Happy St. Patrick's Day?

No, that picture was not taken in Bermuda. That’s from a float I was on during the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day parade held in St. Croix, U.S.V.I—yet another tropical island that I used to call home. It may as well be the happiest and most inebriated day of the year down there. Where else can you wear pig noses under the Caribbean sun and drink shots of home-brewed rum from tiny plastic glasses you wear around your neck? Oh yes, that all happened. Although St. Patrick’s Day tends to get a bit out of hand no matter where you go these days. This being England’s oldest colony, I have a feeling I won’t be seeing folks boozing in the streets or green-clad revelers throwing beads into a crowd of drunken onlookers, but hey, to each his own island right? But in case you’re here in Bermuda and still need that pint of Guinness, I’ve got one suggestion for you: Flanagans. Located on Front Street in the City of Hamilton, it’s Bermuda’s one and only Irish pub and no doubt it will be rollicking tonight. As for me, well, I think I’ll pass on the festivities. Just thinking about St. Croix is party enough.

Bermuda Soup

Lots going on in the world of travel and tourism today so get out your bowls and spoons—it’s time for some Bermuda soup. First up big news from NBC Sports, which announced on Friday that it will be visiting the island at the end of the month to shoot a new show called Global Golf Adventure at Port Royal Golf Course. According to the Bermuda Sun, each show will highlight a unique destination for active golf travelers and will include an interview with a celebrity guest. Considering Port Royal is again home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, I couldn’t think of a better choice (to watch Bermuda in all of its golfing glory, tune in to NBC on May 8 at 1:30 EST). From Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa comes a tempting hotel deal: The luxurious west end retreat has just given guests an extra month of its special “fourth night free” deal. Travelers booking at least a four-night stay for travel good through April 30, will get—you guessed it—their fourth night free, in addition to complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea daily. Considering rooms in April start from $575 a night, it’s a whopper of a deal (to get the special rate use booking code CBBDA4). Been to London recently? If so, then you’ve probably spotted a handful of bright pink taxis driving around town with the slogan “Feel the Love” painted on the doors—basically the Department of Tourism’s latest and greatest effort to spread the word about Bermuda. I for one think it’s a fantastic idea: Cab drivers are among the world’s greatest ambassadors and with direct flights on British Airways from London Gatwick—just a six-hour hop to Bermuda—I’m guessing the island will be seeing a generous uptick in UK arrivals. Just think, that could be you walking arm-in-arm on Horseshoe Bay Beach. Feel the love, yall.

Thank You, Efkharistó, Grazie.

Apologies to my loyal readers for taking two days off last week, but I guess that’s what happens when one’s birthday celebration is just that good. Consider my candles officially blown out. The good news is Wednesday’s Best of Bermuda list got quite a response. My ten island faves were re-Tweeted like gangbusters and best of all, I spotted some familiar and unfamiliar names in the comment section below. My favorite? “You look great in a man scarf,” writes Alina Durso. Thanks for the compliment, but it’s about 25 years too late considering I had a major crush on you in nursery school. And like, all of elementary school. But hey, thanks for reading! To Mandy and Rob who wrote in from Cyprus and appear to be running an interesting blog called A New Life In Cyprus, kudos for the kind words. Last I was in your neck of the woods the island nation had just become the European’s Union newest member despite a failed last-ditch effort to reunify the country. I got to spend lots of time with the Greeks in the South, but alas, political red tape ended my quest to visit the Turkish occupied North. Here’s hoping you’re eating lots of haloumi (traditional goats milk cheese) and are staying away from the Zivania (a Manischewitz-esque sweet wine made in the mountains). And to Sanda Burrowes—who along with her colleagues at Troncossi is a true PR guru—not only is that gas station “ron de cahner” but when I arrive I’m greeted with an enthiusiastic “hey bye!” Gotta love it. So in closing let me leave you all with just one more reason why living in Bermuda is so darn delightful. The sunsets. Because really, does it get any better than that view from my patio? I think not.

Best of Bermuda

Seeing as today is my birthday—thirty-something if you must know—I thought I’d be totally self-indulgent and share my top ten reasons why living in Bermuda is so darn delightful. No, it’s not another Bermuda for tourists list—if you want that try 36 Hours in Bermuda, a story I wrote for the New York Times in September—but it is unmistakably my own. So without further adieu, here in no particular order are my reasons why Bermuda rocks.

10. Lobster season. From September through March you can get the tastiest, sweetest, most succulent Caribbean lobster in nearly every island restaurant (and from local fisherman who sell them for half the price on the side of the road). Eat it on a regular basis and you too will never again crave its Maine cousin.

