Will and I are back in Tucson, but LFLatSea is still in Bermuda.  I have much to report about our final cruise days and our four very busy days in New York City--much too busy to spend writing the blog.  Now, at home and at leisure, I can start to catch up.  So watch for new blog entries over the next several days.

           
13 July 2018
St George, Bermuda

Our ship stayed in port overnight, so today we have another chance to explore a different part of this chain of islands, until we sail at 3pm.  Our early morning excursion takes us on a small bus to the geographic and political center of Bermuda, the capital city of Hamilton.  

The 45-minute drive from St George to Hamilton takes us along the south coast of Bermuda.  We pass the women's prison (lightly populated), but then move on to more colorful hotels and residences that line the shore and extend up the hills.

Women's Prison (Green Building) Outside St George

Deluxe Waterfront Hotel

Colorful Hillside Home

All-white Waterfront Mansion

The southern shore is where the ocean is deepest and the color the darkest blue.  We make a short stop at a quiet and beautiful beach about halfway between the two towns.

































Hamilton is a waterfront city filled with two- and three-story pastel-colored buildings housing expensive shops and the offices of banks and insurance companies.  The most interesting buildings are government offices, including the City Hall, the Parliament Building, and several memorials.  There is also an outlet of London's Marks & Spencer Department Store, as well as a local one, Brown's.  Prices are high, even without tariffs and taxes--this is an island in the ocean after all, and most everything has to be imported.   Interestingly, there are no US franchise operations; all fast food--including Starbucks--is forbidden by law.

Traffic Direction Cage in the Center of Hamilton

Hamilton is a City of Many Independent Bookstores--Good for Them!

City Hall and Arts Centre 

Parliament Building

Hamilton is also a city of many beautiful churches:

The Cathedral Looks Especially Imposing from This Angle

Another View of City Hall and Arts Center
(with our tour bus on the right)

Prime Minister's House and Grounds

Will Examining Memorial to Female Slave Burned at the Stake
(on the grounds of Prime Minister's house)

Although everything looks neat and lovely in these pictures, and we have enjoyed our time in Hamilton, the high heat and heavy humidity are difficult to bear, and we are happy to re-board our bus and head back to St George and the Insignia. Our return route takes us along the north coast road, winding through a number of seaside villages and passing small but beautiful beaches. Before reaching St George we stop at one more beach to watch kids on water bicycles.

We are back on board shortly before our scheduled 3pm departure, which is delayed a little because of very heavy cross-ship winds.  The tug assisting us first tries to pull us away from the dock, but it just doesn't have the strength to fight against the winds.  She pulls around to the other side of the Insignia and manages to push us out far enough for the ship's engines to take over.

We then head through the very narrow "cut," that leads from the harbor into the ocean, which I described in an earlier blog entry.  So we head out to sea for our final day as we head to New York City for an early morning landing the day after tomorrow.

The "Cut"

The next blog will take us on our final not very pleasant day at sea and our arrival in NYC.