TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) Trip Report and Photo Archives Day 9 - Petit Carenage, Carriacou

Feb. 9, 2012
The roosters wake up early on the street behind the hotel, but it is just another reminder that you are in the islands. The day started out a little rainy and overcast so we went across the street to the Kayak Kafe and Juice Bar for breakfast. Their full breakfast consists of two eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, toast and coffee or tea (20 EC). The food is freshly prepared and the view of the waterfront is nice, service is friendly and efficient.

The school bus boat sits at the dock as an island trader discharges cargo

Breakfast in the morning

The clouds started to clear a little so we packed our suitcases and checked out of the hotel. We left our luggage at the front desk and took a bus to Windward to head to Petit Carenage. As we started walking it began raining hard so we walked back to the Sunrise Disco for a beer. Once the clouds cleared we set off again for one of our favorite beaches. As you walk along the road, you see some of the famous Carriacou sloops being built in peoples backyards.

There is a sign nailed to a tree pointing out the mangrove trail, you walk down the small slope then follow the conch shells to a very lovely and secluded beach. There was another couple further down the beach, but it was no problem finding a private area all to ourselves. Kim calls this the “prettiest beach” we have visited; not breathtaking like the ones in Anguilla, or a wide expanse of sand like Grand Anse in Grenada, but just the perfect Caribbean beach tree lined, unbelievable hues of blue and green water, great views of the nearby islands and the only things being built on the beach are wooden boats. I split my time between walking around taking pictures and swimming while Kim read her book.



Scenes from Petet Carenage beach
After a couple of hours we grabbed another bus back to Hillsborough to get the ferry. While sitting in a little rum shack on the water we met an older gentleman (76) who sails between the Caribbean, the Azores and Morocco every year. As we talked it turns out in the 50’s he worked for a construction company in Michigan that many years later bought the company I worked for in Florida, small world. We watched as the school bus boat came to the dock to bring the school children back to Petit Martinique, they are so cute all dressed up in their uniforms.

We boarded the ferry and took seats outside on the top deck to take advantage of the now abundant sunshine. It was a pleasant 1 ½ hour ride, the nicest part being along the rugged coast of Grenada, cloud topped mountains looming in the background. We booked a small $40 a night hotel, the Tamerique, which is located on the lagoon across from the entrance to the Port Louis marina. Our flight is for 7:00 am so we just needed a place to shower and catch some sleep. The hotel is dated, and the beds, which were more like cots, had seen better days. We probably wouldn’t stay here again, but for someone traveling on a tight budget, say students or backpackers, it would be OK. The rooms have a kitchenette and bath with shower; the landlady is pleasant. After dropping off our luggage, we took the bus to St. Georges and had dinner at the Creole shack. It was about 6:30-7:00 when we got there and they had run out of some of the side dishes so I would recommend that you arrive earlier if you would like t have dinner there. I had Creole pork with rice and peas, mixed steamed vegetables and some very nice roasted local carrots. Kim had the baked chicken, rice, lo mien and a garden salad, with a bottle of juice and a Pepsi the bill was 43.50 EC. There was a good crowd there, mainly locals; we ate out on the patio enjoyed our meal. Back to the hotel and then a walk over to the beach at the marina to sit and reflect on the first part of our vacation. Before we went to Carriacou I was wishing I had known Skyelarks schedule so we could have sailed back to St. Lucia with them. But after spending a few days on the island, I was glad we were there, Carriacou is a unique little place, not much to do, but we really liked just chilling out and never felt bored or stir crazy. If you need an affordable place to kill some time in the Caribbean, this would be it. We repacked our suitcases, making sure anything we really needed was in our carry-ons, just in case there were any issues due t having only a 30 minute window between our Liat flights. I had to drain my flask so I could take it in my hand luggage, but not to worry, not a drop went to waste. Tomorrow is going to be a big travel day, off to St. Lucia in the morning and then sailing to Martinique in the afternoon.