Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Finding Your Way
The Bermuda Department of Tourism
publishes a free Bermuda Handy Refer-
ence Map. The tiny pocket map, distrib-
uted by the tourist office and available
at most hotels, includes an overview
and orientation map of Bermuda, high-
lighting its major attractions, golf
courses, public beaches, and hotels. (It
does not, however, pinpoint individual
restaurants unless they are attached to
hotels.) On the other side is a detailed
street plan of the City of Hamilton,
indicating all its major landmarks and
service facilities, such as the ferry ter-
minal and the post office. There's also a
detailed map of the Royal Naval Dock-
yard, the West End, and the East End,
plus tips on transportation—ferries,
taxis, buses—and other helpful hints,
such as a depiction of various traffic
signs. For exact locations of Visitors
Information Centre branches where you
can pick up a copy of the Bermuda
Handy Reference Map, see “Visitor
Information” in the “Fast Facts” section
of chapter 10.
3
and kayaking at Harrington Sound, but it doesn't offer the historical exploration that
St. George does. Some experts believe that Harrington Sound was a prehistoric cave
that fell in. Harrington Sound's known gateway to the ocean is an inlet at Flatts Vil-
lage (see “Smith's Parish,” above). However, evidence suggests that there are under-
water passages as well—several deep-sea fish have been caught in the sound.
For the best panoramic view of the north shore, head for Crawl Hill, the highest
place in Hamilton Parish, just before you come to Bailey's Bay. “Crawl” is a corruption
of the word kraal, which is where turtles were kept before slaughter. Shelly Bay,
named for one of the passengers of the British ship Sea Venture that foundered on
Bermuda's reefs in 1609, is the longest beach along the north shore.
At Bailey's Bay, Tom Moore's Jungle consists of wild woods. The poet Tom
Moore is said to have spent many hours writing verse here under a calabash tree
(which is still standing). The jungle is now held in private trust, so you must obtain
permission from a security guard to enter it. It's much easier to pay your respects to
the Romantic poet by going to Tom Moore's Tavern (p. 117).
Although the parish has some major resorts, such as Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, most
visitors come here for sightseeing only. We have to agree: Hamilton is a good place to
go exploring for a day or half-day, but you're better off staying elsewhere. If you stay
here, you'll spend a great deal of your holiday time commuting into the City of Ham-
ilton or St. George. Bus no. 1 or 3 from the City of Hamilton gets you here in about
an hour.
St. George's Parish
At Bermuda's extreme eastern end, this historic parish encompasses several islands.
The parish borders Castle Harbour on its western and southern edges; St. George's
Harbour divides it into two major parts, St. George's Island and St. David's
Island. A causeway links St. David's Island to the rest of Bermuda, and St. George's
is also linked by a road. Many parish residents are longtime sailors and fishers. St.
George's Parish also includes Tucker's Town (founded in 1616 by Gov. Daniel
Tucker), on the opposite shore of Castle Harbour.
Settled in 1612, the town of St. George was once the capital of Bermuda; the
City of Hamilton succeeded it in 1815. The town was settled 3 years after Sir George
 
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