Wednesday 13 January 2010
2009 Top Five - Bermuda Events
Sun, sea and sand. Financial safe haven, a cruise liner drop off point, scuba diving spot. A far outpost of British naval history, hurricane magnet, home to gazillions of tree frogs as noisy as a Metallica concert but what else happened last year on this 21 square-mile rock? My Top Five Bermudian events from last year were:
1. Tall Ships Festival
Easily for me the highlight of the 2009 Bermudian social calendar. The last time the Tall Ships came to Bermuda was in 1990 but in June a flotilla of 22 idled over the horizon and onto this sunsoaked shore. It was a week-long party for these majestic watercraft and their crew, most of whom were taking part in a 7,000 nautical mile race.
2. Boat Parade
The last official event of the island's 400-year birthday celebrations in December. It was a colourful sight with boats of all shapes and sizes, some as long as 60ft following each other in a tight line in the pitch black across Hamilton Harbour.
3. The Queen's visit
The only Queen I would have previously rushed to have seen was Freddie Mercury's lot, but it is funny how patriotic one suddenly becomes when you live abroad. There we were front row with month-old baby in November chatting to her Majesty in St George's on her first visit to Bermuda since 1994.
4. Serious Stand Up
The annual Bermuda Festival threw up a nice treat last January when we saw Liverpudlian come New York resident John Oliver rage on hilariously about all and sundry one night. The man best known for The Daily Show Oliver was bloody funny and it was a shame when it had to stop.
5. An evening aboard the Roseway Schooner
This is what living in Bermuda is all about. A beautiful June evening drinking with Bermuda's glitterati aboard this lovingly restored 137ft long wooden schooner moored in Hamilton. ¶ 00:01
Sun, sea and sand. Financial safe haven, a cruise liner drop off point, scuba diving spot. A far outpost of British naval history, hurricane magnet, home to gazillions of tree frogs as noisy as a Metallica concert but what else happened last year on this 21 square-mile rock? My Top Five Bermudian events from last year were:1. Tall Ships Festival
Easily for me the highlight of the 2009 Bermudian social calendar. The last time the Tall Ships came to Bermuda was in 1990 but in June a flotilla of 22 idled over the horizon and onto this sunsoaked shore. It was a week-long party for these majestic watercraft and their crew, most of whom were taking part in a 7,000 nautical mile race.
2. Boat Parade
The last official event of the island's 400-year birthday celebrations in December. It was a colourful sight with boats of all shapes and sizes, some as long as 60ft following each other in a tight line in the pitch black across Hamilton Harbour.
3. The Queen's visit
The only Queen I would have previously rushed to have seen was Freddie Mercury's lot, but it is funny how patriotic one suddenly becomes when you live abroad. There we were front row with month-old baby in November chatting to her Majesty in St George's on her first visit to Bermuda since 1994.
4. Serious Stand Up
The annual Bermuda Festival threw up a nice treat last January when we saw Liverpudlian come New York resident John Oliver rage on hilariously about all and sundry one night. The man best known for The Daily Show Oliver was bloody funny and it was a shame when it had to stop.
5. An evening aboard the Roseway Schooner
This is what living in Bermuda is all about. A beautiful June evening drinking with Bermuda's glitterati aboard this lovingly restored 137ft long wooden schooner moored in Hamilton. ¶ 00:01
