|
by André Gayot A not-too-distant 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras and 774 miles from New York City, Bermuda is a plateau unexpectedly planted in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Although it borrows its name from a Portuguese seaman, Juan Bermudes, Bermuda is the oldest British colony and one of the last as well. That's one of the many paradoxes of this singular island. A Virginia-bound British fleet of nine vessels under the command of admiral Sir George Somers in 1609 might have been the first in a long series of maritime disasters which contributed involuntarily to the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, where ships disappear as rabbits in a magician's hat. The flagship Sea Venture hit a bad storm which drove it into the reefs and sank it. By that time Sir George had already learned that this area was inclined to attract storms of any description and that the waters were scattered with rocks. Yet the statements did not discourage him from taking possession of the isolated rocks in the name of the British crown.
Five centuries later, the speaker in Bermuda's parliament (one of the oldest parliaments in the world) wears a white wig and watches cricket games. Policemen are known as bobbies and give you directions with a British accent. The queen's birthday, a national holiday, is celebrated with pomp in St. Peter's—the oldest Anglican church in the world—and in dark-paneled pubs with a pint of local ale. That would be England if it weren't for the weather and currency. Sun is de rigueur—at least between showers—and a Bermuda dollar (BD$) equals one U.S. dollar.
If you find yourself on this island, adventure and relaxation await you. When seeking accommodations, try the Fairmont Southampton Princess for its spectacular ocean and bay balcony views, glass-bottom boat tours and in-water dolphin encounter experience. Fourways Inn in Paget is home to fine dining and tranquil gardens that make it a popular spot for weddings. If you are in search of some fun on Bermuda's world-class golf courses, you need not look far. The Fairmont Southampton Princess Golf Club is convenient for guests of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess resort in Southampton. North of the Princess is Riddells Bay Golf and Country Club in Warwick, which requires introduction by member or hotel. At the top of the island lies St. George's Golf Course. Many golf packages are offered by island properties.
Bermuda's nature can be discovered by biking or walking the Bermuda Railway Trail or by Eco-Tours with Bermuda Lecture and Tours. Attractions also include Walsingham Trust with its live caves, collapsed sinks, brackish ponds and mangrove swamps; Spittal Pond with its 64 acres that are home to Spanish Rock, Jeffrey's Hole and many shorebirds and waterfowl; and the botanical gardens which house a hibiscus garden, a sub-tropical fruit garden and an aromatic garden for the blind.
Don't forget to try some of Bermuda's restaurants located around the island. Fourways Inn can be found in Paget, as can Captain's Table at White Sands. When in Southampton, try Newport Room at the Southampton Princess. Grab a bite before or after your flight near the airport in St. George's at Carriage House. Warwick is home to Palms restaurant at Surf Side. Though
its tourist industry competes with other tropical islands, Bermuda
deserves a visit as much as you deserve be its guest. You will
find that although it's tempting to just lie back and enjoy
the beach and surroundings, this small island offers so much
more.
|
With
the semi-tropical climate, the great wealth of the 62,000 Bermudans
is the pristine nature of the island's 21 square miles. The
locals go to great lengths to keep it that way—as they
always have since 1600 when they forbade the fishing of sea
turtles and destruction of cedar groves. Today this means no
billboards, no neon, not too many automobiles (one car per household)
and no rental cars…only mopeds and a very effective bus and
ferry system. If the adjective "manicured" carries meaning for
a landscape, Bermuda fits the description. Pink houses, white
limestone roofs (to collect rain water; ground water is in short
supply), sands and turquoise beaches comprise the rich (meaning
expensive) Bermuda rhapsody. 
Apart
from shipping, banking and reassurance activities in the capital
of Hamilton, Bermuda relies heavily on tourism to sustain its
economy. There are more golf courses per square mile than anywhere
in the world. Onion fields have given way to more-lucrative
luxury resorts offering almost 7,000 beds. Bermuda's government
continues spurs the development of more high-end resorts; the
project only works if tourists sleep in them. Despite the island's
assets and its proximity to the East Coast, the tourism industry
is not what it could be. This is probably due to the increasing
competition of new, coconut tree–fringed resorts surging
up everywhere in the tropics with more-affordable rates. Yet
Bermuda remains special and has much to offer the tourist.
A
whole other world awaits your exploration underwater off Bermuda's
coasts. The clear waters are home to coral reefs with fish,
sea turtles and hundreds of shipwrecks dating from the 15th
to the 20th centuries. The island is known as one of the world's
top dive destinations in terms of conditions (water temperature
averages 83 degrees) and innovations, and certified scuba divers
can take advantage with Blue Water Divers and Watersports
in Southampton or Nautilus Diving Limited at the Fairmont
Hamilton Princess. Snorkelling can be done through Blue Water
Divers and Watersports or at Bermuda Snorkel Park at
the Royal Naval Dockyard. If you're looking for an adventure
without even getting your hair wet, try helmet diving with Bermuda
Bell Diving in Smiths, Greg Hartley's Under Sea Adventure
in Somerset, or up north in St. George's with Peppercorn
Diving. Kids will enjoy a BAMZ Curator's Tour of
the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo before opening hours of
those establishments. 
For
a break from nature, there are a few shops in the city of Hamilton
which sell Irish linens and cashmere, English china and crystal
and other treats. There are also a number of historic homes
and great architecture to be enjoyed in the towns. The town
of St. George has been approved as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO for its authentic condition which features unique and
diverse examples of Bermudian architecture dating from the last
four centuries. It is the oldest continuously inhabited town
of English origin in the Western hemisphere and its forts boast
almost the complete range of British coastal fortifications
and artillery from 1612 to 1956. 
Plan a voyage to a tropical paradise aboard one of GAYOT's Best Caribbean Cruises.
Get the 411 on the City of Angels. Find the city's top hotels, restaurants, attractions and more with GAYOT's guide.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram