day 2: bermuda shorts and an octopus

it's day 2 in bermuda. much was spent getting reacquainted with memories and remembering the twists and turns of the narrow streets and recognizing landmarks.
we began the day in downtown hamilton where not much has changed with the row of shops on front street. designer wares and cuban cigars, not to mention goslings rum, are everywhere. when the ships are in dockyard (currently, no longer docking in hamilton harbor but will return next year), the boat people flock to this spot by ferry. this is the global business heart and essence of bermuda, where the old meets the new.

downtown hamilton

the island's symbol - bermuda shorts - are most visible during the week, when executives and business men wear the 'suit' that has become a nation's image. bermuda shorts, with dress shirt and tie and knee socks.  it is friday around noon in hamilton and we do a double-take each time a man walks by. and when they hop onboard their scooter and fly through the downtown streets, you know you've experienced true bermudian culture.

bermuda shorts

north shore road

north of hamilton is north shore road which takes the northern route by the sea.

in flatts, we visited the bermuda aquarium museum and zoo. the bermuda zoological society is home to much of the life that you see surrounding the island of bermuda. with a $10 admission, visitors can visit the aquarium as well as roam throughout the zoo and see turtles, alligators and even flamingos.

aqua man

the spirited octopus

the keepers with charlotte the seal

during feeding time, we met the four seals, all descendants of charlotte, the 36 year old seal. although she has cataracts in both eyes and is blind, she's as curious as her children and has learned to communicate well with her trainers.

our evening took us to dockyard where most watersports depart. from paget (which is about mid-island) the drive takes us about 45 minutes. we booked a friday evening sunset cruise - on friday the 13th - during a full moon - to the bermuda triangle. come of find out, we were the only two on the entire island that had enough courage. as any good businesswoman would react, the owner decided to postpone the cruise until she could fill her boat. instead, we spent time sitting at the dock, getting to know the husband and wife team of geri and kirk roberts - yes, captain kirk. we were immediately swept away by their hospitality and love of bermuda. a life-long resident of bermuda and the owner of a fleet of boats, geri is quick to invite people to visit bermuda and to come let she and her crew show you the best parts of the island. captain kirk's coral reef adventures offers everything from sunset cruises to fishing to charters. we're spending tomorrow night with them and plan on booking more this coming week. in fact, she shared her friend's tour, hidden gems of bermuda, a seven -hour trek via van to the 'hidden' parts of these 22 miles. we're booking that tomorrow, but i will opt out of the cliff dive! :) 

see you later, gater!

geri roberts of captain kirk's adventures