9. You can get a Dark n’ Stormy anywhere. Bermuda’s national cocktail is a savory combination of Gosling’s Black Seal rum and spicy ginger beer—and it’s delicious. I challenge you to find an island establishment that doesn’t serve one.

8. Beach picnics in February. It was February 27th to be exact. The sun shone brighter than it had all winter and the temperature was a balmy 72 degrees. My wife and I brought a bottle of chilled sauvignon blanc, cave-aged gruyere and a small bag of rosemary crostinis to a gloriously empty Horseshoe Bay Beach and spent the afternoon staring at the turquoise waves. It doesn’t get much better than that.

7. My Sym scooter. There’s something to be said for driving island-wide on the back of 125cc motorbike. The air is fresher, the views are better—and unlike driving a car—there are no distractions. No radios, no phones. It’s all about the drive. Just make sure to keep your mouth closed unless you enjoy getting your protein fix from flying insects.

6. The language. I know, I know. Most everyone in Bermuda speaks English (aside from a large Portuguese population, of course). But I just love that accent! Not unlike a southern twang or an Irish lilt, it’s very much its own: The house is “dahn de rooad.” Fill up the gas tank, “awl de way.” Your good friend is your “ace boy” and your acquaintance is your “cousin.” Just marvelous.

5. I never have to buy fresh rosemary. I’m a bit of a home cook so I’m thrilled when I’m asked to prepare roasted potatoes or pork or just about anything that requires a sprinkle of rosemary. The fragrant plant grows everywhere in Bermuda. Forget the market—just grab a sprig from the backyard.

4. The people. It’s a common statement among most island populations—that its people are its greatest commodity. But I’d say more than any island I’ve ever visited this sentiment is particularly true in Bermuda. Special shout outs to Jeff for unselfishly giving me his VIP tickets to this year’s Rugby Classic; Anthony for selling me my daily newspaper with a smile; and Charlie for always playing reggae in his immaculately clean and well-appointed taxi.

3. My gym. True, it may be a bit extravagant to work out in a luxurious Southampton resort each day, but the sweeping ocean views from the seat of my recumbent bicycle just can’t be beat.

2. Getting a wrong number. This exact scenario has happened three times since I’ve lived in Bermuda—just substitute the requested name made by the caller. Phone rings. Me: “Hello?” Caller: “Is John there, please?” Me: “Sorry, I think you have the wrong number.” Caller: “Oh my word! I’m so sorry for disturbing you! Please forgive me and do enjoy the rest of your day.” If only everyone could be so polite when they dial incorrectly.

1. I can still grow a winter beard (see above). Yes, it’s warm in Bermuda year-round but the slight chill of January prompted this year’s growth. I have a feeling it won’t last much longer but then again, neither will the chill. 

And The Winner Is...

Remember when I told you about how you could win a five-night vacation to The Reefs Hotel & Club back in February? How all you had to do was write a short story about your favorite memories of Bermuda and/or the Reefs hotel to score a trip to the luxurious Southampton resort? Well the votes are in and the people have spoken. Garnering more than one-third of over 3,000 votes was the winning story by Tim Finnegan, a Massachusetts man who wrote a touching tale about his parents who honeymooned in Bermuda 42 years ago. Feel free to read it on the Reefs' website but here’s the gist: Tim’s parents, who first stayed at the Reefs over four decades ago, have lived a life of hardship, having six kids, some of them ill, some of them taken unexpectedly. And because of their unceasing dedication to their family—i.e. constantly putting their children’s needs ahead of their own—the pair have barely taken a vacation since. So Tim wrote in on their behalf, petitioning for his parents who are very much in need of a sunny break. Nice, right? Best of all there were two winners—Audrey Bennett, also from Massachusetts, who was the one lucky voter chosen for a second five-night stay. If all of this excitement is causing extreme Bermuda-envy then why not try a stay at the hotel yourself? Take advantage of inexpensive shoulder season airfare and this fantastic “Spring Fling” package just announced by The Reefs Hotel & Club: Four nights in an ocean-view room with your very own private balcony or patio; breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner for two daily; a three-day bus/ferry pass; roundtrip airport transfers; and champagne upon arrival. With taxes and fees the package costs just $2,465 and is valid for travel from April 1 through April 30. Considering a four-night stay in an ocean view room costs around $2,100 if booked ala carte, it’s one heckuva deal. And yes, that will be the beach you'll be sipping rum swizzles on. Happy vacationing!