cocotravel

Th e real

SpiceWords by Laura Bartlett world

Getting an invite to sample hen you’re about spice trees with just 22 rooms for to land at a welcoming, private atmosphere. the delights of with Grenada airport Te smell of nutmeg, one of and the airline the island’s main exports, lingers Mount Cinnamon, one of the staf announce in the air and the hotel takes in most sought after hotels on that somebody has lef their gorgeous gardens, a poolside dentures in the toilet, you know its cocktail bar, beach club, spa, the Island, was a pretty easy a sign that you are in for a fun trip. ftness centre and tennis court. invitation to accept... Grenada is known as the ‘Spice Grenada is spectacular enough in Isle’ thanks to (you guessed it) its of itself, and afer spending a few abundance of exotic spices, days with the staf at the Mount but that’s not all that this eastern Cinnamon Hotel, who genuinely beauty is famous for. make you feel like family, you will Lucky for us, Mount never want to leave. Cinnamon is a boutique hotel that makes the most of Totally tropical taste everything this gorgeous island Te island features nine black has to ofer. Covering an area of sand beaches, 45 white ones and just 133 square miles, Grenada’s seemingly endless stretches of scenery is something to get hot turquoise ocean, so there’s no end under the collar about and Mount to the sunbathing and outdoor Cinnamon is nestled amongst sports options. And when you’re dramatic mountainscapes, staying at Mount Cinnamon, beaches, rainforest and aromatic there’s no reason to even leave

64 House of Coco Grenada is always a frontrunner as well as chilled-out boat and The smell of at the Chelsea Flower Show, with sailing journeys on the tranquil the Queen among the lovers of seas. Tere’s also the chance to nutmeg, one of this island’s beautiful and very go whale and dolphin watching - colourful fowers. always a favourite! the island’s main Te on-site PADI 5 Star Dive Back at the main hotel, and Centre is just 10 minutes by there’s even a personal trainer exports, lingers boat from the main resort with should you wish to stay in shape a chance to take a breathtaking on your travels. Honestly, this in the air scuba dive among the pristine was quite a challenge with all the waters of the coral reefs. Te delicious ! Te main hotel centre ofers dive courses for restaurant, Savvy’s, served up the hotel to take advantage of it all levels, so there’s no need to gorgeous traditional West Indian all! Guests can enjoy a seemingly be nervous if you’re a beginner. and Caribbean fare with local, endless range of outdoor activities More experienced divers can also homegrown fruit and veg and a both in the water and on dry land, take a photographic dive to catch menu that changed daily - ideal with tennis, sailing, river-tubing, some unforgettable snaps on your for when you want to try all watersports and bill fshing all underwater journey, or enjoy a the favours and spices of your just a hop and skip away. combo of drif, wreck and reef destination. Another popular pastime diving. For something a little more among guests is to enjoy a holistic For those who fancy staying slow-paced, the hotel also has break at the daily yoga sessions, above the water, the hotel will it all in the form of sunbathing, which take place within the organise fne game fshing trips swimming and golf. Personally, tropical landscaped gardens. I for marlin, tuna and shellfsh we spent a lot of our time in wasn’t surprised to discover that

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the Mount Cinnamon spa. Te therapists were so friendly and so talented, and the spa menu was just a list of delight afer delight! You can choose from traditional style treatments or those that use natural West Indian remedies, including massages, body wraps and good old-fashioned pampering treatments. Treatments are all designed to restore body, mind and spirit, and ofer a the perfect complement to a stay at the hotel where everything is so chilled out and peaceful. Te staf are lovely and will plan trips for you around the island, too, ensuring you can The staff are lovely and will plan trips for you around the island, too, ensuring you can make the most of the gorgeous tropical scenery and vibrant culture.

