Bermuda

Visiting Bermuda

Published Saturday, August 22nd 2009

After the Explorer of the Seas left Bayonne, NJ, we spent a full day at sea and docked at King’s Wharf, Bermuda.  King’s Wharf is also called Royal Naval Dockyard, which is on the western section of Bermuda.  The Royal Naval Dockyard was an active navy base during the War of 1812, and is now a center for tourism.

Bermuda is approx 21 miles of land area.  Visitors are not allowed to rent automobiles or operate any other kind of four or more wheeled vehicle on Bermuda's roads.  The reason is the unfamiliar, often narrow, winding, sharply twisting roads.  Besides that, the vehicles are driven on the left side of the road.

Mopeds or scooters can be rented. Mopeds have larger wheels than scooters and are safer.  But again, they can be dangerous to those not accustomed to them driving on the “wrong side” of the road.  Water taxi or “pink” colored buses are available for Hamilton or St. George’s. 

Bermuda is known for its “pink sand”.  It’s actually sand with specks of pink sand in it, giving it a “pink hue”.   The beach sand is not volcanic but from finely pulverized remains of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of invertebrates such as corals, clams, forams (single-celled organisms) and other shells.  Horseshoe Bay is a beautiful beach with very fine sand & calm blue waters.

Things to do in Bermuda:
Diving & snorkeling (although snorkeling in the Caribbean is probably better), watersports, shopping, visiting the pink sand beaches, golfing, historical churches, dozens of ancient fortresses, art galleries, horseback riding, Crystal Caves tour, aquarium, lighthouse, museums.

 

Read More

Explorer of the Seas Family & Friends Cruise

Published Saturday, August 22nd 2009

I just returned from a 9 night Royal Caribbean, Explorer of the Seas cruise leaving from Bayonne, NJ.  We were a group of 38 people.  Our trip started off with a chartered party bus which shuttled us from Queens, NY to Bayonne, NJ.  What a sight that was to see this HUGE white bus come rolling down the street.  That alone set everyone into a CRUISITUDE party mode!!!!

Our group consisted of 13 kids ranging in age from 12-15; 5 kids between 17-20 and 20 adults.  We had 4 large tables for early dining; kids sat together & adults sat together.  Every night was filled with chatter & laughter from each table.  Many of the couples were celebrating “milestone anniversaries”.  It was “178 years of marital bliss.” 

Our ports of call were Bermuda, St. Maarten, St. Thomas & San Juan.  

There were so many activities on the ship that we stayed up late every night & started early again the next day.  The events were: 

  • Parade in the Royal Promenade on the first & last night;
  • singing & dancing shows, comedy night, magic night, Ice Show, movies, art auctions;
  • trivia games, game shows, bingo, bridge playing;
  • dance lessons, poolside line dancing, dance parties;
  • scrape booking, ice skating lessons, bouldering lessons, watercolor lessons, fitness & health classes,;
  • tournaments (blackjack, royal flush poker, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard), Nintendo Wii competition, Mr. Sexy Leg contest,
  • lectures (computer, digital photography, cooking), wine tasting, towel folding;

……and more!  Just LOADS of ENTERTAINMENT!  Of course, the fun was also spending quality time with old friends & new friends!

 

Read More

Tall Ships in Bermuda

Published Thursday, April 9th 2009

From June 11 - 15, 2009, the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 will be in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda to help celebrate Bermuda's 400 years of permanent settlement.

The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, otherwise known as TSAC, is a major tall ships race involving seven ports on both sides of the Atlantic.  It is organized by Sail Training International and the American Sail Training Association. The fleet will cross the Atlantic twice and at least half of the crew on board the ships will be trainees between the ages of 15 and 30. 

The TSAC starts in Vigo, Spain on May 3rd and the fleet races to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. On May 14th the fleet leaves Tenerife and sails to Bermuda.  During Bermuda’s official Tall Ships Festival (June 11th – 15th) the fleet of approximately 45 to 50 tall ships will be berthed in Hamilton and Front Street will become Festival Central with events for both the visiting trainees and local residents. The ships will depart in a magnificent Parade of Sail on Monday, June 15th and will race to Charleston, South Caroline (June 25 – 29), Boston (July 8 – 13), Halifax (July 16 – 20) and then back across the Atlantic to Belfast in Northern Ireland (August 13 – 16) where the race will conclude in a grand finale of activity.

The "Atlantic Challenge 2009" begins from Vigo, Spain and ends in Belfast, Northern Ireland - a true race around the Atlantic and the first since 2000. Each port will host the fleet, with various festivals and activities taking place at every stop along the route.

Tall Ships Route

SAIL TRAINING INTERNATIONAL

The aim of Sail Training International is the development and education of young people of all nationalities, cultures, religion, economic and social backgrounds through the sail training experience. 
They face both physical and emotional challenges with the ultimate goal to inspire self-confidence and personal responsibility.  Most importantly, they will make friends and learn to trust others.
 

Read More

Bermuda

Published Thursday, April 9th 2009

Yes…..the sand is really pink!   

Summer is prime time for Bermuda cruises. There are ships that depart for Bermuda from a number of East Coast ports. They include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, as well as from Florida. For such a small island, Bermuda has two cruise ship ports - one at Hamilton, the island's capital, and the other at Kings Wharf.

Motor scooters and bicycles are available for rental to the visitors. Tourists are not allowed to drive cars in Bermuda. Upscale shops with fine products from around the world and especially Britain can be found. Bermuda also has an abundance of restaurants featuring the island's distinctively spicy cuisine.

    

HISTORY

Bermuda is a cluster of 150 small islands, arranged in the shape of a fish hook.  It is located 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.  Bermuda has a semi-tropical climate, offering temperate summers and mild winters.

It was first inhabited in 1609. Bermuda has a population of 56,000 people with cultural backgrounds from United Kingdom, Africa, the West Indies and Portugal. It is one of Britain’s oldest, self-governing colonies

First inhabited in 1609, Bermuda is a cluster of 150 small islands, arranged in the shape of a fish hook and located 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.  Comprising an area of a mere 21 square miles, it is blessed with a semi-tropical climate, offering temperate summers and mild winters.

 

Read More

Displaying 1 – 6 of 6      Page 1 of 1