Overview
Jump right into the incredible history that makes Grenada what it is today!
This tour will show and tell you about the revolution, the U.S. led intervention with Oliver North, Grenada's mercurial relations with China, and the present political and economic climate. You just won't believe that all of this happened on one little island!
Your historical journey begins with a scenic drive through the picturesque town of St. George's to Otway House and the Carenage. It was at this site, in 1974, that Maurice Bishop's father was killed and many demonstrations took place, which all led up to the 1979 revolution against the Gairy Government of Grenada. This was a very important part of the governmental history of the island nation.
Heading south to Point Salines and True Blue, expect to see such notable sites as the airport, university, and the commemorative monument for slain U.S. soldiers of the 1983 intervention. It was here that most of the activity involving the U.S. and Lt. Col. North took place.
To give you a sense of Grenada's current state, particularly after the hurricanes during the last few years, we'll drive past the hotel belt and Grand Anse beach. As we go through Woodlands and Woburn fishing village, you'll see new yachting developments, the Derelect Soviet Embassy in Morne Jaloux, and the Fort Frederick complex.
Driving past Mount Royal (residence of the present Prime Minister) and Mount Weldale (the residence where Bishop was held under house arrest), the next stop is Fort George, where you'll see the commemorative plaque listing the names of Bishop and his slain committee members who were executed on the afternoon of October 19, 1983.
Your day of historical touring ends with a drive through the cemetery and past the national stadium to see two structures, one built by the Taiwanese and the other by the Chinese. China and Taiwan split in 1949 amid a civil war, and Beijing claims the democratically run island of Taiwan is a renegade province that should not have diplomatic ties with other countries.
The Asian rivals have both campaigned aggressively to win the allegiance of Caribbean nations. Grenada switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2005. China built a beautiful cricket stadium and, at its inauguration, a huge gaff occurred. While Grenadanian government ministers and Chinese diplomats stood at attention, the Taiwanese national anthem was played, instead of the Chinese anthem.
Chinese Ambassador Qian Hongshan and scores of blue-uniformed Chinese laborers who built the $40 million Queen's Park stadium as a gift were visibly uncomfortable as Taiwan's anthem echoed inside the 15,000-seat venue.
This last story demonstrates the interesting history of a small island that has made a big impact on the international scene.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 08:00 AM, duration: 4.5 hours
- 09:00 AM, duration: 4.5 hours
- 01:00 PM, duration: 4.5 hours
