GRENADA - "I GET AROUND"

There are many ways for us to get around Grenada. Some of the marinas have reasonably-priced shuttles to the shopping areas, private taxis are always an option, but we really enjoy travelling with the locals. The buses are a cheap and colourful way to get a mini tour of Grenada, especially when the driver takes the long way around to pick up a regular who's not on the route.

The buses are stretch vans with five rows of seats. There's comfortable seating for 12 passengers, plus the driver ......

......and the 'conductor' who sits by the one sliding door. We were in a bus earlier this week with 18 people crammed into 12 seats, but no matter - the locals are polite and patient. And the price is right. A single one-way fare is $2.50EC from Woburn to St. George's. That's about 95 cents US.

So let's back up a bit. Come along with us as we get from 'Beach House' to the bus.

We hoist Cabana Buoy on the davits every night. It's just a sensible safety precaution - dinghies and outboards have been known to go walkabout.
So before we can head off, Geoff does lowering honours ......

...... then I hand off the bags.

From our anchorage here in Clarke's Court Bay, it's about a quarter mile to the Woburn 'town dock'.

As dinghy docks go, this one is a little sad ......

...... but it's close to the bus stop, and has cleats for the chain and lock.

Getting off this dock is interesting.
Geoff looks at these boards ......

...... and sees a bridge from the dock to land.

I see narrow, wobbly planks and always take a moment to gather myself.

Then the thought of shopping for new sandals lures me across the abyss.

Once ashore, we cross a private backyard ......

...... and go up the shady path beside the house.

The path comes out ......

......into a carwash. We didn't believe it the first time.

From here, it's about a block up to the main road in Lower Woburn.

Nimrod's Rum Shop is the bus stop. Well, not officially, but it's a good place to wait, and handy if you're thirsty. But you can pretty much stand anywhere along the bus routes and the drivers will stop for you.

Here comes our bus. See you in St. George's?

GRENADA - "DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL"

It was an amazing crush of people, body to body, making their way along the stretch of road surrounding St. George's Bay, Grenada. They were covered with paint from the paint trucks, most of it self-applied, as they shuffle danced to the unbelievably loud soca music coming from the DJ trucks inching along with the crowd. The soca beat is primal.

JUST A SMALL PART OF THE CRUSH OF PEOPLE

THE RED AND YELLOW PAINT TRUCK
ONE OF MANY DJ TRUCKS
This carnival event is the Jouvert (pronounced 'jouvay', coming from Jour Overt, meaning 'daybreak'). The participants start partying on Sunday night and keep going till the Jouvert parade officially begins at 5 am. Then they slowly parade/dance their way into town. They were still going strong at noon. Clearly exhausted, but clearly exhilarated.
THE JOUVERT CONGA LINE
JOUVERT DIRTY DANCING?

The Jouvert is truly a marathon. And yes, there's plenty of drinking. Beer and rum is handed out from some of the DJ trucks, and there are kiosks with food and drink all along the parade route. The blue smoke in the air brought back memories of the 70s. But despite the 'partaking', or maybe because of it, the mood was always relaxed.

ANYONE FOR A COLD CARIB AT 8AM?

I GET THE CARIB, YOU GET THE SPRITE.

It's hard to describe the atmosphere. For every smile there seemed to be a serious face. The combination of raw intensity and joyful energy was compelling. We were spectators most of the time but occasionally joined in.

JOUVERT SMILES ......
...... AND JOUVERT INTENSITY.
The Jouvert belongs to everyone. The locals own it and love it. There are bigger and better organized Carnival events - steel band competitions, Carnival King and Queen pageants, costume parades - but the Jouvert captured us.
And the final parade didn't disappoint. Our two favourite pictures from that day say it all. Enjoy. We did. THE CLASSIC MOMENTS WERE EXPECTED ......
...... BUT THE UNEXPECTED ALSO DELIGHTED.