Jun 2007

Hey,

Well yesterday was my last day in St. John's and Newfoundland and man it was a really good day! Starting off with booking a trip to go into the Atlantic Ocean and go sea kayaking at Bay Bulls and hopefully catch a glance at some icebergs and whales in the area. So Steve (Instructor), two guys from Winnipeg and I set out into the bay in our two man kayaks. Well during the three hour paddle we got to the edge of the bay and into open waters after viewing some amaing views of the Newfoundland coastline with its sharp points and water filled coves and caves and jellyfish invested waters along with whales and blue sharks (which unfortunately we didn't get to see...the jellyfish however we did see and by the hundreds. We got hit by a few wakes due to a cat sailing past carrying it's whale watchers. The second time we paddled into the wakes and it became a bumpy ride for us and almost losing the camera a few times by either getting soaking wet through or actually falling into the sea.

So in open waters now and we see a boat in the distance on the horizon and thought nothing of it. However on our way back into the bay the ship we noticed was coming in our way and a a quick pace too! Within 20 minutes it had left the horizon and was literally on its way into the harbour. Luckily we had made it across the bay before it past us and attempted to dock and we were within distance of the ship where we could yell at the crew...we didn't however as we are all mature...well the two from Winnipeg were. Steve and I couldn't stop joking around and aiming jokes at them.

So no whales or icebergs but we did see a huge supply ship come into harbour and coves, caves and amazing coastline too. Oh well! I guess I did see an iceberg on tuesday and whales I can see in Vancouver so all is good. Just to add to the good day, the heavens opened just as we landed back on the shore. Had a little scare when I almost forgot about my camera but grabbed my life jacket off the instructor just in time as he was about to submerge the jacket in a fresh water tank to rinse out the salt water. The trip itself was well worth the money and also I don't need to go to the gym to work on my arms for months now! Just had a three hour session in open waters.

So we head back to the O'Brien's base where we started and headed to the restaurant for fish and chips with cod and not haddock which made a change. It was so nice too! Best fish and chips that I have had since I arrived in Canada and a heck of a lot cheaper than the times in Toronto too!

So we got dropped back off in St. John's in the rain and then I attempted to dry off in the hostel before heading back out to George Street for my final night for a few drinks and see if all the hype of George Street was worth going. Well I went into one bar called Greensleaves and apart from one of the guys at the bar they all just looked at me and just ignored me. Although the live entertainment was good with one guy on guitar taking in requests. When I left i was shocked to hear Grease playing in the bar next door and that it was a karaoke bar and my god the people in there were tone deaf. Mind you I couldn't do a better job especially at Sandy's part but oh well. So unfortunately I missed George Street's busiest night (Friday and Saturday) so really can't say it lived up to its hype for Thursday but I assume it would be really good over the weekend.

So up early today [Friday] to pack and finally head out to the airport for my flight to Halifax in Nova Scotia. Luckily got everything I came into St. John's with and hopefully haven't left anything behind...I don't think so anyway.

So I arrive into Halifax around 3ish and into downtown Halifax at about 3:30pm and the hostel is a lot nicer and more the student atmosphere and I actually have a bed frame and not just a matress on the floor. Wasn't complaining though about St. John's as the matress was comfy!

So had a little walk around the downtown before doing the full day out tomorrow and going to the fortress just down the road and up the hill.

Anyways, I must be off now as I am starting to feel slightly tired so ciao for now.

David

Hey,

So a long lie in today (11:30am) and tried to book tours to go around the Avalon region on Newfoundland, which turned out to be a big bust as the trip would have been a bus, tour guide and me! This would have been an 8 hour trip around the region but instead I ended up settling for Cape Spear and Petty Harbour with a St. John's tour.

Started off at the bottom on Long Hill where I was picked up in a minibus full of people on the tour. I just happened to be the only under 45 and the only person not from Canada. But it was good fun I must admit with stories they all had to tell of where they were from and why they were in Newfoundland. The tour guide Gordy was a laugh too which made the trip even better and lifted spirits about the cold weather (The Canadians can handle -30 in the cities but can't handle +10 by the coast? Strange!!) The english weather jokes came out too but I've been English weather joked out!

