Is there a place in the world that you can’t help but feel drawn to, almost as if it has a magnetic pull on you? Maybe it’s your home country, or a foreign land that captured your heart. For us, that place is Grenada.
This Caribbean island won us over in 2014, and we’ve gone back every year since. Grenada feels like home to us for many reasons.
As full-time travelers and bloggers, we sometimes crave routine, whether it’s spending six weeks by a beautiful lake in Guatemala or two months relaxing on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Although we love moving from place to place every 5 to 7 days, this lifestyle isn’t sustainable forever. We, like most people, need some downtime, enjoy unpacking our backpacks, cherish having a community of friends, and appreciate moments to focus on our online business.
When we first arrived in Grenada for a house-sitting and pet-sitting job in 2014, we never imagined it would become a sort of home base for us. But over the years, it became clear that we needed to be here!
After a memorable five months backpacking through Eastern and Central Europe, we flew from Prague to New York via Denmark. The journey was long but straightforward. We arrived late in New York, checked into the Ramada RVC, and quickly fell asleep in our queen-sized beds. We were so tired that we didn’t even say goodnight to each other.
Even though we had two nights in New York City, we technically only had one full day because our arrival was late and we left early for Grenada. Having seen many of the major sites in Manhattan and Brooklyn on previous trips, we chose to stay closer to the airport at the Ramada RVC on Long Island’s south shore. This location was ideal because it was near the airport and large shopping centers where we could buy some essentials for Grenada, items that are either overpriced on the island or unavailable. It was also more affordable than staying in Manhattan, and breakfast was included.
We also wanted to explore an unfamiliar part of New York, and Long Beach and Jones Beach were just 10 kilometers away. Unfortunately, it rained throughout our only day in NYC, which meant we couldn’t use the hotel pool or visit the nearby beaches. However, we enjoyed an evening stroll and the quiet of the surrounding neighborhood.
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve already spent over a month in Grenada. During this time, we’ve immersed ourselves more in the Grenadian culture and lifestyle, something we truly love. Friends we’ve made over the years have taught us a lot about the island, and the longer we stay, the more we understand it.
We’ve enjoyed “liming” (hanging out) with friends at shops, rum shacks, and the beach. We’ve attended two concerts on boats, reveling in local soca, steel pan, and soul music. I celebrated my 32nd birthday on the beach with a fantastic lunch and a night out at our favorite beach bar with live music.
We’ve taken numerous hikes along the sea and in the bush, attended a neighborhood BBQ party, a friend’s wedding, and visited a historic fortress. Even after three visits, we keep discovering new and exciting things to do in Grenada.
If you ever get the chance, don’t miss staying at Mount Cinnamon Grenada—it’s truly one of the most incredible boutique hotels.
This year, we decided to join a yoga studio and have been practicing twice a week, which might soon become three times a week. It feels great to get some exercise after not doing much in Europe. We also plan to volunteer our time around the island, so stay tuned for updates on that!
Of course, we’ve also enjoyed the company of our furry friends. Currently, we’re taking care of Pumpkin, a terrier mix, and Macy, a shepherd mix. Nick is surrounded by females! We’ll be with these two dogs until the end of July before moving to a new home and taking care of new pets.
We’ll be here in Grenada for a total of five months, until early November. We’ve shared much about this beautiful island in the past through our writings and videos, but there’s always more to come—Grenada offers endless activities!
Have you ever considered house-sitting or pet-sitting? It’s a fantastic way to extend your travels, with free accommodation in exchange for taking care of a home and animals. Often, a vehicle is included for your use. In Grenada, having a car is essential.
Not only do you get free accommodation, but you also live in a residential area rather than the touristy part of town, providing a more authentic experience. Plus, having a pet for a few days, weeks, or months can be incredibly rewarding.