Counting the weeks

May 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

I'm counting the weeks until our return to The Rock. I've been wearing my blue wrist band that has Trimingham's written on it, and every time I put it on, I realise that an era of shopping has come to an end in Bermuda. That was one of the wonderful things my wife and I loved about Bermuda.

What am I looking forward to this trip? After visiting the Island over four decades, I still anticipate the first breath of Bermuda air after landing at the Airport. What I'm really looking forward to as well is the smell of flowers on the South Shore, the sound of tree frogs after a rain, and the sight of a gorgeous sunset while sipping a dark and stormy.

To paraphrase the current Master Card commercial: "A week in Bermuda.....priceless.'

MICHAEL NEWBURGER

Parkville, Missouri

Bermuda still beautiful

May16, 2006

Dear Sir,

On the 20th and penultimate day of our visit to Bermuda, we feel compelled to write in appreciation of a wonderful holiday here.

This is our first time back for 35 years, having spent five years of our young adulthood as guest teachers.

Essentially, Bermuda is as beautiful as ever with an exquisite colour palette found nowhere else in the world. Of course we have noted some changes, but most of them serve to enhance the island as a holiday destination. We have really enjoyed using the pink buses and ferries. The green areas and national parks are a real delight, and the new developments have obviously been carefully controlled. The Dockyard development and museums are a source of real interest and pleasure. Cultural interest is well served and there is a vibrant local art scene to enjoy.

Above all, we had forgotten how friendly an Island Bermuda is. It is so nice to share a joke with the waiters, have young students hold back to allow you onto buses, find that everyone in shops and on public transport takes the time to greet and wish you a good day. It's a level of courtesy sadly missing elsewhere.

We wish you well with your tourist industry, and will do our best to spread the word.

ANN AND MARTYN WILKINSON

East Sussex, UK