Leaving Bermuda

Hamilton Bermuda

We finally got a good night’s sleep last night and the ship is much calmer now. We had activities in the morning and then sailed into reef laden waters around Hamilton, site of many ship wrecks over the centuries.

White elephant sale

Folks brought things they wanted to get rid of and boy you saw everything here. One woman had crocheted many blankets on ship and was selling them. Another had several bottles of wine (bar set up rejects?) and she got rid of them. One couple had some weird hats they had accumulated at various ports and other odds and ends. They were different in that they were giving them away to anyone who would make a donation to the ship’s charity. One lady had zip lock bags with small toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other amenities. Where she got them etc. is anyone’s guess. A lady was selling ½ bottle of nail polish remover. You read that correctly. Another woman (do you get the picture that the guys stood around and watched while the ladies did the work?) hooked her clothing on the security bars over the AV room; merchandising just like you see in the ports we’ve visited. Another lady had some nice Calvin Kline stuff she was selling for $3 to $5. I sold a peacock feather fan I had pondered in Mumbai for the same price I paid originally. The guy wanted a matching pair. Ed pulled back the baseball cap (something he NEVER wears) from the USS Iowa and wouldn’t let me sell it. My dress that doesn’t look as good on me as on the rack, did not sell. Two problems: most of the ladies are not my size and even then the style is rather youngish. Further, our shapes don’t look good in all garments. I wasn’t willing to cut the price too much as I know someone who may enjoy it.

One lady was selling the amenities we (who are elite) get from the spa. I thought this was pretty tacky along with the lady selling the chocolates we get on our pillows at night and the one selling 4 Cokes from her minibar.  I’ll bet the crew had a lot to discuss about the passengers this evening!

Just Sam and I for trivia this am. The Boat Building competition was going on too. Those boats are a riot and so much time, energy and work goes into making them. They have to be able to hold a 6 pack of beer without sinking. The entry that won had a lot of money put into it and there was some pandering that went on. Kind’ve disappointing in a way.

Lunch

In our cabin with Frances and Randy so we could watch the sail in. It’s amazing how little leeway there is for the ship and the shore! I don’t think a larger ship could do it safely. You can almost touch the shore on each side. Eventually we berthed right in the middle of town. I’m not exaggerating. You stepped off the gangway and it was about 10 steps to the busy street that is their main drag.

Drive around to St. George’s the old town

We found a driver and negotiated a price and Frances and Randy, Ed and I were off with a nice older local man named Del. We spent a few minutes exploring the original and first Anglican church in America. The ceiling is like an upside down ship bottom. Then an old wooden ship called Discovery; I must get it’s story some time.

When we returned we checked out the stores along the main street. They were all high priced and so we just looked. But we went into a liquor store so Frances and Ed (they are now drinking buddies while Randy and I roll our eyes) could buy the local drink called Dark Storm made out of ginger beer and rum. Ed snuck the 4 cans on board and they both declared it really good and a concoction they’ll make at home.

We dashed back for dinner and the slow sail away where I spent the whole time trying to download some stuff to listen to.

Connectivity

It is odd that on the way in I could not get a signal. Neither could Ed. Then I got one on my iPad (the one that is the weaker of my two devices) and eventually on my iPhone. Ed’s wasn’t working hardly at all. On the way out, I had good strong signals in both devices but they would switch the power of the signal at times. Now why would that be? They are both the same kind with the same connections?

Geography Trivia

I called Frances and Randy to see if they wanted to go for this. They were already in their “jammies” I was glad that decision was made for me. I did my usual every other day routine of washing out my sleeves and then the usual nighttime rituals that seem to entail more and more minutiae as we age.

We now have two days at sea before Ft. Lauderdale, sailing along the side of the Bermuda triangle. The ship’s photo today has the Bermuda triangle. I thought that was clever. They really try hard to make things special for us.