Bermuda, Historic, Beautiful and friendly - Norwegian Cruise Line Bermuda and Maine Cruise 84 Norwegian Pearl - May 2023 This trip was out of Boston the first week in May. We had gone through the winter snowless and the last week was overcast and rainy. Going out of Boston is a simple 40 minute flight the day before boarding. As usual it rained till almost the minute of sailing. Then it cleared for the next 9 days. We spent a day and a half each way in the cold, about 45 degree, north Atlantic. The ship was over 900 with about 3500 passengers and crew aboard. This was a cheap cruise and there were lots of family group passengers, from tiny children aboard through very decrepit. The ship has a huge sports deck that attracted many travelers. As we backed out into the harbor, we were DIRECTLY in the flight pattern of Logan airport. Every 3 minutes a jet passed over, about, 200 ft above the ship to land. Bermuda was our #1 destination and we were to return to the US via Bar Harbor-Because of the Jones Act which requires, foreign ships, serving US ports to also do an alternative port. I had been to both ports, years ago. Both have made major changes over the last 15 years. We pulled into King’s Port the day England was getting a new king. Bermuda is beautiful, at peak of bloom and about 70 degrees. Bermuda was closed for 2 days to celebrate the new King. After a cold, windy crossing, everyone went ashore to beauty and warm weather. Day 1 in Bermuda many went swimming, snorkeling and spending. Next to the ship was dockage and we went sailing on a very nice catamaran. Bermuda is surrounded by reefs which are coral that attract small fish and very hard on boats that venture out of the channel. During two catamaran trips we saw two private yachts that ended up on the reef during last falls hurricane. I was not impressed with the tour offerings from the ship, sooo, I did my own thing, hire a taxi with a knowledgeable driver that was born and raised on Bermuda. Money well spent. He took me to many off beat historic places through out Bermuda. The island has boomed over the last 20 years. I photographed scenic views, spectacular houses, flowers all over and the Gibbs Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1846 after 39 boats ended up on the reefs that surrounded the island. It is in a beautiful hill top setting. Non Bermudans can not own land. They can lease land and houses up to 99 ears. The minimum cost for a house is $2. Million dollars and UP. They get about 54inches of rain a year. The roves are whitewashed to collect rainwater. The housing is beautiful and well maintained. On the last day we took a cruise around Spanish Point facing the Sound. This is the high, high rent area. Most are 10-15 million and up. Spectacular. Boats are the best way to get around The roads are about 11/2 lanes wide and you drive on the wrong side. Most of the towns do not have sidewalks. The island is hilly and it is great fun when they pass. Gas is $9.00 a gallon, so there are lots of tiny cars, bikes, scooters and strange looking vehicles. The fastest and best way to get around is by high speed ferries. Bermuda has dozens of tiny islands most privately owned. If you want a ferry, it stops and pick you up. Like the railroads in Alaska. The people are very friendly and hard working many have two jobs to allow them to live reasonably well. You can paint your house any color, and the houses are spectacular with white washed roofs. Some of the big houses have huge concrete rain catchers. They are all spectacularly white washed. Many of the buildings go back to the 17th century The capital is Hamilton. It is a huge banking center- like Switzerland and Grand Cayman. The taxi driver said Google has a headquarters on the island- ie- a computer, desk and chair in a small office. I covered a lot of the island with my cab driver. It is spotlessly clean. No graffiti no trash, every yard is planted and their farms(?) Are about 1 acre. Everything they need comes in by container. It is expensive to live in this paradise. Today you can go to Bermuda via Ship or air. Back in the day, they had a sea plane base and 5 WWII Military bases. The old sea plane terminal is in limbo. Bermudians are interested in their history and there is talk about restoring it. After 3 days it was goodby to Bermuda and 780 miles in the cold Northern Atlantic to Maine. While this was to be a one day stop for the Jones Act and to go through customs. I have not been in Bar Harbor for about 15 years. They have had a terrific infusion of money. I did not recognize the town. We were the first cruise ship in a new season. It is a spectacular entrance to Arcadia National Park. I took a tour boat around the harbor area and out to the Rock Light House, The area is spectacular too. When the rich types got tired of Newport, they built houses along the Bar Harbor Ocean front. The reef around the light house was home to seals having pups and eagles. Again we used local guides who were excellent and welcomed us as the first ship of the new season and the first tour of the new season. Then off to Boston for our final stop and a 45 minute flight to Philadelphia. People are traveling, the ship was FULL. The airline has about 5 trips a day each way PHL to Boston, They were full. Domestic and adventure travel seems to have restored from the plague. -30-