Pirating the Caribbean V: Grenada

Grenada

May 2011

Royal Caribbean Cruise island stop #5 of 6
All photos unfiltered

Yes.

Grenada is named Spice Island because the native population is known for its infatuation with the Spice Girls. Pretty sure that's true. One may argue the name has something to do with its economic dependence on spices and being one of the world's largest exporters of nutmeg. They would be wrong. Posh Spice.

Do you see spices here? No. Do you see posters of Victoria Beckham? Yes.  Reiterating my point.

This is Flamingo Bay and it wins.

Here's another look at that insanely blue water. Heading out to an underwater sculpture park in Moliniere Bay.

Snorkel action. Clown fish? I don't know. This ain't National Geographic. Or better yet - Ranger Rick! Do they still publish that? I used to love that magazine. Ranger Rick was the shiznit.

#BringBackRangerRick

This is part of the underwater sculpture park. It was created by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor in 2006 and is a world's first. There are 65 sculptures. For more info, check his website: underwater sculpture.com.

This is called Grace Reef, according to the artist's website.

This is a thing with a thing on its head, not according to the artist's website.

I will note that I took these pics while snorkeling; it would be much easier to get better pics while diving. But I sacrifice for you, the reader. #HiMom

Don't know. Seems suggestive.

It's a lady. #InLadiesManVoice

I believe this one is known as Viccisitudes, according to the artist's website. I believe its been retouched since this was taken.

Take 2.

They're resting because they've been standing forever.

This is Annandale Falls. It is not that large.

But it does feature cliff divers who are looking for tips. I was very close to climbing to the top and jumping, but my dad was beyond freaked, so I relented. On a related note, I'm still alive.

Closer look at the cliff.

Closer look at the fall.

This is my Apocalypse Now selfie. I sacrifice a cow later. #Untrue

Local kiddies getting out of school. This is my Look-I-Took-A-Picture-Of-Normal-Life-In-A-Different-Country-Because-I'm-Artsy-And-An-Aware-Traveler #pretentious

Thank you.

The capital, St. George. That may or may not be my cruise ship in the background.

#PretentiousWannabeArtist

Next: Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pirating the Caribbean IV: St. Lucia

St. Lucia

May 2011

Royal Caribbean Cruise island stop #4 of 6
All photos unfiltered

The Pitons. It's like Rio in the Caribbean.

Marigot Bay

Simple cove. Quiet and lush.

Those are the famous Pitons off in the distance. The Pitons are volcanic plugs, whatever that is. The locals know the good spots for picture taking along the highway - so they post up there to sell you handcrafted items… and Viagra. It's around an 1.5 hours to get to the Pitons from here, according to my old notes, which also indicated the highways were in poor condition. But who really knows. These notes were written more than 3 years ago.

Lot of chickens in the Caribbean. No street crossing answers.

Wall art driving thru Soulfriere, near the Pitons. Not Banksy.

Jalousie Beach resort. I believe its called Sugar Beach now, but used to be called the Jalousie Plantation. This place was crazy luxurious and isolated; a celebrity hideaway. You know - that's why I was there. #UntilTheyKickedMeOut

Jalousie Beach. This may or may not be a private beach for the resort. That's Petit Piton in the distance, the shorter of the two volcanic plugs. 

This is an amazing shot of the Gros Piton, the larger volcanic plug. I still can't get over that this area is practically exclusive to the resort. The sand was crawling with ants, which did taint a little of the awesomeness.

There's the Truman Show trying to escape this seemingly fake world.

I don't remember what I ordered. I imagine it was overpriced though. Iceberg lettuce? Really? What is this 1985?

The view's aight tho.

Hey buddy. Kittens are rad. Cats… meh.

Diamond Botanical Gardens. These are botanics.

Diamond Fall. This place was suggested in the travel book we had, but it's really not an essential visit.

Signs point to more botanics.

There was a mineral bath that you could soak in, but it was like an old outdoor YMCA jacuzzi you'd stumble upon in Nebraska.

Bam. Gros Piton.

After a traffic-filled return to the cruise ship, a quick shot of Castries, the capital of St. Lucia.

So I'm not drinking with the local beer here, Piton. They drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel's on the left. Piton tastes like every other Caribbean beer. When in Rome...

Next: Underwater sculptures in Grenada