Ferry and arrival ~ Newfoundland

 July 25-26, 2023

Marine Atlantic Ferry 

North Sydney, NS to Port aux Basque, NL

Today’s the day.  My very first ferry ride, but I won’t be seeing much after we board that huge ship as I have to stay in the rig. Momma had hoped they would let her know that a pet friendly cabin had become available, but at this point, it was just wishful thinking.

Our campground, Bras d’Or Lakes, hasn’t been very full, loads of empty sites, so we were able to hang out for a late departure at 12:45pm.  Even with the slight hold up by the flaggers on the construction areas of Trans 105, we still arrived 4 hours before departure time as planned.  Another pretty ride, especially when we wound around, up, over, and down the hill near the water.

Our check in at the gate was a breeze.  They measured our rig and we were 2 feet shorter than we had booked.  Dad had taken off the bicycle rack before we headed out this summer which dropped us two feet in length.  We were assigned row 11, right behind Aunt Carol and Uncle Steve.    

Now it was time to ‘people watch’ as other vehicles arrived to join us on the voyage.  At least they have a nice grassy area for me and my four-legged, fellow passengers.  It’s a 6-7 hour ride before I’ll put my feet on grass once again.

They had begun to load up the huge trailers full of goods headed for Newfoundland.  The little yellow vehicle would hook onto a trailer and take it up the upper ramp onto the ship.  Then it would return to snag another one to load.  Hey, there goes a Walmart trailer followed by a McDonald’s trailer.

Our ferry departure time is 17:45 but they didn’t begin boarding passenger vehicles until 16: 30.  It doesn’t look like it will be crowded as the lines to board are rather short. 

We used a lower ramp to get onto the ferry.  Everyone parked their vehicles and headed for the elevators while I was stowed in the fiver.  We hadn’t even left the port when Dad arrived and told me I would be riding up top with him. 

It seems they were making announcements and calling people to the reception area and Momma’s name was called.  She was able to upgrade to a pet friendly cabin and I could ride in an AC room with them.  Dad said he had trouble getting back to G3 level to get me.  The elevator he was on had a button for 2 and 5 but no 3 or 4.  He used the stairs and found no exit on G3.  Confusing!!  A Marine Atlantic employee stopped Dad and asked him if he could assist him and wound up being his guide to level 3 so he could get me out of our camper and take me to level 8 and our room.

I am only allowed to go to level 10 where the ‘pet relief’ station is located, but that open deck area turned out to be the perfect place to view our departure as we departed the North Sydney Port.

Uncle Steve and Aunt Carol decided to enjoy the buffet on Level 7 but Momma and Dad stayed with me until I got used to all the new smells, sounds, and vibrations.  

Man oh man, it sure sounds like someone is pulling that child’s toenails out.  She is a screaming banshee.

  Our neighbors two doors down were also in a pet friendly cabin but I guess with all the kids and adults, there wasn't room for the dog in the room.  The girl peeking out the door sure has a set of lungs on her!!

Aunt Carol was excited when she found......a gift shop on deck 7. 

Canadian Tire might be Uncle Steve's favorite store, but Gift Shops are what excites Aunt Carol.  Always something new to see and maybe even bring home.

Our voyage might have been 6 hours but the time sure passed quickly.  Momma and Dad had taken a shower and climbed into bed setting an alarm.  Well, there was no need for that alarm.  The announcement came right after everyone had just closed their eyes....or so it seemed....at 11:30.  'We will arrive at Port aux Basque in one hour'.  

Our rig was right up by the unloading door, but it seems everyone else found their way to Level G3 before we did.  Yep, lost once again on the stairs with no exit into the vehicle area. 

As we departed the ferry, we picked up Trans Canada Highway 1 and located the large parking lot by the Visitor Center where we waited for daylight to resume our journey to the campground.

As it turned out, we weren't the only campers boondocking in the parking lot until daylight.

The morning sunrise was beautiful.

After Momma, Dad and I had a parking lot breakfast at the Visitor Center and the reality had finally sunk in that we had actually made it to Canada's tenth providence, Newfoundland Labrador, established in 1949, we started our engines and headed for our campground about 30 minutes up the highway.

What a beautiful island with such a unique landscape here on the west side.  Full of mountains, trees, rocky land and water.

The pictures don't even begin to come close to the real feelings this gorgeous land evokes when seeeing the views first hand.  This unique land is like nothing we have seen in the 49 states we have visited.  

Momma kept saying, "I'm so glad we came here!"  Dad said, "I can handle this unique time zone... one and a half hours ahead of Eastern.  

I'm really pleased with all the grass and space around our campsite.  Are we really only staying here two nights?

I'm Chloe