Storm Watch: Hurricane Leslie

Some of you may have noticed that Bermuda Shorts has been semi-retired for awhile now. It's true: The rigors of life, work and admittedly, stay-at-home-dad-dom have sacrificed yet another blog. Well, I'm happy to report that your daily dish from paradise is back—that is, until I lose power due to the impending impacts of Tropical Storm Leslie, which is currently churning its way up the Atlantic and forecast to become a hurricane any day now. On its current track the storm is expected to approach Bermuda this weekend, with winds as much as 110mph forecast to whip the western portion of the island (a.k.a. The End Where I Live). However, my catastrophe modeler insurance pals are all calling for a direct hit from a Category 2 hurricane sometime on Sunday. And trust me, these people know what they're talking about. Their business is risk. If the surf that's been rolling over the island's south shore is any indication, Bermuda should start bracing for something major (the above picture taken yesterday from Warwick Long Bay doesn't even do it justice; the surf is indeed up). For up to date information about Tropical Storm Leslie, visit the Bermuda Weather Service. And of course, I'll do my best to keep you posted with images, videos and news from the island. Folks, it looks like it might be time for a Dark n' Stormy.

Calling All Sailors

Looking for a major nautical thrill? Then toss your hat in the ring for this year's Newport Bermuda Race, a biannual regatta that departs from Newport, Rhode Island and ends in St. David's, Bermuda every other June (this year it shoves off on the 15th). Founded in 1906 as the first ocean race for amateur sailors, the regatta has since become one of the world's premier sailing events—a 635-mile open ocean contest, most of it out of sight of land. Although the entry process for the 48th annual Newport Bermuda Race has only been open for three weeks over 100 boats have submitted entries, including past champions Sinn Fein—Peter Rebovich's Cal 40, winner of the coveted St. David's Lighthouse Trophy in 2006 and 2008—and Llwyd Ecclestone's Frers 68 Kodiak (Editor's note: This is a big deal within sailing circles. Get excited people). It's a much-anticpated week among sailors, but even more so for us islanders—after all, the much-anticpated race is yet another excuse to drink copious amounts of Dark 'n Stormy's while watching the ships pull in harborside. If you're interested in entering visit the Newport Bermuda Race official website. Or if you just want to party in June, well, visit Bermuda.

Deal of The Year

Every so often a travel deal crosses my desk that I just can't ignore. This is one of those times. Because apparently 2012 has brought with it a wave of affordability right here in notoriously pricey Bermuda. Got holiday fatigue? Well do I have the getaway for you! From now until March 15th The Reefs Hotel & Club is offering super-low rates in its brand new, ultra-luxe Club Condos. How low you say? Currently two guests can stay in a 2,000-square-foot, two-bedroom condo for just $299 a night, down from $849 normally. It's a whopper of a deal, especially when you consider the luxurious amenities that you'll have at your fingertips including a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, oversized spa-like bathrooms with gigantic soaking tubs and rain showers, an oceanfront veranda with private Jacuzzi plus flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi and your own washer/dryer (to rinse off your swim trunks after a dip in the ocean or the Reefs' heated infinity pool, of course). You'll have full access to its sumptuous La Serena Spa—complete with an ocean view relaxation room and body treatments galore—in addition to a private lounge where you can play billiards while sipping your Dark n' Stormy with a view of the turquoise Atlantic. My kinda place! Still on the fence? Current island forecasts call for monthly temperatures in the high 60's, low 70s, which is perfect for a game of golf, long strolls on the beach or relaxing poolside with a great book. And really, what's better than golf, the beach and relaxing poolside? Just one note: Due to minor renovations in the hotel's on-site restaurants, food and beverage services will be unavailable, but a pre-arrival grocery shopping service is available for guests who'd like to stock their in-room kitchen (and of course, the concierge can make reservations at all island restaurants). To book you can call The Reefs directly at 800/742-2008 or go the The Reefs website and book online. And yes, that'll be your living room. I told you it was deluxe.

