Life

Underwater Grenada; St. Lucia Sees More Canadians

Diving In Grenada

Diving In Grenada: Sculptures, Sharks & Sunken Ships
Known as the Spice Island, Grenada smells as good as it looks, with the aroma of cloves, vanilla and nutmeg enhancing the sights of lush green mountains, white sands and blue waters. But for certain travellers, it’s what you find under the water that counts.

Grenada and sister island Carriacou are home to numerous reputable dive operators, regulated by the Grenada Scuba Diving Association. There are over 30 dive sites between the two islands, with depths ranging from 20 ft. to 120 ft. For experts, the deepest site is one of the most rewarding, as they travel down 167 ft. to explore the wreck of the Bianca C, a 600-ft. cruise ship that sank in 1961. It’s the largest wreck in the Caribbean.

Other dive sites feature smaller wrecks, steep walls and reefs, offering something for everyone. The marine life is plentiful and diverse, including colourful corals, nurse sharks, moray eels, turtles, eagle rays and rainbow schools of smaller fish.

Grenada is also the site of the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park. Located at Molinere Bay, the original sculptures were designed by British sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor, who is working on a similar project in the waters around Cancun. Officials say the sculptures have had a positive impact on the underwater ecosystem by allowing for the creation of artificial reefs. Snorkelling or diving in the Sculpture Park is considered a ‘must do’ by many visitors to Grenada.

Seven new sculptures will soon be added to the Park, the first of which was recently completed. Titled ‘The Silent Cry’, the sculpture was designed to capture the feel of the trees within Grenada’s rainforest. Created by local artist Rene Froelich and produced along with craftsman Jefferson Thomas, it is the largest sculpture to date, standing 7 ft. tall.

More Airline Seats Raise Saint Lucia’s Profile In Canada
Have you noticed more of your friends and colleagues mentioning Saint Lucia as a holiday destination this year? You may well have, as the picturesque Caribbean island is welcoming more Canadians thanks to a boost in flights from both Air Canada and WestJet. The island also got a high-profile plug thanks to TV ‘reality’ show The Bachelor, which showcased the destination.

Saint Lucia is famed for both its scenic beauty and the friendliness of its people. While a small island, it offers lodging choices including world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and budget properties. The three-walled mountain suites at exclusive resort Jade Mountain are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

No matter what your budget, you’ll share the same sun, sand and sea as the ultra-rich, and the best of Saint Lucia often takes a very unpretentious form, like the Anse-la-Raye Friday night fish fry, where visitors and locals share food, drink and music.

Saint Lucia is known for its natural wonders, including the iconic Piton Mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival.

Each spring, visitors from around the globe head to Pigeon Island to dance, sing and groove to legendary international, regional and local musicians. Featured artists this year include Grammy Award winner Corinne Bailey Rae, reggae legends Steel Pulse, Shaggy and Maxi Priest, violin wizard Jean-Luc Ponty and jazz fusion guitarist Earl Klugh. The event is set for May 1 to 9 at the Pigeon Island National Landmark.

Photo Credits: underwatersculpture.com, jademountain.com

http://wp.me/pc1kW-uUWUnderwater Grenada; St. Lucia Sees More Canadians 01/APR/2010

Diving In Grenada: Sculptures, Sharks & Sunken Ships
Known as the Spice Island, Grenada smells as good as it looks, with the aroma of cloves, vanilla and nutmeg enhancing the sights of lush green mountains, white sands and blue waters. But for certain travellers, it’s what you find under the water that counts.

Grenada and sister island Carriacou are home to numerous reputable dive operators, regulated by the Grenada Scuba Diving Association. There are over 30 dive sites between the two islands, with depths ranging from 20 ft. to 120 ft. For experts, the deepest site is one of the most rewarding, as they travel down 167 ft. to explore the wreck of the Bianca C, a 600-ft. cruise ship that sank in 1961. It’s the largest wreck in the Caribbean.

Other dive sites feature smaller wrecks, steep walls and reefs, offering something for everyone. The marine life is plentiful and diverse, including colourful corals, nurse sharks, moray eels, turtles, eagle rays and rainbow schools of smaller fish.

Grenada is also the site of the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park. Located at Molinere Bay, the original sculptures were designed by British sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor, who is working on a similar project in the waters around Cancun. Officials say the sculptures have had a positive impact on the underwater ecosystem by allowing for the creation of artificial reefs. Snorkelling or diving in the Sculpture Park is considered a ‘must do’ by many visitors to Grenada.

Seven new sculptures will soon be added to the Park, the first of which was recently completed. Titled ‘The Silent Cry’, the sculpture was designed to capture the feel of the trees within Grenada’s rainforest. Created by local artist Rene Froelich and produced along with craftsman Jefferson Thomas, it is the largest sculpture to date, standing 7 ft. tall.

More Airline Seats Raise Saint Lucia’s Profile In Canada
Have you noticed more of your friends and colleagues mentioning Saint Lucia as a holiday destination this year? You may well have, as the picturesque Caribbean island is welcoming more Canadians thanks to a boost in flights from both Air Canada and WestJet. The island also got a high-profile plug thanks to TV ‘reality’ show The Bachelor, which showcased the destination.

Saint Lucia is famed for both its scenic beauty and the friendliness of its people. While a small island, it offers lodging choices including world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and budget properties. The three-walled mountain suites at exclusive resort Jade Mountain are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

No matter what your budget, you’ll share the same sun, sand and sea as the ultra-rich, and the best of Saint Lucia often takes a very unpretentious form, like the Anse-la-Raye Friday night fish fry, where visitors and locals share food, drink and music.

Saint Lucia is known for its natural wonders, including the iconic Piton Mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival.

Each spring, visitors from around the globe head to Pigeon Island to dance, sing and groove to legendary international, regional and local musicians. Featured artists this year include Grammy Award winner Corinne Bailey Rae, reggae legends Steel Pulse, Shaggy and Maxi Priest, violin wizard Jean-Luc Ponty and jazz fusion guitarist Earl Klugh. The event is set for May 1 to 9 at the Pigeon Island National Landmark.

Photo Credits: underwatersculpture.com, jademountain.com

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