More Bermuda…

….but not much.  This is the real Bermuda short.  Okay, moving on from that joke.

We were in port overnight but did not go back out after dinner.  There is not much close by except shops.  There is a pirate ship that is a bar.  It looked quite lively with its red lights shining through the portholes and the loud music blaring.  It was probably full of our crew.  They like overnight stops because they have time to go out.  I know our waitress who served us at dinner in the buffet was going to a private party at the beach.  She was excited. This is her first contract and after spending the summer sailing in Europe she wants to experience island life.  A far cry from her Russian country town.

Carol and I went for a walkabout.  We spent about an hour and a half just strolling up as far as the bridge.  In the drug store she was looking for a gift for the lady who will be giving her a ride home from the bus when they get to Canaveral.  I suggested the black rum instead of another magnet.  Too bad the ship port talk didn’t tell us that the duty free benefit expired the night before for our ship.  Not sure why.  I did let the Shore Excursion people know for future reference but of course they would rather you buy onboard so maybe they just didn’t share that info.

It isn't a doorway or gateway is someone doesn't pose in it!  These are taken looking toward the port at the entrance from the Dockyard Bridge.

There were lots of yachts in port.  Carol was telling me she has friends with boats and after the initial thrill wears off they do not go out as often.  When she goes with one friend they all spend more time cleaning the boat after a day out than they spend enjoying the cruise!

 

The Clock Tower Mall is in the old Customs Building.  It is a true landmark.  Why two clock towers. One is a clock with the correct time and the other is the dial telling what time the next 'High Water' or high tide is in!  Both clocks are kept accurate and relied on by the extensive ferry boat system, cruise ships, and those famous yachts!






 
We saw a bunch of middle schoolers gathered near the sloop that is docked here.  I spoke with a lady who was a teacher.  It was her turn to chaperone the class for a week aboard.  In 8^th grade the sail for a week learning to operate and what is involved in sailing a sloop.  I wanted to know how a sloop differs from an ordinary sailboat other than just size!

7th grade kids do a week learning to sail in regular sailboats and 6^th graders learn water safety and life guarding.  These are mandatory classes, not just field trips.  Every child, whether in public or private school, participates not just the good kids or the ones with certain grades.  I think this program is great.  If you are going to live on an island these are valuable skills.  And with a non- industrial, service based economy many will be working with or on boats for their adult careers.  Middle school is a good time to catch their imagination and have them begin to think of what they might do later on.

The children formed a circle around the captain of the sloop as their parents reluctantly walked away.  Final instructions were given.  All together, teacher, crew and children, joined hands as the circle become one of prayer for a safe week of sailing!

We also spoke with a woman who arrived this morning from New York on the NCL Dawn.  She was complaining that they were waiting to check in on Friday for more than five hours.  Turns out the Dawn was turning over new passengers in New York and guess where it needed to dock!  Yep!  Pier 88, Berth 2 where we were still firmly attached to the dock by a recalcitrant gangway!  Waiting to sail is a disheartening way to begin a trip.  But the people waiting to disembark were probably beside themselves, especially if they had planes to catch!  Five hours for them would be a lifetime of frustration and complaining.  Or it was their big chance to visit New York, or perhaps take in a matinee and they were missing out on their planned adventure. If they were not in a hurry to leave they probably enjoyed having one more lunch and a good laugh at the dumb stuck ship!   Lots of speculation would be going around for sure!

This old pink bus is now the Segway Tour office.  Practical recycling for a tiny island!

Getting a little windy back on board the Celebrity Silhouette.

Our sail away was very nice.  The ship quietly slipped sideways from the dock at Heritage Wharf.  We watched as the Captain deftly threaded his way our of the treacherous Bermuda reefs and safely took us into open waters of the the Atlantic Ocean. We went to lunch, and a talk by Alejandro on becoming a Cruise Director was our afternoon  entertainment.  Mostly we just enjoyed the beautiful sea turning bluer with every nautical mile.  Our balcony was catching the warmth of the sun.  Elva dozed for a while and I was reading before time to go back for one more trivia.  

Even the sunsets are pink in Bermuda!