Tracking Katia

Bermuda has had a slow hurricane season this year—until the last couple of weeks, that is. Hurricane Irene recently whirled by before punishing the east coast of the U.S. and Tropical Storm Jose provided some killer surf, high winds and thick rain soon thereafter. And now there's a new storm forming. Introducing Tropical Storm Katia, which by all estimates will be a hurricane later today as it gains strength over the mid-Atlantic. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph today just short of the hurricane threshold of 74 mph, but according to the National Hurricane Center and the folks at CNN, Katia should be much stronger and nearing our area sometime early next week. But who knows? Remember Hurricane Bill back in 2009? Otherwise known as The Storm That Wasn't, it came within 150 nautical miles of Bermuda and fortunately, left little damage in its wake (despite this windblown Al Roker-esque video I shot from Church Bay. Dramatic much?). Ahh well, it looks like it's time to buy more batteries, bottled water and of course, Gosling's Black Seal rum for my impending Dark n' Stormy party. Hunker down Bermuda!

Your Guide to Cup Match

In case you hadn't already heard, it's Cup Match weekend here in Bermuda, which means everything pretty much shuts down for four days so islanders can gather with friends and family for a long holiday weekend. There's also a widely anticipated two-day cricket match played between teams from St. George in the east and Somerset in the west. This year's game will be held in St. George—so to help any of you who might be attending the festivities this year, don't miss this article from the Bermuda Sun, which has some great tips for how to best enjoy Cup Match 2011. A few of my faves? "Try Bermuda delicacies including conch stew, mussel stew and, if you are really lucky, shark hash. Sample a dark 'n' stormy—black rum with ginger beer—but go easy in the heat." All great points, although that shark hash might be pretty hard to find, unless of course you head to the Black Horse Tavern in sleepy St. David's just a quick cab ride from the action. The über-local dish is savory, hashy and delicious. Another good suggestion: "Set aside a few dollars to play Crown & Anchor; known colloquially as 'the stock market,' it's a fast-moving, cash-only game of chance." And Cup Match is the only time of the year when legal gambling is permitted in Bermuda (check it out, that's a packed Crown & Anchor tent above). Finally, my very favorite of the bunch: "Don't be afraid to ask any locals you happen to be sitting next to for pointers on what is going on [during the cricket match]. They will happily explain who they think is the best bowler or batsman." Because of course, the game of cricket continues to baffle populations around the world, but mostly those from the States who no doubt will be scratching their heads this Cup Match season wondering, "What the eff is going on?" For you, I say have no fear! Cricket is a friendly sport with friendlier spectators and fortunately Dark 'n' Stormies will be served near the grandstands if you get bored. 'Nuff said.

The Colbert Watch

Just when you thought the Colbert rhetoric was over—you know, the endless updates about how the flag-waving comedian plans to sail to Bermuda this month—in comes yet another piece of news to help advance the story. If you’ve been reading all of this time you probably already know about Colbert’s sponsorship with Audi, heard his public challenge to race Sir Richard Branson and even perused my Open Letter to Stephen Colbert, suggestions for how he should tackle Bermuda once he arrives. So what could possibly be next for the Bermuda-bound funnyman? How about an all-expenses paid beach party? Yes indeed, this just in from The Reefs Hotel & Club: If Colbert and his team finishes first during the Charleston to Bermuda race, the Southampton resort will throw the crew a beach party at Coconuts, its open-air restaurant, which ironically I raved about just a few days ago. According to the resort’s blog, a first-place finish will be rewarded with plenty of ice-cold Dark 'n Stormy's and the freshest seafood in town (and perhaps, a fancy Colbert-inspired sand sculpture like the one above). But should Colbert lag behind he’ll still be rewarded—as long as he doesn’t come in last, that is. If he and his crew finish anywhere behind first place Colbert will be awarded a five-night stay at The Reefs brand new two-bedroom Club Suites that he can use for himself or give to a deserving member of Colbert Nation. Considering the über-luxurious rooms have private verandas, huge soaking tubs and unending ocean views, I'd say Colbert has all the motivation he needs for a strong finish. Happy sailing!

