Simon Calder, travel writer and guru for the United Kingdom’s national daily newspaper “The Independent“, took a quick trip to Bermuda and reported back on the highlights of his stay in “48 Hours in Bermuda.”
48 Hours: Bermuda (MARCH 09, 2012) This fascinating Atlantic outpost combines colonial history with great beaches, as SIMON CALDER reveals IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BERMUDA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
“Be careful how hard you hit that ball in your next cricket match; you never know where youll have to go searching for it, or what you might find. According to local lore, in the early 1900s two boys went searching for a lost ball and stumbled upon an enchanting underground spectacle now known as the Crystal & Fantasy Caves. You wont have to press through the same small hole that the Hollis brothers did to encounter this phenomenon of geological formations; the caves now have a visitors entrance, guided tours and constructed walkways that descend 120 feet under the earths surface.
Upon entering the Crystal Caves youll discover the reason behind their name is as clear as the water that fills them. Although theyre deep within the earth, the waters of underground Cahow Lake shimmer in rich deep turquoise. Stroll across the pontoon bridge pathways along the surface of the lake, passing countless white helictites, which are characterized by their clustered, abstract and jagged formations. Stalactites trickle down from the ceiling and stalagmites emerge through the clear water from the caves floor, 50 feet below.
Adventurous types will find a heart-pumping descent next-door at Fantasy Cave. A steep journey underground leads to a treasure trove of constellations with soda straw formations dripping from above and calcite mineral deposits ornamenting the cave walls like frozen crystalline waterfalls. Standing on bridged pathways over the illuminated water, youll get just a teasing glimpse of the interconnecting passageways that lead out to the ocean.
After the tough climb out of Fantasy Cave you can re-energize on the grounds, with a light bite or drink at Cafe Olé followed by a visit to Fiddlestix, where you can buy your very own precious crystal memorabilia.”
Bermuda is not just one island. It’s actually to over 120 small islands. Beyond the famous pink sand beaches, there are sunken treasures and unique geological features that you can only see if you get off the shore and into the water. On a boat, you can see shipwrecks from five centuries and 15 countries. There are also mysterious off-shore caves that are not your typical view from the beach. Peter Greenberg explores Bermuda from the ocean in the first installment of Hidden Gems: Bermuda.
Join Julie Conover and Mark Jennings on a tour of Bermuda’s Colonial buildings and their stories
Stories of mysterious disappearances in “the triangle” and confusion over it’s location makeBermuda one of the most misunderstood islands on earth. Strategically located in the middle of the Atlantic, Bermuda played an important role in American history and early trading between the continents. Towns like St. George’s and Hamilton bear the mark of the British colonies with pastel colored buildings and residents who speak ‘proper’ English! Mark and Julie head out to sea for the Kings Cup Regatta, where Americas Cup captains face off in local Bermudian vessels and they discover the spectacular undersea world on a diving trip. At the Royal Dockyard, they get up close and personal with the residents at Dolphin Quest
Indulging your mermaid (or merman) fantasies has never been easier, thanks to the many swim-with-dolphins centers that have popped up in nearly every beach tourist destination. Rarely, however, will you find a dolphin center that treats the friendly sea mammals with the level of devoted care shown at Dolphin Quest in Bermuda. Dolphin Quest is located at the well-respected Bermuda Maritime Museum, where the dolphins live in a safe and secure environment, receive daily health care and are consistently stimulated by games and people. Both children and adults can enjoy the numerous activities, including feeding the dolphins, swimming with them or riding a scooter alongside them while they swim. For the ultimate dolphin experience, try the Trainer for a Day Program, which allows you to assist in health examinations, observe training programs and interact with the dolphins for more than five hours. Though the ultimate fantasy would be to swim with them in the wild, only at Dolphin Quest will you get close enough for a kiss.
In 1926 The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) was established by the Bermuda Government to enhance a growing tourism industry. Since that time the Aquarium has become a leader in environmental education and conservation.
Thirty years ago, John F. Kennedy observed that although 70 percent of the earth is covered by water, mankind lavished more money, energy and time on studying the surface of the moon than on learning about the oceans of our own planet.
And sadly, despite enormous improvements in technology, we still focus more on the stars above than on the seas around us.
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute can be a pioneer in redressing that lunatic imbalance. By focusing on everything from marine biology to the technology of underwater exploration and deep-ocean ecology, by offering the public glimpses of all the wonders beneath the surface, the Institute will foster a greater appreciation and understanding of this last critical frontier. . .
