Blogs from L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, North America

OK, I am back…. It’s been quite a trip so far. WiFi and even cell access has not been great in the north end of the island and the part of Labrador we have been visiting. But that has been the only disappointing thing so far. I spoke too soon. I discovered while checking the photos that the date and time on our phones and iPad changed automatically but the camera didn’t which makes sorting the pictures tricky. Back to the beginning of the trip… After a long day in the Montreal airport, the flight to Deer Lake was uneventful. It even landed on time! The Tour Company representative met us and made sure we got off to Corner Brook without any trouble. Much to our (very pleasant) surprise, our bags showed up! The hotel was ... read more

It is tempting to think that a bunch of half starved, frozen, lost and crazy Viking sailors landed by chance on the Northernmost tip of Newfoundland some 1,000 years ago, after a harrowing haphazard voyage through Ice Berg alley. But no! You would be wrong! After half an hour at the historical exhibit and archeological dig at L'Anse aux Meadows (a corruption of "the Cove of Medea" in French) it becomes clear that this settlement was intentional. The cove where those Vikings pulled in is calm and sheltered from the sea, in spite of the fierce wind that was blowing when we were there. The location has the kind of ancient peat that yields iron when heated and treated in the iron smelter and forge which they built. They have found iron nails made from iron ... read more

We wake up to a wet, dreary, cold day. Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. And we are en route north. The goal is to reach the extreme northern tip of the Newfoundland "finger": L'Anse aux Meadows. As you may know, L'Anse aux Meadows is the site of the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America. It was discovered by Norwegian researchers and is believed to be where Leif Erikson and other Vikings stayed intermittently for about ten years. It dates to 1000 AD, 500 years before Columbus' voyages. We stop at Arches Provincial Park near Parson's Creek. The attraction here is a series of magnificent sea arches. They were actually carved out underwater thousands of years ago, then pushed up to their present elevation and location at the ocean's edge. And they are wonderful! We have ... read more

Petit retour sur notre « lodge » d’hier… Finalement, le lit était très inconfortable, la chambre n’était pas très bien insonorisée, il faisait frette que le maudit dans tout le building et le déjeuner était ben ordinaire (pas de langues de morue ou de saucisses d’orignal… snif snif). Le propriétaire n’était pas moins bizarre ce matin, ne sentait pas meilleur, et avait l’air aussi saoul (!!!!) En plus, pas trouvable au moment de payer, il a fallu lui courir après… bref, à ne pas recommander! Ce qui m’amène à notre chalet, qu’on a loué pour les trois prochaines nuits et duquel je vous écris présentement… OMG mais quel contraste!!! Le chalet est superbe et très grand ; on a une chambre, une cuisine avec frigo, four, micro-onde, bref tout ce que tu veux dans une cuisine, ... read more

Took a bit of a detour on Sunday August 1st. Decided to go on standby for ferry to Labrador (actually Quebec, but Labrador is just down the road). An hour and a half ride on a really old ship, kept eyes peeled for icebergs and whales. The bugs were ferocious and we decided to stay in Red Bay at a refurbished fishing hut at a lodge, phenomenal view. Fog settled in during the evening making it unlikely to view the supposed 100 ft iceberg spotted further out and drifting this way. Fish and chips were divine and Pat keeps fishing (bought head net) to try and catch our supper but no luck yet! Labrador is a stark beauty, reminds me of a green, lush Connemarra (sp?) in Ireland. Very rocky, few trees, they look almost stunted. ... read more