So to Cape Spear we went via a tour of St. John's and trips to Signal Hill, Cabot's Tower, The basilica of St. John The Baptist, The Colonial Buildings, Harbourfront and more. Cape Spear is the most easterly point of all North America and St. John's being the most easterly city in North America. At Cape Spear there was also a fort called Fort Cape Spear where the Allies built a battery to fend off the German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic and there were two sections connected by tunnels. So onwards to Petty Harbour, which is a small remote fishing village south of St. John's, which was nice with all the different coloured houses and boats.

So after the tour I had a little rest here back at the hostel before I headed out again to the Anglican Church for a haunted hike around St. John's for stories of the paranormal in the city. Pretty scary stuff to be honest. We all had goosebumps and the hair on the back of our necks were standing on end with ghosts, hangings, the nexus, unmarked graves, etc, etc.

Now I am back here in the hostel looking up thing to do tomorrow and things to do when I arrive in Halifax on Friday. So I'll leave it here for now and hope to catch up tomorrow...well today...

David

Hey,

Well today has been full of surprises, mainly that I've just found out how to add images to my blogs!

Today was my first full day in St. John's and all I can say is wow! Spent most of the day climbing Signal Hill along the coastline and battery. One amazing clib for sure and note to anyone but wear either hiking boots or running shoes and not casual trainers like I did and in the heat wearing jeans! Well it was pretty mild when I woke up but oh well lesson learnt now.

So I reached the summit of Signal Hill and glanced down at St. John's, the harbour and the smallest iceberg ever. Was a bit of a let down for icebergs but oh well I hope to find some soon along with whales, etc. So on the summit is Cabot's Tower which is a small watch tower but the size of a house with narrow winding steps upto the tower. You really can see for miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and a good 3000km more is England. So I was the closest to home I have been since arriving in Canada. Well as soon as I got up to the summit I found the easier route up the hill which was a roadway for drivers and cyclists to use and there is me with my legs killing me after the climb along the coast but I must admit I would rather have done it the way I did and then climb down too. The only reason I didn't was because of the heritage centre down the road with people dressed in traditional 18th - 19th century military clothing and some civilian dress too. Was cool to look at it really and also along the roadside walk down were more batteries with cannons overlooking the straight into the harbour.

Other than that today I was walking around town along Duckworth Street trying to find George Street and didn't find it. I had to look it up on Google Earth later on as my legs were about to drop off so I ended up recovering from jetlag (yes you do get it after 5 hours on the plane) and not a lot of sleep during my last week here in Toronto so a good little kip did the trick so anyways it's getting late here so off to bed again now.

David

Hey,

Today was the start of my main summer roadtrip across Canada starting with a flight from Toronto to St. John's in Newfoundland (via Halifax, Nova Scotia).

So today was pretty crazy with arranging to move out of Wycik for good now and I forgot to take pictures of the rooms. Nevermind eh! Anyways I finally got out and back to Pam's where the rest of my stuff was lying around at around 1:20ish where then I needed to A) Pack to go and B) Sort out stuff to send home still as I got quite a bit left to do.

Got to the airport around 3ish after an hour on the buses and subway and was so glad to sit down finally as the subway was packed and I was slightly heavy with my luggage. So after 2 hours at 42,000ft we arrived in Halifax for our first stop and stayed there for about 30 - 40 minutes whilst people got off and then people re-boarding the plane etc, etc. Then just over an hour later we were in Newfoundland and during the sunset flight I actually saw the Atlantic Ocean for the second time (first time being in Gibraltar).

So I have now arrived at my hostel and the lady who is helping out doesn't have a clue! To add to it they all speak with a strong and thick accent similar to Irish but slightly more mumbled too! So now I am currently sat in the living room of this house converted hostel and typing this up whilst looking through my travel guide and my map of things to do and see tomorrow and try to plan it out to last me four days. By the looks of things, I should be okay! Besides if in doubt there is always George Street. It's the street with the most density of pubs in the world or so I'm told, so must be good!

Anyways, I'm off to bed now as I'm tired and need some long awaited sleep!

David