Bermuda

Welcome to Bermuda
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5.19.2007 Hamilton, Bermuda

Yesterday at Bingo, everyone showed up wearing the badge of a crew member as Carola had asked us to do. Sallie had borrowed those belonging to Melanie and Dragos, the dance team-both of whom are quite small- and suggested that our badges were from staff members that most resembled us. It was good for a laugh. During the rest of the day we took it easy, playing cards, watching TV and dinning in.

This morning we got up and discovered it raining seriously for the first time on our trip.

Sujet and Mary Beth
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This was the first time we had ever arrived in Bermuda by sea and it was very interesting in spite of the rain. We have been here three previous times at company meetings and I came here once with my brother, Bob, and Dave Murchison to do some deep sea fishing but each time was by air. Coming into Bermuda and particularly Hamilton by ship is an entirely different and wonderful experience. Our ship is the biggest that can get through the narrow passage to the harbor. My pictures show how tight the fit is.

Museum and Commissioner's House
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We docked at 10 AM and at 10:45 we were in a cab with the West’s headed for the famous Mid Ocean Golf Club to do some shopping in their pro shop and to have lunch. After the ship’s concierge was unable to make a lunch reservation for us without an introduction from a member, Joanne went to work and thanks to son Jimmy was able to find a member who would contact the Club and arrange for us to get in. Later we discovered a passenger on the ship, Fernance Perry, belongs to the club and gave us his card if we needed it. We were welcomed but had the feeling that our sponsorship wasn’t as necessary as we had been told. It is a lovely club overlooking the ocean and the site of several important meetings between heads of government-particularly the U.S., Britain and Canada. One room is named for Eisenhower who loved coming there. On Oct. 16-17 The PGA’s 25^th Grand Slam of Golf will be held at Mid Ocean with Tiger Woods the defending champion. However, to qualify to participate he must win one of the 4 majors this year-Masters, U.S.Open, British Open or the PGA. So far Zach Johnson has qualified by winning this year’s Masters.

Dolphin show
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We had a nice lunch after picking up some shirts from the pro-shop and headed back to the ship. Since the ship is docked right downtown on Front Street Sallie and I did a little walking around before I left her to return and join the World Cruise group that were attending another special event planned by Siverseas.

We assembled and were welcomed to Bermuda by Carl Paiva, CEO, C Travel,Ltd, a local travel company who only represents one cruise line- Silverseas. We then walked next to the ferry terminal located next to our ship and boarded a ferry to the Royal Naval Dockyard-a 25 minute ride around the west side of the Great Sound so we could see the beautiful homes along the shore. We were met at the Dockyards by the Town Crier who escorted us to the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Before entering we enjoyed a terrific show by six wonderfully trained dolphins doing some amazing feats. In the Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition Hall of the museum we had champagne as we listened to a string quartet, were welcomed by Joe Proto, Sr. VP of Siverseas from Rome who was in charge of putting this world cruise together who introduced us to Dr. Edward Harris, Director of the museum. For a few remarks. We then saw a 15 minute preview of a film we will receive next month on DVD via mail when it is completed. It is a beautifully done review of our trip. Everyone is delighted to know that we will have this record to enjoy over a drink when we want to recall our experience.

They were good
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We then followed a Highland Bagpiper up the hill to the Commissioner’s House-the crown jewel of the museum. This is a must for anyone who visits Bermuda. Its exhibits, paintings and furniture are really worth seeing. While we were looking we were being entertained by a lovely vocalist ,Gita Blakeney Saltus and her quartet performing old favorites. Waiters offered anything we wanted to drink but encouraged us to try local favorites such as Dark & Stormy or Rum Swizzle. There were 8 food stations on the three floors of the museum serving a taste of Bermuda- more local favorites including a Bermuda dessert-strawberries and marshmallows dipped in hot melted chocolate or bananas foster. Before leaving a group of 8 beautifully costumed dancers, including a 3 and a 4 yr old, accompanied by 3 loud drums entertained us by dancing an athletic dance that resembled American Indians dancing around a campfire. The Bermuda Gombey is the island’ premier folk art and their dance is performed primarily at Easter and Christmas holidays. They were entertaining but a little too loud and a little too long. We then had the 15 minute (direct route) ferry ride back to the ship. All this was done in 5 hours and I returned to find since the West’s and Sallie had passed up this event (all three are older than I am) Joanne and Donny had invited Sallie to have a drink with them. I caught up with them just before they were headed back to their suite for room service and Sallie was saying she was ready for dinner. We joined the Maigdail’s for dinner but I didn’t eat much.