The Colbert Watch

Back in February I told you how funnyman Stephen Colbert plans to sail to Bermuda aboard a 65-foot sailing yacht in this year’s Charleston to Bermuda race. It was an exciting announcement, especially since it led to the idea of having yours truly be his guide once he arrives (in case you missed it check out my Open Letter to Stephen Colbert, which outlines a proposed island itinerary). Well, after nearly two months I’ve officially received no word from Colbert's “people” as to whether he’d like to join me for a Dark ‘n Stormy or go shopping for Bermuda shorts at the English Sports Shop, but according to a recent report in USA Today, the stars just aligned a little bit more. Turns out Colbert’s on the cover of this month’s Outside magazine, talking about his past experience participating in the 777-mile race to Bermuda. “There comes a time in every man's life when he must ask himself, ‘What can I endure? Of what mettle am I made?’” Colbert told Outside. “This was not one of those times. I thought this would be a booze cruise to Bermuda.” Reports USA Today, the comedian learned quickly this was no luxury liner. “Boat toilets...are floating Porta-Potties. Ours through an understandable oversight had not been emptied since the Carter administration. We tried opening a relief valve (provocatively called an “ocean cock”) - no go. It had to be pumped by hand. As a father of three, I was used to dealing with other people's waste, so I volunteered, as did two other crew-members...I now knew that I would not drown. I would die from amoebic dysentery.” So why do the Charleston/Bermuda race again? He tells Outside: “What endures is what I can't rightly describe: Looking up at night to see the masts unmoving in your eyes but the stars dancing in synchronized figure eights...Flying fish slapping against the sail...Two ounces of gritty cowboy coffee. Eight friends together in a 45-foot world and alone at the center of a referenceless horizon. I can't explain what that all feels like. I just know I want to feel it again.” So glad to hear you’re on your way, Stephen! But in case you didn’t know, in addition to living here in Bermuda, I’m also a correspondent for Outside Television. Ya know, part of the same company that you just gave that fabulous interview to? Whaddaya say we pair up for a tour of Bermuda, shoot it for Outside TV and everyone goes home happy. Deal? Stephen, I await your reply.

An Open Letter to Stephen Colbert

According to multiple reports across the web including CNN, Luxist and the island’s own Bermuda Sun, comedian and talk show host Stephen Colbert will be sailing to Bermuda during the 777-mile Charleston Bermuda Race at the end of May. "The ocean has had a free ride for too long,” said Colbert who is a native of Charleston, S.C. and Honorary Captain of the Fleet. “Well, it has to deal with me now. Brace yourself, Atlantic!" Held every two years, the first-to-finish in Bermuda regatta is open to sailors with boats at least 30-feet long, so Colbert will compete on one of the race sponsor’s 65-foot ocean racing yachts. Clearly the funnyman will be well taken care of at sea, but I’m more concerned with his schedule once he reaches land. So without further adieu here’s my proposed itinerary for you, Stephen Colbert, once you arrive Bermuda’s pink sand shores. (And yes, given my extensive television background I’d be happy to show you around while you’re here. I think we’d get along swimmingly, if I do say so myself.)

Have a drink. Or maybe two. You’ll definitely be hankering for some rum after your time at sea and fortunately Bermuda has two national cocktails: the Dark n Stormy made with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and spicy ginger beer and the Rum Swizzle, invented at the east end pub with a similar name, its got dark rum, amber rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, bitters and a sweet syrup called falernum. Mix ‘em all together and you’ll be sure to have a memorable time in Bermuda. Or have a few and you won’t be able to remember anything at all. Either way, I say we pay the Swizzle Inn a visit, throw back a few cocktails and swagger out to explore the island.

Hit the links. A man of your stature must play golf, right? Fortunately Bermuda is chock full of world-class courses including my personal favorite, Port Royal, which hosts the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a season-ending tournament won in 2009 by fellow South Carolinian Lucas Glover. Not only does the course boast unending ocean views, but it features what’s widely regarded as the greatest hole in golf—the cliff-hugging 16th with nothing but the Atlantic between the tee and the pin. Don’t believe me? Then check out this video I shot at Port Royal from last year’s Grand Slam. And when you’re ready to tee it up I’ll happily donate my green fees to DonarsChoose.

