So the weather is turning cooler, and the current Bermuda sailing season is coming to an end. I like to keep up with my beautiful Bermuda by knowing her schedule and check on her via the webcam, http://www.portbermudawebcam.com . Soon I won’t see ships docked at King’s Wharf (so my jealously of the passengers visiting will end), but it will still be nice to see the weather and listen to the tree frogs surrounding the camera. I need to feel connected to my “island home.”
I’ve been to Bermuda at least 15 times. I’ve kind of lost count! I have enjoyed visiting her at least once during the months of May through November during the last 27 years. My last visit was in August 2014, so my heart is a little heavy right now since it has been 3 years! I first visited the island in 1990 for a senior week trip and fell in love with it. It’s only fitting that I kept returning as often as I could, including sharing my love of Bermuda with my husband on our honeymoon, as well as with our 2 daughters (ages 8 and 10) twice already!
I’ve enjoyed swimming at 12 of the 20 named beaches on the island. Each one with its own flavor! I’ve shared meals/cocktails at 6 of Bermuda’s restaurants/pubs. I’ve climbed the steps of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse twice. I’ve taken a horse drawn carriage ride through the streets of Hamilton and explored the island on a moped. I snorkeled offshore over 2 shipwrecks, seen the Gombey dancers perform many times, and eagerly waited for the tree frogs to start their evening melodies. I met and talked with Carole Holding on several occasions (a local watercolor artist who is known throughout the world and whose paintings hang all over my house). I visited St. Peter’s Church year after year in the hopes of being married there someday ’til I finally stood on the steps with my hubby on our honeymoon.
I have walked through many a Bermuda moongate, photographed many a Bermuda longtail, and spent time wiping the tears from my face while standing at the railing on board a cruise ship – watching her drift away from the pier. Yes, Bermuda is very much a part of me and always will be.
It’s definitely my go to destination, my favorite island, and it really has always felt like home. Mark Twain once said, “You can go to heaven if you want to. I’d rather stay in Bermuda.” Sir George Somers (the founder of Bermuda) requested that his heart be buried in Bermuda while the rest of him was buried back in England. His nephew took care of that for him!
I won’t go that far! But it is my sanctuary place – that makes me feel better just knowing it is out there. I even visited once all by myself, completely on my own, and had a wonderful time!
Bermuda is a beautiful place with its pastel houses with white limestone roofs for collecting rain water, it’s many pink sand beaches, and stunning turquoise waters. The fact that it is all alone in the middle of the Atlantic just adds to its charm! It’s about 600 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Since it isn’t in the Caribbean, it does get cooler during the months of November – April. Many golfers take advantage of the cooler months because you can get specials off season. There are more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world!
During the warmer months – good deals are still able to be found if you can escape while school is still in session, or if you go mid to late August like when I usually go. I do prefer late summer to early spring because it takes some time for the water to warm up! In early May, it is still a little chilly for me, but then again, it’s not any different than the Jersey shore is in the summer. A warmer ocean is just my preference.
I have been asked about hotels on the island and there are some lovely places to fly and stay, but for me, I’m all about value. And because Bermuda is not a cheap place to dine, I do prefer bringing my “hotel” with me with all meals included, by way of a cruise ship!
Fortunately, I live in an area where it is super simple to board a ship and head to Bermuda. I don’t have the hassle of flying to the ports in New Jersey, New York, and Baltimore. There are ways to make it less of a hassle if you do have to fly, and I’d be happy to share that with you when you are ready to sail!
Speaking of booking a trip – don’t put off making plans to visit Bermuda during her next cruise season. Yes, it’s only November, but cabins have been available for a while and they do sell quickly! Itineraries vary from ship to ship and it would be a shame to miss out on having more time in Bermuda for the same price! Consider me your Bermuda expert, ready to “show” you Bermuda.
It should be on everyone’s bucket list! Just one word of caution: Once you go to Bermuda, you’ll want to keep going back!
Happy Travels! ~Laurie
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Laurie at Five Star Travel Group 