The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle has been solved. Now, if you are looking for some scientific phenomena explained here, go elsewhere. This report goes deeper than any scientist has gone before. Ready for it? Here it is: the reason that people “disappear” in Bermuda is because once there, you never WANT to come back. Let me explain.
So, I found out that Marathon Travel and Tours (MTT) had this really unique trip organized for runners. Yep, three days, three races. I had already been training for something, so thought, why not? I will sign up for three races in three days. Long weekend, get some running in, and boom back home in a jiffy. Well, once I got that package all booked with flight, race entry, and hotel, I bought a book. The Frommer’s Travel Guide to Bermuda. Now, the race package was just that; an organized plan to get you to the races and get you feed in between. But, after I read through the Frommer’s Guide, I knew I needed to extend my trip by a few days or so. I read and read and read about Bermuda, the pink sands, the emerald blue waters, the hospitality, and the easy of navigation. You see where I am going with my disappearing act?
I decided to arrive on Thursday night, as the first race was Friday night. That would give me a whole day to relax, acclimate, and be ready for the 8pm one-miler. I didn’t want to walk around too much the day before the races, so just took in the local scenery near to the hotel in the Hamilton Parish and explore in and around the Hamilton Princess Hotel itself. A whole day spent within a mile radius sitting by the water, dipping in the pool, planning out my after race days, and looking at moongates (believed to give newlyweds enduring happiness when passed through).
Night time approaches and I am off to the races, literally. Join my corral, horn blows, and off I go. Running so fast, which I did not plan, as I thought I need to save my legs for Race 2 and Race 3 the next few days. But I couldn’t help it. The horn sounds and everyone just takes off. My adrenalin starts pumping, the crowd is cheering, the weather is amazing, and before you know it, 8 min 24 seconds later, I cross the finish line. My fastest mile ever.
For those of you who are reading this and are runners, I know you can appreciate that time. But since this post is less about the running and more about Bermuda, let me cut to Bermuda. But wait, for me, Bermuda WAS about the running too. That was the whole reason I went there for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge (a 1-miler on Friday, a 10K on Saturday, and a Full Marathon on Sunday). Bed right after the race on Friday, up early on Saturday. Nice breakfast provided by the hotel and MTT team, and off to the races again. Another gorgeous day with blue skies, blue water, the friendliest people I may have ever met (thanks Natalie D for taking me picture on course), and rum. Yes, rum at the end provided by Goslings. Had my first Dark-n-Stormy. Delicious and free for all runners and guests.
Since the race was finished and all festivities such of the Gombey Dancers, Bermuda’s premier folk art dancers, was over around noon, decided to save my legs and take a bus to St. George. This area is the furthest, northeastern part of the island and also where the airport is located. Took the local bus system (which is super easy to use) to St. George and explored on foot all over town. A fellow passenger got off the bus with me for my first stop and guided me where I wanted to go, which was the Unfinished Church. Up the steep hill I walked to the Church, which is really the remnants of a church gone by with such deep history. Pretty cool to see and once there, a great view looking back over the ocean. From there, I visit several local shops for perfume and nautical gear and of course, souvenirs. I found a restaurant nearby to enjoy the sunset and some local cuisine. No drinking of alcohol, because Sunday was going to be an early and looooong day.
Sunday comes, super early wake up call, and the coolest part, a ferry ride over to the starting point of the marathon. We were going to run 26.2 miles from Point A to Point B with no loops and no out and back. Runners, I know you can appreciate this as well. We got to run from the Royal Naval Dockyard all the way through small town after small town, taking in all of the island (up and down hills), all the way to the finish line. What an amazing course and rum was on course at three different spots. I have NEVER been a “drinking and running” kind of girl, but hey, when in Bermuda, right? Decided I would partake in the spirits on course, and not sure if it was the alcohol or great training, but never felt any pain while running!!!! Exhaustion yes, pain no.
And to the finish I go with an official completion of the The Royal Gazette Bermuda Triangle Challenge 2020. All runners who completed the challenge; received 4 medals (3 medals one for each race, and a fourth medal for completing the challenge). So cool. But even cooler were the two ladies I met the night before that cheered me on at the end. I love the kind of trips that you make friends on that you just know you will always stay in contact with. Well, Sally and Michelle were such two friends. They said that would try to stick around and see me finish, and they did. Thank you Sally and Michelle and thank you Bermuda for making my trip worthwhile. But wait, there’s more.
