Life is Good

I'm awakened by the mockery of roosters. Their curiously comforting racket slithers through lopsided bamboo shades, gently prodding me from slumber and announcing another glorious morning. Comforting because I know I can drift back into unconsciousness, ignoring the persistent camaraderie of nature and continue my dream about Giorgio, my dreamy Italian masseuse whom I will one day marry. I do have the small issue of actually meeting Giorgio first but, after that pesky problem is resolved, I'll bring him back here to Carriacou and we'll have our barefoot wedding right down by the lapping blue waters of this idyllic, heaven on earth, small piece of paradise. Ahhhh...I love dreams...

Twenty minutes later, I kick my twisted sarong away and do ten lunges across the floorboards to peer at the buttery, crimson glow of yet another perfect sunrise. Yes, I lunge. I do calf raises while brushing my teeth too. The latest article from Glamour advises that the best way to trim and tone is by spreading simple exercises throughout the day, the perfect way to get fit for my Grenada beach vacation. So far all I have to show for my efforts are sore calves and a possibly broken toe. Must make mental note to write a letter of protest to the editors of Glamour. For now, let's get back to my sunrise.

Perched on my little deck overlooking the bay, I enjoy a tequila free sunrise (hmm…tequila?) and watch daybreak begin throughout the village. Brightly cloaked fisherman glide home from their pre-dawn outings, ready to flaunt their fresh catches at market. Flamboyant island birds rise and hastily stretch sleepy wings over the dense forest canopy. Young, excited shouts and mature, weary voices melt into a morning melody that drifts through the village and fades out across the waters. Yes, it's an peaceful morning here in the magical Caribbean Sea. Life is good.

I arrived to Grenada six days ago and was greeted with such a warm display of perfect sunshine, toothy wide smiles and fragrant blossoms blooming simply everywhere that I actually felt tears spring into my eyes. The sights, the sounds, the smells were such a welcome change from the rainy, gray weather I left behind in Chicago. Hello bliss! Hello lovely rum drinks! Hello Mr. Green Eyes who is stamping my passport! Hello vacation!

My first two days in Grenada were spent leisurely wandering around the main island, exploring St. George’s quaint side streets and wonderful, tiny souvenir shops. The community hosted an authentic Big Drum festival one evening, complete with chaotic, traditional dances and lots of swirling red and blue costumes. My retired ballerina feet couldn’t keep up with the intricate steps but I sure had a fun time trying, especially when a well muscled shirtless boy wonder grabbed me for a spin around the floor. The rest of the locals, fully clothed mind you, have been so friendly, always asking questions and offering invitations for chats or cool, afternoon refreshments. They are especially interested in American politics, David Beckham and the mysterious abnormality of my straight, white teeth. Seriously, everywhere I go, I have people peering into my mouth, assessing my gums, checking out my molars, touching my canines and then exclaiming, “That Beckham! He’s a real fellow!”

Seeing the countryside was especially high on my to-do list since I read that Grenada has amazing waterfalls, flora and fauna. Knowing this, Tripbase had organized an island tour incorporating a few of Grenada’s attractions that I particularly wanted to visit. Concord Falls, Grand Etang Lake and Mount St. Catherine were just as breathtaking as I imagined (and that my Google image search highlighted). The hike up to Concord Falls was quite steep but the cool swim was refreshing and well worth our hard, gasping for breath climb. There were three other young ladies on my day trip and we had a grand time playfully splashing our tour guide who mistakenly chose to stay nice and dry on the rocks. Who says you can’t act like a kid again? We later awarded his good sportsmanship with a bottle of Grenada's best white rum and some treats for his children.

Shopping and socializing accomplished, I hopped on a ferry over to Carriacou, Grenada’s sister island, to spend the remainder of my holiday enjoying the best that a hidden Caribbean oasis has to offer. Mr. Goldhill, proprietor of Bayaleau Point Cottages, met me at the ferry wharf and gave a quick tour of Carriacou before showing me to my private cottage, complete with fresh towels, crisp sheets and flowers near the window. His bouncy Labradors met us at the gate and I quickly fell in love with my caretakers, their shy twin boys and the well-tended seaside property. Hammocks in the shade, plush cushions on the verandas, and a white sand beach only five feet away - could there be anything better?

Carriacou literally means "Land of Many Reefs,” a virtual haven of dive sites, wrecks and shallow reefs to satisfy even the most seasoned diver. Tripbase had prepared a full morning of diving and I spent several hours with Arawak Divers, exploring the popular dive sites of "Wreck of the Westsider" and “Twin Sisters." Sonny, my very charming dive master, pointed out turtles, reef sharks and schools of jackfish and then took the rest of the afternoon off to kayak around the island with me. Such chivalry is hard to come by these days!

There’s plenty to do here on my wee island of fun. I’ve tasted the local delicacies, visited with school children, and spent several hours lying in a hammock, chatting with Benny, my loyal Labrador, who seems especially friendly when given a bit of leftover cranberry croissant. I spent long afternoons sitting in brightly painted restaurants, listening to reggae music and chatting with strangers, one of my very favorite things to do. Taking Mr. Goldhills's advice, I hiked the lush, hilly trails, exploring waterfalls, old ruins and forgotten bits of Arawak pottery. Kayaks, snorkeling gear, bikes and shelves of books are at my disposal, not to mention mile after mile of pure white, delightful sand to stroll along whenever the mood hits. There’s also a splendid wellness center on the far side of the village, where I received the most soothing deep tissue massage last night. I hadn’t felt that relaxed since my wisdom teeth were pulled and I quickly learned all about the comforting benefits of codeine. My mother always said that a little pampering is harmless and, after that hour-long massage, I tend to agree. I’ve already lined one up for tomorrow!

Considering that Grenada is a leading exporter of nutmeg and cinnamon and wanting to get a taste of local culture, I even hopped on an Isle Spice Tour, recommended and planned for me by Tripbase. Boy, Tripbase sure knows how to make a girl happy. I simply told them exactly what I wanted in my vacation package and which budget would best suit my needs, since, after all, I am a struggling twenty-something and every penny counts!

Using Tripbase's easy, personalized website, I rated the importance of having an active nightlife, luxurious dining, shopping opportunities and unlimited attractions and how I wanted them to fit into my trip. Furthermore, I could choose activities such as golfing, casino hopping or nature enjoyment. I could even pick what type of beach I preferred! Their wonderful recommendations are exactly why I’m not stuck in the middle of a concrete Las Vegas nightmare and am, instead, relaxing on a picture perfect postcard of a beach holiday. And all it took was a couple clicks of the mouse!

Sigh...I may not go home tomorrow. I mean, really, how hard would it be to just live here? I have a college education and nice teeth (apparently). There has to be something I could do in the village to make a living. I could be a dancer in the Big Drum group, I could weave baskets to sell to the tourists or I could train Mr. Goldhill’s Labradors to do some cool circus tricks. I could fish...but I'd hate to smell like fish for the rest of my life. Wait! Maybe I could write a pretend blog about my Dream Vacation and enter Tripbase's creative writing contest. I might win some prize money and have the chance to tell everyone how fantastic and reliable Tripbase can be for planning their own dream vacation.

Sounds great. I'll jot something down tonight, while admiring the middle of the ocean night sky (something you just have to see). In the meantime, I think I’ll forget about doing those silly morning lunges, find a croissant for Benny and go in search of a real tequila sunrise. Life is good!

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