|
Because the eruption of the Soufriére Hills volcano in 1995, the two third parts of the island had to close. The northern part of the island is the “safe area”, here is where the people that remain in the island after the eruption live. Although, the island doesn’t have great tourist substructures. (map)
Official Holidays
January 1st New Year
March 17th St Patrick
Holy Week
Good Friday Holy Monday Pentecost
June (2nd Saturday) Queen’s Birthday
August (1st Monday) August’ Monday
December 25th Christmas Day
December 26th Christmas Box Day
Event’s calendar
The carnival is the most important event in Montserrat and it’s celebrated from December 15th until January 2nd.
Volcano observatory
Mongo Hill is an observatory made to study and control the volcano activity. It receives visitants from 13:00 to 15:00 h, though, you have to call before going (phone: 491 5647). Jack Boy Hill has the best view.
PLANNING THE TRIP
Banks and exchange
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), is Montserrat’s official currency, though American dollars are accepted. Two banks are still in the island, The Royal Bank of Canada at Olveston, and the Bank of Montserrat, next to the bar of the former Hilton, just north of St Peter’s.
Departure tax: Ask your airline for information. Keep a small amount of money in local currency, in case is needed.
Beast Beaches
Woodlands Beach is ideal for diving and picnics., and Rendezvous is the only white sandy beach of Montserrat. From this place you can walk to Little Bay, that once was a dark sand beach, and the only point in the island where ships can enter.
Tourist Information Abroad
Contact:
Medhurst & Associates Inc.
1208 Washington Drive, Centerport New York, NY 11721, phone no. 516 425 0900. Fax no. 516 425 0903 in the USA., or to Marketing Services Ltd., Suite 433, High Holborn House, 52-54, High Holborn, London WC1V GRB. Phone no. 0171 242 3131 Fax no. 0171 242 2838 in the United Kingdom
PRACTICAL TIPS
News
Local radio ZJB, has an information service, including two daily bulletins, about the volcano’s activity. The Montserrat Reporter is a weekly newspaper.
Post Services
The main post office was changed, provisionally, to Olveston. Ask for information about its present location, to the tourist information office.
Phone
Area code is 664. Cable and Wireless company, with offices now in St. John’s, maintains an efficient service.
Tourist Information Local Offices
Montserrat Tourist Board
PO Box 7, Plymouth, Phone 491 2320
Website
http// www.mrat.com.
Medical Assistance
Medical installations available are now very limited. The Glendon Hospital, formerly in Plymouth, is now at St. John’s, in Antigua. Emergencies are treated in hospitals and medical centers of the neighboring islands.
TRANSPORT
By Bus
There’s a mini bus service that goes through the “security zone” of the island.
By Car
Driving is on the left side, British style. There are no official car rental agencies. At any police delegation you can get a local driving license. Auto stop is a usual practice, and safe, though not recommended.
By Taxi
Montserrat has a taxi service. The tourist information local service will provide you the phone numbers of the taxi companies of the island.
Connection Between Islands
On June 1997, volcano’s activity forced to close the airport. Now, you can only go on helicopter, or on a ferry from Antigua.
Helicopters have two daily flights (except Wednesdays), of about twenty minutes, but accepts little luggage, and room for only nine people.:
Carib Aviation, Antigua
Carib World Travel phone no. 460 6101, 462 3147
Montserrat Aviation Services:
phone no. 491 2533
The ferry’s capacity is of 200-seated passengers, and leaves St John’s, in Antigua, twice a day, from Mondays to Saturdays.
LODGING AND FOOD
Hotels
Currently lodging is very limited.
The tourist information local office has a complete list of the bed and breakfast, and guest houses offering lodging, north of the island.
Restaurants
Most of the northern restaurants and bars are small and unconventional. Many of them are owned by families that lost everything after the eruption, and that have moved to the north. Both sides of the roads, are stands with delicious dishes like rice with peas, fish and chicken. Annie Morgan’s is a St John’s establishment, famed for its goat stew (Montserrat national dish). At Sweeney’s is the Emerald Café, a restaurant with a wider menu.
Outdoor Activities
Submarine places at the north can still be reached. Sea Wolf Diving School (phone 491 6859) organizes submarine training, and immersions for all levels. They also rent the necessary equipment for snorkeling. To go on ship tours, contact Danny Sweeney, phone 491 5645.
|