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Station, where we got to see the process up close and personal and the workers choosing, grading and packaging the island’s gorgeous spices. Another our most memorable experiences was visiting the island’s waterfalls, for which it is very famous! Te hotel organised our trip to Concord Waterfall, where we had a dip in the water in gorgeous surroundings. We also visited the Annadale Waterfall, which is a magical, canopy-like place surrounded by green foliage and towering rocks. It felt like we were in a fantasy flm! Every minute of this holiday was fantastic but I think one of the most memorable experiences was spending time at the Mount make the most of the gorgeous Cinnamon Beach Cabana. One tropical scenery and vibrant night we had a BBQ dinner culture. Grenada boasts stunning by the cabana, followed by a mountain ranges and lush bonfre and accompanied by a rainforests, with a range of drumming performance from hiking and mountain biking trips local musicians. Te atmosphere available for those of all levels. was just amazing, and it was so We took a hike by the Seven much fun to mix in with the Sisters waterfall followed by a local vibes. wild river tubing experience at Grenadians are known for Mellow’s - it was like being a kid their enthusiasm, vitality and again, just revelling in the water- all-round love for life, and these based antics! evenings at Mount Cinnamon Staf will also organise really showed this of. Tey call plantation tours, visits to a rum their culture the “Spice Culture” distillery and boat trips. Tere’s and you really can feel the no time to be bored here! We excitement in everything from were lucky enough to visit the the dancing and the music to River Antoine Rum Distillery, just their natural way of being, which is the oldest functioning socialising and celebrating all water propelled distillery in the entire western hemisphere. We that is good about life. And, of also took the chance to visit the course, the abundance of spices Gouyave Nutmeg Processing in their food! All in all, Grenada is a totally delicious place.

House of Coco 67 Our guide to holidaying like a Where to eat local at Mount Cinnamon Azzuro Castle is one of the most Music flows breathtaking locations on the Where to sleep island and it’s also the workplace through Mount Cinnamon. Prices start of chef Janice, a Grenadian with from £255 per night. For more a flthy laugh and a huge heart. the veins of information, please visit www. She is the best at making one of mountcinnamongrenadahotel.com Grenada’s traditional dishes, Oil Down. It’s a type of , all local What to do slow-cooked with meat, fsh and Sunset boat ride and snorkelling veg combinations, and favoured Grenadians at the underwater sculpture park. with and coconut milk. Also don’t miss the Belmont Estate, A totally exotic experience! You and their where you can check out a fully can spend the afernoon or full functional historic plantation frst day cooking with Janice and her hand and learn all about chocolate wingwoman Deslin, who, might native music, making, from bean to bar. I add, recently won the award for the strongest woman in Grenada. calypso (a Where to drink (or lime) Te obligatory cat at the castle is Umbrella’s called Cashmere and he will be seen running around the place mix of reggae, Where to dance purring his head of at all times. Music fows through the veins During our visit, Chef Janice dancehall and of all local Grenadians and their taught us how to make lobster native music, calypso (a mix of salad, oil down and chocolate pop) can be reggae, dancehall and pop) can mousse. I like to think that I be heard across the island. One of helped her but I was way too our favourite places to boogie was busy necking the spicy rum heard across Fantasia Disco. For something punch that was fowing so freely. really unique, visit Clarke’s Whilst the food was cooking we the island. Court Cave which is built inside had the opportunity to browse the catacombs of the Old Fort the property and take a dip in Matthew overlooking St Georges. the pool, a ‘is this life’ moment

68 House of Coco as we watched the sunset in keep your eyes peeled for the gave us all a shout out, great way the distance and inhaled the many signs around the island to welcome us! gorgeous smells from the kitchen. advertising a ‘Wild Meat Party’. Tis is the perfect way to spend Here, they serve Iguana, Monkey In the shop ask for ‘Under the an evening and the views are and Armadillo, among other Counter’ - this drink is their breathtaking. Tey even do wild animals! version of Viagra!! baking classes at Christmas, When you say you are going home using fresh spices from the When to go to ‘wash your clothes’ it means local market. Afer our class, we Grenada has temperatures in the you are going home to play with enjoyed dinner and stargazing late 20s all year round, making yourself! - our Mount Cinnamon reps it the perfect place at any time And if you’re dating a local, were really living up to their of year. For an extra memorable remember that if your woman spicy name by providing all this journey, visit in February when cooks you soup, it means she is excitement. the island celebrates their ready for sexy time! Tis is said If you like your food more independence by munching on to be because it helps the man’s outlandish and for another local specialty ‘Oil Down’, which libido and is better than them awesome foodie experience, we already waxed lyrical about eating dry food or carbs. ■ earlier!

Top tips Don’t swear in front of the police or you will be arrested. Just play it safe as the police get on great with everybody and they even sell beer to the public (3 for $10). Te local police even have a party boat, where you can go dance the night away with the ofcers! And our fnal tips came from our driver, Roger, who is originally from the island. On the frst day in the van with him, he turned up the radio and the host

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