Shop for shorts. I know how you love your suits and ties, but I think you’d look fantastic in a pair of authentic Bermuda shorts with knee-high socks. How about you and I visit the English Sports Shop, buy some new duds and hit the town, shall we? I’ll even give you a ride on the back of my fancy 125cc scooter Dumb and Dumber style.

Meet the locals. Once we get our spiffy new outfits they’ll be some folks just dying to meet you. People like Johnny Barnes, a bearded 84-year-old Bermudian who greets the morning traffic each day with shouts of “I love you” at the corner of Crow Lane in Hamilton. What? You’ve never heard of Johnny Barnes? The guy is a living legend: Not only has Bermuda erected a bronze statue of Johnny down the road from where he blows kisses to cars, but a local filmmaker is currently shooting a documentary about him called Mr. Happy (watch the trailer here). Trust me Stephen, you two would be a match made in heaven.

Take a swim. Of course you can’t come to Bermuda without visiting its famed pink sand beaches so whaddaya say we go to Horseshoe Bay and test the waters? If that sounds a little mundane then we could always follow Bermuda’s high-flying adventurers and do a little cliff jumping. Seriously, if this video is any indication, you and I could have one heckuva time hurtling off the island’s lush cliffs and plentiful bridges. Or not.

Recreate history. Alright Stephen, get ready to have your mind blown. In 1609 the English colonists who settled Jamestown, Virginia, were dying of famine, so the King of England ordered a ship called the Sea Venture to sail to the New World with food and supplies to save the colony. In July, that ship crashed in Bermuda—an uninhabited archipelago previously discovered by Juan de Bermudez in the 1500’s. After ten months, the shipwrecked crew built a new ship called the Deliverance, filled it with food procured from the island and sailed on to Jamestown saving the colony, thus saving America. You heard right Stephen. If there was no Bermuda, there would be no America, and I know how you love America. I say we go to historic St. George’s, don our period garb and recreate the fateful arrival of Sir George Somers (kind of like Bob Hope did when he came here for his Christmas special in 1990).

Let’s do it for Bermuda. And most of all let’s do it for America. Stephen, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

David LaHuta

On The Rocks

If I'm hankering for a cocktail in Bermuda it's no secret that I'd normally grab a Dark n' Stormy. The sweet and spicy mix of Gosling's Black Seal rum and fizzy ginger beer is the country's national drink and can easily be ordered at any island bar or restaurant. If I'm looking for a drink in the South Pole however, I might reach for something a little stronger—ya know, something to warm the bones that also has a long shelf life. Like whiskey. More specifically single malt Scotch whiskey, which has long been the preferred hooch of the world's greatest explorers like Ernest Shackleton. How can I be so sure? Five cases of 114-year-old Mackinlay's whiskey were recently found buried in Antarctic ice beneath Shackleton's Cape Royds expedition hut, a discovery that has delighted whiskey enthusiasts the world over since they've been frozen since 1907. If you'd like to learn more about the literally groundbreaking discovery, then head on over to my Outside Television blog This Way Out and read On The Rocks, about the newest oldest whiskey in the world. In the meantime I'll be back tomorrow with all of your regularly scheduled Bermuda Shorts programming. Cheers!

In Case You Missed It...

For all of you who may have missed my weekend radio interview with travel expert Peter Greenberg, have no fear. For one week only you can hear Peter and I chat about how to make a Dark 'n Stormy and learn about how I got to Bermuda in the first place by heading over to PeterGreenberg.com and clicking on the free web stream (it'll say The Latest Show on the right side of the page). And don't worry, you won't have to wait too long to hear yours truly: I'm Peter's very first guest so you can tune me in around 10:30 into the broadcast. In the meantime you can read all about my island favorites—like where to get the best fish chowder or how to find hidden east end beaches—on Peter Greenberg's Ask the Locals Travel Guide: Bermuda.

