PHOTOS AND FOOTNOTES FROM BERMUDA
BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted August 12, 2005)
Today, more thoughts and photos from Bermuda, where we gathered last week for my daughter's wedding.
You'll notice five little pictures attached to this essay.
Photo #1 shows what Horseshoe Bay looks like in the travel brochures -- a beautiful, curved stretch of shoreline paradise.
Photo #2 shows the reality of what happens most days on Horseshoe Bay.....
Thousands of tourists gather to enjoy the splendor.
But even with the crowd, it's truly a beautiful place, with spectacular crystal blue water, pink sand, and all framed by towering lava formations.
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And if you climb over and through a few of those rocks, you'll be rewarded with dozens of small coves and private little stretches of beach that are breathtaking.
Photo #3 shows just how small some of those coves can be...... that's my lovely wife Karen standing in her own private little cove, no bigger than about 5 feet by 12 feet.
Photo #4 shows my daughter Darcy, the new bride, walking along Elbow Beach with her husband Darin, and already being stalked by paparazzi. Oh wait, that's the photographer we hired to be there.
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Photo #5 shows my daughter McKensie (the flower girl), and four year old grandson Felix (the ring bearer).
As soon as the ceremony ended, they headed straight for the water.
Within seconds of this photo, the inevitable happened..... and McKensie spent the rest of the evening wearing a dry, oversized T-shirt.
Finally, a few tips for those who might someday travel to Bermuda.
The best bargain for a tourist is the government-operated ferry boat across the bay.
Not unlike the Staten Island Ferry in New York City, a small fare gets you a fun ride and a terrific view of the bay and everything that surrounds it.
In Bermuda, unlike here at home, there are no free refills on your iced tea. You'll pay at least $2.50 for tea -- and for each refill, it'll be another $2.50. Same goes for soft drinks.
And if you're hoping for fast food, you're out of luck in Bermuda.
Years ago, they banned the usual line-up of fast food chains, to ensure the survival of local restaurants..... and it worked..... the local restaurants are excellent.
The only exception is one KFC in Hamilton that was already operating when the ban took effect.
Out of necessity - (we were starving) - the very first place we dined on the island was that KFC.
And, FYI, the KFC does offer free refills.
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