Fun Facts You Probably Do Not Know About St. Vincent and the Grenadines

With the opening of Sandals Saint Vincent last year, so many clients are asking for this new destination. I recently had the opportunity to visit the resort and explore the island and I was so enchanted and cannot wait to return. I wanted to share some fun facts I learned about the island while I was there.

Hairoun – is the Carib name for St. Vincent and is also the name of the island’s popular local beer.
Kingstown is known as the “City of Arches” – you will notice as you drive through the city that most of the buildings are in Georgian style architecture, many are constructed with walkways behind the arches to protect pedestrians from the intense sun – these are a few I captured as we drove through town on our way back from our tour.
Agriculture remains the largest contributor to the local economy unlike some other Caribbean Islands that rely on tourism. The Grenadine Islands export bananas, arrowroot and other root crops and my favorite charity Grow In Time has brought back Vetiver Grass cultivation and created a wonderful prisoner rehabilitation program through handcrafted products from the grass. I was lucky to visit with @SandalsFoundaton at the opening of Hand2Earth Vetiver Heritage Centre – as more people learn about these beautiful islands, I do expect that tourism will play a much larger part in the local economy especially with the new international airport.
I love botanical gardens – the St. Vincent and Grenadines Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere – established in 1765, it always amazes me that they can keep these beautiful plants alive for so many years, when I struggle from one season to next – the serene setting around the lily pad ponds was so beautiful – no wonder it is so popular as a venue for weddings and receptions.
Wallilabou Bay was featured in the opening scene of the first Pirates of the Caribbean Movie and transformed into the film’s fictional Port Royal back in 2003 where Captain Jack Sparrow made his entrance
St. Vincent is the only place in the Caribbean where you can hike the summit of an active volcano, La Soufriere.
Only nine of the thirty-two islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are inhabited.
Many islands throughout the Caribbean are known for their rum distilleries, but if you are brave enough to try it- Sunset Very Strong Rum – distilled in Georgetown is reputed to be the most potent white overproof rum in the world- bottled at 84.5 percent alcohol making it (169 proof)
Most Caribbean forts are built on the coastline, highest point of the island with their weapons faced towards the sea where the invasion would probably come from, but the cannons at St. Vincent’s Fort Charlotte face inland to protect from French attacks, but to also ward off unrest among the island’s indigenous Carib population and slave rebellions.