Live From Bermuda: Me & Peter Greenberg!

It's not every day a prolific author, celebrated television correspondent and respected radio host knocks on your door to ask for your advice, but that's just what happened this week when none other than travel maven Peter Greenberg requested my company on his syndicated radio broadcast. What? You've never heard of Peter Greenberg? Well my friends, there's not much Peter hasn't done: Currently he's the Travel Editor for CBS News, making frequent appearances on The Early Show and Evening News with Katie Couric, but he's also "the consummate insider when it comes to reporting the travel business as news," as his online bio clearly states. Trust me, I wouldn't have quoted his own website if it wasn't completely true. He's won Emmy awards while at NBC, written multiple New York Times bestsellers including The Complete Travel Detective Bible, plus he hosts the nationally syndicated Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show, broadcast each week from a different location around the globe and heard on over 400 stations and counting. This week's destination? You guessed it: Bermuda, which is exactly where I come in. If you'd like to listen to me and Peter talk about how to make a Dark n' Stormy or hear me spill the beans about how I got to Bermuda in the first place (hint: It all began in Fire Island, N.Y. where Peter has long been a volunteer at the Ocean Bay Park Fire Department) then tune in this Saturday, November 13, to catch our brief chat. To find out what time the show will air in your area check out this handy station finder or to listen online, go to PeterGreenberg.com and click on the free web stream, which begins Saturday morning at 10am EST. And don't worry, you won't have to wait too long to hear yours truly. I'm his very first guest so you can tune me in at exactly 18 minutes into the broadcast.

When It Rains, We Pour!

Heading to Bermuda this weekend? Then hold onto your hats because there’s another storm brewing. According to the National Hurricane Center, Shary has dressed up as a tropical storm for Halloween and she’s headed directly for Bermuda. As of 8am today the depression had maximum sustained winds of 40mph—so no need to batten down the hatches just yet—but the island should see at least one to three inches of rain plus windy conditions over the next 24 to 36 hours. The Bermuda Weather Service has also issued a small-craft warning for all boaters out there—so it's best to stay inside, find a lime, some ginger beer and the nearest bottle of Gosling's Black Seal rum, because clearly it's time for a Dark 'n Stormy.

To Beach Bar or Not To Beach Bar?

I’ve long held the opinion that every island should have at least one good beach bar. Like the Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke or Sunshine’s in Nevis, there’s something to be said for sipping a cool rum cocktail with your toes in the sand. But of course, Bermuda is not like every island. As I’ve said time and time again Bermuda is not the “no shoes, no shirt, no problem” Caribbean. It’s not even in the Caribbean for goodness sake, so I’m unsure why some people think an addition here or a tweak there will suddenly make it spring break in Jamaica, which brings me to today’s story: According to Bernews, a local entrepreneur has re-submitted his application to develop a beach bar on stunning Warwick Long Bay and not surprisingly, a leading environmental group is not too happy about it. Wrote the Bermuda Environmental & Sustainability Task Force in a recent press release, “It may help for residents and the public to remember that a previous application for the same location by the same developer was turned down by the Development Applications Board, was negated by the Independent Inspector, and the appeal to the Minister was quashed by the Court. Unless the application is substantively different, it is difficult to see it as other than a waste of everyone’s time and energy to go through this exercise again.” But alas, here we are debating about a proposed beach bar on one of Bermuda’s most pristine slices of sand yet again. I’m not exactly sure where I stand on this one—after all, a Dark n Stormy within eyeshot of the surf sounds pretty good to me—but perhaps the developer could find a smaller sandbox to build his bar on as opposed to one of Bermuda’s most iconic pink sand beaches (see above). Got an opinion yourself? Lemme hear it in the comments below. In the meantime, I think I need a drink.

