be with us “shortly.” We watched a woman in a jacket, skirt and high heels try to get a very large group of HAL passengers organized to go on an island tour.
I don’t think all the busses or vans had arrived. They were also having trouble with their scanning equipment to scan the tour tickets. Our ship was the first one for Grenada for this cruising season and the tour operators just didn’t seem to have their act together.
To add to the confusion, the Calypso Band in the plaza was playing with great enthusiasm but not a great amount of talent. Loud does not always equal good.
The lady in the high heels (how she was able to negotiate that rough pavement on 3-inch heels, I’ll never know) finally came over to our group and lead us to our catamaran. More plodding. We were 30 minutes later leaving than our schedule indicated.
Our HAL tour description: Isle of Spice Snorkeling – 2.75 hours
ABOUT THE EXCURSION: Travel along Grenada’s picturesque coastline aboard Star Wind 5 — a spacious, 60-foot catamaran sloop designed and built specifically for day charters in these waters.
Your day begins with a short walk to the boat, just steps away from the cruise terminal. Hop aboard for a journey that will showcase the picturesque island and all the beauty that Grenada has to offer, above and below the water’s surface.
From historic St George’s Harbor, you will sail north along Grenada’s west coast to Molinere Sculpture Park. Spend some time snorkeling in the breathtaking underwater world of the Caribbean.
Further south is one of Grenada’s beautiful white-sand beaches, where you’ll swim or simply relax and enjoy paradise. Eventually, Star Wind 5 will make its way back to the port in St George’s.
Notes: Minimum age is 8 years. Beverages are provided throughout, including rum punch, fruit punch and soft drinks. The boat has a shade awning that covers roughly two-thirds of the boat while at anchor. You must walk in ankle-deep water to (dis)embark the boat. Wear aqua shoes. Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing to act as a full cover-up for further protection from the sun, and a hat. Swim at your own risk. Snorkel and mask are provided. Do not drink alcohol before snorkeling. Guests with a heart condition, epilepsy, diabetes or asthma are not allowed to participate in snorkeling. Waiver must be signed and medical conditions disclosed.
There was plenty of seating on the catamaran. We saw many of the same faces that were on our Aruba snorkel excursion. I had hoped that the Captain would unfurl the sails but instead he just used the motor to take us to the sculpture park.
I was looking forward to seeing the underwater sculptures. I thought they would all be near where we entered the water. However, a crew member had to come in the water with us and lead the group around to the various sculptures which were scattered about in a large area. I am not fond of that type of snorkeling. I like to be able to snorkel at my own pace as long as I know where the boundaries are.
The water was warm but not very clear and very deep so, at times, it was hard to make out the sculptures. I believe divers would have a better experience. And, since I managed to jump in the water without my camera, you will just have to go to the official website and view its photos. They are much better than the ones I would have taken anyway.
What I didn’t see much of was fish. I’m sure they were swimming around the sculptures, but the water was just too deep and hazy to make them out.
Once we were back on the boat, we motored back past the ship to a nice beach area. During the ride to the beach, they served local beer and rum punch (made me wince so one was plenty). We spent the time like we did in Aruba – bobbing and talking. Once our time was up, it was a short ride back to the port area and more plodding back to the ship.
It was an okay excursion. They tried hard. I would call it a tie. Our snorkeling excursions to date: 1 – 1 – 2.
We were able to have a late Lido lunch and then a nap until it was time to get ready for the evening.
We met up with the couple from Las Vegas for pre-dinner drinks and to hear about their day. They were part of that large group that went on the Island Tour. Said it was hot and very hilly.
We opted to eat in the Lido tonight and we both went to the Asian section for our dinner. We both had the ribs and the shrimp masala. I had the noodles while Chuck chose the fried rice.
We played in the Casino and then went to the World Stage to see the Magician/Mentalist Antwan Towner show called “Evening of Curiosities.” We thought he was very good and funny.
We finished the night with two sets of the Rolling Stone Band.
Tomorrow: Barbados
Travel Trivia: Grenada
Grenada is known as the “Island of Spice” because it produces nutmeg and mace crops, as well as some other spice.
Origin of name: it is probable that the name Grenada comes from the Spanish city of Granada, which means “pomegranate.”
The Grenada dove, which is a critically endangered species, is the national bird of Grenada.
Grenada boasts the oldest functioning water-propelled distillery in the Caribbean – River Antoine Rum Distillery.
There is a lake in Grenada, Grand Etang, which is said to be a bottomless lake because nobody has been able to find its bottom with SONAR. The lake was formed over a dormant volcano.