Newfoundland Travel - St. Johns - Newfoundland

We had reconnoitered another spot about which we were told at Quidi Vidi Lake, on the East end of town. There are many RVs parked here anticipating next weeks regatta on the lake. All day two man sculls, 4+1s and 6+1s were practicing for next weeks contest. A hiking path winds around the lake and is a popular spot for the locals. St. John's is noted for its network of hiking trails. From the Quidi Vidi trail four other ones branch out into the rest of the city.

We took a walking tour of the Eastern Part of the city. This is where many of the rich people built their homes after the numerous fires in the 19th century, which leveled the lower dock portion of the city. Many of the homes are in the Queen Anne and late Empire Style, with later Victorian thrown in for good measure.

The tour took us to the Colonial House, which held the legislature and Supreme Court for the country of Newfoundland from 1850 to 1959. They moved to the Confederation building then. The building now houses the Provincial Archives.

We crossed the street and were invited to attend the garden party at the Government House, the home of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province. We were the delegation from the esteemed state of Illinois. The Royal Regiment of Foot and the 27th Company- 2nd Battalion Royal regiment of Artillery were present in style. The drum and fife corps was augmented by the royal provincial military band, which played during the party. Tea, lemonade and biscuits were served to all of the invited guests.

Thursday, July 31, 2003

Drove to Signal Hill, overlooking the harbor and the sea. We looked at the exhibits at the interpretation center, which traced the history of the area from before John Cabot through the battle of the Somme on July 1, 1917, where almost an entire generation of young Newfoundlanders were lost in one day.

At 11:00 was the tattoo, a 1795 reenactment of traditional military activities, performed by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot and the 27th Company - 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Artillery. Comprised of High School students the corps consists of drum and fife band, the Regiment of Foot and the artillery regiment. They demonstrate the purpose of marching drills which were used in actual combat, the firing of muskets from different formations, and the use of the howitzer and cannon in battle. The exercise was quite informative and entertaining.

Talking with the historian for the group after the performance we asked about the Germans and W.W.II. He said that it was a possibility. Many ships were sunk in the North Atlantic and bodies were washed ashore along the coast. Among the bodies, or parts of them, would have been a certain number of German sailors. Since their identities were unknown the citizens would hold services and give them a Christian burial. This is definitely a plausible explanation and still a marvelous example of Newfoundlander hospitality.

At 2:00 we were scheduled for a tour of Signal Hill. So we went to the Johnson GeoCenter, just down the hill. Constructed in the hill, the exhibits are underground revealing the actual rock of Signal Hill. Some of the oldest rocks in the world have been found in Labrador. One hands-on exhibit is of a rock almost 4 billion years old. We had to leave early because of our tour appointment, but returned later to finish the exhibits.

On Signal Hill, we met Billy, our ranger tour guide. Only two of us were in the tour, even though many other people were on the hill too. He showed us around the hill for over an hour and a half. Signal Hill was used for many purposes, barracks, hospital, prison, etc. Its primary use was for signaling the incoming ships into the harbor. The signal was relayed from Cape Spear, the Eastern most point in North America, by hoisting the ship's colors. This was then observed by the merchants and townsfolk who readied themselves for the ship. In 1901 Marconi sent and received the first transatlantic wireless signal from Europe, a series of three dots. He used an aerial attached to a kite. The cable companies were not too pleased with his achievement, because they had just laid the transatlantic cable at great cost. How he did this was revealed twenty years later, bouncing the signal off the ionosphere. This changed communications forever and helped marine communications.

Queen Victoria laid the cornerstone for Cabot Tower in 1897, the 400th anniversary of his discovery. One other interesting fact is that the Basilica of St. John the Baptist towers line up with the narrows, the entrance to St. John's harbor. By lining the masts to a series of lanterns from the tower, the ships were able to navigate the Narrows without incident. This was done until recent times, when the Narrows were dredged for easier access. During W.W.II a large net was hung across the narrows from Fort Amherst to Signal Hill to keep out the German U-boats and protect St. John's shipping. The Germans, however, had hired many ship captains who sailed from Bell Island, a short distance away. They were familiar with the waters and dangers in the area. So they were able to circumvent the net.

