10 Days in Newfoundland Island, Canada - Part 2
Watch the video from the trip.
DAY 6: LOOKOUT TRAIL, TABLELANDS & WESTERN BROOK POND
Day 6: We started the day driving south towards Tablelands, Woody Point area. Our 2nd stop was Western Brook Pond an hour and a half north of Bonne Bay. We ended our day at Lobster Cove Head.
LOOKOUT HILLS TRAIL & TABLELANDS
Lookout hills trail is in the Bonne Bay area, south of Rocky Harbour and accessible via route 430 & 431. It is 5km return, 70-405 m steep and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. You can park your car at the Discovery centre. We had 2 options: either to go on a guided tour to Tablelands or hike to lookout hills. We chose the latter. The hike will take you on a platform on top of Partridgeberry hill. Two red chairs will be there for you to enjoy the spectacular views of the Tablelands, Bonne bay and Gros Morne mountain. Don't forget to take the windbreaker with you, as it can get quite windy at the top. Did I mention that you will also find pitcher plants on the trail?
You will find the Tablelands in South West of Gros Morne National park, between Woody Point and Trout River on route 431. Tablelands are essentially earth's exposed mantle. Tableland's rock a) has high amount of iron, which gives it rustic brown colour and b) lacks nutrients for any type plant growth, which gives it an appearance of a desert.
WESTERN BROOK POND
Western brook pond is one of the main attractions in Gros Morne National park. It is a fjord, surrounded by billion year old tall cliffs. The fjord is landlocked, 16km long and the largest in the park. It has a technical name and is called ultra-oligotrophic lake, which means that the lake is very low in nutrients. The water also does not conduct electricity.
After you park your car, a 2.8 km scenic walk, over coastal bogs, will take you to the Bontours' dock. Bontours offers Western Brook Pond boat tours. The tours are 2 hours long and offer spectacular views of the falls and the dramatic cliffs. Our host was funny, so that was an added bonus. The tour is totally worth it.
LOBSTER COVE HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
Almost end of the day. On our way back we paid a quick visit to this beautiful lighthouse. Lobster cove was once home to fishing families.
DAY 7: VIKING TRAIL LEADING TO L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
Day 7: We drove north from Rocky Harbour on the Viking Trail along the scenic coastline. We stopped by the Arches Provincial Park. Our final destination was L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. What a drive!
VIKING TRAIL & ARCHES PROVINCIAL PARK
Driving north 350KM on this viking trail from Rocky Harbour, you end up at a 1000 year old civilization. This excitement of driving back into the past, could only be contained by the beautiful unspoiled coastline scenery, dotted with small fishing communities. The ocean and colourful rooftops appeared welcoming on this beautiful sunny day.
On our way, we stopped for some time at Arches Provincial Park, to appreciate the beauty of this naturally formed rock archway as a result of tidal action.
L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS - UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Just over 3 hours of driving up north from Arches Provincial Park to the end of the vikings trail, will take you to L'Anse aux Meadows.
The site contains over 1000 years old archaeological evidences of the vikings settlements. In fact, L'Anse aux Meadows, is the only authenticated vikings (also referred to as Norse) site in North America. The settlements have been reconstructed based on the archeaological remains, which gives visitor a chance to experience vikings' way of living. In addition to the settlements, there are some nice trails and museum, which are also worth exploring.
COW HEAD PENINSULA & MEAL AT FISHERMAN'S LANDING
On the way back, we made a short stop at Cow Head and then drove further down south to enjoy the sunset. We finished another beautiful day with fish and chips.
DAY 8: DRIVE TO FOGO ISLAND
Day 8: We left Gros More National Park and drove North East towards Fogo Islands. This 6 hour route, included a 40-50 min ferry ride.
TREASURE BOX IN ROCKY HARBOUR
Before we embarked on our journey for Fogo Island, we had breakfast at Treasure Box in Rocky Harbour. This simple family owned restaurant/shop deserves a mention here. The breakfast was delicious, especially hash browns and omelette. The owner was humble, friendly and hospitable. Best place to buy souvenirs, crafts etc.
This spot offers you all you want, before you set out on your way. This place definitely got us ready for the long drive ahead. Loved it.
FAREWELL FERRY TERMINAL & FOGO ISLAND
At the terminal, we were welcomed by a nice Fogo Island Inn community host couple. They gave us the history of the fogo island and some useful tips. The ferry was new, nice and comfortable.
