My Grenada West Indies exploration 01

St George's: This picturesque city, wrapped around the perimeter of the island's finest natural harbour, is perhaps the most appealing capital city in the entire Caribbean. Founded in the early 18th century by the French, St. George's still possesses something of the character of a French town, particularly in the red tile roofs and pastel colours of its traditional architecture.
St. George's contains a number of sites worth exploring and the Board of Tourism (at Burns Point) provides a handy guide for walking tours.

Carenage: St. George's ideally-formed inner harbour is, as it has been for the last three centuries, the centre of marine activity on the island. The Carenage serves as an anchorage for every sort of vessel imaginable, from small fishing boats and elegant yachts to great white cruise ships. A walk along the encircling Wharf Road allows a lovely view of the harbour and its bounty of colourful ships.

St. George's Roman Catholic Cathedral: The Gothic tower of St. George's, though modest enough, is the most visible landmark in the city. Built in 1818, the tower lends Grenada's capital a distinctively European character.

House of Parliament: Across Church Street from the cathedral are two of St. George's most venerable buildings. York House, purchased in 1801, houses the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. Along with the neighbouring Registry, which was built in 1780, York house is a graceful example of early Georgian architecture.

Market Square: Bustling, noisy, and colourful, the market is the centre of the capital's civic life, as it has been for the last two hundred years. It is the main site for the purchase and sale of local produce, as well as the focal point for parades, political speeches, and religious activities. More recently, it has become the starting point for minibuses to the outer areas of the island. No visitor to Grenada should miss the Saturday morning market.

The Esplanade: Just down Granby Street from Market Square is the Esplanade, which looks out to the west across the Caribbean. A fine locale for an evening promenade.

Grenada National Museum: Although the National Museum is not large, it houses a fascinating collection of artefacts from Grenada's cultural history. Its collection extends from ancient times to the present, including material and exhibits on everything from the Caribs to the political events of the 1980s.

Sendall Tunnel: This 340-foot tunnel, still the most convenient connection from the Carenage to the Esplanade, was rightly considered a technological triumph when completed in the early 18th century. It was named for the island's governor at the time.

Fort George: Fort George is situated on an elevated peninsula that commands the harbour entrance, a position that has given the fort enormous strategic importance since the French constructed it in the first decade of the 18th century. Although it continues to serve as the police headquarters, Fort George is most appreciated today for the views that it offers to sightseers. Much of its elaborate colonial structure remains intact, and part of the pleasure of a visit is rambling around among the passages and stairs of the ancient stone fortifications. Fort George still maintains a battery of old cannons, which are used on special occasions to fire off a resounding salute.

In the 1980s, Fort George once again played a prominent role in Grenadian history as the site of the assassination of Maurice Bishop, along with several members of his cabinet. In 1983, the fort was bombed by American troops.
Fort Frederick: Perched atop Richmond Hill at the centre of St. George's, Fort Frederick is a smaller and more recent complement to the imposing Fort George. Built by the British, it was completed in 1791, during the French Revolution.

Around St. George

Botanical Gardens:
Situated just five minutes drive to the southeast of St. George, these pristine, tranquil gardens offer an enchanting introduction to the natural plants and flowers of Grenada and of the Caribbean generally.

Bay Gardens: The Bay Gardens, with their winding paths and careful cultivation, offer a fine example of the European impulse to tame and order the paradisiacal vegetation of the tropics. With over 3,000 species of plants, the Bay Gardens provide a lifetime's introduction to the flora of Grenada--indeed, of the entire Caribbean. The gardens are located behind St. George's, in the suburb of St. Paul's. NEXT: EXPLORING PAGE 2