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Beyond the Pink Sands
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The travel channel is a great way to see the world from the comfort of your own home. As a child I grew up seeing many luxurious vacation spots featured on different shows on the travel channel. I remember seeing the Caribbean beaches and thinking how different they are from the beaches I’ve been to. The featured beaches looked picture perfect. They were beautiful and breathtaking looking as a dream; the perfect vacation getaway. The color appeal had the most effect on me. The light colored sands paired perfectly with the tropical blue and green ocean waters. The colors of the water made me feel calm, and relaxed from the comfort of my home. As I watched and observed these beaches I always hoped I could one day have an opportunity to experience a beach like that for myself. Living in New England, I have access to local beaches, but the beaches here never interested me as much as the ones I saw on television. I love the ocean, and don’t mind the sand but I was never a fan of the overload of rocks on the shore of the beach and the seaweed in the water. When my boyfriend Kyle informed me that he had won a free cruise, I was less than thrilled. I had never been on a cruise before and the thought of being trapped on a boat for a few days did not interest me, but knowing I had the opportunity to see one of those beautiful Caribbean beaches in person was a dream come true.
Lucky for Kyle he knew some friends who lived in Bermuda so choosing a destination to redeem our free cruise was easy. It worked out for the both of us as- he would be able to visit with his friends who would double as tour guides, and I would get to see the pink sanded Bermuda beach I had only experienced through my computer and television screens. It was a mid-June, and the summer heat was just beginning the day we boarded the cruise ship. Being on the ship was boring. Looking over the side of the ship all you could see was blue skies and water that went on for miles. After being on the cruise ship for 3 days, it was a great relief to get off the boat and walk on the ground once again. Leaving the pier and stepping foot on the grounds of Bermuda land, only made it real that the beach was only a short trip away and I could not wait to get there! My dream of finally visiting that tropical beach from the travel chancel was one step closer within my reach.
The ships port was located in Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard. Walking out of the cruise port into the hot afternoon sun was an experience like no other. It felt like a typical summer afternoon, but looking around it was anything but typical. It was hot, the sun was shining, there were beautiful ocean waters around me, and there were palm trees lining the streets. Kyle and I found our way to the entrance of the National Museum of Bermuda. Here we were able to explore the museum exhibits of art, cannons, shipwreck artifacts, local watercrafts, maritime art, and of course the spectacular ocean views! As I was standing on the front of the commissioner’s house I remember looking out and seeing the beautiful blue ocean waters that looked like it went on for miles and miles. The view from the front of that house made me feel important. I could see almost everything in sight in Dockyard. Being that high up made me fell incredible! The water was that familiar tropical blue I had only dreamed about for years. I could also see the buildings that made up the museum. Beyond the land of the museum I could also see some buildings and shopping stores filled with ecstatic tourists taking pictures of everything in sight.
After leaving the museum, we then traveled to Horseshoe Bay Beach which is one of the top rated beaches to visit in Bermuda as it is bordered by natural limestone cliffs. Upon arriving to the beach there was no wonder why it was top-rated. The beach had this beautiful light colored sand with specks of pink in it. Stepping foot on the sand, it felt “soft and cool” beneath my feet, which was a relief to what I was expecting- hot sand. Seeing the sand on this beach was not what I expected when I heard about pink sanded beaches. I was expecting full on pink sand, not white sand with pink specks. I had learned that tourists turn the pink sand over and are running the beach.
Walking towards the ocean I noticed there were no rocks or shells in the sand, as there was on the beaches back home. As we walked farther down to the beach, I could begin to see the water. The water was a beautiful tropical color and I could not wait to jump in. As I found my way to the ocean I watched the waves gently rock against the shore. They were mellow and the tropical blue water was crystal clear. I thought about the beach back home, but even on the best day it could never compare to this. The beach in Bermuda cannot compare to the beaches back home. As we took that first step barefoot on the sand we both expected the sand to be hot, like it typically is on a hot day at the beach back home making the sand difficult to walk on with bare feet. To our surprise the sand was cool though it had been under the hot sun all afternoon. The sand felt “soft and cool” which felt good on our feet as we made our way down the beach. I had expected all of the sand on the beach to be pink, so seeing some white sand was a disappointment.
Horseshoe Bay Beach is a high tourist location and because of the population of tourists that visit the beach, they are turning up the sand so the pink and the white are being mixed together. While in the ocean I was able to grab a handful of sand and see the pink. The beach was beautiful as the gentle waves crashed onto the shore it revealed pink sands. While the beach was full of other people, it was quiet. The waves were crashing against the shore that sounded relaxing like sounds you would hear on a relaxation CD recording of the beach. There were no seagulls flying around trying to pick through your things for food. The pink of the sand and the blue of the water was colorfully and pleasing to the eye. I could sit there and watch the waves come and turn the sand over revealing the pink. Because it was a hot and sunny day we could not wait to get into the crisp, blue water. Without hesitation we went right in. The water was not as salty as the water back home; it was like swimming in fresh water. The water was also warm- a lot warmer than the water at the beaches back home in June. The water temperature must have been about what it is during our final weeks of summer back home. Due to our finding of the warmth of the ocean water, we ran in without stopping while Kyle’s native friends complained the water was freezing. Locals don’t usually swim or make beach trips until after the 4th of July holiday.
