Monmot Hotel St. George's

So,
Went to the masaya markets, makes you really wonder why Canadian Health organizations are so anal retentive about sanitary practices. There are pieces of meat, sitting in blazing heat, with flies all over them, everywhere. You can also buy half dead chickens, vegetarians must just be ******. Started my spanish classes as well. Fun Fact: the word Papaya in Cuba, means vagina... could get very confusing if you happen to be ...

... on a cobble stone road, through the jungle, in the 30 degree weather. Lets just say, my ass will never recover. It was so steep, on the walk down, we had to walk backwards just to spare the wear and tear on our knees. This hike made the Grouse Grind look like a highway in the prairies. But all in all, it was worth it for the experience. How many people do you know who can say: " I climbed a volcano with a ninja named Jackie Chan." Seriously, so worth it.

So today was to be the sailing Catamaran and beach party day.....or so we thought! The materials have been updated (have to think we had something to do with that..), however, Princess listed their "Party Cruise & Beach" excursion on a Catmaran. I even called Princes to make sure it was a Sailing Catamaran with nets, etc....So, we got on to the bus that took us over to an area where ...

... sky was quite blue everywhere else.

The island is 21 miles by 12 miles wide. St. George's is the capital. Approximately 107,000 people live in Grenada, 27,000 in the capital. English is the official language and an African-French patois is also spoken. As well, Grenada is the Caribbean's "Isle of Spice" one of the world's major producers of nutmeg, mace clove, cinnamon and cocoa.

As we disembarked the ...

... ever do in the middle of the Atlantic. It didn't start that way. We actually had incredibly rough weather upon leaving the Canaries, which is not unusual. It's called an island effect, which means that waves which look relatively small in deep water, become big and scary when they run into shallow water. Try it in the bathtub with a toy boat and see what happens. So when we did encounter lack of wind if ...

... one way single lane tunnel...a quick run through the pier mall drug store for decongestant and we're back on the ship with a half hour to spare. We got a new Captain in Grenada...we back away clear of the pier....and everything stops....the guy has only had the damn boat for half and hour and he's broken it already!!! Half an hour later and we're back underway. Tonight is a Formal Night....we're skipping it....a tuxedo once a week is way too much for me.

... I gave our daughter the weather guy's phone number (in Florida) in case of emergencies, hoping that she'd never have to use it. One morning (when we didn't actually listen to the radio), we got a knock on the hull. A gentleman from a neighboring boat said that we had an emergency message to call our daughter. My heart was in my throat as we prepared to go ashore to get in touch with Jessie. We had to purchase on-line time and then, using our computer, log on to "Skype ...

... called, but was a good game. U need two bottles and a line. Stand behind the line, hold a bottle in each hand. Then u have to place one of the bottles as far over the line as possible without touching the ground or putting ur hands on the top of the bottle (incase it broke and magically chopped ur hand off, i feel the danger aspect of the game was lost here!) So being the lanky freak that i am, i stepped up with a good chance and got one bottle placed about 5 feet over the line ...

... beach tho and someone comes up to u and u start talking to them, u can pretty much guarantee they are going to ask u for money. And then theres those on the beach trying to sell woven baskets, necklaces etc to u. However there is one rasta weve got to know - david - who we see often on grand anse beach. Hes the exception tho coz he doesnt force a sale on u, and is great to just sit and talk to. He produces regae music so he'll get u ...

Has been a hectic week! Lots going on. I cant actually remember it all but will try my best. Certainly lots of photos to upload. So yeah, the rum factory, well all i can tell u is its a factory that makes rum (they wouldnt let us go around it). We did get to sample quite a few of their offerings, some nice, some not so nice We've been out most nights for dinner, but I seem to be cursed here...let me explain: Went for a meal on the carenage (st. georges city centre next ...