Vacations that involve some “island time”This was a long-overdue trip, considering it had been more than 25 years since my last visit. My husband, on the other hand, had never visited this lovely island. Bermuda is the most international of the Atlantic Caribbean islands. It is still governed by the British, and has an established community. From New York City you can fly to Bermuda in 3 hours. It is also easily accessible from most of the Eastern US coast. It is an ideal vacation destination because of its accessibility, comfortable Western perspective, and the reliable, tourist-based economy. Because Bermuda is a tourist destination, it’s not possible to grow crops on the island.
It is obvious that the restaurant menu caters to tourists, and it has been priced accordingly. There are many local places, including Harry’s restaurant which we discovered one night. Harry’s Restaurant is located in an office building near the Hamilton marina. There is a lovely patio at the end the marina on a quiet street. The bar offers a wide selection of food and drinks. I recommend the salt-and pepper shrimp and tuna carpaccio. This place is not for the faint of heart. This place buzzes during happy hour on Friday afternoons.
Apart from the Harry’s dinner, our Bermuda dining experience was mixed. Coconuts at The Reefs Hotel was a popular choice because it had been praised by a diverse group of people. We decided that we should try the place. You can eat on the beach or on the terrace overlooking the ocean at The Reefs Hotel. But the 75-dollar prix-fix dinner was the better indicator. Unfortunately, the food was not up to standard and it seemed designed for tourist tourists. While we recommend a drink and a look at the views and scenery while you wait, it is best to skip the dinner. Another patio with a view of the ocean and beach is located at street level. It would make a wonderful spot to enjoy a cocktail.
The Southampton Princess is associated with The Waterlog Inn, which we enjoyed on our last night. The classic steakhouse is here. Both the food and service were excellent. The restaurant was packed. Perhaps because of Coconuts, some people weren’t satisfied. Based on their wine selection, my husband would highly recommend the restaurant. The restaurant can be found in almost any major North American city. I am still unsure. Although we should have tried the Dining Room at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, we didn’t. This lighthouse can be found on a high hill. The outdoor restaurant offers the best view on the island. Let us know if you try it.
Bermuda coffee is disappointing. There are a handful of places in Hamilton that offer espresso, including Hamilton Princess. Our first stop was Miles Market’s coffee bar. They were made by two baristas, who seemed more interested in their phone conversations than they were serving customers. Next day, we ventured out to find the Common Ground. It is located just off Front Street in an alleyway. Although the Common Ground lattes tasted a little milky, they were a big improvement over what we had eaten before. Their food received a good rating. My husband enjoyed their breakfast sandwich, a BLT and egg. The sandwich was freshly made and beautifully presented. Rock Island, Reid Street is the restaurant with the best local rating. Rock Island on Reid Street was my first choice for a coffee shop. I decided to venture out and see what Rock Island had to offer. It was an unsuccessful venture. Nothing is open on Sundays in Hamilton. At 2pm, even the Front Street Juice & Java shop opens. I returned to Hamilton Princess after my failed coffee search, where there was a long line at the front door. This included hotel guests as well as islanders just returning from their bike rides. It was literally Hamilton’s only open coffee shop on Sundays. The coffee was awful.
Bermuda has a wide range of tourist activities and attractions, despite some disappointing meals. It is very small so it can be easily explored. It is easy to reach the islands from Hamilton by bus and ferry. You have up to four bus choices and many ferry options during the week. Make sure you check out the fort and museum opening times before setting off to explore. Fort St Catherine was only accessible on weekdays. Spend at least half a full day visiting the Royal Naval Dockyard. Also, make sure to explore the Bermuda Maritime Museum as well as the Commissioner’s House. You should be aware however, that the Royal Naval Dockyard serves as the main port for all cruise ships on the island. This means there will likely be a large number of tourist shops along with inflated prices.
St George’s is located at the east end of the island. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tiny town dates back to the 19th Century. It still retains its old cobblestone streets, alleyways and buildings. You will find a handful of restaurants and shops. Tobacco Bay is a great place to take a dip or enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the ocean. On weekdays you can travel by boat to St George’s. You may also take one of four buses each day.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is located at the top of the island. It was built in 1844. It is 245 feet tall and the lighthouse measures 117. One 1,000-watt bulb is housed within a 1,200-pound mercury lens. The light beam can be seen by ships 40 miles away. It is visible from the ground at 10,000 feet. These views are well worth the climb to the summit of the hill.
Golfers love Bermuda. You can find many courses in Bermuda with different terrains and prices. The Mid-Ocean Club course and Port Royal were our lucky ones. Mid-Ocean, a traditional old course with lots of difficulty along the way, is definitely a difficult walk. Port Royal, which was being renovated for the Grand Slam at the time of our visit, was still in process. Port Royal has a lot more sand than the average course, so it can be difficult for most golfers. Although we did make it to Mid-Ocean, we did not visit Tuckers Point. Tuckers Point has beautiful grounds and tennis courts, a semi-private beach, and a gorgeous golf course that is very similar to Mid-Ocean.
Bermuda’s beaches are beautiful. It is pink-white in colour. Finding a quiet spot to swim is possible with a few simple steps. Bermuda is beautiful, and well worth the trip.