Grenada - Day 3

Bright sunny sky and the ocean in the distance. It was very peaceful in the garden and I took the opportunity to capture the color and texture of the different flowers.

I prepared some fruit and granola along with my protein shake and had a bit of breakfast. I played around on Facebook a bit but then decided that I wanted to have a nap as I am not used to being up this early. I had already attempted to secure a booking for a tubing adventure for today but that did not materialize. I’m hoping that it will be possible tomorrow.

After my nap, My lengthy nap, I got out of bed showered and was ready to go in record time. I had a quick chat with my host regarding my days expectations. I want to go to the Belmont Estate, a cacao plantation, and then on to Concord falls.

I realized that I had spent all of my cash at the pop up art sale yesterday, and my host let me borrow 300 EC. With her bits of advice, or if I went.

The drive to the Belmont estate was a lengthy one at just over one hour. I took the coastal road along the eastern side of the island. It was a jagged in and out of the different codes and outcroppings the whole way.. The roads here are very narrow at best and with the winding coastline the speed is at about a maximum of 25 to 30 mph. You’re going nowhere fast. The road itself is about 1 1/3 cars wide. Fortunately most vehicles here are smaller but Grenadians drive more in the center of the road until forced to move into their own lane and it seems they only feel forced to do so at the very last minute before a potential impact. I have driven in many many countries and only a few that I feel more dangerous from a drivers perspective. The drivers in this country consistently had me on the edge of my seat wondering if the next curve or passing of a stopped car on the road, and there were many, would do me in.

The coast line around the majority of the island north of the Southern touristy areas is quite Rocky and with many clips. There is much jungle and the roads are quite steep, at times. The car would complain of difficulty accomplishing some of the essence.

I would have to say that thus far I’ve done pretty well with keeping myself safe driving on this opposite side of the road. I usually have a break in period, And this one hasn't happened yet.

I reached the Belmont to state and they were more cars than I expected given we are outside of high season. I could hear a group singing happy birthday to someone as I walk to the entrance gates.

The Belmont Estate stands as just one of Grenada's many popular spice tours for those interested in learning about the island nation's rich flavors. This 300-year-old plantation specializes in such spices as ginger, pimento, turmeric, and nutmeg. While visiting the estate, you can see how these spices are processed, and wander through the 400-acre property's gardens, museum, and goat milk farm. And when the savory aromas start to make your tummy rumble, you can grab a bite to eat at the Belmont Estate restaurant.

If you've got a sweet tooth, plan to take a factory tour of the Grenada Chocolate Company. This modest cocoa processing center churns out organic chocolate bars that are sold all over the world. While touring the factory, you'll see how this delectable treat is made, from the cracking of cocoa pods to the pouring and molding of creamy chocolate.

I walked the plantation, stopping to visit the girls as they were eating their grass. There were many animals, almost like a mini zoo, to take a peek at. There was a guy who was sifting through the cow pods preparing them for processing.

I decided to have some lunch and was very well taken care of at the restaurant. I had a soup made of a local type of spinach with some herbs, very delicious. They made me a wrap with lettuce and cucumbers and tomatoes and go to cheese, also very nice. For dessert something chocolate was a must. I asked for a recommendation as they have a chocolate cake and a chocolate ice cream that are made with the cacao from the plantation. It took four people to find someone who is actually a chocolate fan. She told me she thought I should try a bit of both of them which is what I ended up doing. The chocolate cake was OK but the chocolate ice cream was heavenly. I can’t describe what made it so good other than the smoothing of the chocolate was like something I had never had.

Moving on, I set the GPS for Concord falls. My host said it should be about a 30 minute drive from the Belmont state but the GPS showed it to be an hour. This track had me covering the upper quarter of the island and then coming around it’s western side 2/3 of the way. The roads continue to be just as challenging with intermittent partial pavement and even dirt. I remind you that this is the main road around the island.

There were more towns on this side as I rounded the upper part and the sanded the western side. There were a lot more people out and about as well. It seems in this country the people live at the roadside. In some countries people live at the squares and in some countries people live in the parks but here as in many, they side beside the road and wait.