Friday, August 1, 2003

Did some necessary laundry on Merry Meeting Street and other chores today. Merry Meeting Street is so named because it is at the top of the hill overlooking the harbor.  People would meet there to chat and watch for ships entering he harbor.

We are set to stay at Quidi Vidi Lake until next Thursday and watch the longest running sporting event in North America, the 185th consecutive St. John's Royal Regatta. From dawn to dusk, the crews have been practicing. We are looking forward to the race.

In the evening, we walked to Bannerman Park, the site of the St. John's Folk Festival, which began today and extends throughout the weekend. Also on tap this weekend is the George Street Festival, which runs through Tuesday night. The groups here have more of a rock rhythm.

Hi again for the third installment.

On Saturday, August 02, 2003 we took the walking tour of the old downtown of St. John's Most of the original buildings have been destroyed because of massive fires in 1846 and 1892. The streets rise up from the harbor via a steep hill, typical of most port towns. At the top of the hill is Merry Meeting Street, where young people would congregate and yet keep a look out for any ships entering the harbor. Two of the many ships docked at the harbor today were a French luxurious cruise ship with a passenger list of only ninety people, whose itinerary was the Arctic circle and the naturalist sites there. The other ship was a Russian trawler in the harbor for engine repairs. They have been there over a month. Knowing how much the Newfoundlanders regard foreign factory ships destroying the Grand Banks fisheries, the ship might be there for many more months. The crew did not seem to be too displeased, sunning themselves on deck.

Walked down George Street, home of the George Street Music Festival. The street is a pub crawler's paradise. Just about every establishment on the street is a pub, many with Celtic names. Food is also available, but nothing else, except entertainment at night. Went into the Anglican Cathedral, the exterior surviving the fire, but the interior being gutted. Their small museum has artifacts from the fire, including bent church Keys, charred beams and a church mummified mouse (actually a rat). The services will be held by the High Church variety, with Matins before the Eucharist and Evensong (Vespers) and solemn Vespers each day, Sunday. Do you have a picture in the museum of the team that worked to repair the cathedral. One of the men was killed during the project. Mysteriously, he appears as a transparent person in the picture. You can use the rest of the background through it: a scary ghost. Approximately 50 membersof the Cathedral community who died in the World Wars are also honored with a plaque near the altar.

Drove through the English Gardens of Bowring Park. A wedding was in process that day. The park has many statuary, including a replica of Peter Pan and one dedicated to the Newfoundlander Fighting Man.  Cascades, and winding pathways make this a bucolic focal point for the community.

After naps we met up with our friends Andre and Pamela and drove to the George Street Festival. Most of the bands were run of the mill. The headliners were High Holy Days from Thunder Bay, ON and I Mother Earth, a local group making its name nationally. The crowd was sparse until I Mother Earth came on stage. From every direction people came into the square, at least five thousand strong. The lead singer was from St. John's and it was home coming for the local hero. The music was heavy rock accompanied by a light show. The audience was really into the music, complete with mosh pit. The lead singer even entered the pit for one of his songs and was raised on high. He was in no fear of injury, because these were his friends.

After the concert, about 11:00 the 5,00 plus crammed into the many pubs along the street. The party continued. The festival will go on for three more nights. We plan to be there Tuesday night for the Kitchen Party.

Had Ice Cream at the famous Moo Moos .

Monday, August 04, 2003

We treated ourselves to Ches's Famous Fi And Chi (fish and chips). The were good, but not as good as the Friendly Fisherman's Café in Rose Blanche. (Fortunately not nearly so hearty a serving either.)

We visited the Quidi Vidi Brewery. A tour had just left. We got some labels for Don, our Master Brewer, of their products. At Christmas they produce a Mummers Ale, in which they put orange rinds, cloves and other spices into the mash, giving it a special flavor. A Mummer is a British tradition during the Twelve Days of Christmas, where people dress in costumes and are masked. They go from house to house to have their tankards filled after they entertain and the hosts try to guess their identities  In Philadelphia, PA the mummers parade is an annual event on News  Years Day.

