Cup Match Fever

It’s late July in Bermuda, which means the only thing on most islander’s minds is Cup Match—a two-day cricket tournament that turns into a four-day rum-soaked weekend. Each year on the Thursday and Friday before the first Monday in August, St. George’s and Somerset cricket clubs face off in what becomes a much-anticipated spin on New York’s Subway Series (for all you non-baseball fans out there, that’s when the Yankees play the Mets for five-borough supremacy. Let's go Mets!). Here in Bermuda businesses shut down, families congregate and the island grinds to a halt for two days as east and west battle it out for local cricket dominance. It’s the most competitive match of the year and one that brings with it loads of opinions regarding what team will take home the trophy. So, hoping to quell this year's debate is Bermuda’s own Houdini the Octopus, a distant cousin of Paul the Octopus who became famous for selecting the winner of Germany’s seven matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in addition to picking Spain in the final. Reports local web news agency Bernews, Houdini—who currently resides at the Bermuda Aquarium—appears to have chosen Somerset since the eight-legged creature hovered towards the dark blue and red ribbon (light blue and navy being the colors of St. George’s). I’ll report back next week to see if Houdini was correct, but in the meantime, I’m prepping for a long weekend. See ya on Monday!

The Life Outside

It’s Tuesday, so that means I’m filling the pages of my Outside Television blog, The Life Outside. As you’ll see, today’s post is a tribute to world-renown cave-diver and underwater photographer Wes Skiles, who died last week while filming for National Geographic in the waters of Florida (that's him, courtesy of Louis Lamar). I met Wes after my Mountainfilm shoot in Telluride and all it took was a one-hour shuttle ride from Main street to Montrose to learn that he truly was one of the world’s great pioneers of the life outside. If you have a few minutes visit Outside Television and read all about him. And the next time you think about sitting on your fanny instead of exploring this great big world of ours, think about Wes.

Now in Bermuda: Bag Trackers!

It’s official: Bermuda is now the greatest place on Earth to lose your luggage. Thanks to new self-service kiosks that were unveiled on Friday at L.F. Wade International—the first airport in the world to receive so-called WorldTracer Kiosks—travelers who experience baggage delays can now track their lost luggage with a few taps of a screen. Designed by air industry tech firm SITA, the slim stand-alone machines are linked to a global tracing system for mishandled baggage. So if your checked luggage is delayed upon arrival, simply scan the barcode sticker given to you at check-in and the kiosk’s screen will instantly tell you the whereabouts of your bags. The kiosk registers the missing luggage as lost, then asks for passenger contact information so the airline can notify you when the lost baggage reappears. “SITA is very pleased to announce L.F. Wade International Airport as a new customer,” says Sandra Girona, SITA Regional Vice President. “The airport will be transformed into a showcase for how the industry can reap major benefits from the innovative use of IT for passenger self-service in a way that is attractive to both airlines and passengers.” The addition of the kiosks to L.F. Wade International is part of a proposed multi-million dollar overhaul, which may include a new terminal, runways and self-service check-in systems. Considering more than 25 million bags were mishandled worldwide last year, the kiosks are a welcome addition. And besides, I could think of worse places to be stuck without your bags. Here's a very real lost-bag-in-Bermuda scenario: Scan barcode, go to hotel, buy new bathing suit, order rum swizzle. Repeat until bag arrives—but just that last part, of course.

Happy Birthday Haile?

History lesson: On this day in 1892 Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethopia from 1930 through 1974, was born. So what does this have to do with Bermuda? Not much really. After all, Selassie is best known for being revered as Jesus incarnate among devotees of Rastafari—a movement that believes Selassie will lead the peoples of Africa to peace, righteousness and prosperity, which also includes the spiritual use of marijuana. And unlike the islands of the Caribbean, Bermuda’s Rasta population is miniscule by comparison. I’m guessing it’s the strict drug laws and wide prevalence of Christianity but that’s just one theory. Here’s another: As I’ve said before, Bermuda is not the “no shoes, no shirt, no problem,” Caribbean many people think it may be. In fact, it’s not in the Caribbean at all, as this interview with yours truly dutifully attests. But that’s exactly what makes it great. Don’t forget, the 21-square-mile, mid-Atlantic island is approximately 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with nonstop flights less than two hours from New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia. The Caribbean, with it’s laid back beach bars and relaxed drug culture it is not. No doubt the island’s Rasta population will be in full force during Ziggy Marley’s upcoming performance at the Bermuda Music Festival, but beyond a handful of island believers, I have a feeling there won’t be many people celebrating Selassie’s birthday today.

Cruise News

Great news for Holland America fans living near New York City: The cruise line announced that it will continue sailings on the 1,350-passenger ms Veendam from New York to Bermuda with 24 cruises slated from May through October next year. I’ve never really been a cruise guy but this is easily a win-win for cruisers and Bermuda alike. The Veendam is one of the few ships that docks in Hamilton and St. George’s, bucking the growing trend of ships heading directly to the Royal Naval Dockyard, which is the only island port able to hold larger ships now so prevalent throughout the industry. Bottom line, it’s good news for a sleepy town in need and for fans of smaller cruise ships—and apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. According to comments left on USA Today’s The Cruise Log, Veendam fans are pleased with the announcement. Writes Dam55, “This is a 'deal MAKER' for anyone trying to decide which ship to take to Bermuda. You cannot beat the Hamilton docking opportunity. There are larger and newer ships cruising to Bermuda, but if you know the island THIS is the one to take. Kudos to [Holland America Line]!” And then there’s this from Celebfans, “Chalk up one for small(er) vessel fans with this announcement. We're happy for [Holland America Line] cruisers in the NY/NJ/CT area.” Even historians have reason to rejoice: According to The Cruise Log, “It was another Holland America ship called the Veendam, the 500-passenger Veendam II, that offered the line's first Bermuda cruises out of New York in 1930 and 1931.” Very cool, Holland America. We here in Bermuda will be looking forward to your arrival—and with cruises to the island starting at $699 per person (based on double occupancy) so will the folks living in the New York metropolitan area.