Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you're a sailor, you'll find the waters of Bermuda reason enough for a visit. The
farther you go from shore, of course, the greater the visibility. Discovering a hidden
cove, away from the cruise-ship crowds, can make your day.
If you hate driving on the left side of the road, that's fine with Bermudians. You
can't
drive here—they won't rent you a car. Bike around, or hop on a scooter and zip
from one end of the island to the other.
We could go on and on with reasons for you to come to Bermuda, from exploring
its natural wonderlands to playing on choice tennis courts with gentle sea breezes and
warm sunshine. But we'll end here with a couple of warnings: Demanding foodies will
find better dining on other islands, such as Martinique—although Bermuda has
made much culinary progress lately. And if you want nightlife, glittering casinos, and
all that jazz, head for San Juan. Though there is some nightlife in Bermuda—if you
enjoy nursing a pint in a pub—it's always wise to bring along some good company (or
a good book) to ensure a blissful night here.
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BERMUDA TODAY
If there's a sore point among Bermudians today, it's their extreme desire to separate
themselves from the islands of the Caribbean, particularly from The Bahamas, in the
eyes of the world. They often send angry letters to publishers of maps, reference
sources, and travel guides, insisting that Bermuda is not in the Caribbean. As one
irate Bermudian put it, “You don't claim that Washington, D.C., is part of Dallas,
Texas. They're the same distance apart that Bermuda is from the Caribbean.”
Bermuda prides itself on its lack of economic, socioeconomic, and racial problems,
many of which plague the Caribbean islands. Bermuda does not tolerate unsavory
businesses. What the island would
really like to be known for is its stellar
performance in banking and multina-
tional business.
During the first decade of the mil-
lennium, international business has
positioned itself to overtake tourism as
Bermuda's primary source of revenue.
Before China's takeover of Hong Kong, Bermuda persuaded some of the biggest
names in world business to create official domiciles on the island. The trend began
in the 1970s, when some Hong Kong businesspeople formed low-profile shipping,
trading, and investment companies in Bermuda—companies that became, in
essence, corporate cash cows. That trend continues to positively affect Bermuda's
economy.
When Britain surrendered Hong Kong to China in 1997, Bermuda became the
largest British colony. A local businessman watched the televised ceremonies in
which Britain handed over control, and gleefully remarked, “All we can say is: Thank
you very much, Hong Kong, because here come the insurance companies and pen-
sion funds.” By the end of the 20th century, nearly half of the companies listed on the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange—and even some of the Chinese government's own hold-
ing companies—had established a legal presence in Bermuda, because Bermuda
provides such hefty tax breaks. Amazingly, tiny Bermuda has emerged as the biggest
and most prosperous of all of Britain's colonies, the bulk of which are now in the
Caribbean.
Just Where Is Bermuda?
Many visitors are surprised to learn that
Bermuda lies closer to Nova Scotia
than to any island in the Caribbean.
