Nov. 4 in Bermuda

Today we arrived in Bermuda.  We docked at the old Royal Navy Dockyards called the West End.  Up early to have breakfast and then down to the dock to pick up our tour of the island.

The tour guide was a native of Bermuda and very knowledgeable of about the island history, culture and politics.  More on that in a moment.

We drove along the island passing through Somerset Village, where we saw the Heydon Trust Chapel.  The Chapel was built in 1616 and was originally a cabin where two adults and 4 boys lived.  The Chapel was about 20 X 12 feet.

From here we passed Scaur Hill Fort, which was built in 1860 and is now a home for seniors.  We crossed Somerset Bridge, the smallest drawbridge in the world.  It is about 12 inches long.  It is for sailboat masts.  We continued on to the city of Hamilton, where we stopped and did some walking and shopping.

From Hamilton we continued on to the end of the island where the city of St. George is located.  This was the first Capital of Bermuda.  Hamilton is now the Capital.  We stopped for a short time and then got back on the bus and proceeded to drive the South road back to the ship. 

Our guide explained that the recession hit them very hard and they still had not recovered.  The cost of living is very high.  Gasoline is $ 9.25 a gallon.  A box of cereal is $ 10.00 and a loft of bread is $ 8.00.  We saw a lot of poverty and run down property.  The cost to repair and keep up the homes and buildings is out of sight.

A woman (the guide did not give a name) got the government to make it illegal to for parents to discipline children.  The children can call 911 and have their parents arrested.  They do not arrest mothers any more.  One mother brought her son and all his belonging to court and dumped them on the judges desk and said if I can not discipline my son, who is our of control, then you take him and raise him.  They sent her home with no charge.  They still will arrest dads. 

There are churches of all denominations all over the island, one about every other block.  However, I do not think they are doing their job.  Our guide told us that there are 3 violent gangs on the island.  They pretty much do as they please.  With no discipline from the parents and the church not getting involved, the gangs are running the neighborhoods.

It was a pretty island, but everywhere we went the guide would comment, this use to be etc. etc.  Now there are a lot of abandoned buildings or they are being turned into condos that the locals cannot afford.  The South side of the Island where the wealth is located has recovered with lots of million dollar homes, prestigious golf courses and fancy resorts. There is a definite line between the haves and have not’s I Bermuda.

After getting back to the ship, we went up to the spa to use the warm beds and steam room.  Tonight we ordered dinner in and are just going to read.

Two more sea days to Ft. Lauderdale.  Hope they stay smooth.   

Having some problems with pictures and computer.  Will post some when problem is resolved.