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A dependency of Grenada and one of the many small islands of the Grenadines,
Petite Martinique is the smallest and most tranquil of the tri-island state of Grenada,
Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
The island, volcanic in origin, is dominated by Piton, a 750 foot high mountain in the middle.
Atop, all the neighbouring Grenadines islands and the coastline right around can be seen.
With a total of only 586 acres, one can walk or hike around the island in few hours.
There is one church, one school, one bank, a post office, a health center, a gas station,
a few grocery stores and good telephone and electricity service, all in close proximity to
the main pier. Across the mountains, the other side of the island is unhabitted.
Originally, during colonial times, the island was owned by a Frenchman and his wife,
Madame Pierre, after whom the village was named. They resided on the land with their
children and their slaves, cultivating on most of the land.
Nowadays, Petite Martinique is mainly a sea fearing community. Most of the island's men
folk are either fishermen or sailors on bulk cargo ships where they rank from ordinary
crewmen to top officiers. Very few of the women folk work, they mostly stay home to tend
to the kids.
The people of Petite Martinique share a rich heritage. The visitors in luck get a chance
to see some of our traditional ceremonies such as the famous big drum dance, the tomb
stone fest, the launching of a locally built boat or even a traditional wedding ceremony
featuring cake dancing and flag dancing rituals unique to the local culture.
The island is reachable only by boat. One can get to Petite Martinique by taking the Osprey
Shuttle, a fast powered catamaran owned by local entrepreneurs. It departs from Grenada
at 9:00am and from Petite Martinique at 5:00pm for return.
With all of it's charm and uniqueness, a visit to lovely Petite Martinique is something to be enjoyed.
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Melodies Guest House
melodies@caribsurf.com
Petite Martinique, Grenada, West Indies
Phone: (473) 443-9052 / 9108; Fax: (473) 443-9093
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