A Day in Montserrat
During a most epic vacation with my main squeeze, his son plus his friend we had a wonderfully exhausting day that involved a mountain...It would have been awesome if they warned me!
Being the die hard adventurer I turned over 100% of the trip planning over to the men as they are both a bit OCD with trips & I am more of the wander around & get lost type. So here we are on a train to Montserrat..."what's Montserrat? Oh a monastery...Groovy." They failed to mention this situation involved us hiking (I don't hike) up a vertical pile of rock to look at more rock, a couple goats & maybe fall off a cliff.Disclaimer if you want facts on this location this is the wrong page..here you get my hazy version of the facts.
It's a mountain? - (Stop laughing!)
Once I got off the train it became apparent there was a mountain involved in this adventure...huh... who knew? Other than every other civilized person in the world that is. They literally captured the "you mean we are walking up the mountain?" face.
Travel Tip-
It may be wise to at least glance at the itinerary of the trip if you let someone else plan it. Maybe even google the country your going to at least once too.
The Black Madonna...
After a week in Barcelona & countless churches we finally found the black Madonna...It seemed interesting, I'm not a huge church person & I was half asleep by the time we got to walk by it. The Church itself had fabulous architecture & is an amazing location. They also have a boys singing choir which we missed but heard great things about.
Let's go up!
Turns out up means UP, not a causal walk but ridiculously vertical stairs or even dirt trails you have to climb up tree roots. So if you plan this adventure you should be pretty able bodied & limber. Not exactly great for kids or elderly....or out of shape web geeks.
Montserrat
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Bring-
Don't forget water, snacks, camera...oh and your inhaler would be good too. I forgot mine & had a asthma attack mid way up the mountain. I really should have a keeper. *face palm*
What to Bring...
Assuming you will be in Spain doing other adventures this handy guide will help you hit the good spots...if only I had this when I went!
You want this for the entire trip, great to toting water, snacks and all your electronics....and the inhaler of course.
We had a couple of these we used during the entire vacation. They are perfect for traveling!
These are awesome! These quick and easy snacks save you tons of cash, plus are great for quick energy. It's also a great way to manage your Hangry travel partners.
Is that...a Goat?
Yep, apparently wild goats do frolic around on mountains. He was doing much better than I was on the rocks.
Did you know Montserrat was a mountain?
Did you know Montserrat was a mountain?
Hang on...
Should we really be walking up a mountain next to mountain climbers with snazzy equipment? I still have my doubts.
The Top!
OMG we made it! I didn't die! How did you talk me into this....wow this is amazing....Can we come back?
What do you think?
I think you are an exceptionally brave soul. I would have sent the boys on alone and headed to the nearest coffee shop.
I absolutely love the expression on your face and I would have looked the same. Almost killed myself climbing stairs on to see some falls. But your pictures are absolutely stunning and this will be an adventure you will never forget.
Must have felt good to reach the top. I visited Montserrat just three months ago. That jagged, cliff-covered mountain looks quite out of place in the area, which makes it all the more beautiful and odd.
I thought the mountains were there to look at (for scenic decoration), not necessarily to climb on.
Glad you made it to the top, despite the asthma attack. Looks like a fun adventure :)
It seems an interesting place to go nice pictures , Cheers
Fun read!
What an EPIC adventure :)
I loved this article! Your humor was evident and I'm sure everyone with you had a great time. What stunning pictures too. Well done.
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