JamaicaBoundNL's Journal, 17 May 2018

Nothing exotic but it is a piece of heaven (to me). We are where the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current meet so we get lots and lots of cold, wet, foggy weather. To drive from here to the west coast takes about 7 hours then another 5 hours if you want to go north. Running up the west side of the Island are the Long Range Mountains - the top end of the Appalachian mountain range. While the island is relatively small, the triangular part north-west that is the same colour in the map is part of our Province - Newfoundland and Labrador. We have a national park that preserves the first landing site of the vikings in North America. We have fjords on the west coast, the oldest city in North America (St. John's), and we are the farthest point east in the continent. And we are the 25th largest island in the world with a total population of about 530,000. If you have access to CNN Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, a piece about Newfoundland aired last Sunday. NL is a beautiful, diverse province with a lot to see and experience. If you ever visit, prepare for a lot of driving - everything is really spaced out - but worth it. 😊 

That's awesome! I will get out there one day! have met so many Newfies and wonderful Maritimers over the years, such great people. if your lookin for me, you head west and find me dead center in Saskatchewan, I'll see you coming for days. LOL thanks for sharing that.  

Love it! Have heard it's pretty flat and the roads are straight. Nothing like that here - hills and valleys with the roads covering as much ground as possible. If we could straighten the TCH we wouldn't need a ferry for 8 hours to get to the mainland - we could just drive there! 

Wow! Amazing 😉 

It depends on what you want to see. If it's icebergs come in May-June. If you want to just roam and take in the various unique cultures and festivals it would be July-August. A breeding gannet colony - May-June. Our Provincial government tourism site is a good place to start if you're interested in what NL has to offer - www. NewfoundlandandLabrador.com (without the spaces, of course) ☺ Just keep in mind that we really don't get a "summer" season like the rest of the country - we get something that is a little warmer than spring and fall, at least on the east side anyway. 

I'm with your wife - I'd love to go to Iceland ☺. I so want to see the Blue Lagoon. I met a couple of Icelanders a few years ago - very friendly. My other bucket-list place is Scotland - all of those little whisky distilleries - much of which doesn't make it to here. The problem is that it so so expensive to get out of St. John’s to go anywhere. But who knows, if you ever make it here, let me know - we can show you the local affair. 

Oh, and if you want to go humpback whale watching, late June/early July - When the caplin run. 

Interesting. 

Awesome.. that has been on my list of places to explore as well. I'm a born and bred desert rat and am fascinated with places that are green and water falls from the sky. Being a single malt guy I'm right there with you on wanting to spend time in scotland! :D :D 

I'm a single malt gal - just not too smokey and peaty. My liver would probably never forgive me if I ever made it to Scotland. 😊 One interesting thing about NL is the diversity of our culture. We have areas that are French, Irish, Scotish, and just plain "bay". A day trip can take you to a community in which it feels like you have entered a different country - speech, mannerisms, complexion and hair colour. Right down to the last names - all out of another country from generations back. Hubby and I have been trying to visit various communities on the Island. I've been all over as a child with my parents, but much of it I don't remember. However, as an adult, now that I'm interested, life is just too busy to stray too far from home. Ah, maybe this summer.  

Bill, did you ever get a chance to try that Robert Burns blend? It's a nice cheaper alternative.  

First thing I had to do when I restarted my diet was cut out the whisky...it gives me the munchies. I do not smoke pot but I imagine the reaction is the same. It took me three years to lose 75 pounds...I am facing 3 years without whisky...sob 

See that dot in the middle of Canada. That’s me 😃 

I feel your pain, Charades. Thirteen years ago I started a clinical drug trial and there was to be no alcohol. At all. Of any sort. I was completely sober for 2 years. It wasn't hard to do because I had no choice. It is hard now because I do have a choice. I'm sure I could do it again if I wanted too, but truth be told - I don't. ☺ Brenda - Winnipeg? 

My dot is missing on the Rock! I no longer live there but by’ you make me homesick with all this talk of ‘Home!!’ You would make a great tour guide by the sounds of it! 😊 

Where is your dot supposed to be, Wifey? I wouldn't make a good tour guide at all - I'm self-diagnosed as being "directionally challenged". 😁 I am absolutely useless - I can get turned around quite easily and have no idea how to get back to where I want to be. Especially if it's a foggy night. 

Just to the right of the Long northern peninsula neck, at the base of it, the White Bay, small little community called Woodstock. Left there in 95, married in 97 and never lived there since. Don’t visit nearly enough but my parents travel to where I am most often, to Nova Scotia. Another beauty of a province, dare I say I like it better than NL without a fellow Nlander snapping my head off?? LOL 

WOW, that is amazing, So thats where you are at!!!!!! Fascinating!!!! 

Believe it or not, Wifey, I know where that is - our company worked in the general area last year! And NL is not the only beautiful place, so we're good.😊 I've only passed though on flights but I know the weather is much nicer in the summer - we have an office in Dartmouth and I get to hear ALL about it. Yup Pam. Same coastline, completely different worlds. 😀 

WOW! Can count on one hand how many people know where Woodstock is! Which company? Interesting! I’m across the bridge from Dartmouth, aka ‘the dark side!’ I’m on the best side!😉 Better weather true, but there’s a common saying here that it’s possible to experience a tad of all four seasons on the same day! True story! LOL Do you ever travel here for business??