Bermuda Islands

Antoine's view

This is the furthest coral atoll on this planet from the equator it is also the graveyard of many ships, wrecked on the reefs after being lost in the fogs of the North Atlantic not having seen the low islands. One of these shipwrecks inspired Shakespeare to write his masterpiece ?the storm?.

These islands became the destination for many Americans embarking on short cruises from the east coast of the USA. The islands were surprisingly made famous by short trousers of an unusual length which came to bear the English name of the archipelago 'Bermuda Shorts'.

Like many sailors, it was on my return from the Antilles (using the prevailing westerlies to regain Europe)when I saw across my bow the shores of Bermuda; a narrow channel, the Cut, enabled me to penetrate the very sheltered bay of St George.Then I threaded my way through the maze of channels which separate the various islands of the archipelago where many a safe anchorage can be found, although cyclones from the tropics can occasionally threaten Bermuda.

The cost of living is here is high. Many American billionaires built large extravagant villas there and rental is very expensive; but as a fellow sailor once said, Bermudians take your money from you with such charm one can hardly hold it against them. One way your expenses will be reduced is when hiring a car, you can't, non residents can only hire scooters!

If Johnny Barnes - who for 25 years has spent two and a half hours each morning at a crossroads to the entry to the city, shouting at people going to work that he likes them - is always there, do not forget to send him my regards; he is an astonishing character, whose enthusiasm symbolizes the warmth of Bermuda and their inhabitants.