|
|
|
Guide:
Activities
Directory
Overview
The beautiful island of Montserrat has a distinctly explosive
history that has ensured its tourist potential has remained
relatively undeveloped. It seems quite clear the earth is trying to
rid itself of this small Caribbean island, as its recent history is
a list of major natural disasters. A hurricane swept over the
island in 1989, damaging 90 percent of the buildings. Then a
volcano erupted in 1995 after staying dormant for hundreds of
years. It then erupted again two years later, covering the capital
city in 39 feet (12m) of ash and mud and limiting the 39 square
mile (63km) island to a much smaller inhabitable safe zone. Most of
the 12,000 inhabitants got the message and emigrated.
For those that stuck behind, a new tourism industry is
rebuilding and visitors are now eager to take tours of the active
volcano. An ominous dome over the volcano's crater rebuilds and
periodically collapses sending great plumes of ash into the air.
Much of the island is within the 'volcanic exclusion zone' where
islanders have determined it is unsafe to visit. This includes the
old capital of Plymouth which is only viewable from afar. However
the volcano has given tourists a great twist on typical tropical
beach activities. Divers can see unique coral formations that have
grown healthier from the volcano's substrates. Sun lovers can relax
on soft volcanic sand at a number of beaches. Even nature walks
have lush vegetation from the fertilized soil.
The country often refers to itself as the Emerald Isle, denoting
links to its Irish settlers escaping religious oppression. The
Caribbean is an unlikely place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day but
the national holiday highlights the island's charm. Unlike
Columbus, who sailed right past the islands, visitors to the
Caribbean should make this a place to explore. Flights from Antigua
and St. Maarten arrive daily.