DAY THREE: Pink Sands and Aquamarine Waters
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By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life June, 2019. ONBOARD CARNIVAL SUNRISE_The next morning, on Day Three of our Carnival Sunrise cruise, we came into the Royal Navy Dockyard in Bermuda. After a day of rolling and windy seas, the weather gods were smiling. Early morning rains had moved on and we had a sunny, beautiful day to explore the island. As first-time visitors, we opted to take the "Best of Bermuda" excursion. There were about 20 of us on the tour, including a group from "Anthem of the Seas," also in port that day. Our guide was Samuel, who proved a wealth of information about the island, its culture and history. We also learned about the economics of living on a rock surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, 775 miles from New York: It's expensive. Gas goes for $9 a gallon, and bread $6 a loaf. Virtually everything has to be imported. But the 70,000 or so residents of this British Territory find ways to cope, and the spectacular natural beauty of its many beaches and caves compensates for the cost of living. Join us, and Samuel, as we travel the island and see the sights for which Bermuda is famous. |
Pam is ready to start the tour
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This way to the tour...
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Our guide called this the "House of Many Colors."
Photos by North Palm Beach Life |
This spot is called "The Queen's View"
Read about why in the photo below. |
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Our first stop was the Somerset Bridge, which Samuel told us has the title of "World's Smallest Working Drawbridge." Built in the 1600s, it has a 32-inch opening to allow a sailboat mast to go through. As a bonus, we got some bread to feed the swarms of fish
near the bridge. |
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Our next stop was the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Built in 1844, it was among the first lighthouses built of cast iron. At over 350 feet above sea level, planes can see its light for a 100 miles. If you're up for it, you can climb the 185 steps to the top and get a panoramic view of everything around. Pam thought the time was better spent in the Gift Shop.
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The ground-level view from the lighthouse isn't bad, either
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After the lighthouse, our next destination was Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, a shopping and financial center
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In downtown Hamilton, we go into the Bermuda Tourism Authority's office and discover The Birdcage, a rooftop bar on the third level of the building overlooking the water. It was the perfect place to chill. Our friendly mixologist prepared something just right to beat the heat and watch the ferries moving in Hamilton Harbor. We hated to leave, but the tour must go on.
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Lunch time finds us in the historic town of St. George's, one fo the oldest English settlements in the New World. We hear the fish is good at Wahoo's, a waterfront eatery. The food and the view was a can't miss combination.
History buffs will want to spent some extra time here. There is so much to see and learn.
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Contrasting Styles
The home on the left is one of the oldest on the island, not required to have the standard cement roof. On the right is a magnificent estate that you can own if you have $8 million. |
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Last stop ... a beautiful beach on Bermuda's South Shore
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Yes, the sands really are as pink as Gerry's shirt
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Another day in paradise
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Thank you, Samuel, for the amazing tour. You can be sure our first visit to Bermuda won't be our last! |
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