The Mighty Montserrat

We set off early Saturday morning to visit Montserrat. We caught the first train from the station near our apartment. At 9am it was mayhem at the ticket booths! There were staff there to assist and yet still so much confusion. We bought a ticket for the 1-hour train ride, the scenic train up the mountain and the funicular up to the top of the mountain. Whew!

The excitement on the train was electric! So much laughing. People carried bulging backpacks and heavy sacks filled with picnics. They wore winter coats and layers of clothes. Uh-oh. We were dressed for temperature in the 60's. Well, no matter. We were on our way. Remind me not to sit next to the bathroom door, though. 

Once we made it to the fortification with the Basilica we headed straight for the funicular. Can you see how steep the rails are? It was so steep it seemed like it was not possible. It was like a rollercoaster, only the car moved very slowly the whole time.

Rich was the determined instigator for this day trip and I am still impressed that he wanted to go hiking. Well, he may not have ventured quite so far without a bit of encouragement, but here we are. Headed up towards the tippy-top of the mountain! And with the exertion and the sunshine, there was no need for a heavy coat.

 Rich is always quick to offer to take people's picture. He can spot a couple desperately trying to take a selfie from a mile away! We saw this one couple each taking the other's photo and he offered to take a picture of them both. They declined. We trekked on and then sat to rest. They caught up with us and asked if we would take the photo, which we did. Then she offered to take ours. And here we are, tiny against the big rocks of Montserrat! That was when we were fresh, and on an easy walking path...

 

But the trail began an incline and a decision had to be made. There were signs posted with approximate times for each direction. Rich opted to sit it out while I followed the sign for 5 minutes to the top. It pointed to a set of rock stairs leading steeply upward. I love stairs. But maybe not so many and so steep. This picture is the looking down on just one set of stairs I had taken up to the top. Holy rock formation Batman!

When I finally reached the top - it must have taken me at least 15 minutes - I waved to this fine rocky fellow across a valley. It was such a friendly mountain. It is a very popular rock-climbing park and there were men, women and children climbing rocks at every turn! I stopped long enough to catch my breath and in Rich-like fashion, take a photo of three friends who were also triumphantly admiring the view, before I slowly and carefully headed back down again. My thighs may never forgive me...