Mark Twain was right – Bermuda is akin to heaven

either, with over 300 to choose from.

Of course, it is the sea and beaches which are the main attraction. Around 140 islands – some of them just specks – sparkle on turquoise waters. Many have, over the years, sunk beneath the surface. We learned most are the tops of volcanoes spread out along an ocean rift.

The sea captain who first discovered the area in the 1550s gave it the dubious name of Devil’s Island – a place where some 300 ships had gone to their watery grave (no wonder it is popular with treasure hunters). Add to this the high-pitched shriek of island birds, and superstitious sailors were convinced they were hearing lost souls lamenting their fate; definitely a place to avoid.

However, some British sailors whose ship was blown off-course while en route to America in the early 1600s found the islands to their liking. Having survived the shipwreck, they fed happily on the pigs that were thrown overboard by the Spanish some years before. After swimming ashore these pigs flourished by eating the Bermuda petrel birds.

These British sailors spent the next three years building new ships, then many decided to stay on, establishing a ship-building industry and thriving trade – in onions and Easter lilly flowers – when ships began to call. Eventually Bermuda became a popular tourist destination, especially when the first plane landed here in 1930.

The writer Mark Twain visited, and fell so much in love with the islands he was to return eight times. He famously said: “You can go to Heaven if you want, I would rather go to Bermuda.” With such a colourful recommendation, tourism reached its peak in the 1960/70s.

Seen from a distance, the beaches appear to be pale pink but walk in the water and, as the sand is stirred up, you will see it is a vibrant, rosy shade. This is caused by tiny plankton which produce a slim, pink shell. As they grow, they shed this shell. Less inviting is the fact that the parrot fish feeds on the pink corals which it scrapes off the reef, then defecates. “Think of it – 70% of our beaches are comprised of fish poo!” joked one local.

Probably the most famous beach is Horseshoe Bay, accessible via a long boardwalk and steps down a steep slope. Many people lament that the only way out is to clamber back up the same route. Continues on Page 9

This is perhaps the island’s most famous ‘pink’ beach.

Enchanting coves like this are particularly popular with the locals.