Here's my thought for the day - verbatim from email correspondence with staff at Paradise Bay. Some people really do believe their lies, don't they?
XXX,
My mom forwarded me your email response alleging my "very bad review on Trip Advisor". I wanted to email you personally to let you know that again, you are completely misinformed. I HAVE NOT, NOR WILL I EVER put anything on Trip Advisor. I gave my word to James that I wouldn't do so, and I didn't.
You see, if you read Trip Advisor, I don't have to put anything on there - it's already been said, time and time again.
I was born and raised in the United States of America. I have wonderful parents that taught me excellent morals and values. They taught me right from wrong. They taught me truth from lies.
I am not a liar, a cheat or a fraud.
Unfortunately, you and James were not so fortunate.
Damage to business comes from poor business. Had Paradise Bay Resort not false advertised online and with the auction that I purchased, things would be different. My searches on Paradise Bay while I was at the "resort" as well as since my return home have located many additional lies found on numerous websites.
Obviously in the future I shall learn to trust less and research more.
Because clearly from our stay, I've learned what is one person's hell is another's "Paradise".
As for asking questions - I think 15 emails was plenty of questions. I also feel that lies in email correspondence, staged pictures and lies to one's face is clearly unacceptable.
I wish you the best in your "Paradise".
Forwarded message....
Hi XXX,
Thanks for the cartoons.
I am not happy to hear that your daughter wrote a very bad review on Trip Advisor. That can be very damaging to business.
I really know things are not as they should be here, but myself and Vicky tried to make you feel comfortable.
Maybe your daughter should have asked alot of questions before booking. It sounds like a bigger hotel with more facilities would have suited you both better.
Hope that your next trip abroad will be a success.
Regards
XXX
Showing posts with label Vacation - Grenada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation - Grenada. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Closure
Closure what a wonderful thing. I have yet to hear back from the GVSU auction regarding my concerns of Paradise Bay. It's been over a week, although with Labor Day I knew it could take a few extra days. I may give them a call to inquire tomorrow. I also have never heard back from the Board of Tourism in Grenada.
At this point, I'm ready for closure. I just finished blogging about the trip. Earlier this evening I picked up the pictures that I had developed and already have them in four photo albums. I'm ready to close this chapter of my vacation. I'm ready to try to focus on the positives of the trip and the good pictures. We are safe and healthy and the three of us survived our first multi-generational, international vacation. And that my friend, is a feat in and of itself!
At this point, I'm ready for closure. I just finished blogging about the trip. Earlier this evening I picked up the pictures that I had developed and already have them in four photo albums. I'm ready to close this chapter of my vacation. I'm ready to try to focus on the positives of the trip and the good pictures. We are safe and healthy and the three of us survived our first multi-generational, international vacation. And that my friend, is a feat in and of itself!
Trinidad - August 22, 2008
Excited about having a gym, I went to workout. Unfortunately there wasn't a television, so I got off the seated exercise bike to grab a book from my room; however, in doing so I managed to walk my left thigh directly into the seated hand rail of the bike next to me. This was one time I wished I hadn't walked with purpose. If there had been more room in the compact gym and I was alone, I would have collapsed to the ground and cried like a baby. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone and I tentatively tried to walk to my room to grab the book. Immediately my leg began to bruise. Sometimes I wonder how I've managed to survive as long as I have in life!
After the workout, I had a terrific breakfast. Only my breakfast was included and T was still sleeping. I think I ate enough for four, I was so excited to see a vast array of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, yogurt, cereals, juice, tea, coffee and water. There were even made to order omelets and waffles. There was french toast and potatoes and other things I can't even begin to remember. It was rather pricey though at $22 US dollars, so mom and T ate at Burger King when he finally woke up. We were able to get a late checkout of 1:30p.m. and the front desk secured our luggage for us.
