WTF?

I'll admit it: I had no clue what "planking" was until I read this article in the Royal Gazette. But as it turns out, the practice of making one's body flat and lying horizontally on random objects while snapping a photo of your odd contortion is sweeping the globe and apparently, just arriving in Bermuda. "You get creativity points for planking in odd places like tree branches or escalators," reads a description on Facebook from the local group called 'Planking in Bermy.' "The more wild you get the better the picture will be." The Gazette has tons of wacky photos depicting people planking across the island—ya know, folks atop public phone booths, belly-flat in city fountains, and yes, perched over the Cabinet Building chimney—but the one above is currently my favorite. Who knew that Bermuda's own Johnny Barnes could ever carry such a heavy load?

Deal of the Day

In case you're in the market for a dreamy beach vacation—one that includes pink sand romping, golf club swinging, fresh fish eating and perhaps, adventurous pursuits like deep sea fishing and underwater diving—look no further than the Bermuda Department of Tourism's latest deal. Called the Endless Summer Offer, visitors who book a minimum of four nights at one of 14 participating hotels will get a free roundtrip flight from New York, Boston, Atlanta or Toronto or a $400 air credit good for travel from other cities. The catch? You have to book your trip through a Bermuda Tour Operator (not the end of the world, really) and travel from August 23-October 31, 2011. Available hotels range from the historic and relatively wallet-friendly Fairmont Hamilton Princess (with rooms starting at $299 a night) to the ritzy Pink Beach Club, a historic cottage colony where I recently stayed on the Fourth of July, with rooms starting at $645 a night (that's one of its private beaches above; not too shabby). Interested? Then head on over to GoToBermuda.com and book its Endless Summer Offer before October 25.

Cruise News

Anyone in the New York metropolitan area looking for an inexpensive luxury cruise to Bermuda? If so, then check out this latest deal from Crystal Cruises as reported on USA Today's The Cruise Log with Gene Sloan. On Wednesday the luxury line announced it was cutting fares on its October 25 sailing of the Crystal Symphony out of New York to under $3,000 per person—a hearty savings considering the ship is at sea for 12 days and hits other luxe islands including St. Maarten, Antigua, Aruba and Grand Cayman in addition to a stop in Bermuda. The sale fare includes Crystal's traditional $1,000 per couple shipboard spending credits—basically cruise line funny money, to spend on whatever it is you wish while on board—but availability of the fare is limited and subject to change. Bottom line, if you're interested in a luxury cruise at a basement bargain price, book it pronto through Crystal Cruises or your favorite travel agent.

Ahoy There!

Given Bermuda's propensity for attracting all things luxurious—like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's private jet, which visits the island regularly—it's no surprise that the world's largest and most luxurious single masted sailboat is currently on its shores. Say hello to the Mirabella V, a 247-feet sloop large enough to hold a double-decker bus in her hull; a boat that pulled in charter fees between $250,000 and $420,000 per week prior to its sale last month; and one that's currently hanging out west of Bermuda's Spanish Point according to Bernews. Says the local news site, Mirabella V was built for an estimated $50 million and incorporates nearly every conceivable luxury. "The yacht has a full beam owner's suite, six staterooms with big windows and full size en-suite bathrooms, entertainment systems everywhere and even a hot-tub and dip pool on the sailboat's foredeck. The yacht also boasts a gymnasium and sauna...plus a dining room capable of seating up to 12 guests in comfort." All well and good but here's my favorite part: the toys. "Mirabella V also carries a small fleet of watercraft to keep passengers occupied during cruises. For motorheads, there's a 29-foot Hinckley with 400hp engine (complete with waterskiis, wakeboard, kneeboard and tube), a 21-foot Castoldi with 240hp engine, a 17-foot rigid-inflatable boat and two SeaDoos. There are also four Laser sailing dinghies, two windsurfers, a two-man kayak and a rowing skull. And for those who get their fun below the water, there's full SCUBA equipment and a compressor for unlimited diving." Wowsa. When I saw the ship sailing outside of Hamilton harbor just the other day I knew it was big, but not that big! I'd be happy to own the boat aboard the boat, thank you very much. To learn more about the Mirabella V check out this video, which originally aired on the Travel Channel in 2007.

Happy Birthday America

Just because I live in Bermuda doesn't mean I didn't get to celebrate the Fourth of July. After all, I am a proud American—a sun-kissed, lucky-as-clover American, but an American nonetheless. Unlike my first year on the island when I celebrated with my wife on Church Bay or last year, when apparently I wore the exact same shirt to toast the U-S-of-A's independence, I spent July 4th sipping wine and watching east end fireworks from the oceanfront balcony of my room at the Pink Beach Club, a ritzy cottage colony in Tucker's Town (yes, that was my actual view). I was there on assignment, so instead of scooping my own story I'll just tell you this: If you're looking for a high-end hotel that guarantees seclusion, solitude and a killer water view, you should seriously consider the Pink Beach Club, featuring 94 spacious rooms and suites on Bermuda's stunning south shore. I'll have more about the hotel in the near the future, but for now, know that this American had one heckuva time in Britain's oldest colony.