We are up early today. A quick breakfast in the main dining room starts us off well before we head ashore.
Our tour today starts at 9.00am. We arrive in plenty of time to board the bus. Five hours of sightseeing the entirety of Bermuda waiting.
Godfrey our guide is very engaging and very knowledgeable. He talks non stop for five hours. From the volcanic eruptions that created Bermuda millions of years ago to the easiest way to buy a TV in New York to avoid the high prices. Bermuda is supposedly the most expensive place in the world. It’s the true definition of a bana republic. It produces nothing. Exports nothing. It’s a tax haven for foreign investment, mainly insurance and most revenue is generated by tourism. When we arrive another mega cruising ship is in port. Around 400 visit the port and island annually.
We do our bit today and buy a couple of souvenirs and some lunch.
Godfrey takes us to some spectacular locations. The crystal clear turquoise coloured water is evident at every angle bout first view is over a golf course to the ocean. Absolutely spectacular and beautiful.
Godfrey then takes us to a beach. The beaches in Bermuda have a pink hue to them.
The pink colour of Bermuda’s beaches is primarily due to a combination of crushed coral, white sand, and tiny marine organisms called foraminifera.
- Crushed Coral: The beaches are made up of fine, crushed coral particles. Coral naturally has a pale color, and when it breaks down, it contributes to the sand’s light tone.
- Foraminifera: These tiny, single-celled organisms often have pink shells. When they die, their shells mix with the sand and give it a pink hue.
- Calcareous Algae: Certain types of algae can also add to the pinkish tint when combined with the sand.
When all these natural components mingle, they create the signature pink color of Bermuda’s beaches, making them unique and visually stunning.
It’s difficult for me to see the pink, but it is there. it can be seen better when you wear sunglasses.
We continue to the light house next. The architecture along our drive is not modern nor is it old or of any particular style. Houses are beautifully coloured though. Everyone. Expresses themselves through their house colour. With vibrant orange, pink, purple among some highlights.
The lighthouse is starkly white and offers a view of the entire island. 26 miles in length and loosely shaped like a fish hook.
We continue driving. Firstly into Hamilton. The main downtown area. Its architecture is more typical of a modern city. With glass buildings dominating the busy streets. The nicest buildings carry the names of large insurance companies demonstrating security to their clients in bricks and mortar.
We continue our drive and pass the aquarium. Godfrey stops and introduces us to some local wildlife. Turtles. We think we are going to see little turtles and are surprised to see four very large sea turtles enjoying their pond. Despite their clumsiness on land they appear at ease in the water and manoeuvre at will in all directions.
We then wind our way to St George’s. an island. One of six that make up Bermuda. This is where it all started. The architecture here is still colourful but much older and preserved. The town square pays homage to its British founds. Canons sit pointing to the ocean protecting the island from intruders. There’s an old ducking chair where woman who committed crimes were sunken in the waters to pay for their sins. Their sins? Being accused of witchcraft. Oh dear! The old English were so barbaric. .
The Dunking Chair serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of colonial justice and societal norms of the time. It highlights the historical treatment of women and the often arbitrary nature of justice systems in the past.
We continue walking and find a supermarket and grab a sandwich for lunch. Followed by some ice cream.
We sit and listen to street performers and slowly make our way back to the bus.
Godfrey continues his tour of the islands that make up Bermuda. Wrarya pass the airport, the most expensive house , $10m. It has a zebra and giraffe in the front yard. Full sized statues. Godfrey talks about famous people who have lived on the island. Michael Douglas among them. Mayor Blumberg another.
We then circle back and wend our way to the cruise terminal. A great five hours.
We arrive back a little after two and sit in the local bar and have a snack and restful afternoon.
We enjoy dinner in the main dining room after trivia.
That night we attend the main show. A dancing show called Bosonova. The theatre is packed and audience thrilled with the dance show performed. The dancers are excellent and very skilled, but it’s not our thing. We endure the hour long performance before calling it a night.
