| Bermuda is not a Caribbean island and that is | | | | a land vacation can be pricey when you consider |
| probably the most common misconception about | | | | that the average hotel charges about $10 per |
| the island. Located in the North Atlantic, the | | | | person for breakfast. The best way to enjoy a |
| nearest land mass is North Carolina, some 570 | | | | Bermuda holiday is by ship. Cruises depart weekly |
| miles distant. Actually comprised of 150 tiny islands | | | | from Boston and New York City and less |
| of volcanic origin, collectively Bermuda | | | | frequently from other ports such as Philadelphia |
| encompasses only 21 square miles of land. The | | | | and Baltimore. After spending a day and a half at |
| locals tend to regard the connected islands as one | | | | sea, your ship will berth either in Hamilton, St. |
| and refer to the largest, Bermuda Island, simply | | | | George, or King's Wharf (the Royal Naval |
| as "the island". Discovered by the Spanish captain | | | | Dockyard).The most desirable itineraries are those |
| Juan de Bermudez in the 1500s, Bermuda | | | | that include the former two city ports because |
| flourished as a colony of Great Britain after the | | | | the Dockyard's location is isolated, although new |
| arrival of English settlers in the early 1600s and | | | | facilities offer a few shopping diversions and pubs. |
| those ties continue to the present. An internally | | | | After spending a couple nights in either Hamilton |
| self-governing British dependency with a | | | | or St. George, your ship will move to the other |
| parliamentary government, the official head of | | | | port for the remainder of your Bermuda stay. |
| state is the British monarch. It is one of the | | | | Ships at the Dockyard generally don't |
| smallest territories in the world (Monaco and | | | | reposition.The Gulf Stream's warming effect |
| Gibraltar are the only notable ones smaller in | | | | insures a frost free, mild climate. Cruising "season" |
| size).This tiny tranquil island country is a study in | | | | coincides with Bermuda's "high season"-April |
| contrasts. The inevitable first question everyone | | | | through October. A word of caution, this is also |
| asks is about the beaches, "Is the sand really | | | | Atlantic "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 and | | | | way. Sailing time to and from the US can range |
| every shade of blue. The beaches, architecture | | | | from mirror calm to rough and rocky, although |
| and water surrounding Bermuda display a rainbow | | | | the latter is uncommon.Visitors are permitted to |
| of soft color accented by white roofs and colorful | | | | stay for up to 21 days (giving you 1 day to |
| flora. Those white roofs gleam and are | | | | explore each square mile of the island). Extensions |
| spectacularly clean for good reason. Fresh water | | | | are only granted by the Bermuda Department of |
| is scarce on Bermuda and rainwater is channeled | | | | Immigration and are the exception rather than the |
| into cisterns for later use.Like no other island | | | | rule.Most expat workers tend to be from the UK, |
| destination, Bermuda lulls her visitors with so much | | | | Canada, 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 just | | | | industry and growing numbers of Filipinos and |
| below the surface-most evident in the popularity | | | | Indians. Don't even think about coming to |
| of Gombey music and dance. Stubbornly | | | | Bermuda as a tourist and trying to find work. Not |
| conservative, afternoon tea is the order of the | | | | only 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 highly | | | | want to get is a bad name with the Department |
| appreciated by native Bermudans.King Edward's | | | | of Immigration. Any sensible employer won't even |
| armed forces were the first residents to modify | | | | look at you.If you want to get a job in Bermuda |
| their uniform trousers to acclimatize them for | | | | you must be off the island when you apply. All |
| Bermuda's balmy weather-thus, the birth of | | | | positions must be open to Bermudians first; only if |
| "Bermuda" shorts. Hamilton businessmen can be | | | | there are no suitable applicants can a |
| seen scooting about on mopeds in full business | | | | non-Bermudian be hired. Good places to look for |
| attire of jacket and tie with Bermuda shorts and | | | | potential employment are specialist recruitment |
| knee-high socks. They are de rigueur ashore but | | | | agencies and the websites of local businesses. The |
| frowned upon in cruise ship dining | | | | Royal Gazette, Bermuda's daily newspaper carries |
| rooms.Bermudans make it look so easy to zip | | | | a wide range of advertisements on their website. |
| about on a scooter and, because cars are not | | | | Presuming you are successful in your quest for a |
| available for rent, many tourists get their first | | | | job, there are a number of issues to be |
| taste of freewheeling in Bermuda. Avoiding "Road | | | | considered when relocating. While the salaries paid |
| Rash" is paramount to seeing the sights on a | | | | are very good, the cost of living is quite high. |
| moped. Pick up a copy of the local rules of the | | | | Most contracts are for a maximum of five years, |
| road from the Bermuda Road Safety Council | | | | renewable at the employer's option. And becoming |
| when you rent one, fasten your helmet and drive | | | | a permanent resident in next to impossible. Even |
| on the LEFT. Always on the left.While Bermuda | | | | if 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. |