Down the road is the Quidi Vidi Battery, built by the French, when they attacked St. John's during the Seven Days War. It is very small, but adequately protects the cove to Quidi Vidi from an attack from the sea.

Hiked the Virginia River trail, two Kilometers each way. The trail parallels the Virginia River as it cascades down from the hill on which Fort Pepperrell was built in W.W.II for the Americans. Now it is called Pleasantville. A Texan designed the fort and left his imprint: the streets form the outline of a ten gallon hat and have names like Churchill and Roosevelt.

We headed for George Street. Tonight we were going to get Screeched, i.e..become honorary Newfoundlanders. Screech is what one does after drinking the dregs of the dark molasses rum in the olden days. After one month here we feel the blood of the island coursing through our veins. At Trapper John's Museum and Pub we were properly screeched: drank screech (Newfoundland rum straight, kissed the puffin, or cod, and repeated the pledge.

Now we could enjoy the Kitchen Party. A Kitchen Party is a Newfoundland tradition where anything goes, just as in the kitchen at home.  Tonight was Newfoundland and Celtic night. Some of the groups were Banshee, six policemen and Royal Newfoundland Celta, where the men wore kilts and the girls wore pants Geiger. They really started to get into the music halfway through the crowd. Then came the Navigators, which we have heard before. The headliners were Shanneyganock, the audience go wild with their Newfoundland and Celtic songs and their opening time musician, bass, drums and rhythm guitars, and the box was Squeeze. Other people were at the Kitchen Party on Saturday asConcerto.

Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Today is a beautiful sunny day to manage the sequence of the 185th St. John's Regatta. This is the only major festival in prison and a cemetery instead. The shells, which means that boats are fit those old British company, unlike the Olympics, if the shell sets move with his legs. There are 23 qualifying races, rowing men 2.450 km long track, turning around a buoy and then back to the finish line. Most do it in lessten minutes. The women do ½ the course in under six minutes. This year OZFM, a local radio station woman's crew won again. They set a new course record of  under 5:00 minutes. Newfoundland Power won the men's competition.

The competition is not just about the racing. It is a festival. A minimum of 50,000 people congregated around the pond, visiting the concession booths, eating their way along the trail and waiting for the children to play on the different rides. The atmosphere was one of joy. Bands played, crowds stood or sat on the banks cheering on their favorite teams, tailgate parties were set up including jig dinners.  A jig dinner is like a New England Broiled dinner.  It comprises salted beef or pork and then different vegetables are thrown into the pot, making quite a stew.

Thursday, August 07, 2003

Woke up this morning and most of the parking lot was cleared, a different sight from yesterday. We will be moving on too, having enjoyed our stay at St. John's. Will we return? The answer is, "Yes," someday, and this time in less than a 40 years.

Travel Newfoundland - St. Johns - Newfoundland

We had a different point through which it was said that at Quid Vidi Lake, explore the eastern end of town. There are many campers parked waiting for the next race week here on the lake. Throughout the day two men rowing quad, 4 and 6 +1 s +1 s to practice for next weeks contest. A trail winds around the lake and is a popular meeting place for locals. St. John is the network of hiking trails observed. From Quid Vidi contains four more other branch into the rest of the city.

We have one footWalking through the eastern part of the city. This is where many wealthy people built their homes after several fires in the 19th Century, the area of lower wharf of the city razed. Many of the houses in Queen Anne and late Empire style, with later Victorian thrown in for good measure.

The tour took us to the Colonial House, which held the legislature and the Supreme Court of the country of Newfoundland 1850-1959. They moved into the palace of the then federal government. L 'Building now houses the National Archives.

We crossed the street and were invited to attend the garden party at Government House, home of the deputy governor of the province. We have estimated the delegation of the State of Illinois. The Royal Regiment of foot and 27 Company-2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Artillery were present in great style. The pipe and drum corps of the province's real military band that was played during the festival expanded. Tea, soft drinks andBiscuits were served to all guests.

