Bonavista Peninsula
is a large peninsula in the northeastern part of Newfoundland. The peninsula is home to some of the oldest settlements on the island of Newfoundland, particularly the towns of Bonavista and Trinity. The communities and towns on the Bonavista Peninsula are in a slow decline as the importance of the fishing industry decreases. The provincial government has been attempting to diversify the local economy; most notably in tourism where the region is blessed with spectacular landscapes adjacent to the ocean. Italian explorer John Cabot is reported to have landed at Cape Bonavista in 1497 claiming this part of the New World for the King of England. This destination should definitely be included in a Newfoundland itinerary.
Bird Island Cove (near Elliston)
is home to numerous seabirds and also the Atlantic Puffin. Here you will find one of the closest land views of puffins in North America. The puffin is also known as the "sea parrot" due in part to its interesting colouring. They return to this area in May and usually stay until the end of September. They are true seabirds, spending most of their time swimming, diving and feeding in the open ocean.
Puffins establish burrows on grassy cliffs. They will also nest amongst rocks. Male puffins perform most of the work of clearing out the nest area, which is sometimes lined with grass, feathers or seaweed. The only time spent on land is to nest which is about five months per year. Mates are found prior to arriving at the colonies, and mating takes place at sea. A single-egg clutch is produced each year, and incubation responsibilities are shared between both parents. Total incubation time is around 39–45 days, and the chick takes about 49 days to fledge.
The view from our hotel room shows the coastal landscape of Trinity Bay. This bay is located in the southern part of Bonavista Peninsula. The quaint harbour town of Trinity is one of the most beautiful harbour towns in all of Newfoundland.
Skerwink Coastal Hike
is the hiking Jewel of the region. It is internationally recognized and was ranked in the top 35 trails in North America and Europe by Travel & Leisure Magazine. This 5.3 km hike provides the opportunity to view and photograph amazing coastal scenery, sea birds, whales, eagles, sea stacks and even icebergs in season. If you’re into hiking, this is a must on your itinerary.
Next post from this trip - St. John’s
Newfoundlanders call people from St. Johns “Townies”. Check out my final blog. This is where Kathy and I got Screeched In. If you have been to Newfoundland you may have experienced this “Only in Newfoundland” tradition. If you have not been there, don’t miss out on kissing the cod and taking a shot of Screech.
