Going home, Part 1

Map of Newfoundland

Well, my daughter's wish has come true - she is now booked to travel back to "the old country" to spend some time with my family this summer.  The age of travelling independence is close at hand for Jenna, and she loves spending time with her older cousin, Juliana.  So, off to Newfoundland she goes for 8 glorious days without parents - nirvana!

For those readers who have not made the pilgrimage to this ruggedly beautiful island, shared a pint with friendly natives in the oldest city in North America or broken bread with some of the most down-to-earth people in the Western world, I would urge you to take a trip to Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Labrador is both the oldest and youngest province in Canada, as it was the first part of the "new world" to be discovered over 500 years ago, but remained a British dominion until 1949.  The Newfoundland Blog gives an interesting snapshot of this Province: "Newfoundland is famous around the world for its unique heritage and cultural identity, as well as the stunning and rugged northern landscape it offers. Traditionally a land of fishermen, loggers, trappers and miners, Newfoundland, with most of the population living on the island, remained an isolated land for most of its history and thus a separate culture and language was able to develop.

The people of Newfoundland often call themselves 'Newfies' although this term can also be used in a derogatory sense by those from other provinces. The language spoken in Newfoundland is often considered nothing more than a strong accent, but linguists at Yale University have classified the Newfoundland dialect as a distinct language within the English group. It has its own pronunciation and lexicon, idioms and in some cases its own grammatical rules. It is impossible to describe the Newfoundland language in writing, but it is heavily based on a fusion of Irish and English and Scandinavian."

Newfoundland and Nature

Never seen an iceberg block your sea view?  Then try travelling in May or June, and you will also find yourself on the coast for lobster season!  Icebergs can be found floating past the island as late as mid July, and tourists often enjoy going iceberg-spotting, by hoping into a car and driving from port to port to see what awaits over each rolling hill.  And as 4/5 of Newfoundland is rural, the narrow roads and multiple bays will keep you wondering whats behind every bend!

Small icebergs, or Bergies, pictured in the Irish Loop

Or something much larger and magnificent

Like the wonder and natural history of National Parks?  Look no further than Newfoundland with several parks to choose from spread over the Province, though the most breathtaking by far is Gros Morne National Park based on the West coast of Newfoundland.

From http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/ , "It took Mother Nature 485,000,000 years to mold Gros Morne National Park into the geological and visual wonder we know today. The second largest National Park in eastern Canada, Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching across 1,805 square kilometres of western Newfoundland as part of the towering Long Range Mountains.

Encircled by tiny seaside communities, and encompassing forests, freshwater fjords, bogs, barren lowlands, moose, and striking cliffs and shorelines, this area is also world- renowned for its complex geology. It was here that geologists proved the theory of plate tectonics. The Tablelands, a mountain of flat-topped rock of a kind usually found only deep in the earth’s mantle, is a truly awe-inspiring sight."

If you love the outdoors, Newfoundland will keep you inspired well beyond your visit.  The East Coast trail system throughout the province, the many parks, hiking, skiing, golfing, fishing and hunting opportunities are only as limited as your time and budget.  Mix a good hike with  taking a skag at some beautiful heritage sites, like the Lighthouse at Cape Spear.

Newfoundland is also known as the Sea Bird capital of North America.  No surprise to this blogger who spent her formative years here!  So, if you are at your computer and wondering where to go on your next adventure, try discovering Canada and it's history.  Mix it in with breathtaking scenery, ample activities and a warm, inviting hospitality and you have the making of an adventure to go down into your own history.

A great place to start your research or book your travel is through the official Newfoundland and Labrador travel website, one that has launched genius marketing campaigns consistently over the past several years
http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/