After breakfast we went and played around in the pool. Unfortunately the sun had other plans, but the pool was refreshing and I found it great exercise to stretch my ever increasing leg muscle injury. We left the hotel and took the shuttle to one of several malls in Trinidad. I'm definitely not a shopper, but we walked the stores and ordered pizza for lunch. We made arrangements with the shuttle to pick us up at 4:45p.m. to return to the hotel for Alana to pick us up to tour Trinidad. Unfortunately the shuttle man was to pass the message to his replacement and we found ourselves abandoned at the mall. I went back into the mall and mall information personnel called a taxi for us. It's amazing how clueless I felt without a cell phone in a foreign country. It definitely wasn't a welcoming feeling.
We arrived back at the hotel to find Alana and her son waiting for us. I was hoping to take pictures of Trinidad but didn't really have much opportunity. It was almost 5:30p.m. when we left the hotel and time and sunlight were not really on our side. Alana drove us around but struggled with what to show us in Trinidad. She took us to the main part of the city where we saw traffic at its best. What I wanted most was to take pictures of Trinidad with a panoramic setting. Alana showed us houses of cricket players that we had no idea who they were. When I asked about scenic views she mentioned Fort George but it would have been too dark by the time we got there and my camera doesn't take night pictures well. So we decided to give up the sightseeing and find somewhere for dinner.
I didn't realize that making a dinner selection could be so difficult. We were hoping that Alana had a local favorite place that she enjoyed. Mom was hoping to hear a steelpan band. We didn't find either. Alana struggled with finding somewhere unique to eat and we ended up at restaurant that seemed more mainstream. I know in my town there are definitely local places that I take out of town family and friends to, but this didn't seem to be the case for Alana. Dinner took a while and my chicken was raw when it arrived. The food was good, although rather expensive. I was shocked to see a man in all black with a machine gun across his chest walk by the restaurant. Alana said he was police.
After dinner, we decided we wanted to find an ice cream place before returning to the airport for our flight back home. The flight was at 1:30a.m. Alana's son had passed out in the back of the van and Alana was having a difficult time finding ice cream so we told her she could just head back to the airport. While I would have loved to actually have seen more of Trinidad, our experience was a good one, albeit brief. Our flight out of Trinidad was delayed half an hour, so it made things tight with our connecting flight in Ft. Lauderdale.
We had an hour to transfer our baggage, get through customs and security and make the connecting flight. Mom was a wreck and I'm not sure how many times I told her to "stop". We made it to the gate with five minutes to spare before boarding the plane. We arrived back to Detroit at 9:40a.m. on August 23, 2008. How wonderful to be back in the comfort of home. Home sweet home!
After the workout, I had a terrific breakfast. Only my breakfast was included and T was still sleeping. I think I ate enough for four, I was so excited to see a vast array of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, yogurt, cereals, juice, tea, coffee and water. There were even made to order omelets and waffles. There was french toast and potatoes and other things I can't even begin to remember. It was rather pricey though at $22 US dollars, so mom and T ate at Burger King when he finally woke up. We were able to get a late checkout of 1:30p.m. and the front desk secured our luggage for us.
After breakfast we went and played around in the pool. Unfortunately the sun had other plans, but the pool was refreshing and I found it great exercise to stretch my ever increasing leg muscle injury. We left the hotel and took the shuttle to one of several malls in Trinidad. I'm definitely not a shopper, but we walked the stores and ordered pizza for lunch. We made arrangements with the shuttle to pick us up at 4:45p.m. to return to the hotel for Alana to pick us up to tour Trinidad. Unfortunately the shuttle man was to pass the message to his replacement and we found ourselves abandoned at the mall. I went back into the mall and mall information personnel called a taxi for us. It's amazing how clueless I felt without a cell phone in a foreign country. It definitely wasn't a welcoming feeling.
We arrived back at the hotel to find Alana and her son waiting for us. I was hoping to take pictures of Trinidad but didn't really have much opportunity. It was almost 5:30p.m. when we left the hotel and time and sunlight were not really on our side. Alana drove us around but struggled with what to show us in Trinidad. She took us to the main part of the city where we saw traffic at its best. What I wanted most was to take pictures of Trinidad with a panoramic setting. Alana showed us houses of cricket players that we had no idea who they were. When I asked about scenic views she mentioned Fort George but it would have been too dark by the time we got there and my camera doesn't take night pictures well. So we decided to give up the sightseeing and find somewhere for dinner.
