Carib's Leap (aka Leaper's Hill) (9.2.11)

A large population of Carib Indians once inhabited Grenada, where the fishing and hunting grounds were rich.  Both the British and the French tried to invade this island after it's discovery by Christopher Columbus, but it was the French who fought the Carib tribes who called this land home.  It has been told that after a brutal battle, the remaining Carib's jumped from this cliff (located due north from the town of Sateurs) in order to avoid become enslaved.  In their memory the French named the spot “le morne de Sauteurs,” or Leaper's Hill.

An Interesting Journey (9.2.11)

Sometimes, some of the most interesting journeys we take in life are not the ones we plan.  The maps are not all that accurate here (except following the coastal routes) and given few exceptions the roads are not marked!  After our jungle experience we were given some not so reliable directions and ended up on the opposite side of the island from which we planned to go!  Once we made it to the coast (an ahhhh moment), we decided it was best to stick to the predictable ocean view route from then on.  Regardless of getting turned around, we saw some remarkable scenery along the way.

Monkey! (9.2.11)

We hiked through a nature trail calling for monkeys as we went. Unfortunately, the only monkeys we saw this day were on this information billboard.  (We later learned that the odds of us spotting one of our beloved friends were slim.  It apparently is mating season and our friends are deep in the jungle up to none other than monkey business.)

It's Grand (9.2.11)

Grand Etang National Forest Reserve is one of the most popular tourist attractions, high in the mountains of the island's interior.  The rainforest is home to large number of species of birds, plants, and especially our favorites, Mona monkeys.  We hiked for 10 minutes up a nature trail to take this picture.  You should know that our vantage point is from a spot high on a hill with a sheer drop down hundreds of feet into the valley below.... no guardrails.

Rules of the Road (9.2.11)

It's a daunting task driving up into the rain forest in Grenada. Although up for the challenge, I must concede that it's not worth it. Grenadian drivers have faster reflexes than we Americans do--who consider a nice country drive as a national pastime.  Here, when you drive your goal is to stay alive, especially in these mountainous passages.  There are rules to the road that must be followed, like honking around a blind curve so that oncoming traffic can hear you first, before they see you.  And, if you get too far to the left, well, let's just say it's a long way down.  Can anyone say hairpin?

On the Left, Mom! (9.2.11)

I'm told that about a quarter of the world drives on the left hand side and almost all that do are, or were, British colonies (i.e. Grenada).  Since I couldn't practice this skill before we left in my own country, I had the kids repeat "Stay on the left, Mom.  Stay on the left."  With the steering column and even the blinkers on what I know as the right-hand passenger side,  I was a little turned around at first.   But, after a little practice, I think I got the hang of it (if you can call both hands on the wheel, teeth clenched, and praying every second while driving natural).  

Gasoline Spike (9.2.11)

And I thought $3.50 was a hardship!  We had to fuel up our rental car and were shocked. (I should clarify...sticker price is in E.C.)