Bermuda - Not a Caribbean Island!

Bermuda is not a Caribbean island and that isa land vacation can be pricey when you consider
probably the most common misconception aboutthat the average hotel charges about $10 per
the island. Located in the North Atlantic, theperson for breakfast. The best way to enjoy a
nearest land mass is North Carolina, some 570Bermuda holiday is by ship. Cruises depart weekly
miles distant. Actually comprised of 150 tiny islandsfrom Boston and New York City and less
of volcanic origin, collectively Bermudafrequently from other ports such as Philadelphia
encompasses only 21 square miles of land. Theand Baltimore. After spending a day and a half at
locals tend to regard the connected islands as onesea, your ship will berth either in Hamilton, St.
and refer to the largest, Bermuda Island, simplyGeorge, or King's Wharf (the Royal Naval
as "the island". Discovered by the Spanish captainDockyard).The most desirable itineraries are those
Juan de Bermudez in the 1500s, Bermudathat include the former two city ports because
flourished as a colony of Great Britain after thethe Dockyard's location is isolated, although new
arrival of English settlers in the early 1600s andfacilities offer a few shopping diversions and pubs.
those ties continue to the present. An internallyAfter spending a couple nights in either Hamilton
self-governing British dependency with aor St. George, your ship will move to the other
parliamentary government, the official head ofport for the remainder of your Bermuda stay.
state is the British monarch. It is one of theShips at the Dockyard generally don't
smallest territories in the world (Monaco andreposition.The Gulf Stream's warming effect
Gibraltar are the only notable ones smaller ininsures a frost free, mild climate. Cruising "season"
size).This tiny tranquil island country is a study incoincides with Bermuda's "high season"-April
contrasts. The inevitable first question everyonethrough October. A word of caution, this is also
asks is about the beaches, "Is the sand reallyAtlantic "Hurricane Season" and your itinerary
pink?" Yes, it is-and the water is crystal clear.could be severely impacted if one blows your
Bermuda's palette is pastel... pink, coral, green andway. Sailing time to and from the US can range
every shade of blue. The beaches, architecturefrom mirror calm to rough and rocky, although
and water surrounding Bermuda display a rainbowthe latter is uncommon.Visitors are permitted to
of soft color accented by white roofs and colorfulstay for up to 21 days (giving you 1 day to
flora. Those white roofs gleam and areexplore each square mile of the island). Extensions
spectacularly clean for good reason. Fresh waterare only granted by the Bermuda Department of
is scarce on Bermuda and rainwater is channeledImmigration and are the exception rather than the
into cisterns for later use.Like no other islandrule.Most expat workers tend to be from the UK,
destination, Bermuda lulls her visitors with so muchCanada, Ireland, the Caribbean and the US.
charm and reserve. British formality is the rule,There's a strong Italian contingent in the hospitality
with subtle African influences simmering justindustry and growing numbers of Filipinos and
below the surface-most evident in the popularityIndians. Don't even think about coming to
of Gombey music and dance. StubbornlyBermuda as a tourist and trying to find work. Not
conservative, afternoon tea is the order of theonly is it illegal, but is likely to be futile and will
day and traditional British values predominate.definitely be expensive. The last thing employers
Politeness and neatness in dress are highlywant to get is a bad name with the Department
appreciated by native Bermudans.King Edward'sof Immigration. Any sensible employer won't even
armed forces were the first residents to modifylook at you.If you want to get a job in Bermuda
their uniform trousers to acclimatize them foryou must be off the island when you apply. All
Bermuda's balmy weather-thus, the birth ofpositions must be open to Bermudians first; only if
"Bermuda" shorts. Hamilton businessmen can bethere are no suitable applicants can a
seen scooting about on mopeds in full businessnon-Bermudian be hired. Good places to look for
attire of jacket and tie with Bermuda shorts andpotential employment are specialist recruitment
knee-high socks. They are de rigueur ashore butagencies and the websites of local businesses. The
frowned upon in cruise ship diningRoyal Gazette, Bermuda's daily newspaper carries
rooms.Bermudans make it look so easy to zipa wide range of advertisements on their website.
about on a scooter and, because cars are notPresuming you are successful in your quest for a
available for rent, many tourists get their firstjob, there are a number of issues to be
taste of freewheeling in Bermuda. Avoiding "Roadconsidered when relocating. While the salaries paid
Rash" is paramount to seeing the sights on aare very good, the cost of living is quite high.
moped. Pick up a copy of the local rules of theMost contracts are for a maximum of five years,
road from the Bermuda Road Safety Councilrenewable at the employer's option. And becoming
when you rent one, fasten your helmet and drivea permanent resident in next to impossible. Even
on the LEFT. Always on the left.While Bermudaif you marry a Bermudian, you won't be eligible
has dozens of resorts, small hotels and cottages,for citizenship for ten years at the earliest.