Around the World in Reality: Bermuda

In Fall 2024, RDU announced that BermudAir was coming to Raleigh. I’d had my eye on visiting Bermuda for some time, but I hesitated due to Delta’s flight schedule. With this new development, I was excited. What would have been a seven-hour journey could now be done in just two hours on a direct flight. I jumped at the chance to take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend and try it out.

Day 1 – Friday, May 23

HIGHLIGHTS: Bermuda Day Parade and Docksider Pub & Restaurant

We were eager to see what BermudAir had to offer. After boarding, we stepped onto a smaller plane with two rows of two seats. Donnell really enjoyed the setup. Once in the air, we were served cookies and offered complimentary drinks. I went for a classic Dark and Stormy.

Upon landing, we caught bus #1 to Hamilton. The buses are a soft pink color and allow riders without luggage. It’s definitely more convenient and affordable to travel light. On the bus, I started to notice how kind and helpful the locals were. The driver let two women board with small carry-ons and also helped another group who weren’t sure where to get off.

We arrived at Cavendish Heights Suites, our home base for the weekend, and it was the perfect spot. After settling in, we headed to the Bermuda Day parade. I always enjoy connecting with the culture of a place when I travel, and this was such a fun and festive way to do that.

We grabbed a late lunch at Docksider, one of the few spots open for the holiday. I didn’t expect much since it’s a pub, but it exceeded expectations. I had another Dark and Stormy and a salmon burger that was absolutely delicious. Donnell ordered the fish and chips, which he really enjoyed. After eating, we went back to watch the parade for about an hour before calling it a night.

Day 2 – Saturday, May 24

HIGHLIGHTS: Brew, Bermuda National Gallery, Bermuda Society of Arts, Crystal Caves, Swizzle Inn and Déjà View Restaurant

We started the day with breakfast at Brew. It was very busy, which is usually a good sign, and had more seating than it initially appeared. I ordered the Impossible sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit. It was so good that I had to double-check it wasn’t meat. I also had a lemon ginger kombucha that I’m pretty sure was house-made. Donnell went with his usual oatmeal topped with mixed nuts.

We walked over to the Bermuda National Gallery. There were two exhibits. I especially loved one that featured a talented jewelry maker and her story. The second showcased beautiful photographs shot on film and had a unique, artistic feel.

In the same building, we stopped by the Bermuda Society of Arts. Though we couldn’t take photos inside, we really enjoyed seeing the local artwork on display.

Then we made our way to the Crystal Caves. We chose to tour only the Crystal Cave due to time, but both options are said to offer something different. The Crystal Cave was discovered in 1907 by kids playing cricket who lost their ball and went searching for it. They told the landowner, who opened it to the public in 1908. The underground formations were stunning and truly worth seeing.

For lunch, we ate at the Swizzle Inn, famous for its rum swizzle. Locals say to take it easy with those, and now I understand why. We shared an appetizer tray with conch fritters, wahoo bites, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks. The wahoo bites were definitely the highlight. We also split a fish sandwich that was full of flavor and had perfectly toasted bread.

After lunch, we walked to the Blue Hole Park. I snapped a few photos with my new camera and soaked in the vibrant blue water, which is some of the most beautiful I’ve seen anywhere.

We wrapped up our afternoon with ice cream at Bailey’s Ice Cream. I had the rum raisin flavor, which was so good.

Dinner was at Déjà View Restaurant, right on the waterfront. I started with the Pink Panther cocktail and ordered the fried wahoo sushi roll, which was a special. It was really tasty. Donnell enjoyed the miso salmon.

Day 3 – Sunday, May 25

HIGHLIGHTS: Brew, National Museum of Bermuda, UberVida Sunset Cruise, and Harbourfront Restaurant

Breakfast at Brew was so good that we went back for more. Donnell tried the Impossible sausage and cheese biscuit, while I had the smoked salmon bagel, toasted. I also couldn’t resist another lemon ginger kombucha.

After breakfast, we caught the ferry to the Dockyard. It was a smooth 20-minute ride. Though the skies were cloudy at first, they cleared up by the time we arrived.

Our first stop was the National Museum of Bermuda. I was particularly interested in the exhibit on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, but there was a lot more to see and take in. The museum also offered stunning views from the grounds.

We then took a bus to Woody’s, which is known for its fish sandwich, but they weren’t serving food at the time. While we waited for the next bus, we enjoyed the beautiful views around us.

Our next stop was Island Cuisine, which had good reviews. We split an order of fish and chips and another fish sandwich. Both were solid, though the one from Swizzle Inn was still my favorite.

For dessert, I walked next door to Scoops and tried the Grandma Durham apple pie flavor. It hit the spot.

That evening, we joined the UberVida Sunset Cruise. This 90-minute boat ride came with great views and good music. We even met a neuroscientist from Boston and had a lovely conversation.

Dinner that evening was at Harbourfront Restaurant. With a table right by the water, it was the perfect setting. I started with a Madame Juniper cocktail, which was fantastic. Donnell ordered the salmon, and I had the miso black cod, which was phenomenal. The service was also excellent. It was the perfect way to wrap up our weekend in Bermuda.

Travel Day – Monday, May 26

Before we knew it, it was time to head home. With an early flight ahead, we grabbed breakfast at the Primeclass Lounge. The Priority Pass lounge was nicely decorated and offered a decent variety of options to choose from.

On the way back, I savored the views with another variation of the Dark and Stormy. It was tasty and the perfect way to enjoy the quick two-hour flight back to Raleigh.

Final Thoughts

Bermuda was absolutely lovely. The scenery was breathtaking, and the people were warm and welcoming. With the new direct flight from Raleigh, it’s exciting to have such a beautiful international destination just two hours away. We’re already looking forward to going back and spending more time on the beaches and exploring St. George’s Island.