We had heard great things about the Cutty Tour around the island. So when Vanessa asked us if we wanted to join a tour she was putting together, we said we would love to go!
We met Cutty with his van and 9 other folks at 8:30 and headed out! We left the harbor and made our way up the mountain where we stopped for a short tour of a little spice garden, as after all Grenada was known as the Spice Island! The garden was small but bountiful. We saw:
It was a beautiful garden positioned on the side of the road for all to enjoy.
Cutty wove a story of Grenada as we traveled recounting the history of places we passed, as well as stopping to show us other fruit and vegetation along the way.
Soursop is exported to the USA and is used to fight cancer. In addition, it is high in Vitamin C and utilized in products for skin and cell protection from environmental damage. It has become a very sought-after plant.
Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate and Chocolate Makers
North of Victoria in a town known as Waltham, we visited the Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate and Chocolate Makers.
One of the chocolate makers gave us a tour of the estate grounds and facilities. We started with the beautiful plantation that ran along the river. The estate was originally a rum estate back in the 1600s as evident from the manmade irrigation system and bridge.
There were cocoa trees everywhere around the property. While the main harvest season begins in March, there were still pods on the trees in October which they were harvesting.
We were told that over time the older trees were removed so that new trees could flourish.
After the pods were harvested, the cocoa beans were removed and cleaned.
Then the cocoa beans were sweated/fermented before being put out in the sun to dry.
When it rained the beans were rolled on the skis under cover. According to our guide the sun provided the best method to dry the beans. Once dried the beans were roasted.
Then, they were sorted and winnowed where the nibs were removed from the shells.
Next the nibs were ground and made into chocolate where flavor was added. I am sure the process was much more involved than this simplistic tour made it seem, but the results were wonderful chocolate bars! While I normally would go for the dark chocolate, this time I had to have the Coconut Cream, as the flavor was divine!
Once everyone had made their purchases, we said goodbye to the lovely chocolate maker and reboarded the van. It was time for lunch at the Petite Anse Resort located at the northwestern corner of the island. The bay was gorgeous, and the sound of the surf provided a lovely backdrop to our delectable lunch. The fish sandwich that Ben and I shared had the most wonderful flavor as it was paired with fresh pineapple and cucumbers.
Our next stop, on the east side of the island near the town of Tivoli, was River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery. Here they made rum by hand just like it had been done for 100’s of years.
The sugar cane was pressed using an old fashion press which was powered by a large water wheel.
The cane was pressed multiple times so that all the juice could be extracted before it ran down a trough into the broiler house.
The remnants of the sugar cane were used to heat the liquid in the boilers where it was turned into syrup.
Next the cane syrup was fermented in large vats for about a week.
Yeast and molasses were added at this point.
After fermentation, the liquid was moved on to the distillery where it was heated using wood that was stoked by hand!
Before bottling and boxing, the resulting alcohol must be tested by the government to assure it had the correct alcohol content.
This rum is only sold locally, and it does not go down smooth—burns the whole way! Nevertheless, the process was very interesting, and the water wheel was spectacular!
Our final destination before returning to the marina was a quick glimpse of the old Pearl Airport outside Grenville. Two old Cuban and Russian planes were left from the USA invasion, or as some like to call it, an intervention.
This airport closed after the new Maurice Bishop International Airport opened. The new airport was closer to the major town of St. George and the tourist destinations/beaches.
For anyone wanting a comprehensive tour of the island (other locations can be included such as waterfalls, Belmont Estate, etc.) at an extremely good rate, Cutty is your man. His van was comfortable, he used a sound system so that you could hear him, and he was very knowledgeable about the island where he resides.
Thanks to Cutty for the excellent, informative tour and to Vanessa for organizing the group!
As you can determine the history of this little island is vast and there is a lot to do here. So we will stay a bit longer and enjoy every minute of it! If you would like to receive blog post updates, complete the form below (if you haven’t already done so). Also leave comments or questions below in the comment box. We will respond to each one!
Thanks again!
