
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.
DID
YOU KNOW...?
The color of Bermuda's pink beaches is the result of red
skeletons of tiny, single-celled Red Foram animals mixing
with white sand and broken shells.
|
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'sthe oldest
Anglican church in the worldand 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 rigueurat least between
showersand a Bermuda dollar (BD$) equals one U.S. dollar.
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 wayas 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 treefringed resorts surging
up everywhere in the tropics with more-affordable rates. Yet
Bermuda remains special and has much to offer the tourist.
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.
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.
DID
YOU KNOW...?
Bermuda introduced tennis to America when a U.S. sportswoman
bought tennis gear from British army officers in Bermuda
and set up the first U.S. courts in New York. |
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.
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.
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.
www.bermudatourism.com
BAMZ
Curator's Tour
441-293-2727, ext. 138
Bermuda
Bell Diving
Flatts Village
Smith's
292-4434
Bermuda
Railway Trail
West End
235-5513/236-4201
Bermuda
Lecture and Tours
6 Leacraft Hill Rd.
Southampton
234-1082
Bermuda
Snorkel Park
Maritime Ln.
Royal Naval Dockyard
234-1006
Blue
Water Divers and Watersports
232-2909/232-2911
Botanical
gardens
Paget
236-4201
Captain's
Table
White
Sands Hotel & Cottages
55 White Sands Rd.
Paget
236-2023
Carriage
House
Water
St.
St. George
297-1270/297-1730
Fairmont
Southampton Princess
South Shore
Southampton
238-2555/800-441-1414
www.fairmont.com
Fairmont
Southampton Princess Golf Club
Southampton
239-6952 |
Fourways
Inn
Middle
Rd.
Paget
441-236-6517/800-962-7654
Greg
Hartley's Under Sea Adventure
Watford
Bridge
Somerset
234-2861
www.hartleybermuda.com
Newport Room
The
Fairmont Southampton Princess
South Shore
Southampton
238-2555
Palms
restaurant
90
South Shore Rd.
Warwick
236-7100, ext. 255
Peppercorn
Diving
"The Deliverance"
Ordnance Island
St. George
297-1459
Riddells
Bay Golf and Country Club
Warwick
238-1060/238-1061
St.
George's Golf Course
St. George
297-8353/234-GOLF
St.
Peter's Church
Duke of York St.
St. George
297-8359
Spittal
Pond Nature Reserve
South Rd.
Smith's Parish
235-5513/236-4201
Walsingham
Trust
Hamilton Parish
235-5513/236-4201 |
Going to The Caribbean? Check out our guide |
P070100 |
(Updated: 07/01/08 HC) |