Grenada Chocolatefest

We spent another day playing tourist in Grenada when we took advantage

of a tour during Chocolate Fest.

The trip started with a drive up the beautiful west coast of Grenada to

the Diamond Chocolate Factory, the home of Jouvay Chocolate.

The Diamond factory is in a historic building built in 1774 as a part of a

sugar plantation.

Cocoa beans drying in the sun.  The trays are on wheels so that the trays 

can be quickly rolled under cover if it rains.

Stirring the beans so they dry evenly.

Sorting the beans after roasting.

Grinding the beans into velvety chocolate.

In another part of the factory they press the chocolate to extract the cocoa

butter.  Now they have a 35 lb block of pure cocoa.

The cocoa butter drips down into the buckets and then is poured into 

molds.

This is a very manual, labor intensive process for making chocolate.

Each chocolate bar is made by hand.

Our tour was also an excuse to have lunch at 

the Petite Anse Hotel and Restaurant.

Located on the north coast, this boutique hotel boasts stunning views

and great food.

Another wonderful day exploring this beautiful island, the Spice Island

but also the chocolate island!

Westerhall Rum

Sometimes you just need to take a day and play tourist.

This is true even when you've lived somewhere for a long time.

We've been coming to Grenada since 2008 but we had never

toured Westerhall Estate, the home of Westerhall Rum.

I know, you're shocked!

I didn't say we never drank the rum,

I said we never toured the estate.

Westerhall no longer produces the rum here but they maintain

the historical site and a museum and do the bottling here.

The black and white photos are from the museum and give you

a glimpse into what the estate looked like when they were

producing rum here.

Back at the tasting room and our guide Anika let us crush some

sugar cane which is delicious on its' own or with a little rum.

Anika and Jim swapped rum recipes.

Wendy with Steve and Hope (S/V Starshine) and

Gary and Margi (S/V Inspiration)

Lunch followed at the beachfront restaurant in Grenada Marine.

Pop-up farmer's market in front of the restaurant.

Oh good, they have limes!  Grab some!

What a great day spent with friends and playing tourist.

Already planning our next adventure!

The Moon and Aldebaran

Happy Hour led off with a beautiful sunset. Above the Moon is the star Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus the Bull.

Look Before You Leak

This tiny octopus appeared in the head.

Its tentacles held fast as it stared back at me while trying to flush it back to sea. Finally the octopus went back into the water in the bowl. Adding a couple of drops of vinegar made the octopus release its hold. Then a few quick flushes sent it safely back to its watery home.  

Work Boat Regatta 2016

It may not be all fun and games.....

....but at least some were having a good time.

One of the crews getting ready to race.

Then another bringing the boat in after a capsize.

As the boat approaches the beach a crew member jumps overboard and runs to check in with the race officials. There may have been fewer boats but it still was a successful regatta for 2016.