Exploring St George and Ft St Catherines

Monday, June 18, 2018
St.George's, St. George's Parish, Bermuda
Monday was our full day to explore the island of Bermuda. We went to the gas station across the road to buy a bus day pass but they didnt sell them. As we waited at the bus stop a scooter came up and said today was a bus strike. 
Today was also public holiday so that threw off our planning. It could be a fake strike today so everyone could goto the carnival however that still left us stranded. We thought about walking to Hamilton to get the ferry or renting mopeds. The rental place was at Elbow Beach resort about a km away 
We got to the resort by 9am. They said they do rentals but the place that did the bike rentals was locked and we didnt know what time it would open. My friend insisted he wanted to take a cab and he would pay. 
The taxi to reach St Georges at the end of the island was $57 USD about what I expected. The driver had said $20 when we got in but then he said today was holiday rates. Since the bus was $5 I didnt expect the cab to be $20. However we had arrived and could plan our day slowly. 
It was still early morning and places were shut. We didnt know if they opened later or timed their openings for the cruise ship arrivals. The town hall was open so we went in there. There were portraits of the Queen and past Governors. 
Just outside was a small causeway to an island dock that housed a replica of the deliverance ship. The ticket office was closed. 
We explored a bit more of the old town waiting for things to open. St Peters church had a sign on the door it was closed for the holiday. 
Behind was a burial ground for slaves and free blacks. We headed out to the unfinished church to give more times for things to open 
A couple of blocks away is the unfinished church. This was abandoned at the turn of the century due to some financial dispute. It now looks like gothic ruins but is closed off to visitors for safety. 
Heading further north we walked past Tobacco Bay to reach Ft St Catherines. 
We expected the fort to be closed even though the entrance said closed on public holidays but it was open. Entrance was $7 USD. 
After passing thru armour and the crown jewels the stairs led us to the underground tunnels. This were thin and rectangular in design with small light boxes at locations to guide thru the passage. 
Also interesting were the artillery shells. They had their own chain lifts built to raise the shells up to the canons. A whole warfare industry was built over greed and protecting one's takings. 
Canons were positioned all over the top lookouts. Today they could be used to blow up the passing cruise ships another industry built over greed and comfort! 
The tower had three levels with more exhibits of life in the fort. 
Walking out we circled along the coast to the Ethiopian Church but couldnt find it. Locals were gathering to watch the cruise ships arrive. Everyone would stop to greet us and say good day. We later noticed greeting people was 'a black thing' as not one white person acknowledged us as we wondered around. Other friends from islands agreed when I told them this. 
In town the Heritage Museum was closed as well as Tuckers House. At least we'd seen the fort which was open today. 
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2025-02-11

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