A Yankee in Bermuda
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Desserts! The best restaurants in Bermuda seem to try to outdo each other in fabulous desserts, as you can see. The visual effect is stunning, and the gustatory impact is equally satisfying.
Carter House, the oldest building on St David’s Island, was constructed around 1640. It was built by the descendants of Christopher Carter who was one of two crew members of Sir George Somers’ shipwrecked Sea Venture who remained in Bermuda when the other survivors left for Virginia in 1610.
The Carter House is unusual in that it is built of stone when most other 17th century homes in Bermuda were built of wood. A lower basement supports an upper living area that is reached by an outside staircase. The gable ends are supported by large chimneys. The home's builders wisely set the whole building into a hillside to protect it against the high winds that sweep through Bermuda during hurricane season and the months of January and February.
During the time when this part of Bermuda was occupied by US military personnel, Carter House was used as a beauty parlour. After the military left the island in the 1960s, the house was restored and now accommodates the St David’s Island Historical Society Museum.
For Thanksgiving our good friends the Broughtons invited us for dinner. After dinner, but before dessert, we walked down to Devonshire Bay to watch the sunset. It was a lovely day with terrific friends.
One of my favorite activities in Bermuda is teatime at Mrs. Tea's Teahouse in Somerset. Yummy goodies. Mrs. Tea's keeps a rack of hats available for those of us who wish to borrow one to create the effect of a formal tea, say, from the 1940s.
Tucker's Point Golf Club
Tucker's Point Club is THE premier golf club in Bermuda. Established in 2002 on the grounds of the former Castle Harbour Golf Club, the new Tucker's Point Club has beautiful, high-end residential properties that surround the club, and the rolling, manicured course that was designed by Roger Rulewich is a golfer's delight.
International Women's Club (IWC) Social
One of the best things about my experience in Bermuda has been membership in the International Women's Club (IWC). The IWC is comprised of expat women living in Bermuda who like to get together to socialize and participate in philanthropic efforts. Periodically the IWC organizes social events where members and significant others can visit over drinks, dinner, and dancing. Great fun!