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.