Destination Overview
It seems quite clear the earth is trying to rid itself of this
small Caribbean island as recent history is a list of major natural
disasters. A hurricane swept over the island in 1989, damaging 90
percent of the buildings. Then a volcano erupted in 1995 after
staying dormant for hundreds of years. It then erupted again two
years later, covering the capital city in 39 feet (12m) of ash and
mud and limiting the 39 square mile (63km) island to a much smaller
inhabitable safe zone. Most of the 12,000 inhabitants got the
message and emigrated. Nevertheless, tourists needn't treat the
island with the same rejection.For those that stuck behind, a new tourism industry is
rebuilding and visitors are now eager to take tours of the active
volcano. An ominous dome over the volcano's crater rebuilds and
periodically collapses sending great plumes of ash into the air.
Much of the island is within the 'volcanic exclusion zone' where
islanders have determined it is unsafe to visit. This includes the
old capitol of Plymouth which is only viewable from afar. The
volcano has given tourists a great twist on typical tropic beach
activities. Divers can see unique corral formations that have grown
healthier from the volcano's substrates. Sun lovers can relax on
soft volcanic sand at a number of beaches. Even nature walks have
lush vegetation from the fertilized soil.The country often refers to itself as the Emerald Isle, denoting
links to its Irish settlers escaping religious oppression. The
Caribbean is an unlikely place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day but
the national holiday highlights the island's charm. Unlike
Columbus, who sailed right past the islands, visitors to the
Caribbean should make this a place to explore. Flights from Antigua
and St. Maarten arrive daily.
