Montserrat

February 15...Left Rendezvous Bay at 8:30 a.m. under lovely conditions. Surprised at the large and lovely homes along the coast of Montserrat. Passed by the devastation left by the 1995 and subsequent volcano eruptions. Seas began to build with waves building to six to seven feet and howling winds of 30 knots. As usual, the winds were coming at us from our intended destination so we had to tack back and forth in order to reach our destination which was Deshaies, Guadaloupe. Hit by a squall forcing us to reef the sail. I slept. 

Plymouth, Montserrat.  The small brown buildings on the ash as the buildings that are partially buried.  Very eerie to see from the water.  Like a ghost town.  All of this is part of the exclusion zone.

Volcanic Ash, Plymouth, Montserrat

Leaving Rendezvous Bay, Montserrat 

February 14...Got up early and left Nevis approximately 9 a.m. expecting to arrive in Montserrat six hours later.  Unfortunately, the winds did not cooperate and had to tack four times,.  Motored in the last five miles.   Arrived 1 ½ hours after our expected time.  No mooring balls as stated in the guide.  Main anchorage at Little Bay was crowded and rolly and checked out Rendezvous Bay and spent the night. George Martin did not come out to greet us.  Rendezvous Bay is the only white sand beach on the island…..not much beach, nor is there too much white sand.  Decided not to go to shore as tours were $100 US for four people….more expensive than Nevis.  Off tomorrow for Guadeloupe….not sure where as Peter doesn’t want to tack so much again.

Little Bay, Montserrat