Bermuda

 

Bermuda, a sub-tropical Atlantic archipelago north of the Caribbean, east of South Carolina, used to be a refuge for pirates. Now it is a vacation haven for 600,000 visitors each year.
Most go for the peace and quiet, secluded beaches, crystal-clear waters, manicured landscapes and a holiday destination that is old-fashioned, formal and genteel.
 
Capital:            Hamilton
 
Currency:         Bermudan Dollar      $0.98 = $1 USD       US$ widely accepted

Population:      60,000

Area:                22 square miles (57 sq km)

Languages:      English

Economy:         Tourism

Religion: Faiths with services on the island include African Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist.

Government:    Independent state within the British Commonwealth

Telephone Codes:   - 1 - 441

Airport Departure Tax:
 
Passport/Visa requirements: Australian Passport holders do not need visas.
 
Health Certificates:      None required. Contact health authorities for latest information.
 
Shopping Hours:          0900 - 1730, Monday to Saturday, with some open later and on Sundays.

Banking Hours:            Monday- Thursday 0930 – 1500 : Friday 0930 – 1630
 
Time Zone:      13 hours behind Sydney (EST).No Daylight Saving Time is observed.
 
Electricity:        110v, 60 cycles
 
Weather: Bermuda has a remarkably mild climate that seldom sees extremes of either hot or cold. During the winter months (December through March), temperatures average 70°F. The hottest part of the year is between May and mid-October, when temperatures range from 75°F to 85°F. The summer months are somewhat drier, although rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
 
Transport: Since rental cars are not allowed, you can travel by bus, taxi, ferry, bicycle, or by horse and carriage. The most popular form of transportation in Bermuda is the motor scooter.
 
  
 
An act of God in 1609 put Bermuda and its 180 islets on the map as the second-oldest British settlement in the New World. A ship carrying settlers to Virginia was wrecked off the coast by a hurricane, but passengers and crew survived on the uninhabited and fertile land. The story gave Shakespeare the inspiration for The Tempest.
Today a self-governing colony, Bermuda’s British flavor remains strong. There are wonderful facilities for tennis and golf – particularly challenging in the changing winds. The centre of social and night life is the pub, and the island’s parishes, names and institutions are reminders of its colonial motherland.
The cuisine in Bermuda, however, is global – you can sample everything from an exquisite Asian curry to locally-caught lobster in the restaurants of Hamilton, the capital, and St George’s. International fast-food, apart from one Kentucky Fried Chicken, is off the menu – but visitors can find fine goods, at discount prices, from all over the world.
There are many boats for hire on the island, to sail yourself or enjoy a leisurely trip exploring the coastline. Your captain will drop anchor to allow you to picnic on a secluded beach or dine onboard by candlelight and moonlight.
The island is perfect for snorkeling and diving, with the clear waters allowing magnificent views of sparkling coral and a multitude of sea life. You can even take in the underwater scene in a glass-bottomed boat, or fish for plentiful wahoo, marlin and tuna off one of the three main offshore reefs.
When you want a break from strolling the town, try the old Railway Trail. For this walk, almost the entire length of the island, pack your shorts – Bermudas, of course.