We set out this morning for a wonderful variety of excursions, each capturing a different side of Trinidad’s culture, nature, and history. A private hummingbird garden offered fantastic encounters with those living jewels, another birding hike sought sightings of a wider variety of avian specialties, and a third group visited one of Trinidad’s Hindu temples and other historic sites. In the late afternoon we all came together for a boat trip through the famous Caroni Swamp where, after a short rainstorm, we were treated to the amazing sight of thousands of brilliant scarlet ibis flying in to roost in the dark green mangroves.
4/10/2025
Read
National Geographic Orion
Montserrat and Antigua
We began the day anchored off the coast of Montserrat, an island that was devastated by a volcanic eruption that made two-thirds of the island uninhabitable. The Emerald Time Capsule – Volcano and Plymouth Tour offered a powerful look at the 1997 eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, featuring a visit to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and a walk through the haunting remains of Plymouth in the Exclusion Zone. A second option, the Duberry-Cassava Nature Trail Hike, took guests on a peaceful rainforest loop through Montserrat’s northern terrain, showcasing native plants and birds. Montserrat was also the homeland of one of the Caribbean’s most successful soca musicians. Born Alphonsus Cassel, Arrow’s 1982 hit song “Hot, Hot, Hot” is an iconic party anthem. By late afternoon, we arrived in Antigua and docked for the night. Guests were invited to explore ashore independently. The day concluded with the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., including a showing of the guest slideshow, followed by a special Farewell Dinner in the dining room.
