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Hi guys,
Land ho! We are in Bermuda! As we made landfall, crew rinsed and wiped down the decks so Pride II sparkled as she entered her first port of call. The narrow entrance to the north end of the island is called the cut. Despite our early arrival, there was a group of Bermudians lining the cliff to wave and welcome us. After leaving the biting winds of the Chesapeake and the stormy crossing, the tranquil turquoise water and balmy breezes of Bermuda were like an oasis in a desert. The houses, dressed in pastel colors of pink and blue with white roofs, were a cheery sight to this group of tired sailors.
THE ISLAND
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Bermuda is a tropical gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Palm trees and flowering plants decorate these brightly painted homes overlooking an ocean. The long curving shape of the island, which is only 22 miles long, is the remaining half of an extinct volcanic crater. The land area is now covered by ancient corals which developed when the sea level was higher. Narrow roads are carved into these coral or limestone cliffs, and the houses sit perched on hillsides overlooking the harbors and coral reefs. The clear water below takes on a turquoise color as the sunlight reflects off the light colored sands on the bottom.
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The warm waters of the Gulf Stream have produced ideal conditions for corals and tropical fish. Bermuda protects its reefs because it attracts so many tourists who are interested in snorkeling and SCUBA diving. The Bermuda Aquarium has numerous tanks which proudly display the fascinating creatures who live on their reefs. The beach sand has a pinkish color. The broken pieces of coral and shells produce the white sands which are colored pink by the red skeletons of microscopic animals called Red Foram. The water is about 68 degrees which makes it quite pleasant for water activities. Bermuda is a beautiful island and it's no wonder it's such a popular tourist attraction!
THE HOUSES
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Bermuda is known for the colorful houses which line the city streets and dot the shoreline and hillsides. Since the island is small, the roofs of houses are painted white and are used to collect rainwater. The outside is brightly painted cement often trimmed with white blocks on the corners. The windows have shutters which serve to protect the houses from the winds and storms.
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THE CULTURE
Bermuda is a dependent, self-governing territory of England. Therefore the culture of Bermuda has a British influence. The language is English and the people have a delightful accent. The shops sell wool products from the British Isles. When cruise ships dock, they are greeted by a clan wearing Scottish kilts and playing bagpipes. The cars drive on the left side of the road as they do in England. Only the Bermudians are allowed to drive cars here. If you draw an intersection and pretend you are driving a car which is making a right turn, you will understand why they have this law. It's tricky and the roads are very narrow. The tourist take taxis or rent small motorcycles called mopeds. You guys would love that!
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The population is a mixture of many countries. Aside from the British Isles, other people have settled here from Africa, Europe, and America, including groups of American Indians. Today the government is very strict about allowing new immigrants to settle here. This melting pot of people allows for many customs. Some customs, however, are strictly Bermudian. For example, the businessmen wear Bermuda shorts and knee socks with their sport coats to the office.
CHRISTMAS
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Today there was a Christmas celebration in the central open area, called town square, of St. Georges. A uniformed band marched into the square followed by Santa Claus who arrived on a red fire engine. After the musical entertainment, the kids lined up to tell Santa what they wanted. On Christmas Day, families will have turkey, ham, cakes, and cassava pie. Cassava pie is only made in Bermuda at Christmas. It is made from a root like a potato and is layered with chicken. The Bermudians also serve a Christmas pudding which is like an American fruitcake. They have a Christmas tree, although the presents are usually not opened until December 26, which is called Boxing Day. This was originally a day when the servants who had to work on Christmas would open presents or boxes, but now it is simply a holiday. Imagine having to wait ONE more day to find out what Santa brought!
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Christmas Day is spent visiting family, and on Boxing Day folks go to the pony races or a soccer match. On Year's Eve, the Bermudians drop a Bermuda Onion ball in the town square at midnight.
SEA CADETS
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On Satruday, some 10-year old sea cadets, who are much like our sea scouts, visited the boat. Their favorite sports are sailing, golf, soccer and cricket which is a little like softball played with a flat bat. What? No American football or basketball! I found it an interesting that most of these kids had traveled to the United States or other countries. How many of you have been to Bermuda?
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WEATHER
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Berumda's location on the globe is 600 miles east of North Carolina. The more northern location means that Bermuda, unlike the islands further south in the Caribbean, has seasons. Summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are pleasantly warm. Winter can be cool and rainy as low pressure systems, which carry bad weather, frequently travel through. We have had some lovely sunny warm days with two days of windy rain. Trust me, however, I am not complaining. Have you guys had snow yet? No snow days here!
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THE BERMUDA BIOLOGICAL STATION FOR RESEARCH, INC.
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I had a chance to visit this research station. The scientists are studying questions related to oceanography. They are interested in knowing more about the cycle of natural chemicals, like carbon and nitrogen. They also study the movements of microscopic living things that float called plankton. The station has kept records of temperature, salinity, and density of the ocean water since 1954. These temperature readings may help us understand global warming. Visiting scientists stay there while they do their research, and teachers and high school students may use the research center to learn about marine biology in Bermuda.
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It was exciting to talk with research scientists in their laboratories. They have a web page. Check it out:
Bermuda Biological Station for Research
There is so much more I want to tell you, but I need to send this tonight. Tomorrow I visit St. George's Preparatory School. This is going to be fun. I can't wait to talk these kids about school in Bermuda!
Till then, enjoy your shore leave. Weather permitting, Pride of Baltimore II sets sail for Puerto Rico onTuesday.
Your crew mate,
Leslie
YOUR THOUGHTS
- Draw a picture of Bermuda based on the descriptions in the log.
- Pretend you drive a car on the left side of the road - like in Bermuda. Draw an intersection and use arrows to show how you would make a right turn.
- How are Christmas celebrations in Bermuda different from celebrations in America?
- Use a resource to describe the game of cricket.
- When is the best season to plan a vacation in Bermuda and why?
- List three areas of research being conducted at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.
- If you were a scientist, what question would you like to research, and where would you conduct your studies?
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