Bermuda, with photos

 Sunday, November 26, 2023

We plan to disembark at 8:30, so, breakfast at 7:30 or so.  Of course I've been awake since three and up since four thirty, so I think I'll make it to breakfast.  There is a tentative plan to call Christine who has been here before and offered to act as guide.  You used to be able to scoop up sea glass;  but she says the vendors have put a stop to that.  I should be able to bag up a bit of the pink sand everyone talks about.  I've got one of ice bags that the infirmary gave me, so that should work.

We pass one of the islands of Bermuda before the sun comes up and keep moving, so I guess that's not the one we're heading for! Then Mother Nature gives me a present for being an early bird!

Everyone has cabin fever after six consecutive sea days! O'Sheehans is slammed, so we go up to the buffet and find a table, finally, and some sustenance and head down to deck 4 to disembark. We find Christine already in line to board NCL's tender to St. George, at the far end of the island.  The ferry ride is an hour, but it's quicker than driving and way easier! We sit outside on the upper deck with rainwear/windbreakers on and people watch.

We finally get to see the whole Peter Max ship from the upper deck of the tender.

When we've disembarked we discuss possible directions to go.  Many people are heading into the town; but Christine knows how to get to the beach.  It's about a kilometer and uphill; but the view is quite lovely and the color of the water is that unbelievable Caribbean blue!  After a short walk along the shore there is a little bar/cafe and a man, Alice, offering taxi rides.  He knows the way to the pink-sand beach with the sea glass and we all squeeze into his little Isuzu.  It's a good thing I'm short because he is quite sizable and no one else would have fit behind him! 

The water is sooo clear!

So many historical buildings

And each with its own story

So much color!

The town hall, where New Year's Eve celebrations are held.

We stopped into the local super market where nearly all the brands are familiar
although the prices aren't!  And our old friend 19 Crimes makes an appearance!

The unfinished church has its own story.

There's a beautifully maintained golf course.

And that water!!

All along the drive he points out interesting sights including the new St. Regis hotel that is being built.  When we ask how he feels about that, he is carefully noncommittal.  More money - good, more tourists - hmmm. He tells us that all the roofs are made of limestone!  They are very strong are not damaged by the hurricanes that often come visiting.  Also, they have small holes in them to allow the water to pass through.  I have to think about how this works;  but he assures us that it protects from hurricanes.  He give Ginger and Christine his "card" which turns out to be half of a green index card with his contact information on it! apparently he has a YouTube channel where he talks about St. George but the data isn't on the card and I'm not sure that "Alice, St. George, Bermuda" will be enough to find it!

We arrive at Alexandra Battery and go to explore the beach which is adjacent.  Christine is quite disappointed because they beach is much smaller than it was ten years ago the there is now very little sea glass.  But there is enough to get the idea and Ginger needs to wade in the water.  It's colder than she expected!  

Serenity

See the tiny ships on the horizon?

Taking a commemorative photo!

Scattered sea glass

Some "sea glass" is actually old pottery.

Christine says you used to be able to scoop it up by the handfuls.

We've agreed to meet Alick in half an hour and that gives the three of us girls time to play with our cameras. Christine turns us on to close-ups of the rusting cannons and it's amazing!  One of the highlights of the day for sure!

Alick is right on time and drives us back to town.  He has recommended a restaurant, Wahoo, and he drops us off right there. He also points out the dunking chair which he says is still in use.  I have to believe that it is part of some annual celebration.

The girls have the local cocktail, a Dark and Stormy, made with dark Bermuda rum and ginger beer and we order assorted goodies.  I have the mushroom tapenade, Christine has fish chowder and Ginger has scallops wrapped in back in a buttery sauce.  Nick has the conch fritters and the latter two are so good that we share them and order another round of scallops!  So good!  So expensive! It's an island, of course, and everything has to be imported.

These are at the entrance to Wahoo's.  You're welcome, Jan!

View from the restaurant

See that bright pink sail?  That denotes a student sailor!

Mushroom tapenade, with conch fritters in the background

Scallops, served like escargot

There is just a little time for shopping before we have to get back to the tender.  It's the only way back to the ship and only runs once!

Sorting at the sea-glass studio

We're back before our 3:00 all aboard and Ginger suggests a drink and some snacky thing since our dinner reservations are for 8:45!  After a bit on the outdoor deck, with our goodies from the buffet and assorted beverages (read that Bushwacker for me!) I really need to take a nap.  Between Nick's cough which I now fully claim as my own, the the extra challenges from my wind adventure, I run out of steam pretty quickly.  I fall so deeply asleep that I don't even hear my alarm which is right by my ear!

Ginger wakes me and there is just time to get downstairs to meet Christine at the bar adjacent to Cagney's, our specialty restaurant for tonight.  I just have ginger ale and by the time we've settled into some comfy chairs with bar snacks (which is a first on this cruise!) our table is ready. 

The NCL tender, Spirit of St. George

Alick's "card"

Crab cake with radish salad and lemon mustard cream

Lobster Bisque with roasted lobster morsels

That's a lot of prime rib! (16 ounces!)

Petite filet mignon with béarnaise sauce

grilled zucchini and sautéed garlic mushrooms

She did such a good job!

It's a lovely restaurant and is definitely fine dining.  Our waiter is from Bali and quite intent on giving us the full fine-dining experience.  I start with a crab cake and lobster bisque, with the petite filet mignon as my entree.  I choose salted mushrooms and grilled zucchini as my sides and a raspberry creme brûlée for dessert.  I can't finish any of it; but it's all tasty.  I even pass on sharing the bottle of Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon! As a result I sleep very well!  There isn't even a discussion of finding entertainment after dinner - just sleep for all!!