To the Rain Forest

Just north of the distillery is Lake Antoine, a 16-acre lake in the crater of an extinct volcano. Lennox halted the van so we could take in the glorious view of the lake. It is privately owned and surrounded by lush agricultural growth, so we were able to see it only from afar.

Lake Antoine

Several places we would like to have visited—Seven Falls, Concord Falls, Sulphur Spring, Levera Pond—were a serious hike from the road and Lennox opined that our sandals were inadequate. So we did the lazy tour. Next time.

With Lake Antoine, we had come almost as far north as this tour would take us, continuing on only far enough to turn around and head toward GraniteTown, er, Grand Etang. We returned to Grenville, then cut inland, watching the cocoa, nutmeg, plantain, bananas, bluggoes, breadfruit, and papaya roll by. Lennox pointed out a very large tree whose name I heard as the silk-cotton tree. These grow to enormous heights, said Lennox, because people are afraid to trim them. Apparently a branch fell and injured someone long ago. It was decided that ghostly ancestors inhabited the tree and were annoyed at having the branches pruned. He pshawed the tale as mere superstition. Asked if he’d prune a silk-cotton tree he said, “I would if it needed it.” Regardless, there are those who take the tale seriously and the huge trees loom out of the lower growth, protected by their spirits to grow as they will.

The landscape changed dramatically as we headed into the interior and climbed toward the rain forest. Off to the right, Mount Saint Catherine (at 2,757 feet, the highest on the island) rose above lesser peaks at her side.

Mount St. Catherine

The typical rain forest vegetation started to appear: ferns, fern trees, bamboo, more bamboo. Cascades of a small, delicate, feathery fern created banks at the side of the road. “That’s the national fern,” said Lennox. He told us it is used for decorations at all manner of celebrations, from christenings and weddings, to Christmas, political rallies, and street parties. I asked its name. “The national fern,” he said.

Deep in the rain forest, he took a side road and we arrived at Lake Grand Etang, Grenada’s water reservoir. This lake is not privately owned, but the walking trails were beyond our footwear, according to Lennox. Instead, we walked up to the information centre on a hilltop overlooking the lake. It has quite a good display on the flora and fauna of the area, on the destruction caused by Ivan, and on the ecology of the region.

Lake Grand Etang

Small monkeys were released in the area some time ago as a source of meat. They have done reasonably well and several small colonies persist, though it can be tough since some Grenadians still think of them as food. They appear each morning to be fed. We, alas, were there in the afternoon so didn’t have the opportunity to make their acquaintance.

After admiring the view and the flowers, we returned to Lennox and the van. Next stop: waterfalls.