Monserrat - is all that!

Sorry my friends for such a belated trip report... I'm still defiant with my dominica report (my apologies but dom too is recommended.. .pm me for more info)

Arrived the first couple of days of november to Montserrat on air Montserrat who were more than professional and on time. upon arriving in anu, you skip to the quick line and off you go, to hurry up and wait. everyone was early so we boarded early.. though I am not sure we left early. we had a very friendly Belgium pilot who loved his career - I can tell. lucky him.

our flight of seven pax was full so we had to hop on the weigh scale with our luggage in anu. I am sure the lady at the counter lied about my weight and clocked as an 'overweight' baggage... lolo well that's what I asked her to do anyways!

the flight over was a short 15 mins of the most scenic views one could dream of... majestic rodonda rising from the sea.. and before you know it, the emerald isle appears. what a beauty. she does not disappoint. we flew near the devastation of Plymouth.

immigration was very pleasant and 'cared' about my experience. he asked very interesting questions and we had a lovely chat.

my cabbie -Winston, a retired police officer - was more than happy to meet me, as I him. what more can I ask from a country's residents? a warm smile, a warm welcome, and a warm breeze... this was going to be fantastic!

Winston, my professional tourguide was more than I could ask for. he stopped for me at a grocery store that opens up at 6pm on a Sunday. It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted from this sparsely stocked provisioning stop, but alas... mix, canned goods and I'm good to go! here they exchanged usd for ec at par... even exchanging extra for me. once again, I am pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and genuine characters who greeted me.

off to essence guesthouse to meet the most welcoming hosts, from Belgium. I miss them already. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

my unit was a one bedroom with full kitchen/living room. the hosts were very respectful of my space and my needs. I can't wait to stay here again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

first you should know, I travelled by myself and stayed in this entire house alone.. with the windows open all night for a fresh breeze and never worrying about locking the doors at every turn. I felt at ease and zenned out. what more could I ask.. oh, a pool to myself?

in the morning I woke up to having my daytour cancelled due to rainbursts, this worked out as I rested by my pool, mesmerized by the volcano, iguanas, quietness... ahhhhh, zennnnnnnnnnnn.

the following day, Winston took me around the island to view Plymouth - a must do for everyone - and the new communities since the volcano. he shared his personal experiences and the trials and tribulations of rebuilding after the volcano. I lived and breathed the moments, thanks to Winston's graphic details and patience.

that night I met many expats at the local bonfire. they were very forthcoming and invited me all over the place during my stay.

I made it to the volcano observatory. ummmmmmm more to see outside than inside, or maybe I just didn't get it???? from here I walked to desert storm pub in salem. WOW.. I love you guys! at night someone walked their donkeys to feed at the main intersection and then sometime later walked them home.

on my way down from the observatory thru lush neighbourhoods I saw a sign that took me about 10mins to interpret.. and now I wish I took a picture... it read - beware of dogs and please.... get it????? try it with a carib accent... LMAO.

I stayed five days and can't wait to go back.. for all the single ladies... just do it. you are safe. the island will take care of you. camping? walking alone at night? hiking the mountains alone? it's all possible. not to worry, overall... (though I would suggest getting a ride at night, they say you can't get lost, but I wouldn't want to find out!)

I didn't check out any of the beaches, so can't comment but land based tours are well worth the stay.

my most memorable moments are realizing how clean the streets are and how simple life can be.

take a chance on Montserrat.. you won't be disappointed if you are looking to come back zenned out!

PS I drank from the gaunt.. and i'll be back.

also note, you need exact cash or credit card for exit fees at the airport. I think it was $28 total. two fees for something or other they make up, if you ask me, lololol. it's a small price to pay for paradise. don't forget to keep your camera out as you fly over jolly harbour and into anu.

Thank you for a report on one of my favorite islands. I spent an idyllic week on Montserrat many years ago, before the first volcano eruption- back when the Police and Elton John were recording at Air Studios. Ah! Since then I have only sailed by, but would dearly love to visit again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Cool report wish I knew you were going, know some people who probably were there same time as you. Thx!!

I can't say I ran into any tourists.. what with a total of 300 overnight tourists in the month of nov.. and after visiting, I would suspect most are expats or locals... not tourists at that time of the year.

I did visit air studio.. what devastation, but a real time warp. the electrical panel, etc from the 80s. hard to fathom.

also visited the famous hotel that is all but under several feet of mud/ash. got great shots of a three story house with only the upper floor now peaking thru - where the old golf course used to be.

since I stayed in this area, the ocean did not call my name.. mud, mud, mud and more mud, here there and everywhere did not make a good swimming experience. to put it in perspective, mud flows rise 2 feet a year in this area.

I did hike the mountain/hill where the observatory camera is stationed. it's a zen moment too. though not a hike for the faint at heart as it is hot hot hot and 90 degrees straight up for the last bit, or down.. depending on your point of view. lolol I loved the hike with fantastic views of redonda, villas, lush green vistas. ahhhhhhh ooooooooooo uuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmm, at the top, one is rewarded with a view of the ocean, Plymouth, volcano, observatory.

I had strangers give me lifts here and there at all hours and would not hesitate to help someone if I could... pay it forward.

there is so much and yet so little to do on the emerald isle. I can't wait to visit again.

I was surprised to see several cops walk into the bar one weeknight, in the wee hours. I didn't expect they had any in this sleepy isle. I felt safe at all times.

btw: don't be afraid of the big ben air horn. sounds funny and echos everywhere but it's a volcano daily test. LMAO.. big ben but with a carib twist, like only Montserrat could pull off.

ps don't tell anyone about this place. I love it and it's people, just the way it is.

oh yeah, and if you are so inclined.. the bush rhum is strong and has lots of 'bush' in it. pour your own at your own risk unless you are from Colorado or washington, etc where it is legal now. hhhhh

And don't forget Montserrat is the Heineken capital of the world.
They consume more Heineken per capita then any other country on Earth. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Really??? Cool

SXM??? Wendell

Greenies for the Emerald Isle. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

This thread made me go back in the time machine. I looked up the recent (sad) pictures of Air Studio- which had links to some of the great music videos, like "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic", which were shot there and a list of the albums recorded there. Nostalgia.