I didn't realize that making a dinner selection could be so difficult. We were hoping that Alana had a local favorite place that she enjoyed. Mom was hoping to hear a steelpan band. We didn't find either. Alana struggled with finding somewhere unique to eat and we ended up at restaurant that seemed more mainstream. I know in my town there are definitely local places that I take out of town family and friends to, but this didn't seem to be the case for Alana. Dinner took a while and my chicken was raw when it arrived. The food was good, although rather expensive. I was shocked to see a man in all black with a machine gun across his chest walk by the restaurant. Alana said he was police.
After dinner, we decided we wanted to find an ice cream place before returning to the airport for our flight back home. The flight was at 1:30a.m. Alana's son had passed out in the back of the van and Alana was having a difficult time finding ice cream so we told her she could just head back to the airport. While I would have loved to actually have seen more of Trinidad, our experience was a good one, albeit brief. Our flight out of Trinidad was delayed half an hour, so it made things tight with our connecting flight in Ft. Lauderdale.
We had an hour to transfer our baggage, get through customs and security and make the connecting flight. Mom was a wreck and I'm not sure how many times I told her to "stop". We made it to the gate with five minutes to spare before boarding the plane. We arrived back to Detroit at 9:40a.m. on August 23, 2008. How wonderful to be back in the comfort of home. Home sweet home!
Grenada Departure Day - August 21, 2008
Due to the lack of air conditioning throughout the night, the room was beyond muggy in the morning. Seeing that I had spent much time the day before packing and repacking the suitcases, there wasn't much that had to be finished before leaving. I swear that the suitcases were a good 5#'s heavier a piece which definitely was going to cause problems with checking them in at the airport (but I somehow avoided additional charges!).
I left the resort at 7a.m. and hiked in the other direction. I didn't get very far down the driveway before I had a slight mother panic meeting a Grenadian heading up the driveway walking his bike. I headed back to the villa that I left unlocked with T sleeping inside and went back to lock the room. While there was nothing to alert me of concern while in Grenada, I can never be too careful when it comes to my son!
About 10 minutes into the hike, it briefly began to drizzle. I saw several cows and bulls along the path and heading out toward the rocky pier I observed a single man. James had mentioned several beautiful beaches in the direction that I was walking and claimed it was about a 1.5 hour hike. I hadn't a clue what he meant as I was along the shore but didn't observe a single beach. I couldn't find a visible trail so I ventured up a two-track road instead and quickly found myself heading far from the resort. Eventually I hit a paved road that met up at a split street to head back to the resort. I was able to observe the locals and the morning bread delivery man during my walk as well as a variety of animals on the side and middle of the road including chickens, rooster, puppies, dogs, goats, cows and sheep. I arrived back at the resort in under 1.5 hours. I asked James how far it was to the bus stop, where the forked road was, and he became instantaneously suspicious that I was asking as I was writing some review on the resort. I told him that I hadn't yet and that I wanted to know as I had just walked back from there. He estimated it was over a mile.
I almost managed to lock us out of the room, for the third time. Fortunately I had noticed that something in the lock on the door was broken. I had T stay in the room and I closed the door and tried the key, to no avail. I informed James of the lack of air conditioning and the broken lock on the villa. Brian fixed the lock as a pin had broken and the air conditioning was reportedly user remote error (according to James).
T & I headed to the "secluded beach" after lunch to work on our tans and play in the water. I tried to sit at the edge of the shoreline but with each wave I found myself covered in sand and seaweed. I eventually moved up to rest on a rock in the water but when I glanced at other rocks and saw water crabs and scorpion looking things, I decided to give up on getting any sun at all. T and I just spent the next hour looking for ocean life.
I did a walking camera tour of the resort for memory sake of our vacation "paradise". We finished lunch and left for the airport with Vicky and her boyfriend Michael. As blogged about previous the bill and the argument with James at the airport was absurd. It was nice to leave Paradise Bay so that we could officially put that part of our vacation behind us. Vicky graciously hooked us up with her sister, Alana, to pick us up at the airport in Trinidad and take us to the hotel, a Courtyard by Marriott.
