The homemade and designed kites, called Flex Kites or Mad Bull Kites, can be seen (and heard!) flying overhead throughout the month of March, leading up to Easter weekend. A traditional island kite, the hexagonal, elongated kite features a bowed top section that forms a “nose”. The line that tensions to the nose is where the hummer or “Mad Bull” is attached; made of tissue paper or cello-tape attached to the bowline, the Mad Bull “sings” by vibrating in the wind. Often compared to the sound of a toy airplane or mosquito, you can ofter hear a Mad Bull kite before you notice it in the sky.

With long tails made of knotted fabric, kites are commonly flown with with two tails, sometimes including a third if the kite is especially long. Kites are decorated with colorful plastic sheeting, allowing them to survive a dip in the sea or a quick passing rain shower. Bamboo is commonly used to make the kite, as it is flexible but stable. On 1500 – 2000 feet of line, the kites can fly incredibly high if the wind conditions are favorable.

Although you’ll see kites flying in the weeks up to Easter, a major day for the activity is Good Friday. Children can be seen all around the island putting up kites and tying them off, leaving them to fly for the next week. There are even competitions around the island over Easter weekend, the largest ones being held in Ft Jeudy and the Golf Course in Grand Anse, which make a great family outing. If you are in Grenada over the Easter weekend and would like to fly a kite, they are often available for sale on the roadside to purchase from children that make them for some extra money for their Easter school holidays.

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Held January 22nd – 26th, 2013, the competition follows the rules of the International Game Fishing Association, with fisherman taking to the sea for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Sailfish. Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Dolphin are also accepted, but only for boat pool and record weight prizes.

First held in 1964, the Tournament has run annually (save for the revolution years), making this the 44th annual Tournament. Sport fishermen come from Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, and around the world to compete.

The competition sticks to a conservationist mindset, and is run as a modified release event with points awarded for released billfish species rather than weight. Weight points are only assigned for fish exceeding the minimum weight for the species. In the end, the points are totaled up and the boat and angler with the most points takes home the top prize.

Image source: GrenadaExplorer.com

The water surrounding Grenada is home to a variety of fish, making it ideal for competitive fishing. Many local restaurants, such as the Laluna Restaurant, include dishes featuring locally caught seafood on their menu. The Grilled Catch of the Day at Laluna can’t be beat when it comes to flavorful, fresh-caught seafood.

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Spiny lobster season

To avoid over-fishing, spiny lobster has a specific season in Grenada and is not available year-round. We have an easy trick to remember when it will be available: You can purchase the lobster in months with the letter R (so, September – April). During this time period, fishermen will often sell lobster on docks and in harbors throughout the island. In fact, they often come up onto Laluna’s beach with their lobster bags for chef to personally select from.

Enjoying spiny lobster in Grenada

Spiny lobster can grow to massive sizes; we’ve seen guests pick up lobsters up to 8 pounds. Of course, for a romantic dinner for two, a 3 to 4 pound lobster would more than suffice. With its hard, protective exterior, preparing the lobster can be a daunting task. Luckily, Laluna’s Chef is experienced with the spiny lobster, and will happily prepare your fresh-catch for you. A unique crustacean, the spiny lobster ranks as one of our “must-try” dishes when visiting Grenada.

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Image courtesy of GrenadaExplorer.com

Fort Frederick was built by the French in the late 1700s when they captured the island from the British. One of the most unusual features about the fort was that it was built to have cannons facing inward to stave off attacks from within, giving it the nickname “the backwards facing fort”.

Image courtesy of GrenadaExplorer.com

On a visit, there are several points of interest to explore. The grounds near the fort are alive with colorful blossoms, and any evening year-round the sunsets over the ocean are spectacular, as well as the sunrises. However, any time of day is ideal for overlooking the charming area of St. George and the coastal views. During cruise ship season, it can be magical to look over the harbor after dark and see all of the ship lights glimmering off of the water.

Guests may take a guided tour to learn about the fort’s history, especially the role it played in the 1980s during a period of turmoil within the local government. Or, the fort can be reached by a one mile hike and is open to the public year-round by paying a small fee.

Image courtesy of GrenadaExplorer.com

There are several old fort stations and areas to visit throughout Grenada, each with their own unique history. Fort Frederick offers one of the most spectacular views, allowing guests to create panoramic memories of their exotic surroundings. With it’s close proximation to the town, it’s a quick trip that will compliment any vistors island itinerary, and can be arranged by Laluna’s Concierge Services.

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Grenada is an easy-to-reach island; with only a short 3 hour flight from Miami, guests begin to unwind as soon as they step off the plane. For travelers looking for a quick getaway, Laluna Resort offers the Escape package. A 3 night, 4 day special, the Escape package is perfect for those needing a short, romantic getaway. Imagine, while friends are at home huddled around the heater, visitors to Grenada are enjoying hikes in the rainforest with a swim at a waterfall.

While at the resort, guests can soak up some rays laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean, or lounging by the pool. Daily yoga allows visitors to re-center and find balance. Nightly happy hour encourages light conversation, and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean Sea. With a chef that focusses on authentic Italian and Caribbean cuisine, guests can enjoy the delicious, healthy food prepared with ingredients from Laluna’s sustainable organic garden. And really, who would choose to stay at home with a sore back from taking down all the lights and tree over enjoying a relaxing Balinese massage in Grenada?

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