10.11.09

A Visit to Fort Scaur, Bermuda






Fort Scaur was a big deal for a long time, to the British and to the American military, but it's now a wonderful place to spend an afternoon walk or picnic. There are 22 acres of gardens to see and stroll, and a hefty climb up to the Early Bermuda Weather Stone with its cutesy inscription. 
On a clear day, it provides a view of the entire island of Bermuda, from east to west.

Also known as Scaur Hill Fort, this old historical slice of land was important to the British who, after the American Civil war, feared the US would invade Bermuda. At that time in history, Bermuda was a centrally-
located pivot point of British Colonial power in the New World, and Fort Scaur
 was heavily armed and fortified for this reason. Scaur Hill Fort was the grand master of forts in
 Bermuda, with most of the British fortifying funds in 
the 1800's going into this particular fort. It's situated high up on a hill and was used from 1870 to 
World War II, when American troops from the 52nd Coast Artillery Battalion were stationed there. Back in its early days,
 Fort Scaur was equipped with enormous cannons that were mounted on recoiling platforms. 
The guns are gone now, but visitors can walk along the gallery and look out the windows where the cannons once were housed.

30.10.09

A Day At The City of Hamilton


One sunny afternoon, I brought my camera and wandered around 'town' as it is popularly called here. Well, the town is actually the city of Hamilton - the capital of Bermuda (I hope this is right, hehehe!) and hosts most government and administrative offices in the island.

Aside from being a good tourist spot, having the most shopping venues, this part of town is also the center of entertainment as it has my favorite bars and pubs and my only favorite movie theatre. 

Fortunately, this is where I work  just like more than half of the island's inhabitants. Sometimes, during my lunch break, I just walk around town to while away time.

Based on its site, the city is presently 185 acres in size, substantially more than when first established but still one of the smallest cities in the world.

A trip around town is really worth it as I observe how people interacts and greets each other along the way... a diverse set of people in terms of culture and race..
see how people break traffic rules, whether on foot or while driving vehicles... and how it also has problems of homeless people just like any other cities... 
and how the city has maintained very nice and truly reinvigorating parks within... or how I got stuck in traffic during rush hours.

The city of Hamilton, a truly unique experience to be a part of.