The plane was delayed briefly in Grenada and we were rather exhausted when we arrived in Grenada. Alana met us out front of the airport shortly after we walked out of the airport. Despite all the warnings and negativity of Trinidad, I found it to be rather welcoming and comforting. Trinidad is much bigger than Grenada, with over 1 million people. The highway wasn't too busy at that time of night.
The Marriott was more than welcoming. It was wonderful to be greeted at a desk by customer services representatives. I even received truffles as a welcoming gift and there was bottled water in the room. Things that I will no longer take for granted! The hotel offered 24 hour pool, exercise room and internet. I didn't even have to find someone to use any of them! The bathroom was clean and had towels, toiletries and good lighting! Mom was thrilled that the room had a phone, alarm clock, coffee pot and a television! The room also had working air conditioning and running non-smelly water! We couldn't have been happier!
T & I were hungry so we walked over to Movietown and had a sub at Subway. It was a warm night and the sub was wonderful! It was after midnight by the time T crashed in bed, not having to worry about the bed bugs tonight!
I left the resort at 7a.m. and hiked in the other direction. I didn't get very far down the driveway before I had a slight mother panic meeting a Grenadian heading up the driveway walking his bike. I headed back to the villa that I left unlocked with T sleeping inside and went back to lock the room. While there was nothing to alert me of concern while in Grenada, I can never be too careful when it comes to my son!
About 10 minutes into the hike, it briefly began to drizzle. I saw several cows and bulls along the path and heading out toward the rocky pier I observed a single man. James had mentioned several beautiful beaches in the direction that I was walking and claimed it was about a 1.5 hour hike. I hadn't a clue what he meant as I was along the shore but didn't observe a single beach. I couldn't find a visible trail so I ventured up a two-track road instead and quickly found myself heading far from the resort. Eventually I hit a paved road that met up at a split street to head back to the resort. I was able to observe the locals and the morning bread delivery man during my walk as well as a variety of animals on the side and middle of the road including chickens, rooster, puppies, dogs, goats, cows and sheep. I arrived back at the resort in under 1.5 hours. I asked James how far it was to the bus stop, where the forked road was, and he became instantaneously suspicious that I was asking as I was writing some review on the resort. I told him that I hadn't yet and that I wanted to know as I had just walked back from there. He estimated it was over a mile.
I almost managed to lock us out of the room, for the third time. Fortunately I had noticed that something in the lock on the door was broken. I had T stay in the room and I closed the door and tried the key, to no avail. I informed James of the lack of air conditioning and the broken lock on the villa. Brian fixed the lock as a pin had broken and the air conditioning was reportedly user remote error (according to James).
T & I headed to the "secluded beach" after lunch to work on our tans and play in the water. I tried to sit at the edge of the shoreline but with each wave I found myself covered in sand and seaweed. I eventually moved up to rest on a rock in the water but when I glanced at other rocks and saw water crabs and scorpion looking things, I decided to give up on getting any sun at all. T and I just spent the next hour looking for ocean life.
I did a walking camera tour of the resort for memory sake of our vacation "paradise". We finished lunch and left for the airport with Vicky and her boyfriend Michael. As blogged about previous the bill and the argument with James at the airport was absurd. It was nice to leave Paradise Bay so that we could officially put that part of our vacation behind us. Vicky graciously hooked us up with her sister, Alana, to pick us up at the airport in Trinidad and take us to the hotel, a Courtyard by Marriott.
The plane was delayed briefly in Grenada and we were rather exhausted when we arrived in Grenada. Alana met us out front of the airport shortly after we walked out of the airport. Despite all the warnings and negativity of Trinidad, I found it to be rather welcoming and comforting. Trinidad is much bigger than Grenada, with over 1 million people. The highway wasn't too busy at that time of night.