DAY 9: EXPLORING FOGO ISLAND INN & FOGO ISLAND
Day 9: We enjoyed the Fogo Island Inn & explored Eastern (Turpin's Hiking Trail) and Western (Brimstone Head Park) areas. In the evening we walked the Jo Batt's Point trail, where we were in for a big surprise.
FOGO ISLAND
Fogo Island is the largest of the offshore islands of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is easily accessible through a 40 min ferry ride from Farewell. The island's population is less than 3,000. It offers the opportunity to experience the Fogo Island Inn, contemporary studios situated at different locations on the Island, beautiful trails and of course caribous.
FOGO ISLAND INN
Fogo island inn, located North of the Fogo Island, is a contemporary work of art, reflecting and reviving Fogo Island's old and unique architecture. With the perfect backdrop of the Atlantic ocean and jagged landscape, you can't help but notice the tall stilts, on which some of the structure stands. The original Fogo Island houses, stood on these wooden stilts, which became part of Fogo Island Inn's structure as well.
Spending time inside the inn, is an experience in itself. The rooms offer beautiful views of the North Atlantic through the floor to ceiling windows. The work that you will see within the inn, be it furniture, quilts, hangers or any other thing, is the result of locally employed artisans and craftspeople working together with contemporary designers. Their work fuses the centuries old Newfoundland traditions in a modern setting, not only giving a distinct new perspective to the island, but also boosting the local economy. This is why, what you will experience is unique and unlike any other Hotel or Inn you stayed in.
You are looking at food served at Fogo Island Inn. Seafood pulled from nearby Atlantic. Locally grown potatoes, onions, berries etc
The other main attraction of the inn was its food. I must say there is a feeling of freshness, when you are eating fresh seafood pulled from the nearby Atlantic or enjoying berries picked by the locals in the surrounding fields. We were asked months in advance about any dietary restrictions. All of the inn's staff was courteous, helpful and very welcoming.
BRIMSTONE HEAD - IS EARTH REALLY FLAT?
The Flat Earth Society believes that Brimstone Head is one of the four corners of the earth. Of course, you would be thinking umm...why? In search for an answer and to experience amazing views, you will have to drive 20 minutes west of Fogo Island Inn and then a 20-30 minute hike, will take you to the platform from where you will find your answer.
SQUISH & LONG STUDIOS
Contemporary art erected on million-year old rocks. This is how I would describe these structures. These studios are designed by the same architect (Todd Saunders), who also designed Fogo Island Inn. These self-sustaining studios, are built for artistic explorations.
Squish studio is situated in Tilting, which is 10 minute drive east of Fogo Island Inn. Long studio is situated in Joe Batt's Arm, which is 3 minutes drive, south of the inn. From there a 5-6km trail, takes you to the Long Studio.
We were almost at the end of our 5-6 km Joe Batt's Point trail walk. Almost ready to say bye to another beautiful day, suddenly out of nowhere we saw caribous coming downhill. What a pleasant surprise and great way to end the day. Not 1 or 2 but 5. Here's the video of 2 of them.
Caribous seen coming downhill near Joe Batt's Point Trail, Fogo Island.
DAY 10: FROM FOGO ISLAND TO SIGNAL HILL
Day 10: On our final day, we left Fogo Island early morning and made it to St. John's, with enough time left to explore Signal Hill National Historic site.
GOOD BYE FOGO ISLAND
A hand written card, small gift and a fresh sandwich given by the Fogo Island Inn's staff made our last day at the inn extra special. The lineups for the ferry can get very long, so the staff cordially offered to park our car a day before. We gladly took the offer.
SIGNAL HILL & THE CABOT TOWER
Signal Hill is an almost 15 minute drive, from St. John's airport. This is where on December 12, 1901, Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal. Cabot tower situated on signal hill was built in 1900, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot and Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. Later on in 1933, a Marconi station was opened on the second floor of the Cabot Tower.
Top: View of the Cabot Tower on Signal Hill during Canada 150 Celebrations. Bottom Right: Berries picked during the hike. Bottom Left: Enjoying the sandwich and receiving the signal - .. -- . / - --- / --. --- / .... --- --
You have the choice of either taking a 600-700m (130m elevation) hike or driving to the Cabot Tower. We hiked, which not only rewarded us with beautiful views, but also fed us with fresh and tasty blue berries.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed.