The "have not province" has become the "have province", or so the politicians say. However, to me Newfoundland, Canada has always been a "have province" - maybe not in monetary riches but in its wonderful rugged beauty and especially its people that are known worldwide as being the most friendly. From the eastern part of Newfoundland to its western shore you will find beauty beyond compare. Be prepared to stay a while if you want to see only half of what this wonderful province has to offer as a travel destination. It will be a vacation like no other you've ever experienced. To get here you can fly into Gander international Airport, St. Johns Airport or take your own car across the Gulf by ferry and land in Port Aux Basques or Argentia. Your journey into history is just beginning.
Starting at Port Aux Basques, where you will dock if taking the ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, you will find the first of the many jewel communities that are in this province. Although Port Aux Basques is the terminal for the ferries that come there it is also a vibrant fishing community. Take your time and soak up the wonderful sights this community has to offer. Here you will find small houses built on Newfoundland's rocky shore and the start of an unforgettable journey as you drive through the winding roads on your way across Newfoundland. This is the furthest point along the Trans Canada Highway, from St. John's, Newfoundland's capital, which is 904 km with nothing but wild and rugged beauty in between.
A must on your itinerary is a visit to Gros Morne National Park. There is only one word to describe Gros Morne and that is spectacular and you will agree when you first feast your eyes on the beauty that is here. Gros Morne has it all - the Long Range Mountains, land locked fjords, Pillow Rock and the mysterious Tablelands. Here you will find that this unbelievable beautiful land reveals secrets of the major stages of the earth's evolutionary history which was the reason for the park being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is archaeological evidence that this land goes back 3500 years. Be prepared to see some wildlife while exploring this amazing park. In the summer you will see Woodland Caribou on the higher elevations, and all the moose you'd want to see.
Nestled between the Tableland Mountains and the rugged shores of the Atlantic you will find the rural fishing village of Trout River. This is the southern boundary to Gros Morne. Here you will have the opportunity to see what glaciers did to this land many years ago transforming it from the V shaped preglacial stream valley to a wide U shaped trough. The last glacier formed at the far end of the lake and that is what Trout River is built on today. You will never tire of the beauty in this little fishing village. This can be seen from walking trails such as Lookout Hill, Trout River Pond, Lighthouse Trail, and the Old Man Geological Formation.
Now you're off again to visit other parts of this amazing province. There may be long distances without seeing communities but the beautiful scenery is always with you, it's inescapable. On your way you can drop into Terra Nova National Park. This is a sightseeing dream with the park measuring 400 km square and holding sheltered bays, rugged shores, rolling forest hills dotted with ponds and bogs. Here you will see Ospreys, Eagles, Moose and Lynx. All of this and beauty besides and it free for the taking.
There are hundreds of small fishing communities on your way but if you like a faster pace, a visit to St. John's would be a wonderful choice. You can visit Signal Hill and the Cabot Tower where Marconi sent the first Trans Atlantic wireless message. Take a boat tour and see whales up close and personal. If you're there in August spend the day at the Annual Regatta where boats race for prizes and pride. This event always takes place on the first Wednesday in August. Visit the St. John's Memorial Stadium. If you're tired of the city then take a walk on the Rennies River Trail. Fort Amherst has an interesting lighthouse as does Cape Spear and both have untold beauty.
St. John's offers nightlife like you've never known it before. Try George Street where you'll never run out of different pubs to try. If you love golf then try Pippy Park Golf Course or Bally Hally. Visit the marina where you may be lucky enough to see an iceberg. Relax in Bowering Park with scenery everywhere. Take a trip back in history and visit the Newfoundland Museum.
Visit the little fishing village of Grates Cove. This rustic beautiful community is found on the Avalon Peninsula. It is nestled in rugged rock with gardens that date back hundreds of years surrounding it. Take a hike on the boardwalk that almost totally surrounds this quaint fishing village. See the replica of the old fashioned stages and fish houses that were used years ago. Take a walk out to Flat Rock where you will see huge flat rocks stretching to the ocean. Don't forget to check the fissures that are in these rocks you never know what you can find trapped there that came in from the ocean.
Watch the fishing boats as they come and go with their catch during the summer months. Maybe one of them will take you out in the boat to watch the whales although they can be seen from the shore. Take a boat ride to Baccalieu Island where there are thousands and thousands of birds. In late August and September pick wild blueberries and partridgeberries from the hills. Most of all meet the people that live here. They are the backbone of the community and will welcome you with open arms. This is the true Newfoundland.
There is so much to do and see on this wonderful island of Newfoundland that you may never cover it all in one trip so you'll just have to plan to return. There are many more places and sights to see than mentioned above. Just keep in mind that when you visit Newfoundland you will never see the real heart of it until you meet its people. Here lies the true Newfoundland in the friendly and warming way you'll be welcomed. It is true you may have a little trouble at first understanding the accents used by some of the Newfoundlanders but you'll never have trouble with making friends with them. They will welcome you into their homes and their hearts and there you will stay forever.