Bermuda: The Adventure Begins

Although the day began with a very early start (5:30 am departure from the school parking lot), the trip to Bermuda was relatively uneventful. The flight departed on schedule and clear skies allowed us the opportunity to enjoy the fall colors from the sky. Clearing Bermuda customs is always a slow and lengthy process but soon students were being whisked off to the Bio Station in taxis. There were a few people that custom officials seemed particularly enamored with, but after the complete search of their luggage, they too were permitted to join the group at the station.

Following a brief orientation and tour, we enjoyed lunch, had a chance to unpack, and THEN, moped training began. The company we rented from this year took an interesting approach. They started everyone out on a small moped (a real moped rather than a scooter) and after a successful lap around the Bio Station oval (about a 440 yd driveway that reminds me of a track) people were then tested on larger, more powerful scooters (think Vespa-like vehicles). Everyone did very well and in fact, I think some inner Moped-Mamma’s and -Mojos were unleashed. The next stage of the adventure is always the scariest for me – the first trip on the public roads of Bermuda.

Luckily, there is a very nice snorkeling spot (Whalebone Bay) about a mile from the Station. Most importantly, it is to the left of the station and remember, Bermudians drive on the left side of the road. Our first group headed off with our fearless and wonderful TA tailing behind (the plan was to have her lead the pack) -- soon the sound of mopeds drifted away, suggesting all had gone well. The rest of the students were signing waivers and finishing up training, when who should appear? Yup, you guessed it, our lovely TA had returned in search of the first aid kit – the first moped mishap of the trip had occurred. I am pleased to report that other than minor scrapes the student is fine and I did not have to witness the event.

By 5:00 pm everyone was on the road. We had a lovely, albeit short, snorkel at Whalebone (had to be back for dinner before 6:30 pm). There were large schools of small fish (Silversides – checking on this one), barracuda were sighted (not Sarah but rather the fish-eating variety), many sea cucumbers, parrot fish, wrasses, angels, tangs, squirrel fish, sea fans, sea rods, corals, and more. By the way honey, your watch flooded - might as well by a new one while I’m gone.

The moon is full and the tree frogs are in fine voice (those two may not be correlated). Tomorrow we had back to Whalebone and then through the town of St. George’s to Tobacco Bay in the afternoon. St. George’s is a little tougher ride – cars, people, narrow streets, hills, oh my!