Introduction to Newfoundland

The first glimpse of the islands of Newfoundland lives up to all the hype of the most easterly province of Canada. From the air, the mountains and rough, rugged coastline appear hauntingly out of the mist as we start the descent to St. John's. Small towns cluster at the water;s edge and cling to rocky outcrops, lighthouses perch precariously, harbours nestle into protected inlets. 

We have decided it's time to discover a bit more of our own country and the Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Board does a stellar job of enticing visitors with their colourful ads. I am expecting to see cute kids in rainbow striped socks, skipping along rocky paths, past brightly painted houses. 

Fiercely independent, only reluctantly joining Confederation, Newfoundlanders are renowned for their warmth, good humour, friendliness and resilience. We are eager to discover for ourselves. I am embarrassed to say that before researching for this holiday, I was pretty ignorant about the places to go and things to do in Newfoundland, But after reading the tourism booklet with a map thoughtfully mailed by the tourism department, we have planned a route that will give us a broad over view of the lie of the land and some of its exceptional landscape.

The itinerary is quite ambitions with lots of driving 

but with plenty of time allotted to exploring and hiking.

 Our route will take us from the capital, St John's

through Trinity to the magnificent Skerwink Trail

to Bonavista

 Then by ferry to Fogo Island. 

 A stop in Twillingate

before heading west to Gros Morne National Park

 A night in Grand Falls Windsor to visit the close by town of Botwood 

and our last night in Spanish Bay,