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- Destinations
- North America
- Bermuda
- Hamilton
Hamilton
Bermuda's pretty pastel-shaded capital, Hamilton, named after a
former Governor, hustles and bustles with local shoppers and keen
sightseers every day of the week. Although it is officially a city,
boasting a massive 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral, it is the
size of a town and is inhabited by approximately 15,000 people. The
population swells appreciably with the frequent arrival of cruise
ships that berth next to Hamilton's main thoroughfare of Front
Street, stretching along the harbour-front. Front Street also
boasts a ferry terminal, a parade area and countless shops,
restaurants and taverns. Most visitors linger at any one of the
restaurants along the stretch and enjoy the harbour views or watch
the passersby from the decorative balconies. The mood is relaxed
and amiable. Throughout the town British influences have blended
comfortably with the casual island style. Visitors can explore
elegant buildings like the Royal Yacht Club and Historical Museum,
or take a ride in a quaint horse-drawn carriage.
Hamilton's pride is the Georgian-style Sessions House, on Church
Street. It dates back to 1815 and serves as Bermuda's House of
Assembly and Supreme Court. It is also worth visiting Fort
Hamilton, particularly for the splendid views it offers of the
city, harbour and Gibb's Hill Lighthouse. At midday every Monday
shows are staged with bagpipers and traditional dancers.
From Hamilton one can take a 15-minute walk to one of Bermuda's
more recent attractions, the state-of-the-art Bermuda Underwater
Exploration Institute. This is a multi-million dollar institute
built to showcase the natural wonders of the surrounding oceans.
The Institute offers a simulated dive in a capsule and interactive
exhibits detailing local reef wrecks, plant and animal life. Also
worth visiting is the Bermuda Historical Society Museum.
Information & Facts
Climate
The climate of Hamilton is sub-tropical, the weather being sunny
and hot all year round. There are no distinct seasons, but the
hottest weather is during July, August and September when highs can
hit 90°F (32°C). Generally the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures
moderate. There is no specific rainy season, showers occurring at
any time of year, the skies rapidly clearing.
Getting Around
It is important to note that visitors to Bermuda are not allowed
to rent cars. There are, however, several transport options and as
the city of Hamilton and Bermuda itself are not large, this is
hardly a problem. A bus services operates in Hamilton and links it
to other major points in Bermuda, with inbound service stops marked
with pink-topped poles and outbound service stops marked with
blue-topped poles. If transferring to another bus, be sure to ask
the first driver for a transfer to avoid paying again. Transfers
are valid for half an hour. Ferries are another popular way to
enjoy the sights of Hamilton and its surrounds, and scooters and
mopeds are also available for hire. Walking and cycling are also
excellent ways to get around. A traditional means of transport, and
a fun way to enjoy the city, is on a horse drawn carriage ride. One
does need to look past the fact that in Hamilton, the horses wear
diapers!
Language
English is the official language.
Money
The Bermudan Dollar (BMD) is divided into 100 cents, and is tied
to the US Dollar (US$1=BD$1). US currency is accepted almost
everywhere and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and
bureaux de change. Banking hours vary, though most are open
weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm. Visa, MasterCard and American Express,
and travellers cheques are widely accepted and ATMs are extensively
available. To avoid additional charges, it is best to carry
travellers cheques in US dollars. Visitors are advised to exchange
all their Bermudan Dollars before leaving, as it is impossible to
exchange once outside the country.
Time
GMT -4 (GMT -3 from the second Sunday in March to the first
Sunday in November).