The Marriott was more than welcoming. It was wonderful to be greeted at a desk by customer services representatives. I even received truffles as a welcoming gift and there was bottled water in the room. Things that I will no longer take for granted! The hotel offered 24 hour pool, exercise room and internet. I didn't even have to find someone to use any of them! The bathroom was clean and had towels, toiletries and good lighting! Mom was thrilled that the room had a phone, alarm clock, coffee pot and a television! The room also had working air conditioning and running non-smelly water! We couldn't have been happier!
T & I were hungry so we walked over to Movietown and had a sub at Subway. It was a warm night and the sub was wonderful! It was after midnight by the time T crashed in bed, not having to worry about the bed bugs tonight!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Grenada - August 20, 2008
We woke this morning to terribly strong winds and rain. The massage mattress was left folded on the veranda and came crashing over along with the headrest. Much of the belongings on the porch were strewn about. We didn't bother to venture for breakfast this morning due to the rain and a lack of desire for a lack luster crepe. The initial plan was to go on another rain forest hike and to see a bigger waterfall. With the rain, we knew that plans had changed.
About 12:00p.m. we headed to St. Georges. We went to another Crater Lake where we saw a few small carp. We then headed to Grand Etang to look for wild monkeys. Wild in Grenada is far from the wild in the US. All the roaming animals seem tamer than house pets! We were fortunate enough to spot a monkey on the fence and T handed him a banana! It was so very cool. The monkey even decided it was full and threw the remainder of the banana on the ground and walked away!
Next we headed to the Annandale Waterfall. We were able to swim in the waterfall. T enjoyed jumping off the lower ledge into the water. Unfortunately I didn't grab extra batteries and my camera was dead! I wasn't able to get pictures actually in the "power shower". Several locals were bathing in the falls, soap and all.
We headed back to St. Georges and did touristy shopping. We saw a Subway and I was craving a sub, but we went with some ice cream instead! T was even craving a doughnut which is very unlike him, so we split one of those as well. We bought t-shirts and trinkets in St. Georges. We also stopped for a drink at a local bar while mom pleasantly listened to more of James' stories. I had tuned out the stories several days earlier, especially since they were becoming redundant and I was tired of hearing about his known accomplishments and articles he's written about eco-friendly this and that. None of which we saw at the resort! We also stopped at the local smoothie stand and had a banana and mango smoothie. We arrived back at the resort about 6p.m.
We headed up to the "restaurant" about 8p.m. to find the kitchen completely quiet and dark. Cristina informed us that James was napping but would be up. I spent much of the two hours plus waiting for dinner surfing online for Paradise Bay and reading Tripadvisor reviews.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Grenada. T is homesick. We are all more than ready to leave. James continues to try hard and is offering us a catamaran sailing trip from 2-6p.m. although we should be at the airport by 6p.m.! Regardless, if T never gets on another boat, it's likely too soon! The air conditioning again isn't working tonight and the room is a stifling 84 degrees. The plan for tomorrow will be to pack, hike and try to get some sun before we leave.
About 12:00p.m. we headed to St. Georges. We went to another Crater Lake where we saw a few small carp. We then headed to Grand Etang to look for wild monkeys. Wild in Grenada is far from the wild in the US. All the roaming animals seem tamer than house pets! We were fortunate enough to spot a monkey on the fence and T handed him a banana! It was so very cool. The monkey even decided it was full and threw the remainder of the banana on the ground and walked away!
Next we headed to the Annandale Waterfall. We were able to swim in the waterfall. T enjoyed jumping off the lower ledge into the water. Unfortunately I didn't grab extra batteries and my camera was dead! I wasn't able to get pictures actually in the "power shower". Several locals were bathing in the falls, soap and all.
We headed back to St. Georges and did touristy shopping. We saw a Subway and I was craving a sub, but we went with some ice cream instead! T was even craving a doughnut which is very unlike him, so we split one of those as well. We bought t-shirts and trinkets in St. Georges. We also stopped for a drink at a local bar while mom pleasantly listened to more of James' stories. I had tuned out the stories several days earlier, especially since they were becoming redundant and I was tired of hearing about his known accomplishments and articles he's written about eco-friendly this and that. None of which we saw at the resort! We also stopped at the local smoothie stand and had a banana and mango smoothie. We arrived back at the resort about 6p.m.
