This morning I draw two more words from my box of angel cards.
The words of the day, “open-mindedness” and “completion.”
Open-mindedness makes a lot of sense to me because opportunities are missed on travels if you’re closed off to what the country or place has to offer.
Plus, if you’re investing time and spending money on traveling, why waste valuable experiences by sticking to what you know?
“Completion” reminds me I’ve passed the halfway mark of this solo travel experience; the grand adventure is wrapping up. It’s also a good word because it reminds me of the hero’s journey, and if a part of my purpose traveling is completed, that’s also fulfilling and worthwhile.
I get up early from my Air BnB, head to a different place in the capital city; this spot’s a lot more spacious and I have two nights in this private one-bedroom, which is going to be a treat to close-out the trip.
I decide last night the bus isn’t cutting it, especially with the wait time.
The capital city has much more to explore, and there’s an entire west end of the island I’ve yet to visit. The main attractions are the different secluded beaches along the coast away from Hamilton, and also the navy dockyard, which is on the edge of Bermuda.
My taxi driver recommends getting one of those tiny cars to drive around the island, since tourists can’t rent normal vehicles. But I change my mind and want an adventure.
I decide it’s time to rent fairly high-powered scooter.
Why not feel some wind in my hair as I cruise through the island? Plus, a scooter makes it easier to pull over anywhere and put the kickstand on. I’ll save money choosing the scooter and I save money on parking meters.
I ask the woman at the counter if I’ll be okay, as an amateur who’s never been on a scooter. To me, they’re like mini motorcycles. Not as much horse-power, but enough movement to feel thrilling.
She laughs and says I can take a test run up and down the street. I look tragic and awkward, and lose my balance a few times. Still, I’m not giving up.
Did I tell you, they drive on the left side?
It takes a second to get used to, but then I begin singing Beyoncé, “To the Left to the Left, everything you own in the box to the Left.” Cheesy, but the song is my mnemonic technique. And it works.
I ask the woman how to honk, and she laughs.
“The ‘beep,’ is not like New York City. People beep here because they know each other and they’re saying hello.”
$85 later, I hit the road.
Keeping in mind one of my words of the day, “Open-mindedness,” I just Go for it.
“Just jump,” as I’m often caught saying.
It takes me probably 30 minutes to find the restaurant suggested, that’s only 0.4 miles away. But everything new takes some time getting used to and this scooter is an uphill learning curve for me.
But I eventually get to the restaurant, Devil’s Isle Cafe; let’s just chalk it up to taking the long, scenic route (not true). My quads are a little sore from pushing off the scooter at every stop, so this is a good workout and I enjoy it.
It’s cold brew coffee and a sizeable steak sandwich for brunch/lunch. This cafe was highly recommended to me by my Air BnB hosts, and for good reason. It’s a satisfying meal.
I’m waiting for my check and I scroll through Instagram just to see what next. There’s an interesting quote.
“Too much past and not enough present.”
Isn’t that the truth?
I think I’ve spent a lot of this trip processing everything that’s happened in the last 3 months. Too much. So, I move along.
The lady at the scooter shop tells me to take the “South Road” highway, which she says will give me best views as I head down to my next stop, the lighthouse.
Away I go.
I stop at spots to admire the ocean, the sand, and that lovely sea breeze.
It takes me a bit to zip around and I definitely pull over every few minutes to let cars pass me. I cruise at 45 mph, so I’m trying to be considerate about those on the move around me.
There’s a lot of honking on the road, because, again, everyone is waving to each other.
Bermuda has a touch more than 65,000 residents, and with smaller, isolated pockets and communities, it seems everyone knows each other and is friendly.
I’m not used to the honking, but I learn at some point the woman from the scooter shop spots me on the road, and she honks a hello. I’m too nervous to take my eyes off the road, scared I’m going to tip over, so I never see her until she mentions it to me the next day when I return the scooter.
My next stop is the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
A little bit of its history and significance and why this is a Bermuda must-do.
It’s 185 steps to the top, the Gibbs Hill lighthouse is the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world.
The lighthouse was built in 1844. Although it’s not extremely tall for lighthouse standards, the Gibbs Hill is one of the tallest points on the island.
It’s very windy once I get up the hill, but I’m excited to begin heading up the lighthouse.
I get a spectacular view after I hike up the hill and climb the eight floors up the lighthouse.
To make a quick jab at myself, what you don’t see from my photo: I’m mostly sitting and scooting around at the top of the lighthouse. I’m a little too nervous to stand up. It’s not that I’m extremely afraid of heights, it’s the wind combined with the questionable iron bars that makes me feel unsure.
Even so, I’m proud of myself from scaling the steps and making a full 360-degree move around the top to take in the entire island.
Lighthouse tickets are $2.50; be aware, it’s closed for the month of February.
Even if you feel a little scared of heading to the top, just do it.
I get back on my scooter after looking around and go to the furthest west end of the island to the Royal Naval Dockyard; there are some cute shops here, so I pick up some souvenirs for my friends, coworkers, and roommates.
There are little things like bottles of pink sand, bracelets, beautiful ceramics.
Once I get a nice walk in, I get back on my scooter and do a little bit more of a joyride for 90 minutes around the island until I finally decide to head back to my Air BnB.
There’s a quick dinner at an italian restaurant, “Portofino,” which is amazingly authentic and delicious. I didn’t expect to have such great Italian food in Bermuda, since it is a British territory and removed from Europe.
Bolognese is the choice, and of course, dessert.
I order a Bermuda classic: chocolate banana bread.
Full and satisfied, I get back to the Air BnB and relax a bit before bed. Tomorrow’s my last full day in Bermuda before an early morning flight.
I decide, it’s time I start journaling about the future. I’ve been deciphering and reflecting enough on the past during this trip.. and analyzing too many mysteries that aren’t meant for me to untangle or solve.
Goodbye to all of that.
Appropriately, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” comes on Spotify while I’m cleaning up the Air BnB and sorting through my luggage.
I’ll end the post with the lyrics, in hopes it inspires.
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my wayRegrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my wayFrank Sinatra, “My Way”
