Experience the charm of what the Caribbean used to be like on this unique island
Montserrat Tourist Board June 2006 press release
Montserrat, the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, home to approximately 4,700 residents and a plethora of wildlife and deep-water reef communities, is possibly one of the world’s best-kept secrets. If your dream vacation involves sunbathing on dark-sand beaches, swimming in turquoise waters with spectacular views of lush, green mountains and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of modern life, then a trip to Montserrat equals ten times the value. Following are the top 10 reasons to visit this unique Caribbean island:
1. Everyone’s a volcanologist – Montserrat has the highest number of volcanologists per capita in the world. Start a conversation with any resident and easily, terms like pyroclastic flows, lahars, deformation, hybrid earthquakes, conduit, lava chute and Teutonic plates become integrated into the conversation. Be patient and take in the geography lesson as you might be told to “kiss my ash.”
2. Montserrat is a time capsule – Montserrat is probably one of the only islands that represent what a true Caribbean holiday used to be like (before massive cruise ships, casinos and large hotels took over). Its people are warm and humble, and crime is virtually non-existent.
3. Luxury villa vacations at B&B prices – Montserrat boasts a number of luxurious villas at rental rates that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Weekly rates for a fully furnished villa with a swimming pool, full kitchen, garden and all amenities start around $700 per week. The villas offer ample room and lots of privacy.
4. No fast food chains or traffic jams – Montserrat has no fast food chain restaurants. Among local delicacies are sumptuous lobster burgers, fried mountain chicken (frog legs) or goat water (like an Irish stew, but with goat meat chunks). You will also find no traffic jams. Traffic jams involve about five cars and the occasional goat or donkey.
5. Grey snow and multiple ash Wednesdays – Safely marvel at the magnificent Soufriere Hills Volcano from several vantage points around the island, including St George’s Hill, Richmond Hill and Jack Boy Hill. If you’re lucky, you might get a light dusting of ash, or as the locals call it, “grey snow.”
6. Montserrat’s free-pouring rum shops – Lime the night away in one of the island’s many rum shops (bars). Don’t be surprised when you order a mixed drink and are given the entire bottle for you to pour yourself – at no additional cost. Talk to the locals in the bars where stories are told about Sting, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Elton John (a huge cricket and soccer fan – who knew!) and other celebrities who frequented Montserrat often in the 1980s to use the famed Air Recording Studio. Make sure to try some bush rum (various local herbs steeped in strong, white rum), which locals say will cure any cold and is also very popular with honeymooners.
7. A modern-day Pompeii – You don’t have to travel to Italy to see Pompeii. Montserrat’s buried capital city, Plymouth, has been compared to a modern-day Pompeii (minus the fossilized bodies). Many buildings have been totally buried by ash and mud flows, but you can still see the rooftops of some, including the courthouse and the steeple of St Patrick’s Church. The deep-water port and pier in Plymouth now boasts a beach.
8. Dive with bats – Be blown away with Montserrat’s diving, as the island’s reefs are teeming with underwater life, partly as a result of volcanic activity and Montserrat’s small population of 4,700 people. Make sure to go to the bat cave at Rendezvous Bluff, where you won’t see Batman or Robin, but hundreds of protected fruit bats. With only two dive shops, you’ll be guaranteed personalized service.
9. Irish heritage – Originally settled by the Irish, Montserrat boasts a strong Irish heritage. St Patrick’s Day is a national holiday with a week of celebrations, Montserrat style. As soon as you arrive and the immigration officer puts a green shamrock stamp in your passport, you’ll realize that you’re in an extraordinary place. Read the chapter on Montserrat in Pete McCarthy’s book, “The Road to McCarthy” (one very funny travel book) and you’ll definitely want to pay the island a visit.
10. Still growing in size – Montserrat is the only part of the British Empire (the island is a British territory) that is still growing. Pyroclastic and other flows in the Exclusion Zone areas as a result of volcanic activity continue to increase the physical size of the island. Officially Montserrat is 39 square miles, but in reality, it’s more like 41 square miles. Therefore, the island doesn’t need artificial reclamation schemes like other destinations to increase tourism real estate an offer – Montserrat’s is done naturally.
Montserrat, a lush green and mountainous island of approximately 39 square miles, lies in the eastern Caribbean chain of islands. Known fondly as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, this pear-shaped island is a traveller’s paradise for nature lovers, divers, adventurers, family and villa vacationers and honeymooners. The former capital city, Plymouth, lies buried in volcanic ash, a transformation that likens this British overseas territory to a modern-day Pompeii, while in contrast, the rest of the island flourishes, boasting green mountains, world-class nature trails, deserted dark-sand beaches, untouched reefs and a quiet, friendly charm reminiscent of the way the Caribbean used to be.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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