Daily Star

>I<E8;8ËJ NFIC; LE;<I K?< N8K<I

-

the local community, engage visitors with the sea and make thought-provoking statements about modern life.

It’s a must-do attraction for anyone visiting this lush Caribbean paradise, also known as the Spice Island, and will add some colour to a snorkellin­g expedition.

My visit to Grenada coincides with its Chocolate Festival.

Celebratin­g its fourth year, it is the brainchild of Magdalena Fielden, a Mexican fiercely dedicated to promoting the island’s sweetest export.

There’s a range of fun events planned over the week, including a cooking competitio­n in the grounds of my hotel, the True Blue Bay Resort, which she owns with her husband Russ.

The hotel has two pools, offers yoga and scuba diving as well as the House of Chocolate, a minimuseum about the history of chocolate.

Its bar/restaurant, the Dodgy Dock, is a lively hangout with theme nights including “beer and wings”, “street food” and “Chocolate Thursday”, with local bands.

From both balconies of my two-floor suite with kitchen and living room, I have views of the pretty marina.

I next take a trip to Tri Island Chocolate for a full-day cocoa workshop. The land is owned by British-born Grenadian Aaron Sylvester and he is now trying to set up a sustainabl­e farm.

The average age of cocoa farmers here is 65 and as fewer young people are attracted to the industry, every new addition to the cause is welcome.

I’m given a shovel and set about digging a trench to help direct rain water to the cocoa trees, before planting banana trees and cutting down cocoa pods.

Later I visit the Belmont Estate, a fully operationa­l chocolate farm which is a former slave plantation. Tourists here are taught the proper way to enjoy the treat – sniff, bite, then hold it on the tongue to take in the flavours.

My favourite is the milk chocolate variety but I also develop a liking for a salt-infused mix.

I carry on my tour at another of Grenada’s hotspots, the Concord Waterfalls in St John’s Parish. After driving past lines of the country’s famous nutmeg trees, I arrive at the trio of falls and cool off in the crystal clear mountain

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom