Ready to Encounter Newfoundland?
Into exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations, immersing yourself in distinct cultures, and seeking out truly unique travel experiences? Yep, you’re ready.
There’s a unique experience awaiting every visitor to Canada’s most eastern province. This sea bound land is a land of firsts, even for the seasoned traveler. Whether it’s your first glimpse of brightly colored houses clinging to ancient granite cliff faces, your first taste of a traditional fish and brewis dinner, or dancing your very first jigs and reels to the strains of time-honored fiddle music, the wonders you’ll encounter in Newfoundland are well worth the trip. Astounding scenery, unusual customs, a colorful history and unmatched hospitality guarantee that your visit to these exotic shores will be nothing short of extraordinary.
7 Unusual Reasons to Visit Newfoundland
For those who’ve never heard of it, Newfoundland is a huge rock in the North Atlanitc Ocean off the east coast of Canada. It’s so unlike the rest of the country, however, it may as well be the moon. Here are eight things that make a visit to ‘The Rock’ a unique experience.Wild birds that eat from your hand
Even the birds are friendly here. The grey jays–little black, grey and white raptors–will sit right on your hand and eat lunch. They’ll eat fruit, but they prefer dead mice. Don’t worry, they’re partial to cat food too.You need a phrasebook to speak the language
It’s English, but you might not recognize it. The dialect is a mixture of Irish, French and English influence that rolls off the tongue at a hundred miles an hour. And if the accent isn’t enough to baffle you, the vocabulary will be. ‘Who knit ya? And ow’s she cuttin’, me cocky?’ Newfoundland speech has been deemd the most distinct form of English on the planet.The second windiest place in the world
One part of the island is called Wreckhouse, and for good reason. The winds funnel down through the mountains here at tremendous speed. They’ve been known to reach over 200 kilometres and hour, blowing the transports right off the road! Of course, you don’t travel this part of the Trans Canada Highway when the wind is up.Catching fish in a bucket
Each summer an amazing phenomenon takes place on the shores of Newfoundland. Hundreds of thousands of fish storm the beaches to spawn. It’s called the capelin roll because the fish roll in waves so thick that you can just scoop them up in a bucket. Free food for everyone!The most easterly point in North America
The sun shines first at Cape Spear, on the east coast, so you can be the first person on the entire continent to experience the sunirse. How cool is that?We still have general stores
It’s truly amazing what you can purchase at your local ‘corner’ store. Need a television? They’ve got it. Need a woodstove? Gotcha covered. Need horseshoes? Yep, got those too. One slice of bologna?…You get the picture.Strange and wondrous cuisine
If you’ve never had a good old Newfoundland scoff, you’re in for an unusual feast. How about a feed of cod tongues or cheeks? Maybe you’d prefer a dish of britches (fish roe served in the sack), or a honey garlic moose sausage with blue potatoes? There’s bog-apples and figgy duff for desert.
