Take Monday down, tell Tuesday to hurry….

and wait through Wednesday before…….Cup Match is a-coming.

What is Cup Match you ask (well obviously if you’re not from Bermuda)?

Well from today, most Bermudians and island residents will have today and one more workday before the biggest holiday of the year (bar Christmas on the island perhaps).

Thursday and Friday, not to mention Saturday and Sunday, will be devoted to: watching cricket, gamble at Crown and Anchor (which requires knowledge of shapes and the ability to put money on them), veg on the beach, head for the open water with our boats, and hang with family and friends.

What will I be doing? Good question. I’m hoping not to be skunked. What do I mean? Every Cup Match we have family friends who come down and then Thursday is the Hungry Bay (a tiny, beautiful outlet in the centre of the Island) fishing tournament.

This “exclusive” gaming event requires all boats to leave from the bay and return at 3 p.m. The poor fisherman who fails to land one fish receives a Skunk award. What does this include? A stuffed skunk and some backed beans (because you have no fish to eat of course!) and of course the right to multiple “big-fish-got-away” stories.

I have yet to find a boat for the tournament so I will probably safe from skunking. What are you doing this Cup Match??

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It will probably require toting towels, toddlers and all types of goodies for your days out. Why not make it fashionable with the bags from The Harbourmaster?

Kalencom by Amy Butler

Sheilagh Robertson, the owner of the Washington Mall (near the entrance off Washington Lane) shop offers these trendy totes and a few tips for Cup Match on this Harbourmaster Travel Tip Tuesday.

She says: “Cup Match is a time to let your hair down and have a little fun. The perfect time to splash out on a colourful tote in bright orange, snazzy stripes or blue florals.

Hadaki Blue!

“These totes make a fashion statement but are practical too with room for the bathing suit, sunblock, and water bottle.”

But what about the weather, Sheilagh?

“Whether you are going to the game, heading to the beach , or out on the water always make sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated . Water is much better than alcohol and sugary drinks.

“Apply lots of sunblock and wear a hat. Girls like to pose in skimpy tops at Cup Match but it doesn’t take long to get serious sunburn. Parents should be especially careful with children.”

And for those heading for the water remember:

“Water safety. For many Bermudians Cup Match is the only time people go in the water.

“While everyone likes to picnic on the beach I often observe parents or family members sitting in the shade while toddlers and very young children play in the water some distance away.

“Remember it only takes an instant for a young child to be knocked over by a wave or wander in too deep. If your child is in the water playing, you or a responsible adult  who can swim should be with them at all times.”

Finally: Pick-up your last-minute bags from The Harbourmaster in the Washington Mall, Hamilton, Have fun, Stay Safe and remember to check back to the blog while on Cup Match! I will be here updating!!!

Want to travel? Try your…backyard?

Mouthing off at Paget Marsh

Yesterday I ran into a friend I had not seen since returning to Bermuda. “Robyn you must have had so much fun?” she said.

“I did, but I’m finding it hard to stay home now.”

“Well you’re going to have to look at home like you did all those amazing places you went to.”

She’s right. Travel is not just about boarding a plane, train, ship, small aircraft carrier, whatever, and leaving home. It’s also about rediscovering what you have at home; seeing it in another light, from another angle and try to get out of your comfort zone (which is so easy to enjoy in Bermuda).

So this is my challenge for me and my Bermuda readers (and well anyone visiting the site from away….hope this gives you some tips for your home town and maybe the photos of our Island will inspire you to visit).

Challenge: get out on our 21-square-miles and visit something you have never been to. Drive through a neighbourhood you have never been in. Go to a restaurant you pass every day and never bother to stop in and try it. Talk to someone you might never have struck-up a conversation with. Walk rather than drive to the supermarket. Volunteer.

While doing these things let your mind rest. Don’t think about running back to work, the house, the TV. Focus on what you are doing and how do you see things differently? Where have you been on the island recently that you had never been or had not been in years? What was it like going there?

And you know what…it might not turn out the way you expect it to, but then travel never does. This weekend I was set to storm into Paget Marsh. The bag was packed, hiking shoes on, canteen at the ready, hydrated and tracking device at hand. Ok maybe not, but I really was looking forward to discovering this nature reserve I kept driving by and had only entered as a child.

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Turns out there is about ten feet of walking space before you come to the end of the entry to the marsh. Luckily I had combined the outing with a catch-up with a friend I hadn’t seen since returning to the Island. After traipsing through farms (I’m sorry I swear we stayed on the edge) to another dead-end we gave up, sat in the parking lot and chatted for two hours.

It was a great afternoon and one I wouldn’t have traded for a trip to Cambodia.