Bermuda

A 30 minute ferry ride took us from the ship to Hamilton which is Bermuda’s main port and capital.

Bermuda’s capital has a colorful harbor with colonial buildings which have a definite British flavor. As we approached land, we noticed the single-story wood and limestone homes with white roofs. The bright white eaves are not just decorative, they are the visible part of an elaborate water collection system, and they channel rainwater into underground storage tanks. There are no rivers or lakes, cistern are the main source.

The sand, local buildings, busses and even the sea are pastel colored. Bermuda’s beaches really are pink! The color results from the red skeletons of single-celled coral organisms mixed with white sand. The resort is so famous, many visitors are surprised to learn the total land area is only about 20 square miles and while many people think there is only one island, there are many smaller islands.

We walked along front street and noticed that the streets are very clean. There are no highrises, no parking meters, no neon signs, no smokestacks or pollution, no slums and no income taxes.

The people we met on the street and in the little park we visited were very well dressed. Some men even had on the classic Bermuda shorts with their suit coats and ties. While in the park we passed beneath Bermuda’s moongate (limestone arch) for those who pass through are blessed with good luck.

We had a long wait for the ferry to take us back to the ship. The line stretched over blocks, the sun was hot but there was a cool breeze blowing from the water. We arrived back in time to dress for dinner, but a little late for the sail away party on the deck with champagne.