FLORIDA MOM MAGAZINE - May '08 - Bermuda - Feel the LoveBy: Robert Candler
 Bermuda consists of a chain of some 180 coral islands lying 650 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean. Its coastlines are characterized by small bays with beaches of fine pale pink coral sand and surrounding vivid blue-green waters. Inland is an abundance of subtropical plants and flowers.
Bermuda's capital city, Hamilton, situated at the end of Hamilton Harbour on the inner curve of the ‘fish hook’ is an interesting place to explore. Here, between Parliament Street and Court Street, is The Cabinet Building where the Senate – the Upper House of Bermuda’s Parliament – meets. The Lower Chamber of Parliament is housed in the Sessions House (House of Assembly), also located between Parliament and Court Streets, is open to the public. Front Street is Hamilton’s main street which runs west to east along the water’s edge from Albuoy’s Point, site of the Ferry terminal and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, to King Street in the east. Located on Queen Street in Hamilton is Perot’s Post Office. The Perot stamp, Bermuda’s first postage stamp, issued in 1848, was printed by Bermuda’s first Postmaster, WB Perot. During the months of April through October, there are usually two cruise ships moored at the city’s piers. Ferry trips are available around Hamilton Harbour, and also longer cruises through the Great Sound to the west stopping at Somerset Bridge, the rural village of Somerset, and the Royal Naval Dockyard. The restored 19th-century Fort Hamilton welcomes visitors to its formidable ramparts, cannon, underground web of limestone tunnels and spectacular view of Hamilton. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, an oceanic discovery center, unfolds the wonders of underwater exploration and deep ocean ecology.
 Constructed in 1844 the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world. The hill on which the lighthouse stands is 245 feet high while the lighthouse itself measures 117 feet. A 1,000 watt bulb sits inside a lens revolving in a trough of 1,200 pounds of mercury. The light beam it emits can be seen by ships 40 miles away and from a distance of 120 miles by a plane flying at 10,000 feet.
 Bermuda architecture, like the church above, began as English stone architecture of the mid 17th century, modified to suit local environmental or building conditions and is known as UK colonial architecture. It is basically the same kind used in the Bahamas and other Caribbean islands too. When the modification - use of Bermuda limestone - was the main ingredient, local homes large and small had some uniqueness.
 The Royal Naval Dockyard is one of the ports used by cruise ships visiting Bermuda and is the venue for the annual Bermuda Jazz Festival. Royal Naval Dockyard is in Sandys Parish and can be reached from Hamilton by bus or ferry. Admission to the Royal Naval Dockyard is free.
 Bermuda is known for it's absolutely gorgeous beaches. The fine pink sand is not volcanic, but actually centuries old coral that the ocean has slowly ground up. The aquamarine water only enhances the beauty. |
|