Thursday, July 31, 2003

Went to Signal Hill, overlooking the harbor and the sea. We reviewed the findings in the design center, which traces the history of the area before John Cabot's Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1917, when almost an entire generation of young Newfoundland lost in one day.

At 11:00, the tattoo watch, a 1795 revival of traditional military activities conducted by the RoyalNewfoundland regiment of infantry and 27 companies - 2 Battalion Royal Regiment of Artillery. Composed of high school students, the body is composed of drum and pipe band, the regiment of infantry and artillery regiment. They show the purpose of marching drills, which were used in actual combat, fire rifles different skills and the use of guns and howitzers on the battlefield. The exercise was very informative and fun.

In an interview with the historian for theGroup after the show we asked the Germans and the Second World War. He said there was a possibility. Many ships were sunk in the North Atlantic and bodies were washed ashore along the coast. For installations or parts of them, a number of German sailors were. Since her identity was unknown to the citizens would keep the services and give them a Christian burial. This is certainly a plausible explanation, and yet a wonderful example of Newfoundland hospitality.

On02:00 we were scheduled for a tour of Signal Hill. So we went to Geocenter Johnson down the mountain alone. Built on the hills, exhibits U reveals the true stone of Signal Hill. Some of the world's oldest rocks have been found in Labrador. A hands-on exhibition is almost a rock 4000000000 years. We had to leave early because our tour dates, but returned later to complete the works.

A Signal Hill, we met Billy, our ranger guide. Only twoWe stayed at the Tour, although many other people were on the hill. He showed us around the hill about an hour and a half. Signal Hill was for many purposes, barracks, hospital, prison, etc. Its primary use has been used for the reporting of ships entering the port. The signal was transferred from Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America, raising the colors ship. This was then merchants and city dwellers, who looked prepared for the ship. In 1901, Marconisent and received the first transatlantic radio signal from Europe, a series of three points. He used an antenna to a dragon. The cable companies were not too happy with his performance, because it just had the trans-Atlantic cable laid with great effort. How did this, twenty years later, led to bounce signals off the ionosphere. The situation has changed communication always helped and marine radio.

Queen Victoria laid the foundation for Cabot Tower in 1897, the 400Anniversary of its discovery. Another interesting fact is that the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista narrow line with the towers, the entrance to the port of St. John's. Aligning the poles of a series of lights from the tower, the ships were able to navigate the Narrows without incident. This was, until recently, were used as the Narrows, to facilitate access to that dredged. During the Second World War, a large net hanging over the Strait of Fort Amherst in Signal Hill to maintain that the German U-boats andProtection of the cost of St. John's shipment. The Germans had many masters, not from Iceland Bell, sailed away. They were familiar with the waters and the threats to the environment. This allowed them to bypass the network.

Friday, August 1, 2003

They needed some laundry on Merry Meeting Street and other newspapers today. Merry Meeting Street is so named because it is at the top of the hill overlooking the harbor. People who sit and chat and watch for shipsEntry-port.

We've been together Quid Vidi Lake remain until next Thursday to watch the longest running sporting event in North America, the sequence of the 185th Royal St. John's Regatta. From morning to evening, the crews practiced. We look forward to the race.

In the evening we went to Bannerman Park, the site of St. John's Folk Festival, which began today and extends for the weekend. Also this weekend it's up to George Street Festival, which runsuntil Tuesday night. The groups have more of a rock rhythm.

Hello again for the third tranche.

On Saturday, August 2, 2003 we toured the historic center of St. John the majority of the original buildings are due to massive fires in 1846 and 1892 were destroyed. The streets rise from the harbor on a steep hill, the city port typical. At the top of the hill is Merrymeeting Road, where young people meet and still look out for aShips entering the port. Two of the many ships anchored in the port today were a French luxury cruise ship with a passenger list of only ninety people, whose itinerary was the Arctic Circle and the naturalist are located. The other ship was a Russian fishing vessel in port for repairs of the engine. They have more than a month. Knowing how the destruction of the Newfoundland foreign factory fishing vessels to comply with the Grand Banks vessel could be there for many months. The Crewdid not seem too unhappy, sunbathing on deck.

