Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 416
Photo Credit: David Stanley
Montserrat
The Pompeii of the Caribbean
After an eternity of restrictions due to
volcanic eruptions, this charming island
in the east Caribbean Sea is again bidding
visitors welcome with landscape that is like
no other, bathed in colorful contrasts - from
mountainous terrains to sandy beaches.
The island’s volcano, Soufrière Hills, which
erupted in 1995, is the reason Montserrat
is often referred to as the Pompeii of the
Caribbean. The ancient city of Pompeii
in 79 AD was completed buired under
volcanic ash - Montserrat suffered a similar
fate. In Plymouth, buildings, cars and
everything else which lay in the path of the
downward pyroclastic flows, remain forever
memoralized in the now hardened lava - the
memories by no means pleasant.
The tragic event had a devastating effect
on the island and its inhabitants after which
more than half of the population opted
to leave the island for good. The tourism
sector was hard-hit as volcanic eruptions
continued, making it unsafe for visitors.
However, two decades later, the island
is on the road to recovery, though it has
been quite a rough journey. Thankfully, the
northern portion of the island has remained
unaffected by the volcano, and its scenic
landscapes continue to be an alluring sight.
Once dubbed the Emerald Isle of the
Caribbean, tourists are again choosing to
visit Montserrat. In addition to volcano-
related expeditions, there are other things
to see and do on the island. Go trekking or
bird-watching within the lush green forests
infused with the serenity that nature’s
wilderness allow, no crowds or frenzied
urban sounds; just you and nature. But if
you crave for something up-beat, check out
a weekend party and be prepared for the
festive atmosphere that accompany some of
the island’s weekend hang-outs.
Montserrat may not be your typical lush
Caribbean escape, but a tour of the island
will allow you to appreciate its simple
beauty, and if you hope for a quiet get-away,
this may just be the place you should visit.