Caldey Island
As Tenby is renowned for tourism, so is Caldey Island renowned for the monks who have lived on this island for about 1500-2000 years ago. Incredible as it sounds, the Caldey Island has hardly any commercial outfit that would spoil the exceptional natural beauty of this place. Many of the tourists clamor to see this great island of Caldey – since it is famous for the tranquil peace and exceptional natural beauty it offers.
You cannot miss out this Island if you come to Tenby, as this would make your visit incomplete. There are four beaches in Tenby; among all of them, the South Beach is favored above the others, because of its passage to the Caldey Island. In all the instances, the South beach – the one leading to Caldey Island – is one among the beaches people find extremely attractive.
The Caldey Island is also known as the Monk Island, since there is a group of great monks living here. They belong to the Order of the Cisterician Monks and it is because of them that the Caldey Island has retained its pristine beauty until date.
There is no commercialization on this Island since the monks do not encourage or need it. All that is required for their day-to-day activities they grow it themselves. Needless to say that they are completely vegetarians! What is the most unusual thing is that these monks are exceptional people with vast indigenous knowledge; however, they are forever ready to welcome anyone who loves to see and talk with them, and share all they have including the things that the modern man would interpret as ‘trade secrets’.
A visit to Caldey Island involves a short (15 minutes) ride and you will find a ride available every 15-20 minutes. The landing spot, the Priory Beach, is the only place where you can take a bath in the sea. The first thing that would hit you when you reach would be – ‘Wow, it is so quiet!’ The quietness here is not pin-drop silence, it is the quiet you cannot describe to anyone; it needs to be experienced! It is simply ecstasy to be on Caldey Island at any time of the year.
The Monastery is of course, one of the must-see things on the Island as are the million and one exceptionally active and interesting wildlife in and all around this wonderful Island. One can visit the monastery, if you are curious about this one-and-half millenniums old Order. However, please note that only men are allowed to enter its portals as women are forbidden to enter the monastery.
The additional tourist attractions, other than the breathtaking view and exceptional flora and fauna, are the large tea gardens, a wonderfully old lighthouse, a small museum and the Gift Shop, which displays everything that the monks produce. You will even find a perfume that the monks make out of wild flowers.
All in all, a visit to Caldey Island is an experience in a class of its own.
