Cup Match
is Bermuda's equivalent of the Super Bowl. The main event (July 29 to
August 2) pits the island's two cricket teams—St. George's and
Somerset—against each other and sparks a multiday, islandwide
celebration. Cup Match Summer Splash events include BeachFest on
Horseshoe Bay Beach, July 31, and the Non-Mariners Race (a zany
spectacle with patchwork "vessels"), August 2. The cricket
competition—hosted by St. George's Cricket Club this year—is part of the
island's two-day national holiday
commemorating Bermuda's colonization
and the end of slavery.
"If you want to experience Bermuda like a local—at
its most welcoming, its most lively, its most fun—join us for Cup
Match," says Shawn Crockwell, Bermuda Minister of Tourism and Transport.
"All over Bermuda, you'll see locals sporting their favorite team's
color: dark blue and light blue for St. George's, and dark blue and red
for Somerset." And, if Cup Match is your first foray into the often
confusing world of cricket wickets, stumps, bowlers, and bails, relax.
"The Bermudians you sit next to in the stands will be happy to help you
with the finer points of the game," Crockwell says.
How to Get Around: The international airport
is located in St. George's parish on Bermuda's eastern end, while many
resorts are clustered on the South Shore. The capital city, Hamilton, is
located at the center of the main island and is Bermuda's retail,
restaurant, and tourist hub. Check to see if your hotel offers airport
transfers (reservations required). Or, take a taxi or public bus from
the airport.
For island-wide travel, use the ubiquitous pink and blue Bermuda Breeze public buses and the public SeaExpress ferries. For shorter trips, rent a motorized scooter or a hybrid electric bike or mountain bike. Due to strict environmental laws, no rental cars are available to tourists.
Where to Stay: All 88 guestrooms and suites have water views at the posh and properly British Rosewood Tucker's Point.
Conveniently located in St. George's parish (home to the airport and
the St. George's Cricket Club), the luxury hotel is part of the 200-acre
Tucker's Point Club golf community. Guest amenities include a private
pink-sand beach, multiple pools, a croquet lawn, and a dive and
watersports center offering kayak and boat rentals, snorkel tours,
catamaran cruises, and dive excursions.
What to Eat or Drink: At Art Mel's
Spicy Dicy on Water Street in St. George's, order the deep-fried fish
sandwich like a local: on raisin bread, topped with tartar sauce,
lettuce, tomato, grilled Bermuda onions, cheese, hot sauce, and
coleslaw, and accompanied by a grape soda. The colossal sandwich comes
wrapped in aluminum foil and is big enough for two. For quick snacks,
stop at the nearest gas station. Most stations carry local-made foods
such as pound cake, seasoned cookies, and savory pastry pies with beef,
chicken, or vegetable filling.
What to Buy: Upscale retailer A.S. Cooper & Sons Limited
has six island locations, each carrying a specific selection of
Bermuda-made brands. Check the website to find out which locations offer
notable island favorites such as TABS (The Authentic Bermuda Shorts), Horton's Original Bermuda Black Rum Cakes, and jewelry inspired by the island's flora and fauna from Bermudian artist Alexandra Mosher.
What to Read Before You Go: The Game of Cricket: All You Need to Know About the Summer Game is a conversational guide covering the sport's basic history, rules, terms, and traditions.
Cultural Tip: Proper manners,
including acknowledging others with the more formal "Good morning" and
"Good afternoon," always are appreciated. But, it's also helpful to know
a bit of Bermy (Bermuda) slang such as "Wopnin?" (What's happening?)
and "greeze" (food or a big meal), as in: "I'm hungry. Where can I get a
greeze?"
Helpful Links: Bermuda Tourism and Bermuda Cup Match
Fun Facts: Cup Match is the only
time when gambling is legal in Bermuda. The government-sanctioned game
Crown and Anchor is a simple board and dice game traditionally played by
British sailors. Look for the Crown and Anchor tent at the Cup Match
cricket field to watch the raucous action or try your luck.
Staff Tip: On the Sunday immediately
after Cup Match, normally proper Bermudians let loose at the annual
Non-Mariner’s Race, where residents attempt to propel their barely
seaworthy floats, often with satirical themes, across Mangrove Bay, to
the raucous shouts of spectators. The first vessel to sink usually wins.
—Marilyn Terrell, chief researcher, National Geographic Traveler