Friday, August 17, 2018
Port Saguenay, Canada (Part 1)
Wednesday, August 8
The picturesque town of Saguenay is actually the union of a number of cities and townships and serves as the gateway to the majestic Saguenay Fjord, an area rich in history and culture.
Founded: Originally settled in the 1840's and was reborn in 2002 when 7 municipalities formed as one city.
Region: Sits on the Saguenay River about 120 miles north of Quebec City.
Population: 144,746 (2011)
Climate: Summers are sunny and warm and winters are often bitterly cold, windy and snowy.
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Today was another perfect day.... sunshine and blue skies... ideal conditions for a canoe ride and a bear hunt!
There were 12 of us on a full day private tour with Okwari Advenutres. Our tour guide, Vicki was there to meet us in a bright yellow school bus.
Our first stop on our itinerary was to the Interpretations Walking Trail and Canyon. We walked about half a kilometre on a track beside the river with Vicki who explained about the natural environment including medicinal plants and trees. After walking to the waterfall and dam our bus picked us up and took us to an aboriginal site.
We took a trip back in time and discovered the lifestyle and land use practices of the indigenous people following the arrivals of Europeans on this continent. We met a First Nations couple who explained and demonstrated various techniques used for hunting, trapping and fishing. We even got to taste some traditional food like bannock which is a type of bread with cranberries through it and tea made from leaves. A very simple way of life centred around high family values.
After a traditional blessing we were on the road again to our lunch spot which overlooked the beautiful Lake Come. Our lunch consisted of a 3 course hearty meal washed down with a cold drink. The view over the lake was very relaxing and restful before our planned Rabaska canoe trip.
We were all kitted up with life jackets and an oar. Our group was split into two.... getting into the Voyager canoe was a challenge but much easier than getting out for some with bad or artificial knees as it was quite a step up to the pier and the canoe was not that stable. The Rabaska canoe, formally used by trappers, is 8m long and can seat up to ten people. We had a very peaceful paddle taking in the serenity and beauty and keeping an eye out for beavers who built the lake. There are three families of beavers living at the lake but we only got to see their houses.... a beautiful way to spend the afternoon.
Our last stop before heading back to the ship was to find the black bears. Find them we did seeing six in total. There were a few big ones and some playful youngsters. We also saw some pretty Blue Jay birds, woodpeckers and some playful squirrels that were teasing the bears.
Safely delivered back to the port we had about 30 minutes to make use of the free wifi available in the terminal.
Another successful tour! Tomorrow we do it all again in Quebec.
The picturesque town of Saguenay is actually the union of a number of cities and townships and serves as the gateway to the majestic Saguenay Fjord, an area rich in history and culture.
Founded: Originally settled in the 1840's and was reborn in 2002 when 7 municipalities formed as one city.
Region: Sits on the Saguenay River about 120 miles north of Quebec City.
Population: 144,746 (2011)
Climate: Summers are sunny and warm and winters are often bitterly cold, windy and snowy.
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Today was another perfect day.... sunshine and blue skies... ideal conditions for a canoe ride and a bear hunt!
There were 12 of us on a full day private tour with Okwari Advenutres. Our tour guide, Vicki was there to meet us in a bright yellow school bus.
Our first stop on our itinerary was to the Interpretations Walking Trail and Canyon. We walked about half a kilometre on a track beside the river with Vicki who explained about the natural environment including medicinal plants and trees. After walking to the waterfall and dam our bus picked us up and took us to an aboriginal site.
We took a trip back in time and discovered the lifestyle and land use practices of the indigenous people following the arrivals of Europeans on this continent. We met a First Nations couple who explained and demonstrated various techniques used for hunting, trapping and fishing. We even got to taste some traditional food like bannock which is a type of bread with cranberries through it and tea made from leaves. A very simple way of life centred around high family values.
After a traditional blessing we were on the road again to our lunch spot which overlooked the beautiful Lake Come. Our lunch consisted of a 3 course hearty meal washed down with a cold drink. The view over the lake was very relaxing and restful before our planned Rabaska canoe trip.
We were all kitted up with life jackets and an oar. Our group was split into two.... getting into the Voyager canoe was a challenge but much easier than getting out for some with bad or artificial knees as it was quite a step up to the pier and the canoe was not that stable. The Rabaska canoe, formally used by trappers, is 8m long and can seat up to ten people. We had a very peaceful paddle taking in the serenity and beauty and keeping an eye out for beavers who built the lake. There are three families of beavers living at the lake but we only got to see their houses.... a beautiful way to spend the afternoon.
Our last stop before heading back to the ship was to find the black bears. Find them we did seeing six in total. There were a few big ones and some playful youngsters. We also saw some pretty Blue Jay birds, woodpeckers and some playful squirrels that were teasing the bears.
Safely delivered back to the port we had about 30 minutes to make use of the free wifi available in the terminal.
