6.30 - 2nd day in paradise

Walking to BIOS (Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences) this morning, it all of sudden came to me I should move here. I've been on the pursuit of happiness for so long, and I can finally stop looking. Taiwan and Bermuda. Those are part of my happiness plans.

We took a tour of BIOS. I had to skip out on a few things because I could not stop coughing. Poo. I'm in paradise with a cold :( The facility of BIOS is really nice. My brother is sooo lucky. We had lunch at BIOS, too. It was decent, though expensive [Jeffrey gets free food, but guests have to pay] at $17 per person. It's a buffet, but there isn't a large selection. Today was some kind of beef stew, sauteed veggies, steamed veggies, basmati rice, salad, potato soup, and fruits... and a beautiful view of a bay from the dining hall.

 Afterward, we came back to Aunt Nea's to rest. I passed out immediately. Around 4:45pm we went to the bus stop. People here truly are friendly. There was a man named Mr. James who talked to everyone. Although the island has a population of 67,000, it still feels like a small town where everyone knows each other. We went to BIOS again because I had promised Jeffrey that I'd run with him. And, even though I was still really sick, I did not regret it! We ran along the Railway Trail in St. George. The trail was absolutely heaven. Soooo gorgeous with the sun shining on the turquoise water, the cliffs, coral reefs, multi-million dollar houses, small rocks on the path... Ah, this is the life. 

 Bermuda has a pink theme going on. The buses are pink, the sand is pink, there are plenty of pink/coral houses....

We took the 7:45pm bus to head to Hamilton. Tonight's party is Harbour Nights. It is sooo crowded. There is a huge cruiseship parked at the dock. There are long lines at every food vendor, especially for shaved ice and jerk chicken. We spot a line for Jamaican food that isn't too long. I impulsely order the small meal that comes with rice, veggies, AND BBQ jerk pork. The pork looked oh-so-delicious and juicy. The server says "this is good, GOOD pork!" I trust his words. We find an empty space on a ledge to devour our Jamaican dinner. The rice, yum. Veggies, cooked to perfection. The jerk pork, soooooooo spicy!! It was one of the spiciest things I've ever eaten. It was juicy and all, but the ribs were too hot. I couldn't handle it and had to give the other 2 ribs to my parents to brave. Apparently, the jerk chicken was much spicier... well, good thing I don't eat chicken!

spiciest ribs everrr!

We walk down the street in search for dessert to change our palettes and sooth our burning mouths. Jeffrey mentions a donut stand "the best donuts ever." So, we wait patiently in the long line for 20 minutes. The donuts were mini-o's. Freshly hot, sugary, and delicious they were. Though, I didn't think they lived up to my brother's claim.

We head home about 10:45pm. The bus is really full. My brother pointed out the couple sitting in front of us. It seemed like they hated each other. The wife looks uptight and cold. The husband, relentless and tired of fighting. I bet they're in Bermuda to renew their marriage and work things out. Obviously, it wasn't working!

I still can't believe I'm here. I've never seen a more beautiful place. I lie in bed, reflecting on the past few days in Bermuda. I am so glad I came. I definitely would rather be here than Taiwan, even though my last night in Taipei I told people that I'd rather stay than go to Bermuda :p

this is what a typical bus station looks like in Bermuda. It's either this old-looking shack or a pink or blue pole. And, since there are no sidewalks, sometimes you'd be waiting next to the blue pole, trying to stay as close to the wall as you can..

downtown Hamilton, Front St. ~ there are restaurants, bars, financial firms along this street

the mini donut

MAP

The total area of Bermuda is about 20.6 square miles. From one end to the other (St. George's to Royal Naval Dockyard) takes 35 minutes by ferry and almost 2 hours by the public bus (due to traffic and the very slow speed limit).

touch down in Bermuda ~ first day

After arriving, a small shuttle dropped us off at our hotel: Aunt (pronounced 'ont'] Nea's Inn. This inn is a cute, cozy place situated on a hill in St. George's. The housekeeper, Rachel, is so friendly. In fact, Bermuda's locals are very friendly people. They smile and greet us as we pass by. Jeffrey said sometimes they'll honk at you--which they mean 'hello' not 'hey you, get the eff out of my way!' Our room is quite homey. Pretty green silky curtains, two four-post canopy iron beds, wooden floor that creeks in certain places, an English-style desk... the only ugh think are ants in the bathroom. One thing you gotta know about Bermuda is that there are ants inevitably everywhere.

Aunt Nea's Inn

We chill in our room for a bit because it's too hot outside. The weather here is hot and humid, but certainly not as humid as Taiwan. The sun is pretty strong though. Our inn is a lane away from downtown St. George's. We take a short walk to downtown. Sidewalks are pretty much nonexistent here. They drive on the other side here, too. We check out a local supermarket. So expensive! One baked potato costs 59cents each! After buying my sick self a water bottle, we walk around the harbor and look at a few restaurants' menus. Dining out here is ridiculously expensive. At Whitehorse, a waterfront restaurant at the harbor, nothing is under $22! After the shock, we head back to our hotel and I pass out [still on another time zone].