Live From Port Royal

It's been an interesting two days at the 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda. U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell hit a ball while standing barefoot in a lake on the 17th hole, PGA Champion Martin Kaymer spent most of his time on the beach (ya know, in the bunkers). 2001 PGA Champion David Toms shocked the gallery by pitching in from the fringe. Twice. And three-time major champion Ernie Els wowed the crowed with a tremendous birdie on 16 and a triumphant march to victory two holes later. I'll have a full report from the event shortly, but in the meantime, check out this video I shot and edited from Port Royal. As you'll see, it's one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world and not just because the bartenders serve a mean Dark n' Stormy (but they do, as you'll soon see). Sit back, turn up your speakers and watch as I tour Bermuda's finest golf course.

Storm Watch: UPDATE

This latest image comes from RMS Cat updates, which tracks potential catastrophes including natural hazards, terrorism and mortality risk, among others. According to its recent report, Tropical Storm Colin has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, which are expected to reach 70 mph when the system nears Bermuda on Saturday. (Click it for a larger image. That thick white cloud in the middle is the storm. Bermuda is the tiny speck in its path). Flying to Bermuda this weekend? Travelers on U.S. Airways can change their itineraries without penalty and Continental just announced a similar policy that will waive change fees for island-bound passengers this weekend. No word yet from Delta or JetBlue, although travelers on low-cost carrier WestJet should have nothing to worry about: The Canadian airline unveiled a Tropical Storm Colin travel advisory earlier today and its Hurricane Promise automatically waives change fees if travelers rebook their itinerary within fourteen days. The skies are now clear, but isn't there some sort of cliché about a calm before the storm? Batten down the hatches Bermuda, I think it's time for Dark n Stormy's!

The Reasons: An Addendum

Even casual readers of Bermuda Shorts know of my great affinity for the island. Back in March I posted my top ten reasons why living in Bermuda is so darn delightful—things like lobster season, the prevalence of Dark n Stormy’s, the opportunity to grow a winter beard. Ya know, the basics. Well my friends, consider this an addendum to my original list, because living in Bermuda would not be the same without the one and only Johnny Barnes. You see, Johnny is a living legend here in Bermuda: Every morning between 8am and 10am, the 86-year-old gray-bearded Bermudian greets morning traffic entering the City of Hamilton with a kiss and wave. “I love ya, I love ya, I love ya,” he says with all sincerity as he blows kisses into the air. It’s astounding. Every morning like clockwork there’s Johnny, greeting commuters like it’s his job. He’s so beloved that Bermuda has even erected a bronze statue in his honor down the road from where he stands each morning—a phenomenon that still blows my mind (don't you have to be a Communist dictator to have a statue erected in your honor while you're still living?). I mean the guy even has his own Wikipedia page for goodness sake. And apparently I’m not the only one who knows what an impact Johnny has on daily life in Bermuda. According to Bernews, director Matt Morris is searching for locals to interview for his new film about Johnny titled “Mr. Happy Man.” Watch the short trailer above and try not to get excited for the upcoming documentary. So to you Johnny, I say three cheers! Thanks for making Bermuda such a wonderful place to call home.

Calling the Guinness Book

It’s no secret that Bermuda is a quick hop from NYC—about 90 minutes by plane, actually—but boater Chuck Arnold wants you to know that you can get here pretty fast by sea, too. The Contender Boats salesmen is planning to attempt breaking the New York to Bermuda high-speed record with a nonstop run on his 37-foot center console Contender this spring (it's like the blue-hulled boat above, but about ten feet longer). The current record stands at 29 hours 30 minutes from shore to shore, so to break it, Arnold plans on running his boat 44 knots from the Statue of Liberty to Bermuda nonstop. If he does it, he’ll be in the record books for sure, but I have a feeling it’s less about the record and more about the free swag: In addition to three passengers also aboard the boat, Arnold will be hauling a full complement of electronics, navigational equipment, underwater lighting and other gear supplied by Win-Tron Elelctronics. Said Arnold in a recent press release, “This kind of trip places maximum demands on everyone on board, as well as the equipment needed to accomplish the task. We know we could count on Win-Tron Electronics to provide us with the best electronics systems on the market to help ensure our success.” And what if you don’t make it to Bermuda, Chuck? “Well, then it’ll be totally Win-Tron’s fault.” No, he didn’t utter that last sentence—after all, the guy sells Contenders not nautical electronics—but you see what I’m saying, right? A boatload of free navigational equipment will make a man do anything—even motor through the night to reach pink sand paradise. So to you Chuck, I say best of luck! If I see you on the shore I’ll be the first guy to buy you a Dark n Stormy, because after 29 hours at sea, I have a feeling you’ll need one.

