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SIGHTSEEING & STUFF |
On This Page...
Travel Safety... I would be
remiss if I didn't take a few moments to talk about this.
Enjoy your vacation and do not worry about all of the things that could happen to you.
Just use some common sense, as you should do at home, when you are out and about. The US
Department of State has a very good safety sheet on this subject.
A quick highlight from them suggests that you:
Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially
cautious in or avoid areas where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded
subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal
areas of cities. Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly-lit streets. Try not to
travel alone at night. Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances. Keep a
low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments. Do not discuss travel plans or
other personal matters with strangers.
Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your
guide. Beware of pickpockets.
Again, take the time to check out the full article from the US Department of State. I'll have some comments on what to bring and what to leave home on the PREP & PACKING page. Now - On With the Show.
So, You're Going to Bermuda... |
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A Few Bermuda Links |
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| Some Quick Bermuda Statistics and History: British dependency (1995 est. pop. 62,000), 21 sq mi (53 sq km), comprising some 150 coral rocks, islets, and islands (of which some 20 are inhabited), in the Atlantic Ocean, c.570 mi (920 km) SE of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The capital is Hamilton, on Bermuda (or Great Bermuda), the largest island. Smaller islands are Somerset, Ireland, and St. George. Bermuda's coral reefs are the northernmost in the world. Reputedly the first person to set foot on the islands was the Spanish navigator Juan de Bermúdez (150311), but they remained uninhabited, despite visits by the Spanish and English, until Sir George Somers and a group of colonists on their way to Virginia were shipwrecked there in 1609. This incident was known to Shakespeare when he wrote The Tempest. Long called Somers Islands, the Bermudas were first governed by chartered companies but were acquired by the crown in 1684. The harbor of St. George was a base for privateers during the War of 1812, and the island was a center for Confederate blockade runners during the American Civil War. (There was nothing Civil about it, I prefer The War Between the States.) |
| Bus & Ferry | Public transportation passes are an inexpensive
method of transportation in the Burmuda Islands. These passes include complete access to
the bus and ferry services serving all of Bermuda. The Ferry system is Great! The multi day fares are as follows:
Since St. George's is our first port, transportation passes may be purchased at their office directly across from the cruise terminal at the Visitor's Service Bureau. To the right after leaving the terminal entrance. Here's the BERMUDA Ferry Site Link |
Bermuda
Ferry Routes![]() |
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Taxi |
Taxi service in Bermuda is expensive, period. However, for a party of four to six, engaging a suitably-sized taxi by the day or half day, with the driver acting as the tour guide, can be a good way to see Bermuda. A blue flag fluttering from the taxi's bonnet signifies the driver has qualified as a tour guide. | All below rates increased by about 20% in June, 2004. Rates are set by the
Government of Bermuda.
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Rental Information...
| To Ride Or Not To Ride So, you can't wait to get to Bermuda and jump on one of those cute little mopeds and see the Bermuda sights? Think long and hard on this one. Auxiliary cycles - rented mopeds or scooters - on the hugely busy roads are not recommended for anyone who has not driven them before habitually on the left hand side of the road. All who come from the USA, Canada, Europe and other places will find it very confusing to drive in Bermuda on the left side - not the right - of the highway. With all the turn signs on the "wrong" side also. If you are not completely used to such vehicles back home in such conditions, most journeys on a scooter or moped in Bermuda may give you more stress or anxiety than pleasure. Mopeds and scooters can be so dangerous to those not accustomed to them that some cruise ships disclaim all responsibility and warn their passengers accordingly. I have no recommendation, since I haven't been on one in Bermuda since 1974. HOWEVER, if you must rent one, Oleander Cycles seems to be one of the more popular rental agencies. Some others are: Wheels Cycles Eve's Cycles Smatt's Cycle Livery Brain Buckets are mandatory! |
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| Boat Rentals You've been on the ship, but now want to be your own captain. Well, there is plenty of water and a lot of boats. I remember that many folks that work downtown commute to work via their own boat. They would dock at the Bermuda Yacht Club and cross the street to their offices. Pretty neat! There are a number of boat rental shops all around bermuda. You can rent small power boats, sailboats, jet skis and kayaks. Windjammer Watersports Jet Ski Bermuda Blue Water Divers & Watersports I could not find a website for Somerset Bridge Watersports, but from what I remember the location was really nice with a marina and restaurant. Their information is; Somerset Bridge Watersports Daily 8am-sunset, Somerset Bridge, Ely's Harbour, Sandys Parish, Phone: 441/234-0914 Somerset Bridge is the best outlet for renting Boston whalers for island-hopping on your own. A 4m (13-ft.) Boston whaler (25 or 30 hp) carries four and costs $65 for 2 hours, $105 for 4 hours, and $165 for 8 hours. Somerset provides lots of extras, such as canopies, special maps, a ladder, a viewing box, and a fish and coral ID card. "Jet Ski Adventures" cost $90 for 1 1/4 hours for one person, $115 for two persons, and $135 for three. The jet ski reaches speeds of up to 81kmph (50 mph). There may be an additional fee for gas ($10-$20). |
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Horse and Carriage
Not really a means of getting anywhere in particular, but more of a short, romantic
excursion for tourists in Bermuda. Carriages can be hired on Front Street in Hamilton,
next to the Number 1 Passenger Terminal. They generally take a circular route in the area
to the west of Hamilton. The cost is $30 for each half hour. Carriages can be drawn by 1
or 2 horses. Those drawn by 1 horse can take up to 4 passengers. Carriages with 2 horses
can take more than 4 persons but a surcharge is levied. The vehicles are slow-moving and
hold up other traffic. The best time to hire one, without being an annoyance to local
drivers, is between 09:00 and 15:30 and after 18:00.
