04-24-2013, 05:28 PM
<P>Saturday, April 13.<P>I got up about 7am. I finished the last couple pages in my book and bawled my eyes out. I was so glad there was no one else around. I cried like a little baby. Seriously, read Johnny Got His Gun. After I collected my emotions, I made some coffee and Matt woke up.<P>Matt cleaned to pool and swept the deck. Sun had said he'd come over to do this but Matt liked it. It was a nice morning ritual for him. There is a mango tree right above the pool so there were always lots of leaves in the morning for him to zen out on.<P>I saw an island rodent this morning. He was a cute little feller. He didn't see me so I was able to snap a picture.<P>The bunny came around and Terry fed her and the Iguanas.<P>Sun had stopped by the house last night when we were out. He left us a note that we didn't see till morning. He said we are visiting the Exclusion Zone on Monday and he also left the porch lights on for us. That was a very nice thing because we didn't think of it since we had our flashlights with us when we left.<P>Mike arrived about 10am. We got on the bus to take us to Hilltop Coffee shop. This is the start of the trail. We had some coffee and biscuits. I had a juice. This is the place that Sun's Parents own. It is non profit and all proceeds go to keeping the place open and excess goes to youth programs. Sun's mom told me she wanted a place where people could gather and it not be a bar. It's the only cafe on the island that doesn't serve booze. It's also the local museum.<P>While we were at the shop, Sun's parents had to go to the airport to drop someone off and pick up a package. We were left in charge. Only in Montserrat, right? A few people came in and a few people helped themselves and kept their tab. One guy made his own espresso. We checked out the artifacts while there. Terry met another "yachtie" and was invited to the Montserrat Yacht Club beach picnic. Just bring a covered dish.<P>The owners came back and we were heading out when a guy hollered at me that I left my phone on the counter. I thanked him so much for letting me know.<P>We started out on the trail and it was tough. You definitely need to wear proper shoes. Luckily, we all were. You also need to take lots of water, which we did. It was mostly in all shade but it was STEEP and the peak is 1287 feet, so it's a hike for those of us that live in the flat midwest.<P>We saw 2 female Orioles. When we reached the top of the mountain (hill), you could see both ends of the island. The view was superb. We were able to see a little bit of the pyroclastic flow that now goes into the ocean.<P>The hike down the mountain was much easier but still tricky. Still steep. We crossed a few ghauts and saw the water that feeds the island. Monsterrat has the BEST water of anywhere. Everyone that lives there will tell you this. The wive's tale is that if you drink from the ghaut, you will return to Montserrat. Sun says the tap water is the same so as long as you drink any water, you will return. We saw a few "birds of paradise" flowers, some HUGE trees and a cocoa pod.<P>We got back to the house and Mike came over for a swim. It rained a little so we sat on the veranda of the big house and had a few beers. After the rain, we all jumped in the pool. We held our own little "pool olympics". Belly flops, cannon balls, dives and swimming races. Lots of silliness was going on.<P>Then we all watched the sunset but no green flash this time.<P>Mike called Ponts Restaurant to see if we could get in for dinner. They were closed but the owner said if we could be there about 7pm, he'd open for us. Mike went home and changed, we changed and he picked us up and we were off to Ponts Restaurant in Little Bay.<P>Ponts is a very cool place. It's hidden in the middle of foilage and if you didn't know it was there, you'd never find it. It's decorated really neat. Lots of sea buoys hanging all over and tons of plants growing all over.<P>We all ordered Gin and Tonics. They were wonderful. The owner even went home to get some limes for them. Matt and I shared a bowl of pumpkin soup. Matt had the Kingfish. I had parmesan linguini with vegetables and Mike and Terry both had ribs. We finished dinner off with desert round of G&T's. The total bill was about $240ec. 4 meals, 8 drinks. I think it was about $30USD a person. Pretty good price for a place that opened just for us.<P>We got back to our house and had a few drinks around the pool. Terry and I stayed up till 3:30am talking and drinking like old friends that haven't seen each other in years.<P>Today was another fabulous day. The hike was tough but totally worth it. The sunset was amazing...again. Dinner was delicious and the new friends we met was the icing on the cake.<P>We heard today that there is a plan for a new mega resort and casino in Little Bay. Some guy with lots of money from the middle east is making the plans. There is also talk of a new cruise ship port. People we talked to said it will ruin the island. They said that the people that live here have not yet been jaded by the tourism industry. Most people we asked are against it although some think it will be a good idea and bring jobs. We'll see...<P>More pictures!<P>GOOD MORNING VOLCANO!<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2318_zpsf4bd91da.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2318_zpsf4bd91da.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2318_zpsf4bd91da.jpg"/></a><P>Cute island rat<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2326_zpsd99b04cf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2326_zpsd99b04cf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2326_zpsd99b04cf.jpg"/></a><P>Veranda of the main house<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2334_zpsa697dc93.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2334_zpsa697dc93.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2334_zpsa697dc93.jpg"/></a><P>View from Hilltop Coffee Shop<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2337_zps2d010818.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2337_zps2d010818.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2337_zps2d010818.jpg"/></a><P>Some of the artifacts from the towns ruined by the volcano<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2339_zps0dcd6df8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2339_zps0dcd6df8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2339_zps0dcd6df8.jpg"/></a><P>Mike and I at the coffee bar<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0046_zps3012d471.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0046_zps3012d471.jpg" border="0" alt="Jonathan and Me photo IMG_0046_zps3012d471.jpg"/></a><P>Buoy hanging in the shop<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2341_zps22bc54d8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2341_zps22bc54d8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2341_zps22bc54d8.jpg"/></a><P>After the volcano blew, there was a bank robbery. Sun told us that a crazy man that stayed was telling people of the ghosts in the bank and no one believed him. He was right but they weren't ghosts, they were robbers. Sadly, Sun and his father found the remains of that guy after the last volcano blast.