We headed up to the "restaurant" about 8p.m. to find the kitchen completely quiet and dark. Cristina informed us that James was napping but would be up. I spent much of the two hours plus waiting for dinner surfing online for Paradise Bay and reading Tripadvisor reviews.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Grenada. T is homesick. We are all more than ready to leave. James continues to try hard and is offering us a catamaran sailing trip from 2-6p.m. although we should be at the airport by 6p.m.! Regardless, if T never gets on another boat, it's likely too soon! The air conditioning again isn't working tonight and the room is a stifling 84 degrees. The plan for tomorrow will be to pack, hike and try to get some sun before we leave.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Grenada - August 18 & 19, 2008
Monday August 18, 2008:
Today was a pretty uneventful day. Mom was still feeling very ill. After breakfast even T didn't feel well, so we all went back to the room and rested. T learned lots of card games this trip and even learned how to shuffle "the bridge". I attempted to lay out at the bottom of the villa. I couldn't believe how hot it was, feeling almost 100 degrees out and yet I still didn't seem to get much sun! Mid-afternoon, mom was feeling up to venturing to the second beach to see the big waves. They were much calmer today than our previous hike. Mom wasn't too thrilled with the rugged terrain and after being knocked down by the holes in the water and the strong waves, she had had enough and headed back to the resort.
Tuesday August 19, 2008 - Carriacou Day Trip:
Today we planned on taking the catamaran to Carriacou for the day. Today I wasn't feeling all that well and felt the beginning of strep throat. Willing illness elsewhere as I didn't have time or desire to be sick, we forged on with our plan. Forgetting to actually turn the alarm on, mom knocked on the door waking us for breakfast. Hoping that breakfast was at least cooking, since we had to leave for the ferry at 8:15a.m. When I went to brush my teeth, I learned that we no longer had water!
Breakfast as usual was not being prepared despite our pre-ordering the night before and announcing a time so that we could make the ferry. Fortunately we made the ferry on time, otherwise I'm not sure we could have handled another day at "the resort". T had a half pill of the less-drowsy Dramamine today which proved ineffective and T found himself ill and heaving over the side of the boat! I really think he's done with boats for a long time!
James had arranged for us to meet Charles in Carriacou for an island tour. Charles was a pleasant man and I found him easy to understand. He took us to destinations that James had suggested. Charles took us to the Fort, where we were able to see Carriacou. This was also the location of the hospital in Carriacou. We went to Belaire Park/Island which is said to be a happening place with concerts and affairs.
Like Grenada, animals are found in the roads and roaming about. Carriacou is a 13 mile island, significantly smaller than Grenada. It offers 5 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 2 cemeteries, 6000 people and 1000 vehicles. There is ONE gas station on Carriacou and gas was $14.40 per gallon!
After the full tour of the island and occasional rain, we stopped at Paradise Beach. Charles stayed and waited for us in the van even though we still had a couple hours before we needed to head back to the ferry. Our time on Carriacou was about 5 hours. Carriacou is known for snorkeling on Sandy Beach, but due to the weather and the time constraints and T's desire to avoid further boats, we didn't go. Instead we had lunch and T & I played in the crystal clear water. While swimming around I looked down and noticed a large star fish. From about 4' above the water I was able to capture a picture. We then entertained ourselves by throwing shells onto the beach to watch the various sand crabs from babies to bigger ones which varied in colors from white to grey to yellow race after the new found treasure on the beach. Mom struck gold sitting in the restaurant as a traveling bakery came by and she purchased rolls and pastries!
James was waiting for us upon our arrival back at the dock in St. Georges.
Today was a pretty uneventful day. Mom was still feeling very ill. After breakfast even T didn't feel well, so we all went back to the room and rested. T learned lots of card games this trip and even learned how to shuffle "the bridge". I attempted to lay out at the bottom of the villa. I couldn't believe how hot it was, feeling almost 100 degrees out and yet I still didn't seem to get much sun! Mid-afternoon, mom was feeling up to venturing to the second beach to see the big waves. They were much calmer today than our previous hike. Mom wasn't too thrilled with the rugged terrain and after being knocked down by the holes in the water and the strong waves, she had had enough and headed back to the resort.
