Port aux Basque
The ferry was leaving at 11:45am and we had to be at the terminal 2 hours ahead or we would lose our reservation. It certainly was a very different experience than taking the ferry to or from Vancouver Island. We had to not only book our space for our vehicle on the ferry, but we also booked reserved seating. When we arrived, our ID’s were checked and we were issued boarding passes and key cards for the reserved seating. When we left the terminal to go to Timmy’s for coffee, we had to show our ID and boarding passes to get back in. It took about an hour to get the ferry loaded. They take great care in placing each vehicle.
We put the critters in the rig. It would be a 5 hour crossing. Lucy spent the time in her crate but Kitty was in the back of the rig with her litter box. Lucy spends most of the day sleeping so 5 hours in her crate in the rig wouldn’t bother her too much. Then we headed up to our reserved seating. Once you leave the vehicle deck, you can’t go back down.
I don’t know how I managed it, but our reserved seats were right in front of the windows. We did have to sit backwards to the direction we were going in but at least we were comfortable. I should have brought up my blanket because it was cold. The ferry rocked and rolled its way across to Newfoundland.
Once off the ferry, Lynn’s dad came to meet us at the Tourist Info Centre. He led us down to his house in Port aux Basque where we tucked ourselves into the empty lot next to his house. What a pretty spot right across from the ocean.
We discovered Canadian Tire was in Port aux Basque and because our truck was due for an oil change, we decided we had better get it done instead of trying to find another Canadian Tire somewhere else. The technician told us we needed a CV universal joint on the front driver’s side. Luckily one was in stock so we took care of that right away. We could have had a bad experience driving across Newfoundland if we hadn’t.
Lynn took us on the boardwalks around the bays. The vegetation is truly amazing. Wild flag irises, bakeapples, Pitcher plants, all sorts of lovely flowers, bushes and ocean views. It was warm enough one day for the kids to to swimming in a little pond next to the ocean. Great sandy beach.
Don took me for a drive through Port aux Basque and then up to JT Cheeseman Park. What a great introduction to Newfoundland.
Again, pics to come with free wifi.
