Gym's Ramblings: Atlantic Odyssey 2025: Bermuda

The 2025 visit to Bermuda differed in many ways from the first time our adventurers were introduced to this island. In 2016 they arrived from the east, on the heels of Hurricane Nicole. The seas were very choppy and as their's was the first ship to dock after the hurricane, Mr. G had expected to find devastation. That was not the case though and the ship's passengers were more rattled than the locals who were calmly sweeping up the last bits of palm frond that littered the streets.

On April 23, 2025, the MS Vista pulled into the old Royal Naval Dock Yard, from the west. She had cruised in on flat seas and under blue skies. The Captain steered into a spot behind a big Norwegian Cruise Line ship and parallel-parked the Vista like it was a Smartcar. They would overnight there and the crew would have a chance to go to the karaoke bar that night. The passengers would dine on the ship and have most of the next day to explore the island.

On April 24, Gym and his lovely sidekick chose to employ a fifth-generation Bermudian guide named Aeon, to show them around. They jumped in his black van and were entertained all morning by his enlightening discourse on all things Bermudian. Some of the high-lights of his narrative are captured below:

- In 2016, Gym learned that by law, the colourful buildings on the island were built with reinforced concrete sides and limestone roofs. This is why they withstand hurricanes so well. Aeon provided a few more tidbits in that regard. The island which has no fresh water streams, rivers or ponds, collects all of its drinking, bathing and washing water off the roofs of its buildings. All roofs must be re-surfaced every two years with an impermeable coating of a lime-based whitewash, keeping them in pristine shape. The rain flows off these roofs and into cisterns below each building and many locals do not even treat it before filling up their water bottles.

-You can paint your Bermudian house whatever colour you want but it has to be different than all the other houses on your street. The resultant appearance is a bunch of skittles, capped by brilliant white roofs. This brightens things up on the island quite a bit.
-The massive Fairmont Southhampton Resort which sits on one of the highest points in Bermuda, on 100 acres of pristine grounds, is currently undergoing a $500 million renovation. It may become a much sought after vacation spot for all of the ACCOR hotel enthusiasts. It is very close to Bermuda's best pink sand beach at Horseshoe Bay.
- Aeon told us Bermuda's reefs are not susceptible to bleaching due to the island's northerly location and cooler water. This is a hopeful sign that Bermuda's reefs may survive the major threats to other reefs worldwide by global warming.

Aeon dropped the dynamic duo off in Hamilton for 45 minutes to find our hero some flip-flops so he could fit in with the pool deck crowd. Later Aeon returned then to the ship which would set sail later that day for Charleston.

Bermuda has a great vibe, there are lots of great bars and restaurants and everything is very neat and tidy.