Bermuda – How This Cruise Itinerary Was Different – Day 1

We got to Kings Wharf, which used to be part of the Royal Navy Dockyard, at around 3pm on August 5th, and had half a day there, then we had the entire day on August 6th, and we departed at around 12 noon on August 7th.  That is why this cruise was different to any others that I’ve ever taken before, as with this cruise there was a chance to explore the destination much more than you are typically allowed with many cruise itineraries where you only have about eleven hours or so at the port (and sometimes even less).  I could have done so much more in Bermuda than I did – if it hadn’t been for an accident that I had – on the first evening.  I could have taken so many more photos, but I was in quite a bit of pain.  Anyway, we will talk about the accident later, but now for some pictures.

Day One in Bermuda

The Clock Tower Mall, at Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Clock Tower Mall, Kings Wharf, Bermuda

The Enchantment Of The Seas in Bermuda

It was such a beautiful day, but quite hot, and the sky was a lovely blue, with just a few clouds.  The Norwegian Dawn was also at the port in Bermuda:

Norwegian Dawn in Bermuda

We stayed close by to the cruise ship since it was my son’s birthday, and we wanted to go back to the cruise ship and celebrate his birthday at dinner time in My Fair Lady.

Although Bermuda is located off the East Coast of the USA, and is closer to North Carolina, it is part of the British Commonwealth, and officially classed therefore as part of the British overseas territories.  However, USA dollars are accepted as much as the local currency – the Bermudian dollars, as there are plenty of American tourists there.  There is of course, a big connection to the UK, and hence the British style phone booths.

Bermuda

Clock Tower Mall, Bermuda

Bermudan Flowers

Bermudian Palm Trees

Horse Carriage Ride, Bermuda

This picture is a hint as to what almost knocked me over only 40 minutes or so after taking this picture, and upon leaving Snorkel Beach.

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park and the beach there is only about a 10 minute walk at the most from where the cruise ship docked, and is perhaps a great idea for those wishing to know what they can do on their first day, that is within close proximity of the cruise ship.  It is a great beach to go snorkeling at….. is what I heard from another cruise ship passenger.

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

There is a great place to get refreshments at – and those were certainly needed as it was an incredibly hot day.

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

Snorkel Park Beach, Bermuda

It was right after we left Snorkel Beach, when I was holding my camcorder and taping – that the accident happened.  My oldest daughter  was pushing the stroller with Chandi in it, and walking alongside their brother, while I was behind.  The path is a very narrow path from the beach back in the direction of the cruise ship (if you make a right out of the beach).  I called out to the kids to be careful as the path was narrow, and you could not see what was around the corner, and thirty seconds after I called out, is when the incident occurred.  I saw a moped with a woman who was riding it, and a man who was pushing her from behind.  I heard shouting and laughter – it was confusing.  I couldn’t believe they were behaving so dangerously, and I was instantly concerned.  It all happened so quickly, but the kids got out of the way, and the moped was within inches of my feet, and just then I saw the narrow path widen, so I lurched towards the wide part – not knowing it was a drop down to the bushes.  I tripped over and fell into the bushes, trying to escape the moped, however, it also fell over right where I did and landed inches away from me.  People came over to assist, and long story short, I had twisted my ankle, but was okay.  I was limping for days afterwards, and had a swollen ankle for about two and a half weeks.

The police did not give me a report or even take my statement properly since I had not been hit by the moped, but sustained the injury due to trying to get out of the way of the moped.  It just makes you think, did they want me to get hit to prove that the moped was the cause of my injury?  Anyhow, the passers-by who had seen the incident were really nice and helpful, even offering to take my kids back to the cruise ship for me incase I had to go to the hospital, but that was not necessary.  The paramedics arrived and were the ones who asked me to take my first step, and saw that I could walk, so therefore, this meant nothing was broken.  The lady who was on the moped got hurt too as apparently she went up in the air according to some witnesses, and I saw her lying there on the pavement.  She was also rather shaken up.  Apparently, she was also a fellow passenger on the cruise ship, but I did not know or try to find out what her name was.  She seemed to be okay though, as she was talking, and I’m glad that she was okay as well.

My camcorder was also smashed at the lens, and even though it still worked, it wasn’t nice to see that it had got damaged too as it was a fairly new camcorder.  However, I still consider myself lucky as my children could have been injured or hit, and my injury could have been much worse – if I had been hit.

Anyway, the brief point I want to get across here is just be careful when you go to a foreign country.  You don’t want your holiday spoilt by being hit – or almost hit by a moped or anything else for that matter.  Your holiday can be ruined, and it can be very painful.  Forget about loss of enjoyment, just getting through the next few days successfully can be quite an effort.  As I told the police officer, the moped rental company – I will not name them here – should change their procedures.  They can’t let their employees train someone to ride a moped (that is basically what was happening when I saw the man pushing the woman on the moped) in a public place with a narrow path leading to a place of popular interest – such as the beach.  There were so many other places that this moped rider could have been trained – on the other side of the clock tower where there was a big empty parking lot for instance.  I hope my accident will spur the moped company to change their ways, but I’m not sure that is going to happen.  The next day, I just had to buy this fridge magnet:

Survived A Bermudian Motorbike

Even though it said motorbike, instead of moped, to me it really meant the same thing.  I believe there are lots of accidents involving mopeds and motorbikes in Bermuda. After I limped back to the ship (we got there about 35 minutes late for dinner, but better late than never!) an employee there told me that every single cruise has some kind of accident story associated with one of the passengers and an accident on the streets of Bermuda.  So, just be careful – I’d say don’t rent the mopeds, and also, please stay out of their way!

However, it goes without saying that this could just have been bad luck for me, and it doesn’t happen to everyone.  Bermuda is a beautiful country, and I’m still very glad that I visited it, and have no regrets whatsoever.  Accidents can happen anywhere, we just have to be careful, and that is why I chose to mention my mishap in Bermuda – in the hopes that I can save this from happening to someone else.

By the way, here is a sample of the itinerary of the 6 day cruise from Baltimore, Maryland to Bermuda:

August 3rd, 2012 Depart Baltimore, MD at 4:30 PM

August 4th, 2012 Day At Sea (cruising)

August 5th, 2012 Arrive Kings Wharf, Bermuda at 3:00 PM

August 6th, 2012 Stay All Day in Bermuda

August 7th, 2012 Depart Kings Wharf, Bermuda at 12:00 PM

August 8th, 2012 Day At Sea (cruising)

August 9th, 2012 Arrive Baltimore, MD at 7:00 AM

Next post, I will write about Day 2 in Bermuda which I was fearful on August 5th –  would not be a possibility for me in my current condition at that time.