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Each Carnival is thankfully different & has some unique factors contributing to its’ style and character.

Team TJJ – aka team no sleep - came in from all over arriving Friday afternoon (well, all of us except the man who probably wanted to be here more than all of us combined – Dr. Rhadi Ferguson .....flight delays & missed connections unfortunately made it impossible for him to participate in Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2016).  After a short picturesque ride (if you can make sure to stop on the exit of the airport at the cutout for some pics - SICK VIEW when you 1st reach) from the airport to our hotel, Hamilton Princess, we grabbed a quick meal on Front Street and then we were off to 5 Star Friday.



Bermuda is a small island all out on its own (yes technically it’s surrounded by tiny islands but you get my point – yuh ain’t taking a ferry or quick hop from Bermuda to anywhere else like you might between Anguilla, St. Maarten, & St. Barts or Trinidad and Tobago) 21 square miles and population of roughly 65k people – with “proper” English character heavily influencing it.  Seeing so many men run around in blazers & knee high socks still makes me chuckle a bit or  because God knows I hardly ever wear more than a pair of shorts (maybe a t-shirt for a little while) whenever it’s Carnival time.....and they do some double takes at a man walking in to a quality hotel with no shirt on lol.

I share all of that as it was apparent, having read Rhadi’s blogs on Trini Jungle Juice from last year’s BHW I was more alert observing little things around the island like the fact I found no litter anywhere (except during Road march, but even that was going to be dealt with quickly after) when walking/driving around the island.  People are pleasant, a bit more formal than many locations I travel – yet very welcoming and happy to have foreigners join in the revelry of Bermuda Heroes Weekend.  Locals gave us a ride around and learn about their architecture & requirements for all homes to have limestone roofs so they can be protected from hurricanes and collect the rainwater since there is no fresh water source on the island, but I digress...... back to feting.





Barrie Hype, Ryan Sayeed, DJ Crown Prince, Dr Jay de Soca Prince, DJ Stephen, King Bubba, Ricardo Drue, Lyrikal, Voice, Teddyson John, Kes The Band – that’s one hell of a superstar line-up for a smaller island event – and at an insanely affordable general admission price of $20 US!  Again, read back through that line-up & tell me where in the world you are gonna have that concentration of DJ’s & Performing Artists in 1 fete (we ain’t talking some monster stadium, we talking an intimate concert/fete) for $20 for more than 6+ hours of pumping?





Carnival Veterans from across the Caribbean, North America & Europe gathered there – seeing familiar faces like my friend, Shar Maria, a UK crew representing London was there in force and even other DJ’s were limin like Riggo Suave – it was an intimate size filled with plenty passion from locals pressing up against de stage jumpin, wining, and waving glow sticks & flags at the only annual event that will bring all this talent to them at one time.



Torrential downpours couldn’t dampen the spirits.  It was a lot like when we were little and would ask our parents if we could go play in the rain & jump in puddles.  While hundreds of people stayed safe under the tents for coverage – plenty of Soca Junkies let their inner child free – jumping and dancing in the rain, arching their backs, raising their arms & joyously singing along......pure freedom of spirit & infectious vibes of Soca being celebrated rain or shine.



There were solid food options (for those who don’t know – Dre is a foodie – I on the other hand switch between foodie and inner fat kid mode constantly --- so trust we are always keeping an eye on the food situation for allyuh) – so if you paid for the VIP all-inclusive pass you had a delicate shrimp salad that is permanently blazed in my brain, it was so light and fresh with an unexpected accompaniment that caught me off guard.  I cringed that it was served with Doritos and yet the chef was like “please trust me, for real, it’s good”.  She wasn’t lying, I begrudgingly took a bite looking to be nice to the host & I was shocked at how the combination worked well together, going back for 3 more servings and having a perfect start to the evening ...... my gluttounous side then took advantage of other options too - with the fried chicken, mini gourmet hotdogs with all the fixings, bake & salt fish, deviled eggs, local delicacies, and then in the hospitality tent they looked to take care of the Trini massive with roti, doubles, and paleau.



A consistent theme throughout the weekend was the level of service from the BHW team at all of the official events.  It was truly authentic excitement to host, serve & share their island with us.

With just enough time to head back to the hotel for a quick change, as it went from Friday night feting to Saturday morning feting we got ready for BHW Glow J’ouvert Fete.

'Til next time, Soca to de World
-Jouvert Mike

>> View Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2016 - 5 Star Friday - Part 1 Gallery
>> View Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2016 - 5 Star Friday - Part 2 Gallery
>> View Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2016 Coverage