December 15, 2008

RECENTLY, we Zoomed into Bermuda from the UK.

As we were about to land, I looked out from my window seat and admired the beautiful five-star tourist resort, recently completed next to Fort St. Catherine's. I brimmed with pride.

After clearing customs, my wife and I hopped in our taxi and proceeded to the other end of the island. Driving by John Smith's Bay we could not believe our eyes.

On the beach were a number of Playmate Bunnies dousing themselves with suntan lotion. It was a beautiful sight to see. Smiling, we continued on and at Warwick Long Bay we noticed a hive of activity. The newly constructed Long Bay pavilion and bar was full of tourists eating and drinking. Some were wearing Maradona football jerseys, others were eating Chinese cuisine. I thought "Hey! the tourism marketing efforts in Bermuda are taking effect."

As we continued to our destination, we came across the newly constructed Sonesta Beach Hotel. It stood out with its pristine gardens and water parks.

A little further along, at the Port Royal Golf and Country Club, there were thousands of tourists and locals at number three hole. Tiger and "The Shark" were going head to head in a gruelling match. As we passed the Tax Exempt Cottage Colony Resort, my wife could not help but notice a Government Minister with his wife, sipping cocktails.

Approaching Dockyard, there were two "Mega Ships" tied to the pier.

There must have been six thousand tourists milling around. It appeared as if they were trying to purchase concert tickets for the Eagles, as they were performing at the Music Festival that night. After inquiring, I discovered I was mistaken. They were waiting for the mini bus to take them to Horseshoe Bay.

We finally checked in at the Sally Port Grand where we rented a moped. Going for a ride, turning the corner by the Clock Tower Mall, we met head on with a tractor trailer dump truck.

Suddenly, I woke up. My wife next to me said, "You must have been having a dream."

THE TOURISM PLATINUM ERA