Wouldn’t it be cool if we all named our cars back in the US?

On our last day in Grenada, we got up early and headed out on a tour of the island.  Grenada is BIG.  We had been in Grenada for over a week and we had only seen the very southern tip of it.  We chose our top destinations and Kaylon (the fisherman who took the guys out) arranged for us to do a tour with his friend, Assassin, whose last name is Sylvester. (Sylvester Stallone was apparently in a movie named “Assassin”.  But then, most people probably knew that.  I didn’t because I don’t watch scary movies.)  It was impossible to forget his name, because ASSASSIN was written in huge letters across the top of his windshield.  Everywhere we went, people shouted to us, “Assassin!!!!” and we obliged by honking back with as many beeps as we could get in before the person was out of sight.  After many such trips down here in the Caribbean, I still find myself in awe that anyone’s horn still works after a year.  It is the most used part on any Caribbean car.

Our first stop was the Laura Spice Development Project.  Wendy and I were very much looking forward to this tour.  A teaching farm had been created to show specimens of native Grenadian trees, herbs, and spices.  The farm was laid out well and allowed for a quiet meandering through acres of beautiful greenery.

The kids smell, inspect, and taste dozens of herbs and spices.

Our tour guide had seen happier days, but she was knowledgeable and answered all of our questions.  We were allowed to take a few samples of the more interesting species, such as a leaf that would close up in half if you wrote the name of your beloved on it and put it under your pillow.  I’ll let the photos tell you the rest:

Nutmeg shells line the pathways and make a pleasant crunchy sound when you walk on them.

We learn about the prickly “Lipstick Plant” whose red center gives lipstick its bright color.

Chris takes a snack break.

Porter holds an opened cacao pod. We each grab a bean and suck on its sticky sweetness.

Mmmm. Guava!

Olivia gets a fresh aloe treatment for some bug bites. Then we all line up for some!

Colorful cacao pods growing in the trees.

Bryson loves tamarind right off the tree.

The split tailed lizard. We asked how rare it was to see two tails and our guide said she had never seen it before!

The Sour Sop, looking a bit intimidating…

My little Laura Ingalls! Reese finds a water pump in front of a giant palm-like plant and washes her hands.

ginger

This is the leaf you write your beloved’s name upon to see if they love you back.

Grenada is known for its nutmeg. Here is the nutmeg tree.