Bermuda

We are taking a cruise ship to Europe. Repositioning cruises can be a bargain and are a fun way get somewhere. We like the slow aspect because it helps you understand how far you’re really going.

Our first port of call was Bermuda. We took the free boat ride from the port to the other end of the Island to see St. George. While we didn’t go up to the fort, we enjoyed walking around the area.

This ruin is an unfinished church. It was mostly constructed by the late 1800’s, including the roof. It was abandoned by the congregation before it was ever in use. Alas, it was damaged in a storm in the 1920s. It sits toward the top of a hill and is visible from lots of places.

These gateposts are just another reminder of how long this area was a British Settlement, Since 1609, so a little over 400 years.

Unfortunately most of the museums here have not resumed regular hours; so I will have to learn about the history of the area, including the role Bermuda played in the US Civil War, some other time. As good a reason to return as any, I guess.

Regular followers of the blog know I like to post photos of random flowers we see. No, I have no idea what it is, if you find out please share in the comments!

One several parrot fish we saw near the warf. Yes, the water is that clear and the fish is even brighter!

The people here are very nice! As Dan and I walked along a street we got into single file so the car coming at us would have plenty of room as the streets are pretty narrow. Then we realized we were crossing the drive to the lot they wanted to turn into. We gave the “sorry” wave and hustled along. They smiled and told us “you’re fine, have a great day in Bermuda!”

It was an overnight stop so we had a second day to explore the Royal Naval Dockyards which are the cruiseport. It includes an old fort which is now a museum. Learned about how Bermuda was “discovered” and how important it was for the British in maintaining their colonization in the US. Nothing on the Civil War though, so my excuse to return remains, phew!

Just a little decor near the prison cells.

The fort was built primarily with convict labor as the British were very fond of this source of free labor. Even after outlawing prison labor in the 1850s, the Fort was still used as a prison of some sort through the Boer War which ended in 1902. The display on the use as a prison was very informative and included reports from both the people imprisonered there and the officers in charge. The difference in perspective was stark.