Love Triangle

It is hard to believe that I have been here for nearly four weeks. When I arrived in Bermuda, I wondered whether staying for three weeks was a bit insane. Now, I am wondering whether leaving, after just four weeks, is...

This week, I am receiving text confirmations from Delta regarding my new departure date; I cannot bear to look at them. I am pretending that they are for someone else...my imaginary friend?

This is all said, with love for those who await my return home, whom I miss dearly... 
I have gotten myself stuck in a love triangle- Sag Harbor, Bermuda, and me! 

As this week progresses, I expect that I may find less time to write. Yet, Nina tells me to 'finish strong'! Whether that means going parasailing, cliff jumping, or snorkeling in the reefs that surround this island, remains to be seen. 

Of course, there is the possibility of riding in a vintage car with Gerald in The Bermuda Day Parade on Friday... I have already made my wishes known about that. Being in a holiday parade would suit me, I think. 

The problem for me, is that I have so many favorite places and pastimes here, that I cannot choose which to revisit, before I depart. I am grateful for my turmoil, believe me.


Friday was a lazy kind of day. After a healthy lunch at one of my new favorite spots, I intended to explore Flatts Village, a frequently photographed spot by Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Lunch was my second at The Village Pantry. It does not disappoint! The food is fresh and creatively prepared. The wine is lovely. The portions are enough for a family of four, and the ambience is well-considered. I must return for dinner, when the strings of lights illuminate the terrace. 


As I walked through the tiny town, I noticed that most of the businesses along the main road favored men (or rugged women)- menswear, tool shop, barber shop...Where were the bone china cups and island frocks?  Did no ladies live in Flatts? 

After lunch, I felt like visiting with some (living) sea creatures.

The Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo is precious. Resembling a lemon chiffon pie on the outside, it is small, and somewhat provincial- by the standards of famous aquariums in the U.S. and in Canada. One must enter, with the knowledge that it is a small local aquarium, that depends on members for support! 

When my family was in Bermuda for Easter, we spent a rainy morning at the Aquarium, which also has a fabulous museum attached. This is where I first learned, that Bermuda was born of a volcano.

On that rainy day with my family, I was in 'cruise director mode'. Consequently, I wound up purchasing a frilly hot pink flamingo umbrella to shield everyone (?!) from the rain, as we watched the marine staff feed the seals.

When I inquired why the sea turtles were not in their tank that day, a kind staffer whisked us behind the scenes (Nina, Daisy and me), to see the turtles in their temporary tanks.


This Friday, I had intentions of revisiting 'my turtles'. I approached the Admissions desk and inquired, "Excuse me, do you have any sea turtles?" The lady hopped up, and said "Come with me!", escorting me back to see my handsome friends.

While it was, once again, hard to see the turtles in a tank of limited size, I knew that it was temporary. It turns out the seal pool is being resurfaced, so the seals are squatting in the turtle pool up front, since they need quite a bit of space.

With the notion that I was there to feed them, three turtles rushed over to me (at a rapid glide) and bumped up against the tank, as if to ask, "What do you have, Miss Daisy?" 

I talked with them, and marveled at them. I made a promise to them, that the seal tank would be done soon. I felt so lucky to have 1:3 time with them- how very unusual!

I am not sure what it is, about sea turtles, that I have always loved- their innocence, their gracefulness, their strength in face of adversity, the fact that they are not predators to other creatures...They just make me happy. 

Wrapping up my visit with the large turtles, I headed inside for a special treat. 

Back at Easter, Peter, Kristen and I had gone kayaking in Ely's Harbour with a local tour guide from Island Tour Centre, named Brad.


Knowing that I was hoping to see some sea turtles in the harbor that day (we did!), Brad told us of a baby sea turtle, that he had recently rescued- an itty bitty Loggerhead, who would have been unable to survive on its own. Brad knew to call the Bermuda Aquarium; they provided the baby with nurturing and rehabilitation. 

On this lovely day, I was told that the loggerhead baby was now big enough, and healthy enough to be in his own tank- one step closer to being released into the ocean!

The baby, named Sheldon by the staff, was swimming around a tank with blue light that mimics his native environment.

As I watched Sheldon glide around, I felt so much compassion; he/she (too young to discern) was still so small, that he/she could fit in the palm of my hand!

The aquarium would soon close. Luckily, Larry was free to pick me up, and escort me to the supermarket, to shop for the Royal Wedding breakfast.

Having gotten a hat, and now a fascinator from the Aquarium gift shop (who knew?!), the preparations were nearly done. Even if I had no idea how to wear my hair, I knew what I would cook- Marlys' famous baked eggs.

Back at Salt Kettle, Janie and Suzie had invited me to go out for a TGIF cocktail at a waterfront 'fisherman's bar' in town. Local flavor and inexpensive cocktails- a perfect combination in Bermuda.

Unbeknownst to us, they were having a private party at the 'Hook and Hold', so we wound up moving to The Pickled Onion, for one overpriced drink. It was soon decided that we would not stand for a second glass of wine, at $14. a pop. 


Why wouldn't such a popular restaurant have happy hour prices on a Friday, anyway? With a cruise ship docked virtually across the street, one would think they would want to attract business? Maybe that is the problem- they will get business, regardless.

We called Helen and Rudy to come and save us from the robbery that was occurring. They picked us up, took us shopping for dinner, and we settled in on Suzie's patio.

How similar our homelands are- Eastern Long Island and Bermuda. We are both islands. We are both resort communities. We both cater to well-to-do aficionados of the Atlantic Ocean. Many of us struggle to afford the good life in our native communities.


Tonight, I wished that Nina and Daisy were on the patio with us, knowing that they were probably doing the exact same thing, back home in Sag. 

None of us is too proud for a tasty frozen pizza- if eaten with the right company.