What's New in Bermuda?

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Were you there on a cruise, possibly tied up at Kings Wharf ship yard? If so, how'd you get to Spicelands? Bus? Ferry? Taxi? A combination? Thanks.

...Karl

You take the#8 bus from dockyard to Spicelands Stable. Your other option is a taxi.

[KarlS]

Thanks!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Thanks very much for your responses. We're driving to Baltimore to meet our ship, so bringing her breeches and half-chaps might be an alternative, and then she'll feel more comfortable. Cheers!

...Karl

If I can't take the full boots, I wear jeans and ankle-high boots. They aren't riding boots, but they have a good heel, and I will not ride in a shoe without a heel. Most people on the ride will be in jeans. Some are in white pants of shorts, which always gives me a laugh.

I was on a cruise docked in Hamilton each time I rode. I took a taxi because I went so early, and took the bus back to Hamilton.

[Tomct]

Still looking for new ideas for enjoying our time in Bermuda. We are planning our 4th cruise, and though we have a few "Must Do" agenda items, we do want to mix in some new with the old, and create a flexible schedule that we can adjust as we go along in the planning, and once we are there. Thanks for all the discussion so far, and look forward to more before we sail next May.

[KarlS]

Thanks for everyone's help. We booked (online) Spicelands Stables more-expensive "private" ride for this past Monday so we could trot/canter in addition to just walking, and go on a 90-mins vs 60-mins ride.

The good news: It's easy to get to Spicelands stable from King's Wharf. Catch a number 8 bus (as an earlier poster recommended) and ask the driver to let you out at Spicelands. It's about a 30-minute ride. Easy. The bus stop is right on Middle Road at the end of Spiceland's driveway. Walk down the driveway to the office on the right just on the other side of the riding ring to check-in and get your helmet if you choose to wear one. (We have horses of our own, so we know to wear helmets). The horses were in good shape. Well cared for and quiet. The saddles were western, the rest of the tack English. Because it's the beginning of Bermuda's "winter" season, no other rides were booked for this particular Monday morning, and only one in the afternoon. On Monday morning, the riders were just my wife and me. Theresa, our guide, was a very pleasant young woman, born and raised in Bermuda. She pointed out lots of flora along the way, and told us some of the history of the area, too. We rode over heavily-vegetated trails, crossed a few roads with traffic, and walked along a few back streets in pretty neighborhoods to get to Warwick Long Beach. Then we rode along the sandy path near the beach and parallel to the shoreline down to Horseshoe Bay Beach before turning back. As anticipated, we rode on a path near the beaches, but never actually "on" the beaches. It was a beautiful blue-sky day, and the beaches were spectacular. Some great photo opportunities. We saw a few families on the beaches, but not very many. We got to trot and canter. I'm glad my wife got the horse she did, because she's the experienced rider, and her horse chose to get quite "spirited" when asked to canter.

The only "bad" news: After a half-hour on the trail, we started back towards the stables. My wife asked Theresa when would we have a chance to trot/canter? Theresa said she was told we had booked a "group" ride, which goes on a shorter/different trail than a "private" ride. We also think the "group" horses for a ride are most likely selected because they're quiet and will only have to walk for an hour. Theresa said she wished she had known at the start we had paid for a private ride, because we would've ridden on the normal "private" ride trail instead of this shorter trail. There was no access from the short trail to the other trail. She did try to extend our ride another fifteen minutes by back-tracking on the shorter trail in a few places, but we had the feeling we didn't get the ride we'd paid the premium to enjoy. In hindsight, had we known this was the slow season in Bermuda, and chances of anyone else riding on the same day we rode were small, we would've saved a tremendous amount of money and booked a "group" ride (in our case a group of two) instead of the more than twice the price "private" ride.

Everything considered, though, we had a very nice ride, and we'd recommend Spicelands and Theresa to anyone who wants a unique experience while visiting this beautiful island. Just sign up for a group ride. (Of course, as always, your mileage may vary depending upon the time of the year you visit Bermuda). Cheers!

