Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXPLORING BERMUDA'S
natural
wonderlands
The National Trust in Bermuda has
wisely protected the island's nature
reserves. If you play by the rules—that
is, don't disturb animal life or take
plant life as a souvenir—you can
explore many of these natural wonder-
lands. If you enjoy nature trails, they're
one of the most rewarding reasons to
visit Bermuda.
The best and largest sanctuary is
Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
in Smith's
Parish. Birders visit the reserve—espe-
cially from September to April—to see
herons, ducks, flamingos, terns, and
many migratory fowl (which can't be
seen after Mar). This 24-hectare (59-
acre) untamed seaside park is always
open to the public with no admission
charge.
The Department of Parks
(
&
441/236-5902
) offers free guided
6
tours. Tours are offered primarily from
November to May; call for schedules and
additional information.
The island abounds with other places
of natural wonder. Craggy formations
shaped over the centuries out of lime-
stone and coral dot the beaches along
the southern coast, with towering cliffs
forming a backdrop. Some of Bermuda's
natural beauty spots were badly dam-
aged by recent hurricanes, but 344
hectares (850 acres) of trails, parks, and
preserves are up and running again. You
can join one of the many interpretative
tours offered by local eco-heritage
groups. To learn what's available at the
time of your visit, contact the
Bermuda
Audubon Society
in Hamilton (www.
audubon.bm).
can provide dates and venues for upcoming events; see “Visitor Information” under
“Fast Facts” in chapter 10. Also see the “Bermuda Calendar of Events” in chapter 2.
Cricket
Far more Bermudians than you might suspect have memorized this terribly British
sport's arcane rules. If you arrive in midsummer (the game's high season), you'll prob-
ably see several regional teams practicing on cricket fields throughout the island.
Each match includes enough pageantry to remind participants of the game's imperial
antecedents and enough conviviality (picnics, socializing, and chitchat among the
spectators) to give you a real feel for Bermuda.
The
Cup Match Cricket Festival
is Bermuda's most passionately watched
cricket event, with hundreds of viewers turning out to cheer on family members and
friends. Conducted during late July or early August, it pairs Bermuda-based teams
against one another. The event usually occurs at the headquarters of two of the
island's approximately 30 cricket teams, either the
St. George's Cricket Club,
Wil-
lington Slip Road (
&
441/297-0374
), or the
Somerset Cricket Club,
Broome
Street off Somerset Road (
&
441/234-0327
). Buy your tickets at the gate on the
day of each event, and expect to pay between $12 and $20 per ticket for entrance to
this long-standing Bermuda tradition.
Golf Tournaments
Bermuda offers some of the finest golfing terrain in the world, partly due to the
climate, which supports lush driving ranges and putting greens. In addition, the