A few hours later, my brother comes. It's my first time seeing him in, like, half a year. We all walk out to find a place to eat dinner. We end up eating at a place called Tavern by the Sea, which is a waterfront restaurant at the other side of the harbor. The prices aren't too bad compared to the other places. I'm so tempted to order a margarita, despite that I'm still coughing and my throat is sore. But then, of course, my mom frowns and exclaims "No! You're not 21!!" I assure her that the drinking age is 18 and that I'll be 21 in a couple months anyway.. I want to order the grilled wahoo because who comes to an island and not eat fish? However, it costs $29.50. So, I go with the seafood risotto which costs only a dollar less haha. It is pretty yummy, and the seafood is all very fresh. 

The pace of life is so slow here, and I love it. We asked the waitress to see the dessert menu. Another waiter comes by and gives us the check. Fifteen minutes later--Bermuda time, the waitress drops off the dessert menu. Jeffrey explains that people here are late most of the time. Cabs will sometimes arrive 40 minutes after the time you called for them to arrive. I don't really mind though. I like this slow pace of life...

Tuesdays are Market Nights in Bermuda. There is basically a night festival everyday of the week. Today there were Gombey dancers and a DJ + gombey band. Gombey dance is a traditional dance of Bermuda. It's all about the rhythm. 

Gombey dancers at King's Square

the musicians

I am absolutely in love with Bermuda. The culture, chill lifestyle, the clear turquoise water, friendliness of the locals, whistling of the tiny frogs, the colorful houses (saw a neon green house this morning!), the big fluffy clouds... EVERYTHING! I would totally move here if I could. What a happy, happy life!

old towne a la Saint George's

St. George's is a quiet, charming town. It was first settled in 1609 and appointed the capital of Bermuda then. Additionally, it actually is the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the New World. There are military fortifications, like old cannons and such located on the harbor. There are lanes and alleys named Petticoat Lane and Shinbone Alley. The parish's downtown is King's Square, where town hall meetings are held and where Market Nights are celebrated. 

The restaurants in this area are more expensive than ones in Hamilton and other more touristy parishes. One would expect it to be the opposite, huh? We only ate twice in St. George's because to dine out here sets you back at least $30USD per person! 

an alley - walking down here reminded me a lot of Macau - the architecture, colorful buildings, lane...

St. George's Harbour

St. Peter's Church

i've discovered paradise.

I feel as though I've been living in a wonderful dream this whole time--first Taiwan, and now Bermuda... ahhh, life is beautiful.

Bermuda is absolutely stunning. As the plane was getting near the island, passing through the fluffy clouds, all of sudden everyone on the plane is gasping. From the airplane window, I could see the gorgeous turquoise water and the coral reefs. I was in absolute shock. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined to go to such a beautiful place. Only too bad that I am sick with a nasty cold + phlegmy cough. Just my luck, huh? I suppose that's my punishment for partying too hard and extreme lack of sleep for my last 2 weeks in Taiwan.

Anyhow, here are some facts about Bermuda...
__Bermuda is not just one island. It is actually made up of 128 islands, and the bigger ones are connected.
__It is located 597 miles off of North Carolina's coast, not south of the Florida, not in the Caribbeans, like most people assume it is. I'll have to admit though, before boarding the plane, I thought it was south of Florida and considered as a tropical island. But in fact, it is in the mid-Atlantic waters and a semi-tropical island. Shows how much attention I paid in geography class way back in middle school!
__Bermuda is not an independent country. It belongs to England. Therefore, there are many British people living here--and they are considered as natives of Bermuda.
__English is the official language. Portuguese is also another spoken language here, but you won't hear it often.
__Tourism is not Bermuda's first source of economy. It is finance. Bermuda is a major center of finance, and if it were its own country, it would have the highest GDP per capita in the world.
__...and that is why Bermuda is one of the most expensive travel destinations. You would spend at least $25 per person to dine at a local restaurant. A plate of grilled wahoo + vegetables on the side costs $29.50.
__$1USD = $1BMD which makes it convenient for us because we don't necessarily need to convert our currency because the American dollar is accepted everywhere.
__Bermuda is divided into nine  parishes, with Hamilton being the capital and St. George (where we are staying) a town.
__To conserve wildlife, there is a limited number of fish that can be consumed. Thus, most of the seafood is imported from the States.
__The ethnic makeup of the island is approx. 55% black, 34% white, and 6% multi-racial. And, everyone is so beautiful!
__They drive on the other side of the road.