WHAT'S HAPPENING! in the Caribbean

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Jamaica    Martinique    Nevis     Puerto Rico

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Jamaica Vacation

Dunn's River Falls, 2 miles west of Ocho Rios

Luxuriate on the famed sands of Montego Bay or dive, snorkel and sail through the 6,000-acre Montego Bay Marine Park with 10 square miles of dazzling coral reefs. Shop Harbour Street for duty-free buys on crystal, china and jewelry or bargain for straw baskets and other goods at the nearby arts and crafts market. At Ocho Rios, sunbathers flock to Dunn's River Beach to bask beneath a 600-foot-high waterfall, while others enjoy the breezes on a three-mile drive through lush Fern Gully with its 30-foot-high fern trees. Laid-back Port Antonio is perfect for sailing, game fishing or a lazy trip down the Rio Grande River aboard a bamboo raft. Negril also beckons with its seven-mile-long beach and a refreshing boat ride along the Black River, Jamaica's longest, to a freshwater swamp teeming with herons, egrets and surprisingly gentle crocodiles. High-energy Kingston, the island's capital, has relaxing beaches like the black-sand strands of Fort Clarence and Hellshire Beach. Take a drive just outside the city to the famed 7,000-foot-high Blue Mountains to enjoy the cool air and visit the equally famous Blue Mountain Coffee plantations.

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Martinique

"Les Trois Islets", near Anse Mitan

Mountainous, forested and flower-fringed, Martinique also has plenty of inviting white-sand beaches along its southerly Caribbean coast like Grande Anse des Salines in the resort-town of Ste-Anne and mile-long Anse d'Arlets, a favorite of divers as well as sunbathers.

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Montserrat

"A view of the south-east of Montserrat, the Soufrière Hills Volcano and the Tar River Fan in the foreground

The island of Montserrat is continuing to raise its tourism profile, with new attractions, improved infrastructure and additional airlift. Ten years ago the island suffered under the brunt of the erupting Soufrere Hills Volcano that destroyed the W.G. Bramble Airport to the east. It's been a slow climb out of the wreckage, but a milestone was reached last July with the inauguration of Geralds Airport, a facility designed to meet international regulations and regional standards. Geralds Airport features a 6000-meter asphalt, lightged runway, a taxiway and aircraft parking apron, air-conditioned terminal, air traffic control suite and parking.

Another positive for the Emeral Island of the Caribbean is a recent decision by Winair based in St. Maarten to substantially increase its Antigua-Montserrat route, by increasing daily flights into Montserrat from four to six. Increased service will continue until Jan. 8, 2006.

"More flights out of Antigua will allow passergers from Europe, the U.S. and Canada to reach Montserrat without an overnight stopover," said Ernestine Cassell, director of tourism for Montserrat. "We have high hopes that the increased airlift will continur throughout the new year."

Ready for Golf
     Just as the airport was destroyed by eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, so too was thhe Montserrat Volcano Observate island's Belham Valley Golf Course. But it looks as if golf is set to make a return to Montserrat. A full feasibility study on reestablishing a golf course in the Foxes Bay area on the island has been completed. To support the initiative, the Montserrat government has committed to donating the required land in this area.
     The Montserrat Volcano Observatory formallly opened its new Interpretation Center on Dec. 15, 2005. The center features dramatic video presentations of the eruptions and devastation, as well as provides other scientific information using interactive kiosks.
     The Soufriere Hills Volcano is still very musch a part of the island, definitely adding a note of drama to a visit. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory constantly monitos any volcanic activity. The facility offers twice-weekly tours that provide an in-depth overview of the science involve in the volcano: seismology and the monitoring of gas emissions, ground deformation and environmental impacts.

Hiking the Island
     Montserrat offers great opportunities for hikers. As part of the Montserrat Tourism Development Project, nine hiking trails  on the island will be upgraded. Look for these trails to be further spruced up with the addition of viewing platforms and interpretive information.
     Trail guides with details of the trails are currently available at the Montserrat National Trust. It's often remarked that Montserrat's mountainous landscape is best experinced on foot. The island's hiking trails are varied enough to suit both novice and experinced hikers, although it's important to note that some of the trails are strenous; for those a guide is recommended.

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Nevis

A Nevisian Sunset

This small, sombrero-shaped island has a charm and tranquility that can take you back to a time when things were simpler, when life was more peaceful and when 'stress' was just a word, not a way of life. This 36-square-mile island lies near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 200 miles south of Puerto Rico and just west of Antigua, an island jewel approximately 7 miles long and 5 miles wide, with natural vegetation that is unparalleled. Green and serene, Nevis is truly one of the remaining unspoiled places and proudly carries the name "Queen of the Caribees." From the top of the 3,232-foot Nevis Peak to the depths of the clear waters offshore, there is a world of flora and fauna to be explored and, in the hills, the comical green vervet monkeys chatter and scamper and in the sea, the whales cruise by. You can stroll around and see the architecture of eras gone by such as churches, windmills, refurbished Great Houses. And, its 10,000 residents are friendly and helpful, ready to make new friends and welcome back regular visitors. The genuine charm and hospitality of Nevis radiates into the unspoken, "Welcome" Be my guest" and "Do come again." Nevis is special, a place that will seduce you and tug at your heart strings after you leave."

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Puerto Rico

Hatilo Festival of the Masks

With a 272-mile coastline, Puerto Rico is sheer delight for lovers of sun and sea. In San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde, beaches lined with luxury hotels are top choices. For a break from the beach, head to Old San Juan, the city's historic quarter and take a refreshing stroll along the Paseo de La Princesa, a 19th-century esplanade that winds past the harbor to 16th-century El Morro Fortress, a six-level fort with dungeons, barracks and a museum. East of San Juan, tan on wide Luquillo Beach, then snorkel or scuba-dive off Fajardo's coast. While on the east coast, explore 28,000-acre El Yunque, the only rain forest in the U.S. Parks system replete with 240 species of trees, flowers and wildlife, including the colorful Puerto Rican parrot. Or take a short ferry ride to unspoiled Vieques Island and snorkel in the phosphorescent bay. To the west lie the mahogany groves of Rio Abajao Forest and the limestone caves of Rio Carney Cave Park with seven miles of passageways and the second-largest underground river in the world. To really cool off, head for the island's southwest corner, where visibility reaches 150 feet, and black coral, sharks and moray eels slither among dramatic coral formations.

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