Road trip St John's to Grand Bank

Monday, July 15, 2019

Goobies, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

This morning I had a half day left in St John's before moving out. To start with I went back to the waterfront to Newman's Vaults. Yesterday at Commissariat House the ticket included entry to Newman's Vaults.

I had to wait to 930am for them to open up. This was built by traders in the 1630s though its exact origins are unknown.

Originally the Portuguese had stored wine in a cave and found it to be sweet. There is a history of the Newman family who set up the trading business.

On the waterfront Water St was ugly with office buildings facing the port. For a tourist port town I found not that interesting. The next two streets were historical.

Main St

Street Art

I had about two hours to kill before my noon pickp. Duckworth St which is famous as 'jellybean row' was also quite deserted in July tourist season. This could have been Canada's Iceland.

Coloured Row

Newfoundland Chocolates

Souvenirs

Port

I had arranged my taxi pickup at noon at the Sheraton Hotel. There is not two way transit in Newfoundland. All the buses leave the towns in the morning and arrive at St John's for noon. Then they make the return trip out in the afternoon. This means I would miss the 4pm ferry today and would have to stay overnight in Grand Bank.

I was starting to panic as the guy didnt show up and I saw him drive past expecting him to turn round. Eventually he came by 1pm. There was only one other passenger in the minivan for the 4 hour ride.

He was also doing a mail run so stopping to drop off and pick up packages. As we left town the landscape was very barren. I'm glad I hadnt rented as car which was one option.

The highway turning point is Goobies to turn left into the Burin Peninsula arm. Before the turn we made a stop in a gas station.

After the turn the landscape was more barren again with fog, mist, and rain pockets.

Eventually as we came to Grand Bank the weather began to clear. Foote's taxi is the only transportation option to Grand Bank or Fotune and you will have to stay overnight to catch the ferry next day. It is $50 one way with door to door service.