Local Tour Operators
I've listed some suggestions on Local Tour Operators. I have not personally used any of
them nor do I endorse them. Just check them out and see what you may like. Many have
e-mail addresses and phone numbers. You may wish to post an inquiry on the Cruise Boards
about them, too. Obviously, Celebrity Cruises has their own preferences, which, I'm sure
are most acceptable. Read up on everything about Bermuda, so you'll know what it is you'd
like to see. I'll also add some of my personal favorite points of interest, as I go along.
Tour Operators
http://www.bluewatersafari.com -
Specializing in water related adventures
http://www.spicelandsriding.com/ -
Horseriding along the beautiful South Shore beaches and sand dunes.
Points of Interest
Might I suggest that you go to the Experience Bermuda Sightseeing
site and check out the different parish locations for some really good points of interest.
Below are a few more sights.
| Bermuda National Gallery | The Gallery has since developed as the Island's arts museum and is an educational resource as well as an entertainment venue. Both loan exhibitions and special events reflect Bermudas varied artistic heritage and multi-cultural community. |
| Crystal Caves of Bermuda | The curiosity of two young boys, Carl Gibbons and Edgar Hollis, led to the discovery of Bermudas Crystal Cave in 1905. The boys were playing cricket and lost their ball in a hole in the ground. It is not known if they ever found their cricket ball, but what they did find has become one of Bermudas prized premier attractions. |
| Bermuda Lighthouses St. David's Photo Gibb's Hill Photo |
There are two lighthouses in Bermuda. The most famous and picturesque being Gibb's Hill Light, in Southampton Parish near the Southampton Princess and St. David's Light on St. David's Island, just south of St. Geroges's Harbour. (Like the "U" in harbour?) Both lighthouses are open to the public. |
| Bermuda Forts | Many of the old forts on Bermuda are still standing. Many of us are familiar with Fort St. Catherine just outside of St. George's town. There are numerous ones in the wertern, central and eastern parrishes. Check out the link to the right. |
| Events in Bermuda 6/6-6/10 | |
| St. George's Market Nights June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 7:00pm - 10:00pm Town Sqaure, Town of St. George, St. George's . Weekly summer street festival. Vendors selling only locally made crafts and foods. Entertainment, prizes, dancing and late night shopping. Admission: Free. |
Bermuda Farmer's Market June 4, 11, 18, 25 8:00am - Noon North side of the Bull's Head Car Park, Pembroke. The place to find fresh local vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry, eggs, cut flowers, bonsai, seedlings, honey, jams, bakery goods, coffee, crafts such as handmade toiletries, candles, jewellery, knitted woollens, and even live rabbits. If the weather threatens, the market sets up inside the car park building on the ground floor. See www.bermudafarmersmarket.org for a map. Admission: Free. |
| Destination Dockyard June 7, 14, 21, 28 7:00pm - 10:00pm Royal Naval Dockyard. Bermuda's free, fun-filled West End street festival for the whole family. Offers a variety of entertainment, Dolphin Quest shows, glassblowing, late night shopping in the Clocktower mall and Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, snorkel park, Maritime Museum, children's activities, local arts and crafts and Bermudian and ethnic foods. Admission: Free. |
Hamilton Harbour Nights June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 7:00pm - 10:00pm Front Street, City of Hamilton. Experience Bermuda's free, fun-filled street festival for the whole family. Every Wednesday night during the cruise ship season enjoy late night shopping, street performers, a variety of live entertainment, horse and carriage rides, local arts and crafts people, the extensive food court and a variety of children's activities. This event will observe Bermuda's Qunicentennial celebration. Visit www.bermuda500.bm for more information. Admission: Free. |
The Bermuda Railway
- http://bermuda-online.org/railway.htm
Another excellent article on the Railway. When fully
completed in early 1932, the line ran from Sandys Parish in the west to St. George's
Parish in the east, via the City of Hamilton. (Today, the
City, Pembroke and parts of the Devonshire portions no longer exist). The Western
route - from Hamilton to Sandys - had 24 stations. They included those at Elbow
Beach, and Ord Road and Kyber Pass. Others, like Broom Street, no longer exist. The
Eastern Route - from Hamilton to St. George's - had 18 stations. They included Pond Hill,
the Aquarium, Coney Island, Ferry Reach and Mullet Bay. I checked a link to the Fantasea
site in Bermuda that offers a bike excursion. It appears to be the same excursion that
Celebrity offers and is most likely the same operator for Celebrity. The Famtasea
description and the Celbrity description is the same, word-for-word. Celebrity's price is
$62, but Fantasea had no price