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Bermuda
Bermuda, a typical gorgeous tropical island with sunshine, azure waters, beaches galore and white roofs. Well, maybe the roofs aren't typical but Bermuda has no other coloured roofing material. I'll tell you about it later.
We docked behind a sister ship, the Caribbean Princess, another larger ship than ours. It was hot and we hadn't planned anything so we put on our hats and set off along the dock which was next to an old fort.
There was plenty of touristy shopping available in a nearby area called Dockland but we ignored that and headed for the bus stop. The bus took us into the capital city, Hamilton, the port of registration of our ship. Apparently Bermuda's income is largely derived from shipping registrations and from insurance. Most essentials are fairly expensive.
The main island is long and narrow and curves around like a monkey's tail. The bus trip to Hamilton took us through mostly urban areas of colourful, neat houses, all with peculiar white roofs. They looked like tile roofs that had been coated with thick plastic. All had a strange V shaped ridge near the eaves. What they are made of, apparently, is ground coral that is somehow treated. The ridge is to help collect water as there is no natural spring on the island. The whiteness must also help to keep the houses cool, I imagine.
We saw lots of moored boats in the coves and bays and everywhere was thick tropical vegetation. All very pretty.
After about an hour we arrived in Hamilton. The shops stretched along the main street which followed the waterfront. It was Saturday morning and not all the shops were open. We thought we'd have a drink in a waterfront bar or café but surprisingly there was none, in spite of the pretty view.
Eventually, after trailing along the street we found a bar that was open and in we went and ordered beer. I was hot and wanted a shandy so ordered a lemonade to mix with the beer. It arrived as a lemon juice loaded with a shot of sugar syrup and a shot of lime juice. Strange and not what I'd wanted but interesting all the same.
There was a duty free shop along the road and we had a need for more wine but it was like a jumble sale inside. After searching through a muddle of bottles of all types we came across a couple that we liked. One was an '08 Hardy's Merlot for about $10. The other was Chilean.
We caught the ferry back to the dock which was right on the inner curve of the tip of the monkey's tail. Hamilton is about halfway along.
Alan went off to explore and I set off back to the ship. I was soooo hot. I would have loved a swim at the nearby beach but honestly I couldn't walk even that far.
When back aboard, I went up to the pool but it was empty and so were all the others. Only the hot tubs had water in them. What a disappointment! Water, water everywhere nor any drop to swim in. Apologies, Coleridge.
Loony, you wanted to know if anyone has missed the ship. Yes, a couple did and had to catch up at the next port. Also, the Dawn Princess orchestrae was depleted in Cobh when two members returned to the ship a bit under the weather. They were told to pack and were left behind in Cobh. It wasn't until Bermuda that two new musicians came aboard.
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