history , being labeled at one point , “ the Isle of Devils ” because of the reefs surrounding which wrecked many a ship and allowed the residents to get rich on the salvage gathered in from the wrecks . After Gibbs Lighthouse was erected this profitable enterprise ended . Still standing , the lighthouse is the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world . It is a must visit site perched high on a hill and allowing those who climb to the top fabulous panoramic views spread out beyond .
Bermuda became an official British colony and received the right to self-government in 1684 and remains under the flag of Great Britain to the present day .
It is a beautiful and very gracious island obviously steeped in British traditions combined with its own particular identity . A lot of visitors return year after year , a fact evidenced by some hotels proudly posting the names of guests combined with the number of their visits . Because Bermuda is such a short flight from our East coast , long weekend visits are very possible and one of the reasons for so many returning travelers .
Pastel colored houses with white roofs dot the green hillsides and soft pink sand beaches edge the turquoise waters ; a watercolor painting come to life . But Bermuda has much more to offer the visitor than picturesque scenery . Tennis and golf , cycling-both pedal and motorbikes , horseback riding , scuba and snorkeling , jogging and hiking and bird watching . Bermuda has long been a sailor ’ s heaven with the world class Newport R . I . to Bermuda yacht race garnering entrants from around the globe . The Bermudian love of sailing can be seen in all the boats large and small anchored in the large and small harbors surrounding the island .
Exploring Bermuda means never being far from breathtaking views of sea and shore since the island is only one and a half miles wide at its widest points . Getting around is quite easy in spite of fact that automobiles can only be operated by residents . There are extensive bus services ; moped and bike rentals and a small ferry network that connects different points , plus providing the views of Bermuda from the water . A neat thing to do is renting a moped and plotting out explorations combining both modes of transportation . The bikes are carried on these ferries for a small additional charge . As delightful as mopeds are however , visitors are constantly warned to use caution operating them , as the speed limits are posted for a good reason – the roads are very narrow with many stone walls . There are many tales of visitors having accidents from excessive speed and failure to remember that Bermuda follows the British model of traveling on the opposite side from the US , and this fact takes getting used to when going into round-a-bouts ! Happily , the residents driving are very used to the tourists on the roads !
For the less adventurous , buses do run frequently and provide a venue to ride along with many friendly and hospitable Bermudians . If one happens to be on the bus when the children are traveling to or from school in their crisp uniforms it is a delightful experience and becomes a precious memory .
Bermuda once had a small picturesque railway running the length of the island . Visitors particularly loved riding in the wicker chairs , etc ., but WWII brought heavy military use and the wear and tear caused the need for much costly repair . The government decided this was uneconomic to repair and ultimately the rolling stock was sold to Guyana ,
55PlusLivingGuide . com and the tracks ripped up .
This abandoned railroad bed has now been dedicated as The Railway Trail and there are 18 miles through island history with spectacular views . The trail can only be used by pedal cyclists or hikers so it is truly peaceful . There are 3 main roads traversing the east-west distances , labeled North and South Shore Roads , and a Middle Road . Smaller roads and lanes branch off from these providing much to explore but preventing one from getting horribly lost .
Bermuda is divided into 9 parishes , but I will highlight two ; Sandys and St . George ’ s .
Sandys , pronounced “ sands ”, is located on the western end of the island , has quiet lands and bays , sheltered beaches , and a deluxe cottage colony hotel named Cambridge Beaches . The tiny village of Somerset has gift shops and a traditional tea café . It is also home to Springfield , an old plantation house belonging to the Bermuda National Trust .
This parish is also home of the old Royal Navel Dock Yard , located on the Ireland Island , and which is meticulously restored . It houses the Royal Maritime Museum , a shopping complex and an art center . Jazz Festivals and concerts are also held in this area . Most of the big cruise ships dock here , so it is not unusual to see more than one in port at a time .
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