From the Tarmac

Last week I told you about a great deal from WestJet, a Canadian airline that will begin flying nonstop from Toronto to Bermuda at super low prices. How low you ask? As little as $129 each way beginning on May 3, a fare I found easily by searching on its website. Today there’s more good news from the tarmac, but this time it’s for all you islanders out there. That’s right Bermuda, this one’s for you. Feel like going to Europe? Then check out this massive seat sale from British Airways: From today through February 16, the trans-Atlantic carrier will be selling fares from Bermuda to London for as little as $150 each way. That means a roundtrip ticket to the UK costs $300 plus taxes and fees, which clock in at $353.94 for a total of $653.94. Sure, it’s unfortunate to have to pay more for the taxes than for the ticket but such is the state of modern aviation. Bottom line, it’s still one whopper of a deal, but you’ve gotta act fast: The sale lasts until February 16 and is valid for travel from that date through March 28. Happy jetting Bermuda!

Jazz On The Rock

It’s not every day a Grammy award-winning musical act visits Bermuda. Sure, Mary J. Blige performed last summer and superstar turned Haitian relief king Wyclef Jean dropped by for the Bermuda Music Festival in October (along with special guests Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Patti Austin and James Ingram who teamed up for a rendition of We Are The World). But it’s not like it happens all the time, so when it does, I make sure to line up for tickets. Two weeks ago I told you about a performance by the Soweto Gospel Choir, a soulful troupe that brilliantly kicked off this year’s Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts. Fortunately for us islanders the culture fest continued over the weekend with a rousing performance by Arturo O’Farrill and his 17-piece Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Son of famed composer and trumpeter Chico O’Farrill, Arturo created the ensemble in 2002 along with legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and the support of Manhattan’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. Together they’ve since won the 2009 Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year for “Song for Chico,” including sultry tunes like Caravan and Such Love, both of which the band played with aplomb on Saturday night. (Wanna hear what they sound like? Go here). It was a barn-burner of a performance filled with fast-paced Latin percussion, thick brassy horns and grand piano solos from Arturo himself. Best of all a local musician even got in on the action: When the plane of one of the band’s trombonists couldn’t land in Bermuda due to wind, Arturo sought out his temporary replacement by tapping an island resident to fill in. His name was Graham and he totally rocked it, even being selected by the bandleader to be the featured soloist during the orchestra’s finale. Three cheers to you Arturo and of course, to the band, which is officially welcome back to Bermuda anytime. You come back real soon, ya hear? I'll be the first guy in line.

Reef Patrol

It’s no secret that Bermuda has some of the most idyllic beaches in the world. Just take a look at the stunning south shore, with miles upon miles of powdery pink sand, a rosy hue derived from a mix of calcium carbonate, crushed coral and pulverized protozoa. Indeed Bermuda is a gem of the Atlantic but the island would be a much different place if it weren’t for it’s thriving coral reefs. Just ask Sir George Somers who shipwrecked on the reefs and eventually, an east end beach creating an island nation in 1609. What? He’s dead? Right, right. Carry on then. According to the Department of Conservation Services, Bermuda’s coral reefs are more than just a popular dive site: A recent departmental study found the island's coral reef ecosystem has a total economic value of more than $700 million, potentially amounting to $1.1 billion per year. In case you’re trying to do the math, that’s 12% of Bermuda’s GDP, which currently is the highest per capita in the world. So how exactly do the reefs generate all that revenue? In addition to supporting a vast network of tourism activity—dive operations, fishing charters, snorkeling outfitters—the reefs provide substantial economic benefits by protecting the coast and its infrastructure from damaging storms and hurricanes. In short, the reefs are Bermuda’s greatest protectors. I’m not sure if we needed a study to tell us how important they are, but to the government's credit, this report solidifies the reefs' value, perceived and otherwise. So the next time you're in the water, think twice before you touch one of Bermuda's most valuable commodities. The reefs are indeed a living, breathing asset.

Free Vacation, Anyone?

On Monday I told you about the latest promotion from the Bermuda Department of Tourism, a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend including luxurious accommodations, sumptuous meals and smooth R&B performances (Chuck Jackson + Babyface = Crazy Good). The package deal is still very much available, but in case you were looking for a Bermuda getaway that costs even less—like an all expenses paid five-night vacation for two—then listen up. That’s right folks, there’s a free trip up for grabs, best of all it’s sponsored by newly renamed The Reefs Hotel & Club—formerly The Reefs but still the top resort in the Atlantic as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2009. So how do you win said vacation? Submit a story of 300 words or less about a favorite experience at The Reefs or in Bermuda—maybe a proposal you got in the sand, a special family vacation, an encounter with Bermuda’s one and only Johnny Barnes—it could be anything, but you’ve gotta enter by February 14. Once all submissions are made, the stories will be narrowed into a group of finalists then posted online, when the public will select its favorite story from February 18 through the 28, sort of like American Idol Bermuda style. The winner will receive a five-night stay in an ocean view deluxe room at The Reefs Hotel & Club including breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner daily and one lucky voter will also be selected to win an additional five-night vacation for two. Not too shabby. So, what are you waiting for? Time to let those Bermuda memories bubble up to the top. Remember, you’ve got until February 14 to enter the contest (for more information click here). And in case you're wondering, yes, that'll be the beach you'll be relaxing on during your free vacation. Now go get writing!

Money Matters

It’s no secret that Bermuda is one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. Not only does the mid-Atlantic archipelago boast the highest GDP per capita in the world—an astonishing $91,477 per person, about $4,000 more than oil-crazed Qatar in the Middle East—but it’s also home to some of world’s richest people, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former presidential candidate Ross Perot and on-again off-again Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Here’s one more for the mix: Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire who currently owns the world’s largest private vessel—a 560-foot $485 million super yacht that’s registered in Bermuda (see above; thanks for the pic GizMag). According to a recent Bloomberg report, the tycoon outfitted his ship with $326,000 worth of contemporary art, a relative drop in the bucket considering he shelled out a whopping $86.3 million for Francis Bacon’s Triptych in 2008. In addition to two helicopter pads, a disco hall and a submarine capable of submerging 50 meters, the ship boasts a German-built missile defense system and bulletproof glass in Abramovich’s master suite. Paranoid much? It’s one heckuva boat, although I still haven’t seen it on Bermuda’s shores. My guess is he’s laying low to avoid major embarrassment in the yachting community: CNN Money reported today that a Belgium-based design firm has plans to build an even bigger private vessel, a 656-foot super yacht that would reportedly cost up to $900 million with amenities such as a 100-foot swimming pool, two 98-foot day boats and a drive-in garage. Sorry Roman, I guess you’ll have to settle for number two.