BERMUDA TRAVEL

Paradise Found TRAVEL

Bermuda is as Beautiful as it Ever Was. Pack Some Shorts and Knee Socks and See for Yourself.

HE BERMUDAN IMAGE IS ALMOST surreal. At once there are clouds hovering above you as well as some beneath you. The scene is so mind-boggling, so beyond anything you’ve seen. You’ll ask your friendly cabbie to pull over so you can capture the mo ment with your digital camera. There’s no way anybody back home is gonna believe me! But before you can exit the taxi for the shot, your driver saves you from further embarrassment. While the periodic dots of white in the sky are indeed clouds, those at the bottom aren’t.

All the white is actually polished limestone atop the roofs on the island. Why the lime stone? Because the island offers no freshwater lakes, Bermudans must collect the rainwater for sustenance. The white limestone roofs pu rify the water and filter it into a cistern for each house. It’s both an engineering and aesthetic work of beauty.

Of course, it’s nothing new that the words “Bermuda” and ‘beauty” run together. What is a bit of news, however, is that tourism dollars have seemingly gotten lost in the Bermuda Triangle the past few decades. The English territory’s board of tourism’s main objective is finding them. Through various promotions, the majestic isle of about 21 miles is creating ripples in the travel industry with a campaign essentially saying, “We are here! We are wel coming! We are open—even when it’s not time for the Bermuda Music Festival!” The following headlines should also do the trick in grabbing the attention of anyone looking for somewhere new for splendid sand, sensational sun and Swizzle sips this summer. BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS T

WELCOME TO PRESERVATION ISLAND We have nothing against Jamaica, the Bahamas and popular locales like that. They all do certain things like frozen drinks and 75 degree temperatures pretty well. But in terms of a not-so-far-off island (Bermuda is roughly 400 miles east of North Carolina) keeping most of its native culture thriving, few places in the Caribbean can compare to Bermuda. With only one fast food stop (a KFC locals say “snuck in”) and no Jimmy Buffet-like novelty clubs in the capitol city of Hamilton, the isle rings familiar without ever crossing into a tacky t-shirt tourist trap. That government ordinances also prohibit buildings from being over a certain height is another thing keeping traditional integrity sound. You have to wonder if privateers knew the basic laws they laid about the place upon settling it in the 1600s would still be applicable in the 21st century. A REST BY ANY OTHER NAME JUST ISN’T THE SAME

Sadly, the flip side to saying no to McDonald’s, Hard Rock Café and Holiday Inn is that you’re probably saying yes to companies with higher price tags. But rather than accommoda tions and other aspects of vacationing being labeled expensive, Bermuda would rather tourists view it all as investments in superior service and quality. Examples of both can certainly be found at the relaxing cottages of Elbow Beach and Cambridge Beaches.

Still, the crown of the Bermudan lodging crown is the Fairmont Southampton (doubles from $259; 800-441-1414). Beyond superb attention to customer service, the resort also thrives off its natural beauty. There’s a spectac ular golf course and a private cove only a trolley ride away. A calming ferry trip –gorgeous views of the limestone-topped homes included!- can take you from the hotel to the Southampton’s sister resort, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, into the active downtown area. FOOOORE ALL YOUR SPORTS NEEDS Though the island has struggled with lagging tourism dollars since the 80s, two markets keep coming back for more—golfers and honey mooners. Surprising to many, bedroom games and greens (The P GAGrand Slam of Golf will take place Oct. 13-15) aren’t the only sports native to the island. Tennis, biking, water sports and, of course, soccer are a huge deal. Running, which is highlighted by the Bermuda International Race Weekend in January, is also taken seriously. But if you come to the island in the fall and winter, you must catch a harness race, a horsing event that’ll feel like a scene from Gladiator, if for only a few hours. FISH CHOWDER: MMM, MMM GOOD

Actor Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, who call Bermuda home, can afford whatever they want for dinner. All the rest of us have to consider the budgetary aspects before ordering. Thankfully, when you stop by Rock Island Gourmet (441-296-5241) or the Paraquet Restaurant (441-236-9742), the prices aren’t bad and the sandwiches and desserts are really good.

Elbow Beach’s Café Lido (441-236-9884) is a bit more costly with its Mediterranean-touched seafood menu, but the oceanfront experience is out of this world. Like with any reputable Bermudan eatery, you’ll want to start the night off with a bowl of the spiced-just-right fish chow der the area is famous for. The chilled prawns are also a smart appetizer. Salmon or Bermuda lobster make for a perfect entrée. A vintage red wine or Swizzle, a rum-based cocktail locals can’t live without, puts the exclamation point on the evening.

LIFE’S NOT A BEACH While totally understandable how you’d want to spend six consecutive hours on the beach reading Mary Higgins Clark, you might want to trim the page turning and see some of the sites. For Bermuda to be about the size of Fulton County there is all sorts of fun to be had on the rocky paradise. History buffs will certainly appreciate the Verdmont Museum or Camden House tour. Shoppers will bask in all the cute shops near the Royal Naval Dockyard. Adventure seekers can saddle up for some early-morning galloping in the dunes at the Spicelands Riding Centre.

Of course, there wouldn’t be an island adventure without some underwater critters. It’s of no matter if you want simulated submarines (Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute) or real sharks and turtles (Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo), you’re in luck. If you’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins, you’re in grand shape, too. Dolphin Quest has a lagoon where Flipper swims and people ride alongside him on water scooters.