The ARC Europe Transatlantic RallyMoonstruck was a participant in the 2007 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. |
Bermuda
Alan's Log:
Joan's Log:
Moonstruck on arrival in Bermuda
May 23rd, 2007
Bermuda has turned out to be an unexpected and very pleasant surprise, I honestly did not know that much about the island, except that it is WAY out in the Atlantic, has great golf courses, and pink sand beaches. It is so much more than that! We have been staying at St. George Dinghy Club Marina which is about a mile walk from the beautiful town of St. George. St. George dates back to the early 1600's and is a well preserved and charming mix of English seaside town architecture and tropical paradise. Two things struck us right away; the genuine friendliness of the people here - what a contrast from a few of the Caribbean Islands; Antigua and the BVI's. Bermudians go out of their way to be lovely to visitors. Everywhere we went we were we greeted with big smiles, offers of help or assistance, and friendly small talk, even the children passing by on the street will greet you with "good morning" or "good afternoon". The other thing we noticed is how clean, orderly and tidy everything is here, the streets, the houses, the gardens, are all beautifully maintained.
The homes and shops all over the island are very substantially constructed, as you would expect to withstand the storms. All are painted in an ice cream palette of peaches and cream, blueberry, lemon custard, strawberry, lime chiffon, etc. with dazzling white roofs. All contrasted with the unbelievable, stunning color of the ocean, a vivid turquoise, actually more than turquoise, peacock blue is what comes to mind, I couldn't take my eyes off of it! Flowers are everywhere, lovely English style trimmed hedges of red hibiscus, pink oleander, lantana, and bright blue morning glories. We loved the birds, there is a large population of Eastern Bluebirds on Bermuda, they are so beautiful! Also there is a very happy bird that sings all day long. Colin named it the Hip Hooray Bird, which is exactly what it's song sounds like, "hip hooray, hip hooray!"
We have become renegades and broken with the pack! Herb, our weather advisor, has recommended that we do not leave Bermuda in view of the weather conditions expected. ARC decided to go ahead and start the second leg, but Moonstruck and 3 other boats have decided to stay another one and a half days in Bermuda - largely in order to get a favorable weather forecast for our passage.
The renegade boats are; Brigand (the party boat), Rosario and Belle, the fastest mono hull. Additionally, Great Escapes only arrived yesterday so they will also stay, and Stella Maris, which put to sea with the ARC group yesterday, turned back in the face of heavy headwinds and seas and will now also leave (again) on Friday minus one crew member who decided to fly home.
We are staying for a better weather forecast and because the biggest holiday in Bermuda is today, Bermuda Day! This includes a boat race that the guys don't want to miss. The majority of the ARC boats left yesterday at noon. Another reason for staying is the weather heading out for the Azores was not the greatest with strong head winds of about 25 knots. We have heard from Herb that Thursday night or Friday morning is the best time to leave, as the wind will be more favorable. I hope we can catch up with them! We wish the best of luck to those already en route but are comfortable with our delayed departure. Next stop the Azores!!!
Next......Transatlantic Crossing, Second Leg: Bermuda to the Azores