Love Letter to Bermuda
Year after year, the mid-Atlantic archipelago of Bermuda draws travelers with its pink-sand beaches, enchanting caves, rich history, and a treasure trove of diving and snorkeling experiences. So, why do travelers love it so much? Here, I asked some of its notable residents – a healthy mix of artists, outdoor enthusiasts, creatives and photographers – about what makes it so special, plus a few of their favorite places to visit, relax and explore the place they call home. This piece was published in Mosaic magazine.
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The word uttered most when we asked locals to describe Bermuda? “Magical.” Magical sunsets, they said. Magical pink sand beaches. Magical people. Magical nature. Magical … fish sandwiches on raisin bread?
A magical secret, even. You may think you know Bermuda, but if you haven’t been — do you? Do you know about its booming art scene? Its history? Its 200 square miles of pristine reefs? Its tree frogs? Do you know that despite its diminutive size, it’s got culture in spades — and more natural beauty than is fair? Do you know of its spectacular oceanfront resorts, including the century-old Cambridge Beaches, with its private coves and historic cottages? Do you know where to go cliff jumping? Do you know why you need to make a friend with a boat?
If you don’t, don’t fear, because these five locals do. And they’re here to spill the beans on this magical place they get to call home — this magical place that you need to see to believe.
ABI BOX | Artist
Artist residencies have taken Abi Box around the world, but she calls both Bermuda and London home. She likens her painting to poetry, and says that her best paintings “are so often accidental, ignorantly brave and beautifully reckless.” Her work has been featured at the Bermuda National Gallery and in the Bermuda Biennial.
On her favorite place to soak in Bermuda’s natural beauty:
I’m weirdly fond of the pond at Somerset Long Bay East Nature Reserve. I like to take my son, Vinny — we sit on the dock and spot the terrapins and all the different kinds of ducks. Round the corner there’s Il Pomodoro where we often grab a take-out pizza to bring in with us.
On what most inspires her creativity:
Everything in Bermuda is so beautiful when it’s been raining. It’s one of my first memories of arriving here — all the waxy green foliage, wet and shiny, lush and overly saturated. At Somerset there are some rugged-looking, untended palm trees around the pond that cast reflections in the water — I like to draw from those in my paintings.
On the best time of day to explore Bermuda:
Early morning beach walks. Horseshoe Bay is calm, cool and wildly beautiful early in the morning.
ELIZABETH ‘LIZ’ BLAKENDAL | Owner of Eettafel Events
A corporate lawyer-turned-event planner, Liz is the woman behind Eettafel Events. She puts her stylist’s eye and love of Bermuda’s natural beauty to work to create stunning al fresco soirées for her clients. She says she’s constantly inspired in Bermuda: “The rich cultural traditions, the mesmerizing hues of blue in the ocean, the pastel-colored homes — there’s nowhere quite like it.”
“A visit to Bermuda is not complete without an adventure, and for me, that includes cliff-jumping at Admiralty house, a long nature walk or a swim at Coopers Island, shopping at Front Street and — last but not least — a codfish breakfast at my home on a Sunday.”
JAMES HARVEY | Owner/Operator of H20 Sports
Bermuda native James Harvey, who operates his watersports concierge H20 Sports out of the breathtaking Mangrove Bay, knows there’s no better way to experience Bermuda than out on the water. “You really haven’t seen Bermuda,” he says, “until you go boating around the many islands, coves and beaches that make up our beautiful country.”
Q: What are your all-time favorite places in Bermuda?
A: It would be very difficult to narrow it down to one place. Right away what comes to mind are the many forts we have on the island, notably Fort Scaur and Whale Bay Fort because of their 360-degree views of the island. And then it would be our many pink beaches along the south shore — how they constantly change shape due to changes in the seasons. Lastly, it would be snorkeling the beautiful coral reefs that surround Bermuda.
Q: What would people be surprised to know about Bermuda?