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2343_zpsc946d5b6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2343_zpsc946d5b6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2343_zpsc946d5b6.jpg"/></a><P>Old sign that was on AIR Studios.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2344_zps1a3b23c1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2344_zps1a3b23c1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2344_zps1a3b23c1.jpg"/></a><P>A picture of the blast<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2348_zps68b23461.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2348_zps68b23461.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2348_zps68b23461.jpg"/></a><P>Some of the people that recorded at AIR.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2350_zps2ed5a945.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2350_zps2ed5a945.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2350_zps2ed5a945.jpg"/></a><P>T-shirt<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2355_zpsdfc1ebd5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2355_zpsdfc1ebd5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2355_zpsdfc1ebd5.jpg"/></a><P>Hilltop poster<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2359_zps3f1a141b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2359_zps3f1a141b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2359_zps3f1a141b.jpg"/></a><P>Oriole Trail start<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2363_zps9bd0799c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2363_zps9bd0799c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2363_zps9bd0799c.jpg"/></a><P>Old sugar mill. These are everywhere in Antigua and Montserrat.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2364_zpsd1280d0d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2364_zpsd1280d0d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2364_zpsd1280d0d.jpg"/></a><P>View from the trail<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2365_zps33295148.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2365_zps33295148.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2365_zps33295148.jpg"/></a><P>See that mountain in front of us? That's where we ended up.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2366_zpsb13e27de.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2366_zpsb13e27de.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2366_zpsb13e27de.jpg"/></a><P>On the trail with Mike leading the way<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2374_zpsfebcc7ee.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2374_zpsfebcc7ee.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2374_zpsfebcc7ee.jpg"/></a><P>This is one of the piped ghauts that the fresh drinking water comes from<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2377_zps692a6de2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2377_zps692a6de2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2377_zps692a6de2.jpg"/></a><P>This is the holding tank for the island.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2368_zpsc1bb79d1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2368_zpsc1bb79d1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2368_zpsc1bb79d1.jpg"/></a><P>You can take other trails from this trail<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2369_zpsf42adc67.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2369_zpsf42adc67.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2369_zpsf42adc67.jpg"/></a><P>A view from the top<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2387_zps02a36bb4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2387_zps02a36bb4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2387_zps02a36bb4.jpg"/></a><P>Mike in front of one of the BIG trees. This was just the root system!<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2398_zpsc3cdc492.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2398_zpsc3cdc492.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2398_zpsc3cdc492.jpg"/></a><P>Cocoa pod<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2401_zpsbed30ef4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2401_zpsbed30ef4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2401_zpsbed30ef4.jpg"/></a><P>Birds of paradise. There is also a blue one but we didn't see it.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0060_zps91da51d5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0060_zps91da51d5.jpg" border="0" alt="Halyconia photo IMG_0060_zps91da51d5.jpg"/></a><P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0062_zpsfc42b0f7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_0062_zpsfc42b0f7.jpg" border="0" alt="Halyconia photo IMG_0062_zpsfc42b0f7.jpg"/></a><P>Matt has 2 Rovers at home so we always have to take pictures when we see them.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2404_zps68a30e7c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2404_zps68a30e7c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2404_zps68a30e7c.jpg"/></a><P>Matt doing his belly flop.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2458_zps5a2731af.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2458_zps5a2731af.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2458_zps5a2731af.jpg"/></a><P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/bellyflop_zpsca86c5d0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/bellyflop_zpsca86c5d0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo bellyflop_zpsca86c5d0.jpg"/></a><P>Hanging out poolside<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2405_zps8a9a0130.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2405_zps8a9a0130.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2405_zps8a9a0130.jpg"/></a><P>Sunset<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2416_zps92672c46.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2416_zps92672c46.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2416_zps92672c46.jpg"/></a><P>Ponts Restaurant<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2418_zpsd2a3a16d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2418_zpsd2a3a16d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2418_zpsd2a3a16d.jpg"/></a><P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2424_zps9c5a4e53.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2424_zps9c5a4e53.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2424_zps9c5a4e53.jpg"/></a><P>A hummingbird nest in the dining area. They were so tiny!<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2425_zpse0df1b65.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2425_zpse0df1b65.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2425_zpse0df1b65.jpg"/></a><P>The restroom at Ponts. The owner made sure we all checked it out before we left. It was pretty cool and very natural. Just smooth rocks for the floor.<P><a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/jeannie_brim/media/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2427_zps2d3cf88d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/Montserrat%20and%20Antigua/IMG_2427_zps2d3cf88d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2427_zps2d3cf88d.jpg"/></a>