Blogs

From the time the first colonists settled in Cupers’ Cove (now Cupids) in 1610, Newfoundland culture, heritage, and survival has revolved around the North Atlantic and its bounty. Spending time at The Wooden Boat Museum in Winterton gave me an idea of what life was like in the outport communities back when people relied on the land and sea to survive.

The past has a strong presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Trinity is no exception. Located on the Discovery Trail, Trinity is a rare gem preserved in an ever-changing world. Known for its history, friendliness and strong fishing culture, this beautiful town gives new meaning to the word authentic.

The Huxter family sets up camp in La Scie and sets out to explore the Baie Verte Peninsula.

When the Trans Labrador Highway opened up—making it possible to drive 1126km from Labrador City all the way across the province to L’Anse-au-Clair, Sandra Phinney and her husband Barrie MacGregor decided to make the loop from their home in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  Four provinces and 5673 kilometers later, they are still talking to each other and still talking about their trip. Sandra’s posted some blogs about this journey.

She stands majestically overlooking the harbour, sharing the dominance of our iconic skyline with the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Built on the same strategic location of Fort Townsend, an 18th century military fort that protected our city, The Rooms houses and protects all that is dear to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador: our history, our stories, our art and culture.

Nestled at the top of the Bonavista Peninsula is the tiny community of Elliston – the root cellar capital of the world. People flock here from all over the world for its many tourist attractions, such as the breathtaking coastline – complete with roaring shoreline and fascinating rock formations.  

Central Newfoundland is a huge area of scenic coastlines and large inland rivers. One place we have spent very little time is the Eastport Peninsula adjacent to Terra Nova National Park (TNNP). Our only other previous visit was restricted to a night of camping at Malady Head in TNNP many years ago so we decided that another visit was in order. So in early August, 2012 we arrived the Prints of Whales Bed and Breakfast (www.theprintsofwhalesinn.com) in Sandringham around 5:00 pm.

Over the past several years we have been making more trips to explore Central Newfoundland. Last year we enjoyed our first ever visit to Conne River and seeing other places on the Connaigre Peninsula along the south coast of the province. This year we decided to head to Newtown on the northeast coast with the specific goal of visiting the Barbour Living Heritage Village. Not only had we never been along this shore but the Barbour Living Heritage Village is also featured on the cover of this year’s Newfoundland tourism map and booklet.

One focus of Gros Morne Summer Music (GMSM) for this year is Andrew Lloyd Webber who is best known for creating some of the best known musicals of the last 40 years. Musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat are just some of his creations....

Tonight I spent a magical evening amongst the subtle glow of lanterns at the annual St. John’s Lantern Festival. The festival is a fundraiser for Victoria Park in St. John’s historic west end and runs for one day on the last full weekend of July every year.

We think Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s new show “Newfoundland Vinyl” is a must see for those people who are interested in Newfoundland music from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. The backstory for the show is that Gros Morne Theatre Festival regulars “Ed and Ed” are throwing a musical fundraiser – for themselves! The music has a definite country flavour and includes hits made popular by A. Frank Willis, Roy Payne, Joan Morrissey, Harry Hibbs and Tom Cahill.

In Beulah Oake you’ll see the spirit of real Newfoundland…strong, fun-loving and determined. There has never been a loaf of ‘store-bought’ bread on her table. She bakes it all — no mean feat for a woman who is managing an inn on her own in her mid-70′s...

Newfoundland and Labrador has an enduring Irish culture, which is why we go all out celebrating St. Patrick's day, but some of our Irish history is really quite mysterious, stretching back thousands of years...

There’s one place I’ve always wanted to visit on St. Patrick’s Day. Not because I expect to find a jolly little leprechaun with a bountiful pot of gold, but because it's the closest you can get to Ireland right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Rooms' Junkosphere exhibit, brainchild of artist and dancer/choreographer Nicola Hawkins, is a commentary on how we create, process and throw away all the junk from our accumulated lives - and the impact it has on our fragile environment.

It's not often that mere mortals can afford to stay in the same luxurious lodgings where royalty once slept. And when those accommodations also boast intriguing links to the ocean liner Titanic, the chances seem remote indeed.

To find such a fine restaurant tucked into a tiny, relatively remote village, is very unusual. It’s why most of us who love food actually travel.

I might have mentioned once or 300 times that I grew up in central Newfoundland, and yet my jaunt around the area this past summer had many surprises in store. That’s what happens when you live somewhere for 18 years: you start taking things for granted.

Last weekend, hundreds upon hundreds of people in St. John’s paraded through the streets. Men were dressed as women, women were dressed as men. Underwear was worn as outerwear and even small children were merrily sporting bras stuffed with socks over the tops of their various layers. There were lots of ingeniously creative hobbyhorses prancing around and it was almost impossible to count the number of ugly sticks and accordions.

It’s all just another Christmas in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The first time I saw folk trio The Once, I was sitting in The LSPU Hall – the historic downtown theatre in St. John's – watching Feast of Cohen, an annual concert where local artists gather to perform their own versions of Leonard Cohen songs.