Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STEPPING BACK INTO THE
Ice Age
Bermuda has one of the highest concen-
trations of limestone caves in the world.
Most began forming during the Pleisto-
cene Ice Age. As early as 1623, the
adventurer Capt. John Smith wrote that
he had encountered “vary strange,
darke, cumbersome caves.”
In Bermuda, nature's patient, relent-
less underground sculpting has left
behind a dream world for even the
casual spelunker. Deep in the majestic
silence of the earth's interior, you can
roam in caverns full of great stalactites
and stalagmites of Gothic grandeur, del-
icacy, and beauty. This awesome under-
ground has been the inspiration for
creative achievements as diverse as
Shakespeare's
The Tempest
and Henson
Associates'
Fraggle Rock.
You can visit
Crystal Caves
on guided
tours; the cave complex is along Har-
rington Sound Road in Hamilton Parish
(p. 158).
7
Ferries from the City of Hamilton stop at Ireland Island, at the western end of Bermuda, once each hour
7am-6pm. Fare $4 each way. (In addition to the regular ferry route, additional runs have been added
to the schedule to allow visitors greater access to the Dockyard's after-dark activities; depending on
the day of the week, you might still be able to catch a ferry from Hamilton to the Dockyard at 8pm and
then return to Hamilton as late as 11:30pm. Call
&
441/295-4506
for information on these later sched-
ules.) Bus 7 or 8 leaves the City of Hamilton for the Royal Naval Dockyard Mon-Sat every 15 min.
6:45am-11:45pm. The trip takes 1 hr. and costs $4 for adults, $2 for children 5-15, free for children 4 and
under.
Note:
Drivers accept this exact bus fare in coins only.
SOUTHAMPTON PARISH
Most visitors stop by Southampton for the beaches, if for no other reason. Even if
you're not staying here, it's worth a journey to see the view from Gibbs Hill Light-
house—there's no finer panorama in all of Bermuda.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
Southampton's main attraction is this completely
restored lighthouse, built in 1846. It's the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world.
Although there's a 185-step climb to the top, the panoramic view of Bermuda and its
shoreline from the balcony make the exertion worthwhile. You can also view the same
panorama that Queen Elizabeth II gazed on in 1953; just find the commemoration
plaque by the entrance to the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper will explain the
workings of the machinery. If you visit in the spring, you may spot migrating whales
beyond the south-shore reefs.
Gibbs Hill, Lighthouse Rd. (btw. South and Middle roads).
&
441/238-8069.
www.bermudalighthouse.
com. Admission $2.50; free for children 4 and under. Daily 9am-5pm. Closed Feb. Bus: 7 or 8 from the
City of Hamilton.
WARWICK PARISH
This parish has few sightseeing attractions, but it is a place of natural beauty. Visitors
come here mostly for the sandy beach,
Warwick Long Bay,
on South Road—it's one
of the finest on Bermuda (see “Beaches,” in chapter 6, for details). Nearby, you can
visit
Christ Church,
across from the Belmont Hotel on Middle Road. Built in 1719,
it's one of the oldest Scottish Presbyterian churches in the New World.