After spending some time swimming and playing in the pink sand it was time to explore the non-touristy parts of the beach. The best part about knowing people who live in Bermuda is that they can take you to the places that are not listed on the tourist maps! We made our way over to the cliffs in a remotely private section of beaches. There were no tourists around, just locals enjoying the day at the beach. There I saw more of the pink sand I longed to see. The sand was much pinker in color as not many people visited that section of beaches. As we climbed up to the top of the limestone cliffs, we were able to have a view of a lifetime. Looking down you can see the ocean gently crashing against the rocks in the cove below. Looking out you can see tropical blue waters running for miles with sailboats off in the distance.
The beach is what had driven me to Bermuda but while we were there we were luck to see Hamilton, the capitol of Bermuda and where Kyle’s friends lived. It was an interesting experience to drive around on the twist and turns of the narrow roads, and see palm trees everywhere. The people of the neighborhoods were so friendly, as they would let other cars pass by them at a four way intersection. No one seemed to be in a rush, they all moved about at a mellow pace.
One of the most interesting things about seeing the neighborhoods of Bermuda is that every house was painted a nice tropical shade including light pinks, whites, light blues, sea greens. Even the low-income housing, known as “the projects” back home, looked like typical housing development and had no distinct difference than the houses around them. Around here it is clear to tell different neighborhoods apart by the type of houses, but in Bermuda everything blended in and looked tropical. There was no Dunkin’ Donuts, fast food restaurants, big department stores or CVS Pharmacies parked on every corner. There were only small businesses. The nicest thing was that stores closed at 5pm during the week so that workers could get home to enjoy family time together. It was different from where we live because we have access to stores at all hours of the day and night.
Besides the beach one of the greatest experiences of this trip was the experience to try something different and tropical. A pawpaw is a tropical fruit that is a cross between a banana and a mango. These trees were grown in the area, and Kyle’s friend had one in his yard. He had made a dish that used the pawpaw fruit which was baked with cheese. This was something I would never in my life have even known about or tried if it was not for this trip. Eating the dish, I could taste the sweetness of the pawpaw fruit and the saltiness of the cheeses. It was an interesting, yet different taste and while I have never tasted anything like this I thought it was an interesting combination of food. This was a popular dish many enjoyed with meals and I can see why because the fruit was grown so close to their homes, it was easily accessible.
After returning home I had the whole summer ahead of me. Of course I would fill my time with beach trips on my days off. Sitting on Horseneck Beach in Westport, Ma will never be the same. The rocks, the view, the color and lack of clearness of the ocean water, children running around screaming, thieving seagulls, and the seaweed will never compare to the crisp, clean, tropical oasis of the beach in Bermuda.
Lucky for Kyle he knew some friends who lived in Bermuda so choosing a destination to redeem our free cruise was easy. It worked out for the both of us as- he would be able to visit with his friends who would double as tour guides, and I would get to see the pink sanded Bermuda beach I had only experienced through my computer and television screens. It was a mid-June, and the summer heat was just beginning the day we boarded the cruise ship. Being on the ship was boring. Looking over the side of the ship all you could see was blue skies and water that went on for miles. After being on the cruise ship for 3 days, it was a great relief to get off the boat and walk on the ground once again. Leaving the pier and stepping foot on the grounds of Bermuda land, only made it real that the beach was only a short trip away and I could not wait to get there! My dream of finally visiting that tropical beach from the travel chancel was one step closer within my reach.
The ships port was located in Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard. Walking out of the cruise port into the hot afternoon sun was an experience like no other. It felt like a typical summer afternoon, but looking around it was anything but typical. It was hot, the sun was shining, there were beautiful ocean waters around me, and there were palm trees lining the streets. Kyle and I found our way to the entrance of the National Museum of Bermuda. Here we were able to explore the museum exhibits of art, cannons, shipwreck artifacts, local watercrafts, maritime art, and of course the spectacular ocean views! As I was standing on the front of the commissioner’s house I remember looking out and seeing the beautiful blue ocean waters that looked like it went on for miles and miles. The view from the front of that house made me feel important. I could see almost everything in sight in Dockyard. Being that high up made me fell incredible! The water was that familiar tropical blue I had only dreamed about for years. I could also see the buildings that made up the museum. Beyond the land of the museum I could also see some buildings and shopping stores filled with ecstatic tourists taking pictures of everything in sight.