Best. Cupcake. Ever. UPDATE

It’s not every day Bermuda Shorts gets picked up by the local news, but that’s just what happened yesterday when island news site Bernews.com began its Bermuda Heritage Month coverage with a story about Dark n Stormy cupcakes. Ordinarily this wouldn’t be groundbreaking news—a story about cupcakes? What gives?—but Bernews found that gem of a recipe over on my corner of the web and decided to host an island-wide taste test. In a story title “Researchers Required: Dark n Stormy Cupcakes,” Bernews gathered the island’s top politicians, businessmen and whoever else would volunteer to test a batch of homemade Dark n Stormy cupcakes in the City of Hamilton from 10am-1pm yesterday. I unfortunately was not on hand to participate in this very scientific study—yours truly had much more pressing matters to attend to, of course—but no doubt those who did were pleased. Said a local PR professional in her Twitter feed yesterday: “Doin vital @bernewsdotcom research tasting #darknstormy cupcakes made with @theblackseal thx to @davidlahuta tip-off. My survey says yeeesss!” For more, stay tuned to Bernews.com for updates on the big cupcake taste test. In the meantime, you’re welcome Bermuda.

Best. Cupcake. Ever.

Even casual readers of Bermuda Shorts know my affinity for Dark n Stormys. As I noted in my Best of Bermuda roundup in March, you can order the potent mix of Gosling’s Black Seal rum and spicy ginger beer at any Bermuda bar and beyond it’s island-wide availability, Bermuda’s national cocktail is just hands-down delicious. (Heck, I might catch a JetBlue flight to Boston Logan so I can enjoy one at Fenway Park. Haven't you heard? Gosling's is the official rum of the Boston Red Sox). That’s why I was so excited to stumble upon this recipe for Dark n Stormy cupcakes on Coconut & Lime, a blog run by foodie and cookbook author Rachel Rappaport that’s dedicated to all things delicious (no, that's not a picture of the cupcake in question, but it's close). Not only does her recipe call for ginger beer and Gosling’s rum—a no-brainer for any DnS concoction—but the pièce de résistance lies in the addition of ground roasted ginger and Dark n Stormy frosting made with, you guessed it, more rum and more ginger. Simply brilliant! Of course, I still haven’t tried them but based upon the ingredients alone, you can consider me hooked.

Kiss My Ash 2: The Saga Continues

I suppose if you have to be stuck anywhere it might as well be Bermuda, right? Welcome to day six of the official European airspace lockdown caused by the eruption of an Icelandic volcano called Eyjafjallajokull (if anyone knows how to pronounce it please let me know). The stoppage has stranded more than 400 passengers in Bermuda, all of whom are awaiting to board a British Airways flight to London that’s been grounded for a sixth straight day. “The earliest people can rebook is now well into next week,” said British Airways spokesperson Sallie Singleton. “It’s highly unlikely that Bermuda would get an extra flight to help alleviate the backlog of passengers stranded here.” Problematic, yes, but I could definitely think of worse places to be holed up. And of course let’s not forget about everyone stuck in Europe, like Bermuda’s Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and a twenty-person tourism delegation who visited London last week to promote the island to UK residents. The group hopes to return to Bermuda on Saturday, which given the extreme circumstances—thousands of passengers stranded worldwide, a volcano that continues to spew ash, potential safety concerns—seems a tad optimistic. But hey, a group can dream. So to those stuck in Bermuda I say live it up! This whole volcano explosion seems like a great excuse to tuck in for another Dark 'n' Stormy.