Bermuda!

I have found a new favorite place to add to my list.... Bermuda!  John and I were thinking of taking a trip without the munchkins partially to celebrate my 40th birthday.  Iceland has been on my to do list for awhile.  But logistically it wasn't meant to be.  We turned our focus to some place that was a short flight from Boston.  Bermuda is a whopping 2 hour, nonstop flight.  What could be better!

 This was the view from our hotel everyday.  Perfect turquoise waters and sunny weather.  We stayed at Coco Reef, one of three hotels on Elbow Beach.  This is located in the middle of the island letting us go in either direction easily.  The beach is bordered by rocks keeping it secluded and far from crowded.  The beaches were lovely and... pink!  Hard to see in the pictures.  It’s caused by tiny red organisms that grow beneath the coral reefs just off the shore. When they die and fall to the ocean floor, the organisms mingle with bits of coral and crushed shell that are washed onto the beach and make the sand appear an otherworldly shade of pink

 John enjoyed partaking local drinks.  The Rum Swizzle is Bermuda's signature drink.  It's made from Black Seal rum and very yummy!

Not far into the ocean were gigantic rocks you could stand on.  We bought snorkeling equipment and frozen peas (a trick picked up from dad when we snorkeled in Hawaii) to feed the fish.  What an experience to see them come out of all nooks and grannies.

Getting around in Bermuda is a bit challenging.  As tourist, renting a car is not an option.  The country only allows 1 car per household.  Locals and tourists use scooters to avoid the challenges with a cars or taxis.  We were no exception.

 One day we headed north to St. George's Island and stopped at the Crystal Caves.  Beautiful.  We learned that the cave stay a delightful 71 degrees year round with 100% humidity.  How odd to be sweating but feel cool.

 John got in trouble by not staying on the left side of the road when driving our scooter... King's Square in St. George.

 The buildings were vibrant everywhere we went.  Their roofs are white and resemble small stair steps.  The function is to collect rain water for household use.  Wells bring up salt water.  Fresh water is a commodity on the island.

 We headed to Bermuda over Labor Day weekend.  We learned that Bermuda also had a holiday that Monday (Bank Holiday).  The majority of Hamilton was closed which was a bummer as I wanted to do some shopping.  We decided to take the ferry to the other end of the island and see the Royal Navy Dockyard.  Lucky us things were open thanks to two cruise ships being docked there.

The Commissioner's House.  No wonder this was built on a hill... a good strategic spot but also breezy.  The humidity was amazing making the breeze very much welcomed.

 My cannon is bigger than yours.

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One of the most unexpected experiences was running into one of my patients and her family.  They were so welcoming and spent the rest of the day escorting us around Bermuda.  We capped off the day by a delightful mean at the Bermuda Princess Hamilton.

One of Bermuda's national symbols, the fabled moongate is said to bring good luck.  This is the one at the Princess Hamilton.  But you can find them all over the island.