BY JANET STEINBERG
PART FIVE OF A SERIES
Having
sailed some 641 nautical miles from Norfolk on Silversea’s Silver Shadow, we
reached the delicate water-colored islands of Bermuda that are among the most
beloved islands in the world. Under
a “pink cloud of oleanders, the idyllic islands of Bermuda are framed by a
shimmering turquoise ocean. Homes painted in pastel colors, and topped
with white lime-washed roofs, line the flawless spun-sugar beaches of these
breathtakingly beautiful islands.
sailed some 641 nautical miles from Norfolk on Silversea’s Silver Shadow, we
reached the delicate water-colored islands of Bermuda that are among the most
beloved islands in the world. Under
a “pink cloud of oleanders, the idyllic islands of Bermuda are framed by a
shimmering turquoise ocean. Homes painted in pastel colors, and topped
with white lime-washed roofs, line the flawless spun-sugar beaches of these
breathtakingly beautiful islands.
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A TURQUOISE OCEAN AND A FLAWLESS SPUN-SUGAR BEACH
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The picture-postcard, lime-washed rooftops serve as
purification plants for the Bermudian’s water supply. The fact that there
are no rivers or streams on the island makes Bermuda dependent on rainfall for water.
If Bermudians run out of water, they simply have to buy it.
purification plants for the Bermudian’s water supply. The fact that there
are no rivers or streams on the island makes Bermuda dependent on rainfall for water.
If Bermudians run out of water, they simply have to buy it.
Bermuda’s islands may be small, but they are very
diverse in landscape. Every bend in the road reveals new vistas. Composed
of lava, coral and sandy limestone, the Bermuda islands are built on the summit
of an extinct volcano. The soft limestone, which is used for building,
hardens when exposed to air and becomes more durable each year. The eight
miles of sweeping pink beaches are a result of countless centuries of surf
crushing and grinding the pink shells and coral.
diverse in landscape. Every bend in the road reveals new vistas. Composed
of lava, coral and sandy limestone, the Bermuda islands are built on the summit
of an extinct volcano. The soft limestone, which is used for building,
hardens when exposed to air and becomes more durable each year. The eight
miles of sweeping pink beaches are a result of countless centuries of surf
crushing and grinding the pink shells and coral.
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THE BERMUDA ISLANDS ARE DIVERSE IN LANDSCAPE
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Contrary to common errors, Bermuda is a secluded
paradise in the Atlantic Ocean (not the Caribbean), some 650 miles off the
coast of North Carolina. Actually, this 21-square mile area, which we collectively
call the island of Bermuda, is a chain of approximately 138 small islands,
connected by causeways and bridges.
paradise in the Atlantic Ocean (not the Caribbean), some 650 miles off the
coast of North Carolina. Actually, this 21-square mile area, which we collectively
call the island of Bermuda, is a chain of approximately 138 small islands,
connected by causeways and bridges.
And, contrary to another misconception, the Bermuda
islands are quite different from the Caribbean islands. They are less
tropical, cleaner, more formal and more expensive. If it’s reggae and
beach barbecues you crave, head for the Caribbean. But if you desire superb
golfing, fine shopping, gourmet dining, pristine pink beaches, and upscale
hotels on a manicured island, Bermuda is for you.
islands are quite different from the Caribbean islands. They are less
tropical, cleaner, more formal and more expensive. If it’s reggae and
beach barbecues you crave, head for the Caribbean. But if you desire superb
golfing, fine shopping, gourmet dining, pristine pink beaches, and upscale
hotels on a manicured island, Bermuda is for you.
The Fairmont
Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a palatial “Pink Palace” and the reigning
Grande Dame of Bermuda hotels, is Bermuda’s oldest hotel (1885). It was
named in honor of Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, who is credited
with putting Bermuda on the map as a tourist destination. For more than a
century, the Hamilton Princess has been the hotel of choice for
discriminating guests including Mark Twain, Sir Winston Churchill, and Prince
Charles. The Hamilton Princess, Bermuda’s first waterfront hotel
personifies what Bermuda is all about…courtesy, quality, and hospitality.
Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a palatial “Pink Palace” and the reigning
Grande Dame of Bermuda hotels, is Bermuda’s oldest hotel (1885). It was
named in honor of Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, who is credited
with putting Bermuda on the map as a tourist destination. For more than a
century, the Hamilton Princess has been the hotel of choice for
discriminating guests including Mark Twain, Sir Winston Churchill, and Prince
Charles. The Hamilton Princess, Bermuda’s first waterfront hotel
personifies what Bermuda is all about…courtesy, quality, and hospitality.
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| THE HAMILTON PRINCESS…BERMUDA’S “PINK PALACE” |
The
1609 Bar & Restaurant, the hotel’s dramatic harbourside dining experience, serves up
one of the most spectacular views in Bermuda along with a memorable ginger and
black rum drink called “Dark and Stormy”. Following an extensive and exciting renovation at the
hotel, Afternoon Tea at Crown & Anchor will continue the tradition
that incorporates old English charm with the tropical setting of the island paradise
of Bermuda.
1609 Bar & Restaurant, the hotel’s dramatic harbourside dining experience, serves up
one of the most spectacular views in Bermuda along with a memorable ginger and
black rum drink called “Dark and Stormy”. Following an extensive and exciting renovation at the
hotel, Afternoon Tea at Crown & Anchor will continue the tradition
that incorporates old English charm with the tropical setting of the island paradise
of Bermuda.
A different kind of Tee Time is also available at
the Hamilton Princess’s sister hotel the Fairmont Southampton Princess.
Reigning from atop Bermuda’s highest point, and located on a majestic 100-acre
estate, The Fairmont Southampton Princess has been one of the island’s
premier luxury resorts since it opened in 1972.
the Hamilton Princess’s sister hotel the Fairmont Southampton Princess.
Reigning from atop Bermuda’s highest point, and located on a majestic 100-acre
estate, The Fairmont Southampton Princess has been one of the island’s
premier luxury resorts since it opened in 1972.
For
golfers wanting to whack the little white ball around, yet have time left for
sun and sand, the answer is found on the 18-hole, par-3 course, at the Fairmont
Southampton Princess. The 2,684-yard links, ranked one of the top five par 3 courses in the world by
Golf Magazine, are challenging enough for most recreational
golfers. Atlantic breezes, rolling fairways, deceptive distances, more
than 60 strategically place traps, sizeable water hazards, and lofty elevated
tees, combine to give a challenging round.
golfers wanting to whack the little white ball around, yet have time left for
sun and sand, the answer is found on the 18-hole, par-3 course, at the Fairmont
Southampton Princess. The 2,684-yard links, ranked one of the top five par 3 courses in the world by
Golf Magazine, are challenging enough for most recreational
golfers. Atlantic breezes, rolling fairways, deceptive distances, more
than 60 strategically place traps, sizeable water hazards, and lofty elevated
tees, combine to give a challenging round.
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| SOUTHHAMPTON PRINCESS GOLF COURSE |
Nature gave Bermuda the climate and terrain for
challenging golf courses long before the game was ever invented. Bermuda
golf is an unhurried, unmitigated pleasure, calculated to test your
mettle. Some of the water hazards just happen to be the Atlantic Ocean.
With distracting wide-sky and blue-sea scenery, it is difficult to keep your
eye on the ball.
Surrounded by a turquoise blue sea, little wonder
that water sports make up a good deal of the daytime activities in
Bermuda. On, or in, the water you can make a splash with swimming, diving,
snorkeling, whale watching, or boating. If you don’t have your own boat
to take you in and out of Bermuda’s hidden coves, there are several other modes
of transportation by which you can explore all the parishes on the island.
that water sports make up a good deal of the daytime activities in
Bermuda. On, or in, the water you can make a splash with swimming, diving,
snorkeling, whale watching, or boating. If you don’t have your own boat
to take you in and out of Bermuda’s hidden coves, there are several other modes
of transportation by which you can explore all the parishes on the island.
