MONTSERRAT
MONTSERRAT
Montserrat is far from your typical sun, sea, and sand destination, although these are available. But it is the tranquility, peacefulness, as well as the friendliness of the locals that set it apart from other islands in the Caribbean. The name was given by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage. Upon seeing the island, he was reminded of the land around the Spanish abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrati. With an active volcano at the centre of its lure, Montserrat lends itself to a very interesting clique of adventure-seekers who are in it to win it outdoors.
Hailed the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, the interior of Montserrat is a canopy of lush green of the rainforest that cover the island like mist. Besides this, Montserrat earned its verdant title because of its first settlers – the Irish. The 1995 Soufriere Volcano eruption has left it detrimentally devastated and its former capital Plymouth practically unrecognizable, Montserrat is on the rise with a far greater surprise for its future visitors.
GEOGRAPHY
Montserrat (16 45 N, 62 12 W) is the 225th country in the world in terms of size covering only 102 km2, although its area is gradually increasing due to buildup of volcanic deposits on the southeast coast. It is a British colony between Nevis and Guadeloupe is a volcanic island covered with lush forests on a geologically unstable region of the earth’s crust. Thus, volcanic activity and earthquakes plague these parts ever presently. The terrain is mostly mountainous and undulating with small coastal lowlands. The highest point is the 930 m tall lava dome in the English’s Crater in the Soufriere Hills.
CLIMATE
The location of Montserrat has also endowed Montserrat with a lovely tropical climate, as well as besetting it with hurricanes and other natural disasters. Montserrat is the best for a visit during winter time and is virtually the pits during hurricane season that is from July to November. The temperature ranges minimally from 25°C in the winter to 30°C during summer.
PEOPLE
Little is known about the early history of the island. However, it was presupposed that the aboriginal population was made up of Arawak Indians who were killed off by Carib Indians in the late 15th century by the time of Columbus’ voyage. Montserrat’s population used to be greater than the present estimation, but due to the volcanic activity of July 1995, the population of Montserrat is estimated at only 5,140 (2011). Back then, around 8,000 Montserratians left the island after that tragedy and very few have returned. Currently, the ethnic makeup of Montserrat consists of a population of African, Irish, and British, and a blend of both (Creole/Mulatto) as an overseas territory of Great Britain. Most inhabitants appear to be of African heritage.
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH (British) is the official language of the island. The people of Montserrat speak a dialect of English embellished with their local accent. A local dialect is also widely spoken in everyday living.
RELIGION
Majority of Montserratians adhere to Christianity. The Christian denominations in the island include Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, Pentecostal, and other religions with a small following.
ATTRACTIONS
Montserrat has brilliantly converted its disaster-stricken island to one full of fun, magic, and adventure for those who search for it. In fact, some tours and attractions of the island centre on the damages of the tragedy such as the helicopter and boat tours, and the Volcano Observatory. Now that’s turning a disadvantage into an advantage. Nothing beats discovering Montserrat on foot in one of the many trails from the Cot trail, the Blackwood Allen trail, Runaway Ghaut, and the daring Silver Trail that passes through one of the island’s volcanic centres. There also are options for hiking and bird-spotting, and for sea lovers, snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing even.
Very little is known about Montserrat, and of the little publicity Montserrat gets, they even are the unpleasant ones, such as the volcanic tragedy of 1995 which caused about two-thirds of the population to evacuate, and then, another eruption in 1997 which destroyed its capital Plymouth and rendered half the island practically uninhabitable. Eruptions continue to bury the island in volcanic debris though on a smaller scale with the damages especially confined to the former capital and the areas that surround it. Montserrat is beautiful as a Caribbean island may be and its individuality is just impressive. To understand the island, there also are the Montserrat National Trust and the Volcano Observatory for educational venues.
FOOD
The other, if not the best approach to getting to know the real Montserrat is through the Montserratian cuisine. Like St. Patrick’s Day in Montserrat, the gastronomic heritage is Irish with a Caribbean twist. Indeed, it is no secret that getting to know someone, especially Montserratians is most effective with a foodies and goodies to share. The table is truly one of the places to witness genuine Montserratian hospitality. Besides, nobody ever really complained of a nice warm meal. Basically, Goat Stew, the Montserratian national dish, is “Montserrat on a plate”. It is a hot, thick, and tasty stew with chunks of goat meat and balanced with a crusty bread roll.
Like Montserrat, goat water represents Montserratian culture with significant Irish influences. Still, the identity of the Montserratian continues to progress and diversify. And this is apparent with the island’s specialities like salt fish, mountain chicken (which is actually a dish of large frog’s legs), jerk pork, butterfly shrimp, lobster burgers, pumpkin soup, fresh tuna sandwich, grilled marinated lamb and other meats, cabbage au gratin and so much more. For dessert and drinks, the coconut pie and Montserrat Rum Punch and Carib beer are to die for. Montserrat is the place to go to for the gastronomic adventure of a lifetime.
Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
Backpacking Addictz is a website set up by backpackers for the use of backpackers. On this site you will find a lot of very valuable backpacking information surrounding different destinations and countries from around the world. Also very helpful backpacking tips and travel advice on planning a budget travel and backpacking adventure. You will also find an enthusiastic and insightful backpacking blog which is regularly updated with new posts and article.
Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides are a fantastic, cheap and easy way to get hold of a vast amount of backpacking information prior to setting off on your backpacking adventure.