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When we returned to our suite we discovered a nicely wrapped gift It was a hard cover book entitled “Bermuda 1897” that includes 34 old black and white photos taken in Bermuda before 1897.

Now for a word about Bermuda. Bermuda became a British crown colony in 1864. Despite Bermuda’s reliance on trade with the American colonies, political bonds with Britain proved stronger during the American War of Independence when Bermuda remained loyal to the crown. During the War of 1812, the British Navy used Bermuda as a base from which to ransack Washington, D.C. The Americans responded by confiscating the unsecured cargo of Bermuda’s merchant fleet, devastating the local economy. Bermuda’s strategic location in the Atlantic secured its role in Allied military and intelligence operations in WWII. Although Bermuda has long prided itself on the relative harmony of race relations, riots and race antagonism in the 1970’s resulted in the removal of all de-facto discrimination and the beginning of talks on independence from Britain. In 1995 a political referendum for independence failed by a 2/3 majority as Bermudians became apprehensive about the political and economic cost of independence.

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The capital and port of Hamilton is a leading off shore business center with over 6ooo companies registered. Tourism is big in Bermuda. Its main attractions are the island’s temperate climate, pink sand beaches, pastel homes and bucolic landscapes that draw thousands of tourists each year. Bermuda boasts clean air and almost 100% literacy. There are no billboards, no graffiti, no litter and no rental cars. There are no casinos or major fast-food restaurants. To get around the nine parishes, or counties, visitors use the public bus system, taxis, bikes or motorized bicycles called “putt-putts.

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5.21.2007

Yesterday we woke up to another rainy day which discouraged us from going ashore before we sailed away at 2PM for NYC- our last stop. We started to pack before getting ready to attend the Captain’s farewell party which was a big and special one with everyone attending. Not only was it the last one for the World Cruise passengers and any others disembarking in NY but this was his swan song as Captain Chiesa will be retiring in NY. Most of the senior staff will be leaving the ship for a well earned vacation after this trip. More then 200 of the 350 passengers will be leaving but the ship will be almost full when it sails for Boston on Thursday. From there it will sail back across the Atlantic to South Hampton. Almost 100% of the passengers will be members of The Venetian Club-meaning they have sailed with Silversea previously. It will be a busy time for the remaining crew and those joining them to get the ship ready in a day and half.

Native drinks being served
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Capt. Chiesa was eloquent in his farewell talk. He talked of his 47 year career at sea and his 22 years as Capt. All senior officers of all of the Silverseas’s ships have sailed under his command. With representatives from every department on the ship proudly standing behind him he praised their performance particularly during this important cruise for Silversea-their first world cruise with a second announced for 2008. He thanked the passengers for their loyalty and congeniality. Most who have sailed with him before.

Plenty to eat
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After his party we had dinner with Joanne and Donny before going to a great performance by the star performing pianst/volcalist Michael Finestein. Everyone enjoyed his show and like some entertainers who have achieved his level of fame he seemed like a regular guy.

Today we finished packing and decided to contact the company picking us up and taking us home to find out if they can handle all our luggage. Both the West.s and the Wallace’s seem to have more than when we started. We have purchased a few things but also have accumulated a lot of mementos from the events put on for us.

Entertainment
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Tonight the four of us have been invited to join Joe Proto, of the Silverseas home office,

at his table for dinner. It should be interesting.

Tomorrow we will be picked up at 11 AM and are looking to being home tomorrow by this time. It has truly been one of the great experiences of our lives and we are so thankful we have been able to do it and with good friends, Joanne and Donny.