Another successful tour! Tomorrow we do it all again in Quebec.
Sent from my iPad
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada
Monday, August 6
The charming city of Corner Brook is the second largest city in Newfoundland. It is located on the scenic Humber River.
The charming city of Corner Brook is the second largest city in Newfoundland. It is located on the scenic Humber River.
Founded: Established in 1956
Region: Located on the Bay of Islands at the mouth of the Humber River on Newfoundland's western coast.
Population: 19,886 (est. 2011) within the city limits
Climate: Winter months are mild and snowy, summer is comfortably warm
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Today was another overcast day but still quite hot and humid. Temperatures got up into the high 20's so jeans were not really a good choice for walking long distances. There was also a 60% chance of rain so we had to take our wet weather gear as well.
We had no set plan or tour for today so took our time and got off the ship around 10am after a leisurely start to the day. There was a free shuttle provided to the Town Hall but as it was only a 10 to 15 minute walk from the pier we opted to walk with some friends.
Given that rain was predicted later in the day we thought it best to do the 2km scenic walk around the Glynnmill Inn Pond first. The track went all the way around the lake, through the bush with a tree canopy that made it cooler for walking. There were lots of ducks and swans on the lake so a very pleasant distraction from the heat.
After our walk the next proposed stop was to the Captain Cook Monument perched high atop Crow's Hill with great views over the city and the Bay of Islands. It was located a bit out of town and too far to walk according to the friendly volunteers at the information booth in the Town Hall Square. Taxis were in short supply so the very kind volunteer rang her husband to come and get us to drive us to the monument. Soon enough our lift arrived and we were off on a tour of the local neighbourhood as he got lost! Mind you I'm glad we didn't walk as it was a long way up hill!! Our driver waited for us at the monument then he very kindly offered to drive us to see the "Old Man in the Mountain" another must see icon.
This dramatic rock feature overlooks the scenic Humber River. Legend has it that the "old man" is watching over a pirate's buried treasure. See if you can find him in the photo....
Our next stop was to Walmart or the Walmart Museum as my friend calls it.... we have been severely deprived of shopping time in this trip! Mind you we are downsizing but still managed to spend up. Our friendly local (whose name we could not really understand) dropped us at the door and bade us farewell. We did pay him so it was worth his while.....
After spending time and money in Walmart we took time to relax with a coffee and pastry in Tim Hortons. We made good use of their fast free wifi before walking back to the ship. Unfortunately big black clouds were rolling in and we were almost back when the heavens opened but we were prepared with our umbrellas.
Unfortunately it was still raining for our usual Sailaway ritual on deck 11 so we moved inside under cover.
Another sea day before Port Saguenay which is another new port for us.
Today was another overcast day but still quite hot and humid. Temperatures got up into the high 20's so jeans were not really a good choice for walking long distances. There was also a 60% chance of rain so we had to take our wet weather gear as well.
We had no set plan or tour for today so took our time and got off the ship around 10am after a leisurely start to the day. There was a free shuttle provided to the Town Hall but as it was only a 10 to 15 minute walk from the pier we opted to walk with some friends.
Given that rain was predicted later in the day we thought it best to do the 2km scenic walk around the Glynnmill Inn Pond first. The track went all the way around the lake, through the bush with a tree canopy that made it cooler for walking. There were lots of ducks and swans on the lake so a very pleasant distraction from the heat.
After our walk the next proposed stop was to the Captain Cook Monument perched high atop Crow's Hill with great views over the city and the Bay of Islands. It was located a bit out of town and too far to walk according to the friendly volunteers at the information booth in the Town Hall Square. Taxis were in short supply so the very kind volunteer rang her husband to come and get us to drive us to the monument. Soon enough our lift arrived and we were off on a tour of the local neighbourhood as he got lost! Mind you I'm glad we didn't walk as it was a long way up hill!! Our driver waited for us at the monument then he very kindly offered to drive us to see the "Old Man in the Mountain" another must see icon.
This dramatic rock feature overlooks the scenic Humber River. Legend has it that the "old man" is watching over a pirate's buried treasure. See if you can find him in the photo....
Our next stop was to Walmart or the Walmart Museum as my friend calls it.... we have been severely deprived of shopping time in this trip! Mind you we are downsizing but still managed to spend up. Our friendly local (whose name we could not really understand) dropped us at the door and bade us farewell. We did pay him so it was worth his while.....
After spending time and money in Walmart we took time to relax with a coffee and pastry in Tim Hortons. We made good use of their fast free wifi before walking back to the ship. Unfortunately big black clouds were rolling in and we were almost back when the heavens opened but we were prepared with our umbrellas.
Unfortunately it was still raining for our usual Sailaway ritual on deck 11 so we moved inside under cover.
Another sea day before Port Saguenay which is another new port for us.
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)