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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