After leaving the museum, we then traveled to Horseshoe Bay Beach which is one of the top rated beaches to visit in Bermuda as it is bordered by natural limestone cliffs. Upon arriving to the beach there was no wonder why it was top-rated. The beach had this beautiful light colored sand with specks of pink in it. Stepping foot on the sand, it felt “soft and cool” beneath my feet, which was a relief to what I was expecting- hot sand. Seeing the sand on this beach was not what I expected when I heard about pink sanded beaches. I was expecting full on pink sand, not white sand with pink specks. I had learned that tourists turn the pink sand over and are running the beach.
Walking towards the ocean I noticed there were no rocks or shells in the sand, as there was on the beaches back home. As we walked farther down to the beach, I could begin to see the water. The water was a beautiful tropical color and I could not wait to jump in. As I found my way to the ocean I watched the waves gently rock against the shore. They were mellow and the tropical blue water was crystal clear. I thought about the beach back home, but even on the best day it could never compare to this. The beach in Bermuda cannot compare to the beaches back home. As we took that first step barefoot on the sand we both expected the sand to be hot, like it typically is on a hot day at the beach back home making the sand difficult to walk on with bare feet. To our surprise the sand was cool though it had been under the hot sun all afternoon. The sand felt “soft and cool” which felt good on our feet as we made our way down the beach. I had expected all of the sand on the beach to be pink, so seeing some white sand was a disappointment.
Horseshoe Bay Beach is a high tourist location and because of the population of tourists that visit the beach, they are turning up the sand so the pink and the white are being mixed together. While in the ocean I was able to grab a handful of sand and see the pink. The beach was beautiful as the gentle waves crashed onto the shore it revealed pink sands. While the beach was full of other people, it was quiet. The waves were crashing against the shore that sounded relaxing like sounds you would hear on a relaxation CD recording of the beach. There were no seagulls flying around trying to pick through your things for food. The pink of the sand and the blue of the water was colorfully and pleasing to the eye. I could sit there and watch the waves come and turn the sand over revealing the pink. Because it was a hot and sunny day we could not wait to get into the crisp, blue water. Without hesitation we went right in. The water was not as salty as the water back home; it was like swimming in fresh water. The water was also warm- a lot warmer than the water at the beaches back home in June. The water temperature must have been about what it is during our final weeks of summer back home. Due to our finding of the warmth of the ocean water, we ran in without stopping while Kyle’s native friends complained the water was freezing. Locals don’t usually swim or make beach trips until after the 4th of July holiday.
After spending some time swimming and playing in the pink sand it was time to explore the non-touristy parts of the beach. The best part about knowing people who live in Bermuda is that they can take you to the places that are not listed on the tourist maps! We made our way over to the cliffs in a remotely private section of beaches. There were no tourists around, just locals enjoying the day at the beach. There I saw more of the pink sand I longed to see. The sand was much pinker in color as not many people visited that section of beaches. As we climbed up to the top of the limestone cliffs, we were able to have a view of a lifetime. Looking down you can see the ocean gently crashing against the rocks in the cove below. Looking out you can see tropical blue waters running for miles with sailboats off in the distance.
The beach is what had driven me to Bermuda but while we were there we were luck to see Hamilton, the capitol of Bermuda and where Kyle’s friends lived. It was an interesting experience to drive around on the twist and turns of the narrow roads, and see palm trees everywhere. The people of the neighborhoods were so friendly, as they would let other cars pass by them at a four way intersection. No one seemed to be in a rush, they all moved about at a mellow pace.
One of the most interesting things about seeing the neighborhoods of Bermuda is that every house was painted a nice tropical shade including light pinks, whites, light blues, sea greens. Even the low-income housing, known as “the projects” back home, looked like typical housing development and had no distinct difference than the houses around them. Around here it is clear to tell different neighborhoods apart by the type of houses, but in Bermuda everything blended in and looked tropical. There was no Dunkin’ Donuts, fast food restaurants, big department stores or CVS Pharmacies parked on every corner. There were only small businesses. The nicest thing was that stores closed at 5pm during the week so that workers could get home to enjoy family time together. It was different from where we live because we have access to stores at all hours of the day and night.
Besides the beach one of the greatest experiences of this trip was the experience to try something different and tropical. A pawpaw is a tropical fruit that is a cross between a banana and a mango. These trees were grown in the area, and Kyle’s friend had one in his yard. He had made a dish that used the pawpaw fruit which was baked with cheese. This was something I would never in my life have even known about or tried if it was not for this trip. Eating the dish, I could taste the sweetness of the pawpaw fruit and the saltiness of the cheeses. It was an interesting, yet different taste and while I have never tasted anything like this I thought it was an interesting combination of food. This was a popular dish many enjoyed with meals and I can see why because the fruit was grown so close to their homes, it was easily accessible.
After returning home I had the whole summer ahead of me. Of course I would fill my time with beach trips on my days off. Sitting on Horseneck Beach in Westport, Ma will never be the same. The rocks, the view, the color and lack of clearness of the ocean water, children running around screaming, thieving seagulls, and the seaweed will never compare to the crisp, clean, tropical oasis of the beach in Bermuda.