Montserrat Raffles Off House on the Beautiful Caribbean Island

BRADES, Montserrat, August 28th 2012 -The Montserrat Tourist
Board has launched a house raffle as part of its promotions for
Montserrat's 50th Anniversary Festival being held December 14th
2012 - January 1st 2013.

The two-bedroomhousewith oceanic view located in the Lookout
Village of Montserrat is valued at
160,000EasternCaribbeanDollars. The individual or organisation
who wins the raffle will become the owner of the house, mortgage
free.

Honourable Jermaine Wade, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth,
Sports & Culture with overall responsibilities for the
festival said: "We are marketing this raffle as a chance to win
avacationhomein Montserrat. However, there are no limitations to
what the winner may want to do with it. Sell it, rent it, keep it
doesn't matter."

The funds raised will go towards covering the operations of
planning the largest festival to date for the island. Hundreds of
nationals abroad have already confirmed their plans to attend the
annual event which this year will honour the many queens,
calypsonians, and volunteers who have helped to sustain the
cultural extravaganza each December.

"We've also opened up the raffle to our friends on the
neighbouring islands in the Eastern Caribbean," explained
Honourable Wade. "Residents on Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts
and Nevis can also enter to win the house."

Raffle tickets are $60.00 EC for one entry or $100 EC for two
entries.

Tickets can be purchased via one of the following outlets within
the Caribbean Region:

Antigua: Cool & Smooth and The Source Clothing StoreSt.
Kitts:Freedom FM Radio Station and Winn FM Radio StationNevis:
Von Radio StationMontserrat: TheStationeryOffice, Annette
Cummings and the Montserrat Tourism Board.

In addition to the grand prize for the house, there will be three
consolation prizes including:

1st consolation:One 46''FlatScreenTV;2nd consolation:One 4 Burner
Stove and Oven; and 3rdconsolation:OneMicrowave.

The final date to purchase raffle tickets is: Friday, December
14th 2012.

The winner for the house raffle will be drawn live on ZJB Radio
Montserrat on Wednesday, December 26th 2012.

Information on Montserrat can be found at:

www.visitmontserrat.comand additional information on Montserrat's
50 Festival can be found at:www.montserratfestival.com.

Where to stay on this tropical paradise?

Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled skies.

Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will ever
see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs where you
will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean waters and
Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or snorkel around
the cliff to your left and find a tiny private beach only
accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed to me!

Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded area on
the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit trees and
flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views of the
mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze throughout the
villa.

Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.

http://www.vrbo.com/409480

susan@asi-adoption.com

+1 732 221 9483

Montserrat:http://www.vrbo.com/409480

Montserrat celebrating its 50th Festival this December

24th July, 2012

BRADES, Montserrat - The Caribbean island of Montserrat is
preparing to celebrate its 50th cultural festival from December
14, 2012 to January 1, 2013.

Dubbed Montserrat Festival 50, this year will be a homecoming for
many nationals now living around the world, who were forced to
migrate after volcanic activity began in July 1995.

"Our people abroad have said they are coming home in large
numbers and we plan to make this festival not just memorable but
one that will encourage them to return more often and to consider
investing in our redevelopment," says Honourable Parliamentary
Secretary Jermaine Wade, who has been given responsibility for
pulling off this Jubilee celebration with the support of the
Montserrat Festival Committee.

Montserrat's cultural festival began in December 1962 as an
extension of the numerous activities that were celebrated across
the island for Christmas but also to welcome home those who'd
migrated to the United Kingdom and Canada for work.

Until today, hundreds make the annual trek home to experience
among other things the traditional St. John's Day village
festival on December 27, the masqueraders and string bands which
are fixtures of Montserrat's festival. This December those
numbers are expected to increase dramatically.

"We want people to tell us that they are coming even if they've
already made reservations at local guesthouses and villas or
staying with family and friends," says Project Officer with the
Montserrat Tourist Board Rosetta West. "Our accommodation stock
is not at pre-volcano levels and we want to make sure that
everyone is taken care of so that they can have the best
experience possible for our 50th celebration."

While events are still being added to the calendar, a preliminary
list of activities has been released by the festival committee.
These include both daytime and evening activities for the entire
family, lots of community events, pageants and competitions to
choose from.

"We don't want anyone to be left out," says Chairman of the
festival committee Johnny Wyke. "Our programme has been expanded
to offer workshops on making our national dish goat water, stone
oven bread, a cake and wine show, village meet ups along with the
popular calypso competitions, parades and queen pageants. There
are also many private activities added to the calendar to cater
to community groups and social clubs so that everyone can enjoy
Festival 50."

The organisers of the Alliouagana Festival of the Word have
shifted this fourth year's event from November to December 7 to 9
in order to take advantage of the expected increased crowds. The
focus this year will be Caribbean films as well as launching new
literary projects focused on commemorating Montserrat's 50 years
of festival.

The Montserrat Secondary School Alumni Association will be
hosting its second reunion, which includes a week of social and
community events with funds raised donated to the local high
school. Other charity events during the month of December are the
mnialive.com charity hike and the Sir Howard Fergus Scholarship.

Popular events such as the Emerald Community Singers Show, Night
of Pan, and the Regional Women's Calypso Show will join newcomers
such as Soca Frenzy's international show, a 50th Gala to honour
the former pageant queens and calypso monarchs and the village
meet ups which will give residents of neighbourhoods now
destroyed to congregate and reminisce while enjoying traditional
string band music.

New Years Day festivities with mas bands reminiscent of festival
days at Sturge Park look set to make a return this year, with
more than 15 bands already registered. In recent years, the
annual street parade has seen less than seven mas bands on the
route. This year, several new bands will make an appearance
including Waka Waka Mas band out of the United States with their
Treasures of Alliouagana theme. Some sections of Island Diva Mas
band have already sold out in their Rendezvous themed costumes.
There will be several t-shirt troupes along with mas bands Flour
People, A Bijou Production, Flower Garden, 50 Strong, Montserrat
International Troupe and the Rotaract Invaders.

Full details on how to contact the mas band leaders to register
or to add events and sponsor Festival 50 activities can be found
on www.montserratfestival.com. Follow the progress towards
Festival 50 on twitter @mnifestival.

Where to stay on this tropical paradise?

Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled skies.

Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will ever
see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs where you
will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean waters and
Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or snorkel around
the cliff to your left and find a tiny private beach only
accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed to me!

Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded area on
the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit trees and
flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views of the
mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze throughout the
villa.

Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.

http://www.vrbo.com/409480

susan@asi-adoption.com

+1 732 221 9483

Slovenia overtakes France as 'Hot Spot' for Cyclists

Slovenia overtakes France as 'hot spot' for cyclistsFriday, 20
July 2012 10:41 AM Travelbrite.uk.com

More Brits are going on cycle holidays than ever before

France is not longer the top destination for cycle holidays - now
25 per cent more people choose to visit Slovenia instead.

According to new figures from Wheel2Wheel Holidays, more cyclists
are visiting Slovenia for an active holiday than ever before -
making it of their top performing destinations of the year so
far.

Steven Rittey, of Wheel2Wheel, commented: "Slovenia is Europe's
newest active outdoor playground and offers great value for money
as a holiday destination. There are few destinations which allow
you to explore the whole of a country in just over a week. In
Slovenia it's easy to see everything in a short space of time
from the countryside to the coast.

"At the moment we are currently seeing more bookings for Slovenia
than the traditional destinations such as France, Italy and
Spain. Easy access to the capital Ljubljana and its central
European location make Slovenia convenient to visit and remains
one of the better value euro countries."

On the whole, cycling holidays have been getting more popular
with the British public: almost half of UK households now own a
bike and more people than ever are using bikes as a means to get
around.

Where to stay when you come to Slovenia to play?

Newly renovated luxury 2 bedroom cottage located just outside
Bled - tourist hot spot in Slovenia. The spacious living area
includes a large open plan living room with flat screen TV, wood
burning stove, dining room and modern fully equip kitchen.
Nestled in a small valley, the cottage is surrounded on all sides
by picturesque mountain views. There is nowhere is better to
enjoy the views than on the sunny furnished deck or BBQ area
under the shade of our grape vines and various fruit trees.

Bled is minutes away by car of train and is packed with great
restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, family friendly
activities, as well as a beach, and a breathtakingly stunning
lake, island and castle.

The house is walking distance to a great pub/restaurant and train
station excellent for day trips exploring Slovenia.

It is also walking distance from some of the best fly fishing in
the world, a short drive from 3 major ski areas, a golf course
and some of the best wineries in Europe.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p1005367

susan@emcomanagement.com

+1 732 221 9483

Montserrat Island Gets New Tourist Brand

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Montserrat has relaunched its tourism brand, with plans to roll
out the new logo online and offline.

The new brand identity is billed as "Montserrat: Relaxation
Refined." It was led by Caribbean real estate and marketing firm
7th Heaven Properties, which worked with a group of stakeholders
to devise the new look.

The focus on relaxation came after research with repeat visitors
to Montserrat, which has seen a small but steady stream of
tourists over the years.

