1st Place, Age 11-14, Overall Winner

A Day to remember Visiting Bermuda!

“As a fourteen year old active boy, I enjoy being introduced to adventurous things and that is the kind of day that I would organise for a new tourist my age. Eating is important to us, so our visitor can experience Bermuda through our foods as well. The only limiting part about our tour is the time — there is so much to do in Bermuda. How I can possibly do it all in one day!

A family travelling together should find a comfortable place to stay. I recommend Clear View Suites and Villas because it is spacious, comfortable and has water views. It is located in Hamilton Parish, and is centrally located between St. George’s and the City of Hamilton. The tour will begin at 6.30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast at Landfall Restaurant. This buffet will give us a chance to select from a few of the Bermudian traditional breakfasts like codfish & potatoes with banana and avocado or Johnny bread, scrambled eggs and bacon; or even halved Bermuda grown grapefruit sprinkled with sugar. In any case, there is a lot to choose!

But, the main thing is to get quite full without being too stuffed because we are going deep sea fishing! I will arrange with my neighbourhood adult friends to take us out for four hours. We will return around 11 a.m. Last year was the first time that I went deep sea fishing and it is one of the most incredible experiences you can ever have. You will never be the same and it is one of the most unique ways to see Bermuda and experience a way of life. We will be going with real fishermen!

Although we will have a packed food like peas and rice, chicken and potato salad and lots of water, drink and snacks, salt water makes you hungry. I know I am going to be hungry again! My mother will meet us at Bailey’s Bay dock. We will clean up quickly, order the best fish sandwiches in the island from “Art-Mel Spicy Dicey”. We will eat on the run!

We will pass through the city or what we call town, so you can select a few souvenirs for your friends and family at home — but we won’t take any longer than an hour. I would recommend music like the “Jamba” CD, and T-shirts, caps and maybe even something to remember your fishing tour. I really do not like shopping, but I think that it is important to get a few things to remember your visit and to show that you thought of your friends when you were having a lot of fun.

We will catch the fast ferry to Dockyard from the Hamilton dock, Albouy’s Point. My mother will meet us in Dockyard. Since she will get there some time after us we will visit the Maritime Museum and Dolphin Quest. At the museum we will see some really unique things like the Bermuda dinghy which I will explain in more detail when we are there. But, the best thing would be swimming with the dolphins.

Animals are fun and being able to get really close to a dolphin is exciting! Dockyard can be an all day tour but we will have to limit our time so that we can see as much of Bermuda as possible. Before we leave, I would like to show my guest Bermuda artwork and products around the small stores in the buildings. We will see how Dockyard was used years ago compared to how it is being used now. Dockyard is a good place to run around at your own pace.

My mom will pick us up and drive from Dockyard, through Somerset Village and stop by my aunt’s to get something to drink. We will go to Southampton Golf Academy. Golf is a big part of the life in Bermuda so he should at least experience some part of the sport. Since our time is limited we will either play minigolf or hit practice balls at the driving range.

We will drive along the south shore, stopping at Horseshoe Bay Beach for a swim. Jobson’s Cove nearby is a good place to snorkel around the rocks. Horseshoe Bay has rental equipment for snorkeling. Underwater is a whole new world! We would explore the coral, the different kinds of fish and I guess even the sand would be new experience for my adventurous guest. I hope they feel comfortable in the water. We would probably get some French fries for a snack and something else to drink.

Our next place to visit would be Spittal Pond, I like that area because it has some historical importance but it also has the most spectacular views of the south shore and it is a nature reserve. We won’t spend too much time there because I want to spend a good two hours at the Aquarium and Zoo. This is one of my favourite places, because I love animals and they seem to like me too.

Every time I go to the Aquarium, there is this one parrot that flies down to my shoulder. My sisters were the first to see the parrot fly to me and we thought it was just a fluke. The next time I went with my class, the parrot did it again and the time after that when my mom took us. We will see what happens this time.

I will organise for us to parasail in St. George’s. Parasailing is like parachuting behind a fast boat, except you are really just sailing through the air over the water. I can’t wait to do that, I have never done it myself but I can imagine what it must be like. We will be able to see far and wide. It is probably peaceful and exciting at the same time.

After parasailing, we can look around St. George’s. Fort St. Catherine’s is an interesting place, and Tobacco Bay, the St. George’s Golf course, and the Square are some of the places that we will take out time to visit. The museums are interesting and they won’t take long to see. St. George’s was the first city of Bermuda.

The roads are very narrow and windy. Many of the buildings are the original buildings that were built during early colonisation of the island. But, we will also see modern sights too, like the huge luxury motor yachts that I hope to own one day!

We will end the day by going to Southside; we should be tired by now though. If we are not tired, we can either roller blade near the playground or swim. We will always find some other people there doing something. We might even have a chance to ride someone’s jet ski — if we are lucky. Southside is a good place to unwind. There is a bowling alley there too. I am probably going to be too tired to play but we can stop and watch other people bowl.

By late evening my mom can take us for a slow drive back up town, to see the lights, and Front Street, with all its displays and art work along the street. We will have dinner at Monty’s Restaurant. They have the most delicious food and desserts. Before leaving town we will grab some freshly baked mini-donuts.

The day will be packed with adventure and excitement and by the night we will be good and tired. Once we drop my guest back to Clear View to meet his parents, all he will be able to do is drop in bed and fall asleep with a smile on his face. This is a day he will always remember!