So that was the running part, now for the “touristy” part. On Sunday, I just needed to rest my legs and the rest of my body, so just walked around the downtown area a bit window shopping, then back to the hotel for some soaking in the pool. Wanted an early bedtime so I could wake up and be a tourist for the next 3 days. You will definitely want to have at least three whole days to tour all of Bermuda. I basically toured the entire island, all by foot or bus transportation in the time that I was there.
Monday comes. I am well rested and ready see the island. Thomas Moore, an Irish poet, was inspired by the beauty of the island and wrote many a romantic word for his love found in Bermuda. I had learned about Thomas Moore from a movie I watched many years ago. When I saw his name pop up the Frommer’s Guide, I knew I wanted to see his stopping grounds, now called Tom Moore’s Jungle. The area had a jungle feel to it, but also areas right by the water with a few small caves to look in. Across the way was the Grotto Bay Beach Resort, so I stopped there to snorkel in their along the secluded beach. Note to self: Grotto Bay is the only all-inclusive resort in Bermuda. Yes, I had carried my snorkel gear and wet suit with me on the bus. Just plopped myself on a nearby chair, donned the wetsuit and splashed right into the water. Spent over an hour just floating around, viewing a few sunken boats, and watching fish swim by. Such a relaxing day, especially after three races in three days. Then, packed up my gear, boarded the bus to The Swizzle Inn to have a Swizzle (home of the original Swizzle drink made with Goslings Rum). After that, walked across the street to explore the Crystal Caves. The caves offer a guided tour where you descend pretty far down a naturally made corridor to view some of the most preserved cavern structures I have ever seen. There are two entrances to two separate cave systems and I highly recommend both.
After about two hours hanging out there (all near to the St. George area), hopped back on the bus heading southwest to the Southampton Parish and Horseshoe Bay. When you hear about Bermuda and the pink sands, this is the area that really brings out the pink “carpet”. The pink color is derived from millions of tiny sea creatures being crushed by the power of the waves resulting in a pink hue to the sand. Plan to spend some time on this side of the island because one could really disappear from the world, if not careful. I spent the rest of the afternoon here, just walking from beach area to beach area, spending some time sitting on the coral rock and finding peace with the world. Only had my phone in hand to capture some gorgeous footage of what paradise really looks like. Fast forward about three hours, and now the sun is setting, and it is time to head back to the hotel for another round tomorrow.
Tuesday is my last day on the island, so want to make the most of it. I wake up to rain, but never fear, there is much to do even if rain comes my way. I found the Ocean Discovery Centre @ Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and literally spent hours in there on just one floor, on just one section. Yep, you guessed it, the Bermuda Triangle: Unlock the Secrets exhibit. I was and still am so intrigued with the mysteries within the Bermuda Triangle that I read every word on every poster on every wall. And you know what the funny thing is? I must have “disappeared” myself, because I finally looked up to realize I was the only one there, and then looked at my watch to realize, it was one minute to closing time. I thought I better make my way back up to the top floor (exhibit was in the basement), but I wanted to read one more poster. As I rounded the corner, a security guard had just locked the exhibit doors and turned around to see me, saying, “Oh, where did you come from? I didn’t see you here when I made my rounds to lock up.” I had been there the whole time!!! Lucky he saw me, or I wouldn’t have been able to get out. Or should I say unlucky, as I wanted to read the rest of the displays. I had quickly noticed the vending machines and bathrooms within the confines of the exhibit). I would have been perfectly happy to spend the rest of the night in the museum reading all the facts and munching on a Snickers bar.
After escaping the museum, was truly hungry, so moseyed on over to the Pickled Onion for my last supper and one last rum drink before my flight the next morning. As I sat there enjoying life, I met the most wonderful waitress, who has become a welcomed friend as well. Bonita and I talked about dreams, life, and the beauty of positive people. Bonita, you are such a positive woman and am so glad our paths crossed.
So you see, I was not sad for my last night, as I KNEW I would be back for Bermuda. I knew Bermuda was what I truly needed at that moment; to disappear from the world and be surrounded by beautiful waters and beautiful people. The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle is not a mystery at all; once you have been there, you never want to return back home.
My plans are to visit Bermuda again in January 2021, so if anyone would like to join me for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge or just to hang out as a tourist, message me. Serious inquiries only.
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want:
Alli L
For all the photos, go to @TheSoloTraveler50 on Facebook