A: I’m always amazed at how many people have no idea how close we are to the east coast of the U.S. And those who actually know how small the island is — it’s just 22 square miles — don’t seem to realize that Bermuda sits on a reef platform of over 200 square miles.
Q: Which of your senses is most engaged in Bermuda? Why?
A: Sounds and smells. The sound of the ocean and the wind and the many birds — and especially the tree frogs. The smell of the flowers and fauna, and of the fresh ocean air.
Q: What’s the one thing visitors have to eat while on the island — and where should they go to try it?
A: For dinner, a pan-fried wahoo steak with sautéed banana on a bed of black-eyed peas and rice — The Lobster Pot would be my recommendation. Lunch would be a fish sandwich — deep-fried grouper on toasted bread with toppings of your choice. Breakfast would be a traditional codfish and potatoes with banana, avocado and hard-boiled eggs. The best place for that? My mom’s house.
Q: What words would you use to describe your fellow Bermudians?
A: Bermuda is a melting pot of cultures from all over, and that makes you feel like you’re in the friendliest place in the world.
Q: What’s the best time of day in Bermuda — and what’s the best way to make the most of it?
A: Sunrises and sunsets. It is very common for Bermudians to wake up early — before the crack of dawn in some cases — and start their day with an early morning walk before the heat of the day begins. Our sunsets are just as stunning, and so it’s not uncommon for Bermudians to end their day by staring off into the horizon.
ALEXIS ROBERTS | Director of Sales and Marketing at Cambridge Beaches
As someone responsible for marketing Bermuda to paradise-seeking travelers, Alexis Roberts knows a thing or two about how visitors can best experience the island her family has called home for several generations — a place she knows like the back of her hand.
“Here in Bermuda, we are diverse in our cultures, but we are family. We are a small island with a population of 60,000, so we know each other — or at least we know someone who knows the person you are looking for.
“We’re also present — taking in all of Bermuda’s natural beauty while driving, walking or biking allows us to really be in the moment. It’s magical, really.
“For me, the place to take in this natural beauty is on the Railway Trail, an 18-mile path that allows you to walk or ride almost from end to end of the island. One minute you can be in a deep forest; the next, going over bridges of water. Another place for me would be the South Shore beaches from Horseshoe Bay to Long Bay. I like to run along the dunes and find a desolate beach.
“I love Bermuda in the summer after Daylight Savings Time. It doesn't get dark until 8:30pm, so it is so easy to finish work, pack a dinner and either go to the beach or on our boat for a sunset swim.”
MEREDITH ANDREWS | Portrait, Travel and Lifestyle Photographer
Meredith Andrews captures the beauty of her home and its people the best way she knows — from behind the lens of her camera. A portrait, travel and lifestyle photographer, Meredith shoots for all manner of clients, such as Conde Nast Traveler, New York magazine, Lonely Planet, Getty Images and more.
Best beach?
I love Southlands Park. On the south side of the road you have an exquisite, but rarely busy beach with a nice surf break and boiler reefs just offshore. On the north side you have a subtropical forest of palm, rubber, banyan and many other gorgeous trees, plus derelict buildings which make the place quite magical.
Best time for photographs?
Golden hour and sunset are my favourite times of day. In the summer, this can be a good hour and a half of interesting light kicking around, with slightly cooler temperatures and colourful skies.
Most inspiring aspect of living in Bermuda?
The people, our history, culture and the island itself. I find the sense of isolation from the rest of the world inspirational, too.
Most surprising thing to know about Bermuda?
Due to our size we are forced to be very cosmopolitan and aware of what is going on beyond our shores. Bermudians are everywhere — we’ve got a large talent pool for such a small population. From top athletes including high-level footballers and an Olympic gold medalist; world-class creatives from top stylists, actors, visual artists and musicians; business brains; scientists and even a few social media influencers.
Thing you’d miss the most?
Undoubtedly the people, including my dear friends and family, followed closely by the natural environment. I feel not only inspired by the flora and vistas of Bermuda but it somehow keeps me present and grounded. Not being close to the ocean, which is never far here, is unsettling for me.