They were George Street, home of George Street Music Festival. The road is a pub crawler's paradise. Almost all devices on the road is a pub, many with the Celtic name. The food is also available, but nothing if not entertainment in the evening. He went to the Anglican cathedral, exterior to survive the fire, but gutted the interior. Their small museum displays artifacts from the fire, including bent ChurchKeys, charred beams and a church mummified mouse (actually a rat). The services will be held by the High Church variety, with Matins before the Eucharist and Evensong (Vespers) and solemn Vespers each day, Sunday. Do you have a picture in the museum of the team that worked to repair the cathedral. One of the men was killed during the project. Mysteriously, he appears as a transparent person in the picture. You can use the rest of the background with it: a scary ghost. Approximately 50 membersCommunity Cathedral, who died in war, are also honored with a plaque at the altar.

Guided through the English garden of the Bowring Park A wedding was in progress that day. The park has many statues, including a replica of Peter Pan and the Cascades Fighting Man Newfoundland and trails make it a point of contact for pastoral communities.

After the nap, we met with our friends Andrew and Pamela, and went to the George Street Festival.Most of the bands were carried out of the mill. The headliners were high holidays of Thunder Bay, ON, and I Mother Earth, a local group, whose name is at the national level. The audience was sparse until the Mother Earth came on stage. People came from all directions to the place of at least five men. The singer was from St. John's, and had returned home for the local hero. The heavy rock music was accompanied by a light show. The crowd was really into music, moshpit full. L 'Singer himself into the grave for one of his songs, and was raised up. He had no fear of injury, as were his friends.

After the concert, at 11:00 am in the middle of the 5.00 than the pub down the road. The party continues. The festival goes for three nights more. We plan to be there Tuesday night for the feast of the kitchen.

Ice was on the famous Moo Moos.

Monday, August 4, 2003

We abandoned Ches's Famous and Who Fi (fish andChips). They were good, but not as good as Café Friendly Fisherman's in Rose Blanche. (Luckily not as a large portion with.)

We visited the Quid Vidi Brewery. The tour had just left. We have some labels to Don, our producers and their products. At Christmas, they produce a Mummers Ale, who put orange peel, cloves and other spices in the wine, giving it a special flavor. A Mummer is an English tradition during the twelve days of Christmas, where peopleDress in costumes and masks. They go from house to house to fill their pitchers, after talking with them and the guests try to guess their identities in Philadelphia, PA Mummers Parade is an annual event on News Years Day

On the road, the Quid Vidi Battery, when the French attacked St. John's during the war, seven days built. It 's very small but adequate to the bay Quid Vidi protect against an attack from the sea.

Immigrants, the river of VirginiaStreet, two miles each way. The path parallel to the river as Virginia falls from the hills, was built at the Fort Pepperrell in WWII for the Americans. Now it is called Pleasantville. A Texan has designed the castle and its logo: the roads are the contours of a 10-gallon hat and have names like Churchill and Roosevelt.

We drove to George Street. This evening, we were yelled ie.become, volunteers receive Newfoundland. Screech is what you are after drinkingDregs of dark rum molasses the old days. After a month here, we feel the blood flowing in our veins the island. Trapper John and the Museum Pub, we were screaming on the right: screeching drinking (rum straight Newfoundland, kissed the puffins or cod, and repeated the promise.

Now we enjoy the Kitchen Party. A kitchen party is a tradition in Newfoundland, where everything is allowed, as in the kitchen. Tonight was night Newfoundland and Celtic. Some of the groups wereBanshee, six policemen and Royal Newfoundland Celta, where the men wore kilts and the girls wore pants Geiger. They really started to get into the music halfway through the crowd. Then came the Navigators, which we have heard before. The headliners were Shanneyganock, the audience go wild with their Newfoundland and Celtic songs and their opening time musician, bass, drums and rhythm guitars, and the box was Squeeze. Other people were at the Kitchen Party on Saturday asConcerto.

Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Today is a beautiful sunny day to manage the sequence of the 185th St. John's Regatta. This is the only major festival in prison and a cemetery instead. The shells, which means that boats are fit those old British company, unlike the Olympics, if the shell sets move with his legs. There are 23 qualifying races, rowing men 2.450 km long track, turning around a buoy and then back to the finish line. Most do it in lessten minutes. Women are half of the course in less than six minutes. OZFM crew again this year won a local radio station woman. It set a new course record of less than 5:00 minutes. Newfoundland Power has won the men's competition.

Competition is not only about race. It is a celebration. A minimum of 50,000 people gathered around the pond to visit the concession stand, eat along the road and wait for children to play on the various rides. L 'Atmosphere was a joy. Bands played, crowds of people standing or sitting on the shore cheered their team on, tailgate parties have been set up with dinner gig. A dinner is like a jig New England Broiled Dinner. E 'salt beef or pork and various vegetables, then thrown into the pot so that a stew of everything.

Thursday, August 7, 2003

I woke up this morning and most of the parking lot was cleared, another view of yesterday. We will move withenjoyed our stay at St. John's. We will be back? The answer is yes, one day, and this time in less than 40 years.

Newfoundland and Labrador - Adventure Cruises

In recent years an increasing number of cruise ships visiting Newfoundland and Labrador. Tourists book a cruise tour includes a stop in Newfoundland. Many tourists come, spend some time in St. John's feet, winding streets and explore the shops.

More and more tourists are, however, the choice adventure cruises. This unique tour, visitors can explore various areas of Newfoundland. Adventure Newfoundland "can mean aWhale study week, Viking Trail Experience, adventure Labrador, like other once-in-a-lifetime trip.

On "adventure Labrador, you can tag with a naturalist, as he studies and catalogs humpback and killer whales in northern Newfoundland and Labrador. Many tourists visit the historic Battle Harbour and coastal communities of Labrador abandoned.

"Terranova Family Wildlife Adventure offers a week full of adventure, which was designedtake enrich, educate, and the whole family. A group of families to enjoy the camaraderie of each other's company as the best experience of Newfoundland. A visit to the continent to observe the largest colony of puffins, a trip to Salmon Park Zodiac trips, whales, salmon restoration of learning and other activities are included in this cruise adventure.

The United Nations World Heritage Site - The second day of the "Viking Trail Experience" takes you to take Gros Morne. Gros Mornethe second largest national park in Atlantic Canada, is a must in Newfoundland, for a lesson in "Live" geology. The gorge, the mountains and glacier-cut valleys are true wonders of the world.

My Newfoundland Adventures in Corner Brook offers adventure travel and training will vary. Participants can kayak, rafting, kite surfing, and climbing. As well, Newfoundland Eco Adventure Tours offer a coastal city safari and eco-adventure that can come close to the visitorWhales, bald eagles, and puffins. Canoe Hill Adventures offer kayak tours of the Bay of exploits. This place can rent kayaks experienced paddlers.

Visitors always enjoy the angles from which to explore this beautiful province. You can take long trips or excursions around the bay. Long Range Adventures in Gros Morne Park offers activities in different areas for beginners and experienced adventurers. Participants can experience a sea kayakor mountain biking. You might, for Long Range backpack in the landscape or paddle on an isolated part of the park to choose.

Visitors can scenic Carbonear and Harbour Grace Islands. You can learn about the intrepid pirate Peter Easton, and the Irish princess, Sheilagh Ne Geir. How could you sign for Ocean Quest Charter, Canada's National Award Winning Dive Centre and diving. Northland Discovery Tours in St. Anthony, an award-winning company,Iceberg and whale watching tour. This area has a high concentration of icebergs.

Visitors can travel around the province, enjoying beautiful day visits, and live in comfortable and affordable accommodation and Newfoundland Hotels. Experience the adventure at its best. Go cruising in Newfoundland and Labrador.