[luvfamvaca]

My plan was to book Spicelands when we are in Bermuda until my daughter returned from a trail ride with her cousins here where we live and had bruises up and down her inner thighs, seems she somehow couldn't get a grasp on putting her weight into her feet and leaning back so (and I am not a good rider either, must be hereditary LOL)…we are now trying to decide between the Wildcat boat tour or one of the glass bottom snorkel tours…decisions… decisions... Care to share your opinion to help us decide?

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by luvfamvaca

we are now trying to decide between the Wildcat boat tour or one of the glass bottom snorkel tours…decisions… decisions... Care to share your opinion to help us decide?

Sorry. Can't help you with either of those.

[Tomct]

This isn't new, but since there have been some knowledgeable visitors here, I was wondering if anyone has experienced a Catamaran in Bermuda. We have talked about a Sunset cruise and then there is the Party cruise. I also wonder whether you should or can book locally or are they usually booked up with ship excursions?

[Tomct]

Still looking for new ideas to consider in making plans for our three day stay in Bermuda in May, while our cruise ship visits Bermuda. All replies will be appreciated!

[mare73]

Have you looked into Hartley's Helmet Dive? We felt it was the best part of our entire cruise (Bermuda, Boston, Newport) and would do it again next time we're in Bermuda.

Have fun!

[Tomct]

Our cruise to Bermuda is fast approaching, and I'm finally getting around to making a rough plan for our three days in port. I actually forgot I had started this thread, until today, so thought I'd check and see whatever happened. It looks like it fell from the top and out of site since December so this should give it a boost.


Here's a few items I'd like to see comments on, in addition to any other ideas anyone may have, especially the locals:

1. Mini golf - anyone have any updates on the information that appears here already? It appears to be a very small open golf course, referred to in my area as a pitch and putt. They are quite rare these days, the two I have played are no longer, the valuable land used for other purposes. I'd also be interested in the price to play if anyone knows that.

2. Sunset Catamaran cruise - We arrive on Wednesday night and we have plans to attend Harbour Nights in Hamilton. Anyone know if there is such a service on Thursday evening?

3. Any other ideas or FYI's that may not be commonly discussed elsewhere would also be appreciated. Examples might be the Wifi service available at reasonable prices at the Dockyard. Also the new webcam that visitors may find interesting for their friends at home.

http://www.portbermudawebcam.com/

Thanks again.

[Tomct]

Originally Posted by Tomct

Our cruise to Bermuda is fast approaching, and we're finalizing a plan for our three days in port. This thread falls quickly from the top and out of site, so any additional feedback would be appreciated.


Here's a few items I'd like to see comments on, in addition to any other ideas anyone may have, especially the locals:

1. Mini golf - anyone have any updates on the information that appears here already? There is a very small mini golf course, referred to in our area as a pitch and putt. They are quite rare these days, the two I have played are no longer, the valuable land used for other purposes. I'd also be interested in how it is doing and the price to play if anyone knows that.

2. Sunset Catamaran cruise - We arrive on Wednesday night and we have plans to attend Harbour Nights in Hamilton. Anyone know if there is such a sailing on Thursday evening?

Thanks again.

Any new information would be appreciated.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Originally Posted by Tomct

Any new information would be appreciated.

Have you visited the web site for FunGolf (#1)?

Can't help with #2.


SBtS

[Tomct]

Originally Posted by SailBadtheSinner

Have you visited the web site for FunGolf (#1)?


SBtS

Thanks for the link; As you can see in this thread, I've been looking for it since August. This afternoon I was reading the Royal Gazette site, and saw an article about, dated in March when they had their grand opening. The timing is great, since we will arrive there next Wednesday. It looks like a great layout!

Thanks again!!

PS. Just noticed you are from Windsor Locks.