On July 1, I received a telephone call from my friend, Matt, from Connecticut, U.S.A. shouting, "I'm coming to Bermuda, I'm so excited, I can't wait, and I'm coming on a cruise ship!"

I asked, "Where are you docking at; Dockyard, Hamilton, or St. George's?"

Matt answered, "Wait, and let me ask my mom"....two minutes later, out of breath, he replied, "Dockyard."

I exclaimed, "Great" When do you get to Bermuda?"

"At lunch time, on July 7, Matt replied.

I suggested, "My parents and I will pick you up and take you on a tour around Bermuda. We can take you to some of the 'Spectacular beaches with pink sand and turquoise water' that only one of the beautiful things about Bermuda."

One week later....

Hi Matt, how was your cruise?" I asked.

Matt replied, "Smooth."

I exclaimed, "Great! Would you like to start your tour now? By the way, where are your parents?"

"Coming along now." he replied

I suggested, "We will try to go to two parishes a day, OK? Let's get started in Dockyard."

First, we went to the Frog and Onion Restaurant in Dockyard for lunch, then into the Craft Market to buy some Bermuda made souvenirs. We drove to Gibb's Hill Lighthouse in Southampton. We climbed all the stairs to the top.

"What a beautiful view!" Matt's mom commented.

Then we drove to Horseshoe Bay Beach and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. We collected some shells and some of the beautiful pink sand.

The next day, Matt and his family rented scooters and rode to my house in Warwick for brunch.

"That bike ride was awesome!" Matt exclaimed.

The we walked down to Warwick Lane for a couple of games of bowling. "I haven't bowled in months!" Matt announced.

After this, we walked along the Railway Trail all the way to Botanical Gardens.

"That's the most exercise I have had in a couple of years!" Matt's mom revealed. That night we all had dinner on the cruise ship.

On July 9, we took the ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton to do a little shopping. We visited Fort Hamilton and the Cathedral. Then we jumped back on the ferry and headed to St. George's. We arrived just in time to watch the Ducking stool Re-enactment.

"I sure am glad I wasn't around during that time!" exclaimed Matt's sister, Amanda.

We had a very late lunch at Black Beards Restaurant. Then we explored Fort St. Catherine's and finally enjoyed the late afternoon sun relaxing on the beach below, before taking the ferry back to Dockyard.

On July 10, we visited the Aquarium in Smith's where one of the monkeys took an extra special interest in Matt and followed him all around its cage.

What's up with this monkey?" Matt exclaimed.

Then we had a picnic lunch at Shelly Bay Beach before heading to cool off in the Crystal Caves, on Wilkinson Avenue, Hamilton Parish. 'Discovered in 1905 by two young boys during a game of cricket, the Crystal Cave is one of Bermuda's prized attractions.'

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Tom Moore's Tavern. 'Bermuda's oldest eatery, built in 1652 as a private home, located near the Crystal Caves. With its four fireplaces and darkened cedar walls, this landmark establishment serves classical French and Italian cuisine.'

"What an exhausting day!" Matt's dad murmured.

"I haven't eaten that much in one sitting since I was pregnant with Matt!" exclaimed Matt's mom.

We had one last visit with Matt's family on the morning of July 11, to say our goodbyes. My mom and Matt's mom hugged and hugged and hugged and had a few tears.

But I shouted, "Good bye Matt, hope to see you in a couple of years?" And Matt replied, "Thanks for everything, I had a great time. See ya in Connecticut soon, I hope."