"The government of Montserrat is delighted with the new tourism
identity for Montserrat," said John Cox, director of the
Montserrat Development Corporation. "The branding reflects the
islanders' view of the tranquility and friendliness to be found
in Montserrat; essentially, the Caribbean as it should be."

The island also announced a new brand identity for the new
planned capital at Little Bay and the port at Carr's Bay.

The development of a new capital and town on the north of the
island is central to Montserrat's future plans for development,
after its original capital, Plymouth, was destroyed in the
volcano in 1995.

Where to stay on this tropical paradise?

Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled
skies.Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will
ever see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs
where you will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean
waters and Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or
snorkel around the cliff to your left and find a tiny private
beach only accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed
to me!Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded
area on the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit
trees and flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views
of the mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze
throughout the villa.

Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.

http://www.vrbo.com/409480

susan@asi-adoption.com

+1 732 221 9483

Montserrat: Travel Destination After the Volcano

After The Volcano

The natives and the volcano continue to co-exist quietly. Despite
the size of population, and the problems created by natural
disasters, the people continue to enjoy life in a peaceful,
contented state of mind. According to Clarence Greaves, a
Montserratian resident, "The separation of families was and still
is the worse tragedy of all." Visitors to the island have much to
gain by witnessing the rebounding strength and creativity of the
resilient, friendly islanders.

THINGS TO SEE

Sir George Martin (knighted in 1996) maintains his connection
with Montserrat. He was one of the major donors towards the
construction of a new concert hall/conference center on the
island. It is used for weekend movies, musical performances,
wedding celebrations and the like.

Salem Village(familiar to the author during the 1970s) lies on
the western side of the island and buzzes with life as usual
during the day. It offers a reasonable night life in bars where
natives can play pool or just sit and chat over rum and coke.
Though many of the homes need repair, the pre-volcano traditional
structures can still be seen.

Duck Pond National Parkoccupies 6 ½ acres at a height of 1,650
feet providing wonderful views of the southern part of the
island.

Garibaldi Hillis also a good location from which to view the
former capital, Plymouth and the volcano.

THINGS TO DO

Montserrat is the only country outside Ireland where St Patrick's
Day is a national holiday. Montserratians celebrate St. Patrick's
Day in the midst of a weeklong St. Patrick's Festival every year.
They highlight their Irish background and feature events which
include a Catholic Church service, guided hikes, a Freedom Run,
St. Patricks Day dinner and a Calypso Competition. They showcase
music with an African-European blend, and artistic dances of
natives in costumes. Other annual celebrations include Carnival,
the Calabash, the Literary, and the Fishing Tournament Festivals.

Among the many activities which tourists can enjoy are: bird
watching (there are 34 native species, plus others on their
migratory tours); hiking-up the Cott Trail, pass the banana
plantation and the Cot which was once the Sturges' family summer
cottage; or up the Center Hills Trails where the tree frogs and
the mountain chickens can be seen. There are several other
trails, some providing picnic opportunities and views of the
ocean, wildlife, and the volcano. Swimming, fishing, horse-back
riding and night clubs can all be arranged.

There are about 30 restaurants on the island, and they are never
short on tasty menus which offer locally-grown foods. Goat water,
lobster burgers, coconut scallops and saltfish are among the
favorites. They serve fresh juices made from native fruits like
mangoes, guavas, soursop, tamarind and some you may never know
until you get there.

Travel to Montserrat

­Because the old W. H. Bramble airport is covered under the
volcanic ash, Montserrat was accessible only by helicopters and
boats from 1997 to 2005. In February 2005, the British Princess
Royal, Anne opened the new John A. Osborne airport (also called
the Geralds Airport after the village near it). New docking
facilities have also been constructed at Little Bay in the
northwest where a new town is developing.

Visitors to Montserrat can enter through the neighboring island
of Antigua by air or by sea. The daily fifteen-minute flights are
operated by two airlines-Fly MontserratandSVG(St. Vincent and the
Grenadines)Airlines,on small nine-seater aircrafts. The two-hour
ferry service is operated by an Antiguan-based company called
Ondeck on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Charter trips can be
arranged by sea and by air. The daily tours include an island
tour, volcano viewing and lunch.

Sounds like the perfect place for your next vacation.
Montserratin the Caribbean, is a phenomenon you will like to see
and talk about, firsthand.

RyanWhere to stay on this tropical paradise?

Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled skies.

Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will ever
see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs where you
will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean waters and
Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or snorkel around
the cliff to your left and find a tiny private beach only
accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed to me!

Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded area on
the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit trees and
flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views of the
mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze throughout the
villa.

Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.

http://www.vrbo.com/409480

susan@asi-adoption.com

+1 732 221 9483

A Short History of Montserrat Island

A Brief Island History

1493. The Caribs and Arawaks inhabited the island when
Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage claimed it for Spain
and named it Santa Maria de Montserrat.

1632. The island fell under British control and the first colony
was established when Irish Catholics were forcibly moved there
from St. Kitts. It is because of its Irish heritage, plus the
fact that it resembles coastal Ireland, that the island is
considered the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean. (Ireland is known
as The Emerald Isle). Many towns and families were left with
Irish names.

1660s. African slaves were brought in.

Late 1770s. Thanks to the diligent labor of African and Irish
slaves, the colony developed, promoting an economy based on
sugar, rum, arrowroot and cotton.

1782. Montserrat was captured by the French during the American
Revolutionary War in 1782, but was returned to Britain under the
Treaty of Paris one year later.

1834. Slavery was abolished. Eventually the lack of slave labor
led to the decline of the sugar industry.

1869. British philanthropist Joseph Sturge, along with other
members of the Sturge family established the Montserrat Company
Limited. They planted lime trees and started the commercial
production of lime juice. They also sold land to the natives,
allowing smallholders to own much of the island.

1871 to 1956. Montserrat became part of the Leeward Islands
Colony of Great Britain.

1956. The island became a colony in its own right.

1958 to 1962. it joined the West Indies Federation, then returned
to dependency on Britain when the Federation ceased to exist.

1979. The Beatles producer George Martin opened AIR Studios on
the island and world-famous musicians flocked there to make their
recordings while enjoying the island's tropical beauty.

1989. Hurricane Hugo wrought havoc on Montserrat and the studio
closed.

1995. The Soufriere Hills Volcano awoke, and is still considered
active.

Event: Montserrat Calabash Festival - July 15-22! - Jul 15-22

BRADES, Montserrat -- "Gimme me food in a Calabash..." This
traditional song highlights the past importance of the calabash
as a household item. A couple of generations ago the calabash was
commonly used as an eating and drinking utensil for daily life in
many Caribbean countries. Older islanders remember well the use
of the calabash, cut in half or into various shapes, for cups,
dishes, bowls, water containers, spoons, dippers and other daily
utensils.

For the younger ones or those who don't know, the calabash grows
on a tree and is green when freshly picked, but turns brown when
it has dried out. It has a smooth, woody hard outside and a pulpy
inside, which has to be removed and is not edible. It can be
anything from a few inches to more than a foot across. The
calabash can be carved into all sorts of different designs and
artifacts, or painted to form innovative ornaments. In Africa it
is used to make musical instruments and other traditional
items.On Montserrat, the volcanic island's Hospitality
Association puts the traditional and cultural significance of the
calabash to good use by mounting a Calabash Festival every year
in July. This year's Festival will run for a week, beginning July
15, and the programme includes a host of activities with
something for everyone.One of the highlights will be the grand
Food Fair, with dishes from the various nationalities that make
up Montserrat's population. During the years of volcanic activity
many Montserratians migrated to other countries, and in their
place people from other parts of the Caribbean have arrived and
settled on the island, including Guyanese, Jamaicans, Dominicans
as well as Spanish speaking people from the Dominican Republic.
The island is also home to Indians, Africans and people from
other parts of the world. Some of these diverse nationalities, as
well as Montserrat, will be represented at the Food Fair, giving
a wide variety of dishes to choose from.A calabash exhibition
will be mounted and can be viewed at the same time as the Food
Fair. On display will be some of the locally made carved and/or
painted calabash items mentioned earlier, some of which will also
be on sale and make great gifts and souvenirs. There will also be
information on the uses of the calabash in different parts of the
world, along with tips on the technique of preparing and carving
the calabash. Cultural dancers and local musicians will also be
performing.Other activities for the week include an early morning
hike in the mountains taking in the viewing of calabash trees, a
fun cricket match, a gospel concert, an annual lecture
discussion, and island boat tours to view the volcanic
devastation further south. The week starts with a church service
and a national neighbourly day, while the final activity is a
Calabash Music Fest by the Bay, featuring steel band, string
band, calypso, pig roasting, cashew roasting, local drinks, a
bonfire and fireworks, all on the beach.

by Cathy Buffonge Caribbean News Now contributor Photos Pat
RyanWhere to stay on this tropical paradise?

Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled skies.

Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will ever
see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs where you
will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean waters and
Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or snorkel around
the cliff to your left and find a tiny private beach only
accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed to me!

Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded area on
the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit trees and
flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views of the
mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze throughout the
villa.

Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.

http://www.vrbo.com/409480

susan@asi-adoption.com

732-221-9483