The government operates an efficient, inexpensive
ferryboat service that is very relaxing. The laid-back, non-hustling
Bermudians have an easy-going attitude about time. They keep the clock at
the ferry terminal in Hamilton five minutes slow…so you won’t miss the boat.
ferryboat service that is very relaxing. The laid-back, non-hustling
Bermudians have an easy-going attitude about time. They keep the clock at
the ferry terminal in Hamilton five minutes slow…so you won’t miss the boat.
The taxi is the most convenient, but by far the
most costly means of getting around the island. Courteous and knowledgeable
drivers are proud to show you their jewel of an island. If you want to
view the island from 362-feet above sea level, hop out of the taxi and climb
the 185 stairs to the top of the Gibbs’ Hill Lighthouse.
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GIBBS’ HILL LIGHTHOUSE
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The most popular, yet most dangerous, means of
transportation is the motor-assisted bicycle or the motor scooter. They
hum along the left (“wrong”) side of the road, often detouring for a magnificent
view or ducking out for a secluded swim. The idea is great, but so is the
accident rate.
transportation is the motor-assisted bicycle or the motor scooter. They
hum along the left (“wrong”) side of the road, often detouring for a magnificent
view or ducking out for a secluded swim. The idea is great, but so is the
accident rate.
The most romantic mode of transportation is a
horse-drawn surrey with fringe on the top. They clip-clop along at a
leisurely pace as jets whisper into the island’s International Airport. With
its myriad of moongates, under which you must steal a kiss, Bermuda is truly a
romantic island.
horse-drawn surrey with fringe on the top. They clip-clop along at a
leisurely pace as jets whisper into the island’s International Airport. With
its myriad of moongates, under which you must steal a kiss, Bermuda is truly a
romantic island.
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| AN UNUSUAL MOONGATE AT THE GIBBONS ESTATE |
The friendliest way of seeing the island is on the funky pink buses. For a moderately priced transportation pass, you
can visit the 17th century town of St. George’s, quaint rural Somerset, or
points of interest such as Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, the
Botanical Gardens and the world’s smallest drawbridge.
can visit the 17th century town of St. George’s, quaint rural Somerset, or
points of interest such as Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, the
Botanical Gardens and the world’s smallest drawbridge.
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| VISIT THE 17TH CENTURY TOWN OF ST. GEORGE’S |
The Somerset/Southampton Drawbridge, that connects
Somerset and Southampton, has a 22-inch “ raw” section that
opens just enough to let the tall masts of ships pass through. This
distinctive feature had made the Somerset/Southampton drawbridge the smallest
drawbridge in the world.
Somerset and Southampton, has a 22-inch “ raw” section that
opens just enough to let the tall masts of ships pass through. This
distinctive feature had made the Somerset/Southampton drawbridge the smallest
drawbridge in the world.
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| THE SMALLEST DRAWBRIDGE IN THE WORLD |
Whatever
way you chose to tour the island, don’t forget to greet Johnny Barnes, a living
legend in Bermuda. Johnny is at the Crow Lane roundabout every weekday
from 6 AM to 10 AM showering passerbys with waves, blown kisses, and a smile
that could melt the heart of even the most jaded traveller. The islanders
have erected a bronze statue honoring their beloved folk hero.
way you chose to tour the island, don’t forget to greet Johnny Barnes, a living
legend in Bermuda. Johnny is at the Crow Lane roundabout every weekday
from 6 AM to 10 AM showering passerbys with waves, blown kisses, and a smile
that could melt the heart of even the most jaded traveller. The islanders
have erected a bronze statue honoring their beloved folk hero.
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IN PERSON, OR IN BRONZE, JOHNNY BARNES MEETS AND GREETS ALL
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You’re sure to leave Bermuda with a bit of Johnny
Barnes in your soul…smiling and greeting all you meet. As Johnny says,
“it’s the Bermuda way”!
Barnes in your soul…smiling and greeting all you meet. As Johnny says,
“it’s the Bermuda way”!
JANET
STEINBERG is an International Travel Consultant, Travel Writer, and the winner
of 40 National Travel Writer Awards.
STEINBERG is an International Travel Consultant, Travel Writer, and the winner
of 40 National Travel Writer Awards.