Tuesday August 19, 2008 - Carriacou Day Trip:
Today we planned on taking the catamaran to Carriacou for the day. Today I wasn't feeling all that well and felt the beginning of strep throat. Willing illness elsewhere as I didn't have time or desire to be sick, we forged on with our plan. Forgetting to actually turn the alarm on, mom knocked on the door waking us for breakfast. Hoping that breakfast was at least cooking, since we had to leave for the ferry at 8:15a.m. When I went to brush my teeth, I learned that we no longer had water!
Breakfast as usual was not being prepared despite our pre-ordering the night before and announcing a time so that we could make the ferry. Fortunately we made the ferry on time, otherwise I'm not sure we could have handled another day at "the resort". T had a half pill of the less-drowsy Dramamine today which proved ineffective and T found himself ill and heaving over the side of the boat! I really think he's done with boats for a long time!
James had arranged for us to meet Charles in Carriacou for an island tour. Charles was a pleasant man and I found him easy to understand. He took us to destinations that James had suggested. Charles took us to the Fort, where we were able to see Carriacou. This was also the location of the hospital in Carriacou. We went to Belaire Park/Island which is said to be a happening place with concerts and affairs.
Like Grenada, animals are found in the roads and roaming about. Carriacou is a 13 mile island, significantly smaller than Grenada. It offers 5 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 2 cemeteries, 6000 people and 1000 vehicles. There is ONE gas station on Carriacou and gas was $14.40 per gallon!
After the full tour of the island and occasional rain, we stopped at Paradise Beach. Charles stayed and waited for us in the van even though we still had a couple hours before we needed to head back to the ferry. Our time on Carriacou was about 5 hours. Carriacou is known for snorkeling on Sandy Beach, but due to the weather and the time constraints and T's desire to avoid further boats, we didn't go. Instead we had lunch and T & I played in the crystal clear water. While swimming around I looked down and noticed a large star fish. From about 4' above the water I was able to capture a picture. We then entertained ourselves by throwing shells onto the beach to watch the various sand crabs from babies to bigger ones which varied in colors from white to grey to yellow race after the new found treasure on the beach. Mom struck gold sitting in the restaurant as a traveling bakery came by and she purchased rolls and pastries!
James was waiting for us upon our arrival back at the dock in St. Georges.
We arrived back at the resort at 6:00p.m. Mom decided she was interested in a massage. James wouldn't start dinner until her massage was done, so it was after 7:30p.m. before he began dinner. I left before the main course as I couldn't wait any longer and desperately wanted a shower. When I returned, mom and T were done, but my food was still warm. The pork chop, veggies and potato wedges were the best food we had been served, although mom still pointed out that she wouldn't have served any of it to house guests.
James hooks us up with the IP phone through the computer and we were able to make a few calls home. It was a completely new experience for me. James said there weren't additional charges and making calls through the computer was only pennies per minute! I think I thought making calls home would be good, but it made me melancholy. T lost a tooth today - so he was excited!
Grenada Whale Watching & Tour - August 17, 2008
Today was our catamaran whale and dolphin watching tour. We were informed that we had to go on Sunday and we could get a "make up" 7 course Sunday brunch as there wouldn't be another tour for several days. This of course was inaccurate as the next tour was on Monday. We also never did get the "famous" 7 course brunch either.I attempted to over drug T by giving him a full strength, original Dramamine before the catamaran trip. This proved to be hazardous as he had difficulty staying awake for much of the three hour tour. Actually, all three of us were rather tired at different parts of the trip. Maybe since the rain had stopped and it was just pleasant being on the water.
We saw 16 sperm whales and schools (are they called schools?) of dolphins. The dolphins were diving in and out of the water. Even a whale jumped out of the water. It was very cool to watch, but capturing great shots with the camera was almost futile. We left Grand Anse Bay, but didn't bring swim towels to hang out at the beach as we were told there wasn't swimming, or maybe just not time for swimming - as clearly there was water and a beach! We left the beach and headed to grab some lunch at a local pizzeria. Despite the ravishing flies, the pizza and salad were very welcoming. As was our nearby walk to IGA to pick up some snacks and needed staples for the villa.
After lunch we headed to Fort George to see the panoramic view of the city. 
We headed to the water reservoir where we walked about 10 minutes or so into a rain forest. Mom was still not feeling well and the walk again proved somewhat challenging for her. T & I went ahead hoping to find some great wildlife in the rain forest and found it rather disappointing. We did locate a small creek at which point we turned around to
meet back up with mom and James.
meet back up with mom and James.
We stopped to get gas on the way back to the resort at $13.28 per gallon! Again, another seemingly long day ended with a 2 hour and 45 minute dinner which still left us hungry, but at 9:45p.m. we were too tired to care anymore!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Grenada - August 16, 2008
The initial plan today was to venture around St. Georges and Grenada with Vicky; however, we never called her because mom was ill. She remained ill for several days, never wanting to be too far from a bathroom. It would have been perfect opportunity for T and I to lounge around a beautiful beach by the resort, if it had one, so instead we decided to hike.
Breakfast was actually much better today. I was served an omelet and it even had some vegetables in it! When we were ready for our hike I asked for bottles of water (snacks and everything were to be included) and after minutes James presented two warm bottles of water that we hadn't drank from the day before. At least it was wet.
We hiked for a few hours in the blazing hot heat, but still didn't manage to get much sun due to all the trees. We initially tried to venture through the trees, scraped and cut we aborted that plan and later found trails that were much easier! Although they were easier, the trails and terrain still proved quite challenging for T. We ventured to four beaches (although from the pictures James insisted it was only three - I'm pretty sure I'm capable of counting to four!). I would have liked to have gone further, but T had reached his limit. We swam in the fourth beach, which was a beautiful calm and serene beach. We also played at the second beach which had very large waves, "10' high waves!" by T's recollection!
This was also the day of our ocean kayak adventure sans life jackets. We also didn't have a/c for most of the day today and when we did, it could only be used in one room at a time! Dinner tonight included fish pate (aka tuna fish on toast), blue cheese spread (although far more intense) on toast, stuffed olives, and a crepe with chicken and LOTS of pepper. I asked for a salad and then had cheese slices. I hadn't realized that the crepe wasn't the main dish. James was apparently cooking fish, again, but I didn't have any as a salad was all I really wanted. It was difficult to differentiate what was being served as it took so long we began to assume that it was the main course.
Here are some pictures from our hike:
Breakfast was actually much better today. I was served an omelet and it even had some vegetables in it! When we were ready for our hike I asked for bottles of water (snacks and everything were to be included) and after minutes James presented two warm bottles of water that we hadn't drank from the day before. At least it was wet.
We hiked for a few hours in the blazing hot heat, but still didn't manage to get much sun due to all the trees. We initially tried to venture through the trees, scraped and cut we aborted that plan and later found trails that were much easier! Although they were easier, the trails and terrain still proved quite challenging for T. We ventured to four beaches (although from the pictures James insisted it was only three - I'm pretty sure I'm capable of counting to four!). I would have liked to have gone further, but T had reached his limit. We swam in the fourth beach, which was a beautiful calm and serene beach. We also played at the second beach which had very large waves, "10' high waves!" by T's recollection!
This was also the day of our ocean kayak adventure sans life jackets. We also didn't have a/c for most of the day today and when we did, it could only be used in one room at a time! Dinner tonight included fish pate (aka tuna fish on toast), blue cheese spread (although far more intense) on toast, stuffed olives, and a crepe with chicken and LOTS of pepper. I asked for a salad and then had cheese slices. I hadn't realized that the crepe wasn't the main dish. James was apparently cooking fish, again, but I didn't have any as a salad was all I really wanted. It was difficult to differentiate what was being served as it took so long we began to assume that it was the main course.
Here are some pictures from our hike:
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