If it's Wednesday, we must be in Bermuda

We are at our last port, Bermuda, before our cruise comes to an end in Florida this weekend. Bermuda is located approximately 600 miles east of North Carolina. It consists of about 181 small islandsThe 4 days went surprisingly fast and the seas were slight for the most part. It was a good trip across the Atlantic.

Just for a little trivia….In June, 1609, moving quickly to save their failing Virginian investment in the New World, company investors in England dispatched Admiral Sir George Somes as commander of a nine ship rescue fleet. Just seven days from their destination, a dreadful storm blew in and shipwrecked Somers flagship into what is now known as Bermuda. Somers promptly claimed the land for England, thus beginning Bermuda’s history of permanent British settlement.

Walls around theRoyal Navy Dockyard

We had no tour plans for this port, figuring we would be tiring of the typical coastal drive or history tour. It’s warm here…in the high 70’s so beach time would have been a option, but we decided to go for a walk outside the dockyard and try to find the ‘sea glass beach’. This is a beach on the West End that one will find thousands of pieces of colored sea glass washed up on shore. The color of sea glass is determined by its original source. Most sea glass comes from bottles, and the broken pieces are smoothed over time by the action of the sea. Red and cobalt blue are the rarest colors. Most common are Kelly green, brown, and clear.

With downloaded directions and map in hand, we headed past the Royal Naval Dockyard clocktower and headed on the coastal road in search of this beach. The Royal Naval Dockyard is where the cruise ships now dock and what was once the Navy dockyard is now a village of shops, and restaurants. As we left the dockyard, we walked past walls and buildings and found paintings on the walls. When this was a Navy base, the ships used to paint their insignia on the walls and buildings—lots of them.

Clocktower, which is now a shopping mall

Ship's insignias on walls along the wharf

Along the coastline we took in some beautiful views. We found the little stairway that led down to the beach and spent a few minutes gathering up some sea glass to add to our hurricane vases at home that have beach sand and shells from our travels.

They like colorful houses on this island

Sampling of the sea glass; there were thousands of pieces

Coast line view

Walking back the same route, we stopped by the Clocktower Mall, to enjoy the airconditioning! We browsed a bit and then headed back to the ship stopping by the “Moongate”. Legends say couples who kiss under the moongates (the wedding band shaped arches found throughout the island) will be assured a long and happy life together. So, we did!

The Moongate

Next 2 days will be at sea and we will sail through the “Bermuda Triangle”. The captain says he hasn’t lost a ship yet so we should be good!