Bermuda Day 4: Snorkel Park

After 3 wonderful beach days in Bermuda, we decided to try Snorkel Park on the west side of the island.  We knew it would be a bit more touristy but it was a Sunday so we also thought more things were likely to be open.  It took some time to get out of the house as there was some trouble listening and then some discussion with the non-listener and then some more discussion and finally everyone pitched in and we got out the door.  Once at the bus stop, we started a game of morning breakfast (a great guessing game like 20 questions but a bit more complicated) and waited for our bus.  And waited.  And waited.  After about an hour, having played games, sang songs, given out snacks, we flagged down a cab and headed into Hamilton to try to make the 11am ferry.  It turns out that half the streets in Hamilton were closed for a triathlon so that may have been why there was no bus.  Or perhaps just Sunday morning.  Either way our taxi driver got us as close as he could and we ran for it.  And made it - only there wasn't a 11am ferry.  So we had to wait for the 12pm ferry.  With some time to kill, we dodged back through the triathletes to explore the sights of Hamilton.  We didn't manage to see much but we did manage to buy some souvenirs and hit the bathrooms before it was time to head back for the ferry.

It was a beautiful trip across the water with Mr. 1 napping and the other boys watching the shore zip by under a blue sky.  We arrived at the Dockyards, only a little over 3 hours after we set out, and headed to Snorkel Park.  Only there was a cover charge because there was live music.  Well, here we were so live music it was.  We looked so befuddled that the lady taking admission tried to cheer us up and even checked in on us later.  We got lunch and headed as far away from the music as we could.  The beach was small  and not particularly beautiful with way too many rocks to traverse to get out beyond.  David got an umbrella and we set up camp feeling rather grumpy.

4 hours later, the beach was still less than great but we had discovered the most amazing coral reef just past those pesky rocks that Mr. 10, Mr. 8, and even Mr. 4 explored.  We had jumped on the water trampoline.  We had met the lovely family next to us with 4 boys, celebrating the graduation of youngest two (twins) who were actually from Medfield, MA.  The mother spent a good bit of time laughing at our boys, remembering when her boys were that age.  Even Mr. 1 had a great day in the sand, although didn't want to get in the water until the very end.

We changed back into dry clothes (at record speed for us - meaning only 25-30 minutes), bought some Bermuda rum cake, and caught the ferry back to Hamilton.  We discovered the last bus of the day had already gone so we wandered Hamilton a bit, seeing the sight, before taking a taxi back to our little condo. Meaning we didn't even have to walk up the hill from the bus stop.  A quick dinner, baths and showers, a few roadrunner cartoons, and a very long Uno game, and it was time for bed.

The day didn't go as planned but it's hard not to have fun with this crew.  And it's hard not to call it a success after exploring such an amazing reef.  Especially with Mr. 4 really getting to snorkel for the first time.

And tomorrow, on to Tobacco Bay.