At times it’s quite challenging with the number of cars parked it take up space on the main roads along with the number of people who are standing, sitting, playing soccer in the same space.

About halfway down the western side, I entered a town that was filled with people in the streets. Music was being played quite loud and everyone seemed to be crossing the street at the same time. It wasn’t that they were going anywhere but some were crossing left and summer crossing right and somewhere just standing around. Now this is the major road along the coast and traffic along with me was ground to a halt. The people seemed upset that we were interrupting their days enjoyment. They were not pleasant and some proceeded to yell at the cars and give mean looks

It took over 30 minutes to get through about a half mile section of this town inching forward ever so slightly at a time. At one point, the sound of an ambulance could be heard approaching. With such a narrow road cars parked cars moving and people in the street made it very difficult, almost impossible for the ambulance to get through easily. There was a policeman nearby to slowly manage the process of moving one car at a time so the ambulance could get through. This would also slowly help the trapped cars make their way through the crowd.

I was so happy to be out of that town and on my way but in the very next town only a few minutes down, we ground to a halt again. This was the site of the accident. Car is in front of me stopped and people exited and walked ahead to see what happened. After a few minutes the car behind me was trying to make his way out of this potentially long term stoppage. He scraped his front bumper trying to make turn but was successful in turning down a side street that he was perpendicular to. Cars behind him started turning down that side road as well. It was a guy standing on the side of the street and I asked him if he thought I should do that also. He said yes and assisted me in safely backing up my car and turning down the side street.

Once on the side street, I was no navigating a maze of Ali with roads that were not on Google maps. At every turn I was getting myself even more lost. A couple of times I asked if I was going the right direction to get back to the main road sometimes I was and sometimes I wasn’t.

When I made my way back to the main road and was happy to continue on to Concord falls. As I approached where I was to turn I had not seen any signage but continued anyway. I had Google recalculate and it still said that I should be on the path that I was on. So I turn down the Brooklyn Road which seem to be a mountain climb of and I sent. I reached the end of that road, a cul-de-sac, but no conflict falls. I get out of the car and looked around, no concord falls.

As my phone had already warned me that it had less than 20% and the sun didn’t have too much more light before setting would begin, again the past. The GPS said it would be about 50 minutes and I pressed on. I closed out any programs on the phone that might be taking away power and hoped that I would be OK.

I answered the capital without really knowing I had done so and was quickly in an area that I had read would be very difficult to navigate. And as the tunnel only goes from south to N. Making Your Way around the hill is not straightforward. I made numerous attempts before finally having to ask someone. I try to explain the simple need but he wanted to know more of where I was trying to go. He enlisted the assistance of another man who understood that I just needed to get to the other side of the hill to the caranage, and I would be OK. I let the guy get in the car as he was willing to help me and I was in desperate need. He gave me directions as we descended the hill we were on and made our way up and around the hill that the Tonnele ran through. As we were descending towards the car and Irish I let him out and thanked him for his help.

I felt good about being in an area that I had been before and with GPS guiding me the rest of the way I felt confident. The sun was setting and I knew I didn’t have much light left. I was just north of the grand and making my turn towards Westerfall. Then… My phone… Died.

I was in a bit of a panic as I was quite uncertain that I could get myself back to the apartment. Are used what I thought were in stinks and some good guessing to get me pretty far. That one round about I took a guess and immediately felt that it was wrong. I stopped and asked someone if I was going the right way to Wester fall and he said no that I should’ve made the turn at the last round about…. Which is what I thought might have been the case.

Course corrected I at least knew that I was heading in the direction of Wester fall I continued on for quite a bit with the hope that I would eventually be in front of the SOG grocery store and from there the Rubis gas station. Just when I had about given up… I saw the SOG. So soon after the Rubis was on my left. From there I was able to finally navigate to the apartment for the first time successfully.

All in all, this is been a very stressful day. Not one that I seek to repeat. I had spent a great majority of my day driving under very stressful conditions and dangerous at many points. I did not get to see much that I wanted to see. Sometimes this happens, that’s how it is. So today… That’s how it is.

I shared my story with my host and hoped for a better day tomorrow. I retired to the apartment for some AC and relaxation.