Adventures for Anyone: June 2022

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Wow! Merle Put the Maggies On My Bucket List! Welcome to Quebec's Magdalen Islands!

My friend and family, Merle, put this one directly on the bucket list. I hope I do it justice here, because Merle has been there, and she probably knows way more about it than I do.

Iles de la Madeleine, The Maggies, or as I know them, The Magdalen Islands. Until a few years ago, when Merle went there, I didn't know they existed. It's a place that flies under most people's radar. But, what is it about the Maggies?

The Magdalen Islands are a chain of at least eight islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Is that a real place you ask? Where on Earth is that, you might wonder. I know I did. The Maggies are a region of Quebec, Canada. The Gulf of St. Lawrence is where the St. Lawrence Seaway empties into the ocean. That's the Atlantic, by the way. The islands sit south of Newfoundland and Labrador and northwest of Nova Scotia. The only way there is by boat or plane. When I first heard of these islands, I thought they must be some of the most remote desolate frozen and boring islands in the world.

The tiny archipelago only covers about 70 square miles. But, as I found out, it's what you do with your space. From the sandstone cliffs to the massive beaches and dunes, to the road that traverses almost all of the main islands; there's so much to see and do! I was totally amazed!

Let's start with getting there. You can catch the ferry in Souris, Prince Edward Island. I understand that's the preferred way to get there by those in the know. The ferry will bring you to the harbor at Cap-Aux-Meules. The islands are very drivable, so that's why people prefer to take the ferry. So they can bring their cars. The ride is about five hours, give or take with several amenities on board. You can dine, drink, nap, watch a movie, and more. All the while cruising the North Atlantic. Sounds fab.

If you live way too far to drive, you can also fly. Air Canada, and some other carriers, offer routes to the airport in Cap-Aux-Meules. There are options to rent cars in the Magdalen Islands, so you can still drive around.

What in the world do you do while in a place like the Maggies? Where do I start. The population in the islands is French and Scottish for the most part. It is considered northern Acadia and was originally home to the First Nation's people known as the Mi'Kmaq. They called the islands Menagoesenog, if there wasn't already enough ways to refer to them. All of this leaves the area with some hearty people who speak multiple languages and both work and play hard.

The list of activities in the Magdalen Islands is amazing. You can go to the beach. They have several of varying kinds, and are great places to hang out, surf, swim, and make sand castles. That's right. The Maggies are full of swimmers. There's cave swimming, cliff diving, wind surfing, surfing, and being a beach bum if you like.

If the beach isn't your thing, try sea kayaking, kite flying, hiking, fishing, biking (both fat and regular tires depending on where you wish to go.). The entire connected island chain is bikable. Horseback riding is a big activity in the Magdalen Islands. Moped riding is also a thing there, with rentals available in a few places. Camping is one of the main things to do, as is digging for mussels. There's so much to do!

If you aren't a thrill seeker and don't wish to swim in the North Atlantic, I get that. I'm not sure I'd do that either. But, on the islands there's breweries, cider mills, all kinds of artisans at the outdoor living museum known as La Grave.

There's industry on these islands. There's a salt mine, and you can visit their museum. There's artisan glass around, made from the sand that covers all those dunes and beaches. There's art galleries, specialty cheese called Pied-de-Vent Cheese; an item that they used to export to France. Once again, there's so much happening in a place that only has 12,500 residents. They are amazing people.

If you're a foodie, the Maggies are for you. Who knew? The staple is seafood, no surprise. However, the cuisine is first rate and there are a lot of restaurants for you to try. There are so many restaurants you can spit from one to another. You'll have a hard time finding beef, but there is pork as well as fish and seafood. On most islands, the food is largely French. The people are mostly French. The history is largely French. Jacques Cartier is the first known European explorer to visit the islands. If you've never heard of him, there's bridge named after him in Montreal. He was a major player in the early days of what we now know as Eastern Canada. That being said, there are some local staples that you won't find in most places. They are a subsistence society, so some of the things that we don't eat in the rest of the world, because they're illegal, are legal in the Magdalen Islands. The main one is seal. What can I say? They need the fat and protein. If you don't wish to eat it, don't.

There are whale watches, seal watches, marine life watches, and even a chance to see walrus if you'd rather observe than ingest the majestic wildlife of the area.

The Mi'Kmaq People are the accepted first residents of the islands. Over the years, the Maggies have been part of France, other Canadian provinces and currently are part of Quebec. The current term for a resident of the Magdalen Islands is Madelinot. This is what they call themselves, and this is what keeps them united as locals.

So, what else can you see and do? You can take a boat to Entry Island. It's one of the only islands that isn't connected by causeway and road. There, you'll find one of the Maggies four lighthouses. The trip is a day trip, taking around five hours, giving you a lot of time on the island. The stories about the island and the lighthouse are fascinating. The island is also referred to as Dead Man's Island and there are ghost stories. Ask your guide. You'll want to hear the stories.

Don't forget to experience the combined culture of the Mi'Kmaq, Acadians, Scottish, and French people of the Magdalen Islands. The food is part of the culture, as is the crafts and drink. But, take time to discuss the brightly colored homes and how they came to look like they do. I have to say, I read that the fisherman used to paint their houses the same color as their boats to make sure they could find their way home and establish ownership evidence.

There are historic churches and villages to visit. Learn about the fishing industry, which founded the islands. There's so much to learn. The people of the islands have a fascinating history. It's worth learning. I promise.

There's a hill with an amazing view that you only have to climb 187 steps to summit. There are hiking and biking trails all over the place. There are cliffs and hills, and thanks to the lumber industry of days past, there's not a lot of trees to block the view.

If you don't like to figure it all out, you can book day tours too. Cap-Aux-Meules is the center of the islands, and that's where you do most of the tour booking. It makes sense as that's where the airport and ferry terminal are. I'm not ignoring the cruise from Montreal, down the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Maggies. It's just that since Covid-19, the cruise hasn't run, so I'm not really talking about it here. Hopefully next year. We'll see.

There's so many vacations in life that aren't an adventure. There's so many adventures that are disappointing. I'd never heard of the Magdalen Islands until Merle went there a few years ago. She knew something. She actually has family there. I have to put this one directly on my own bucket list. I have to see this place. It's Nordic, yet French. It's culture, yet rustic. The only chain business I saw in any of the videos and pictures that I saw was Tim Horton's. Accommodations are primarily small hotels, bed and breakfasts and air B&B type places. It's quaint and inviting. I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to visit there.

The climate is strangely warm as well. The summer's are warm and touristy. September and parts of October are unusually warm for the latitude, because of the Gulf Stream waters being diverted into the Gulf. It's a one of a kind place. Even in the winter, the islands remain warmer than most of the areas around therm. Fascinating.

So, try something completely different. Take a five hour ferry from almost the middle of nowhere to actual nowhere. When you get there, you'll find a whole world you had no idea existed. You'll find a lot of stuff to do, great food, industrious people, multiple cultures, exotic food, unexpected climate, and a whole lot of amazing fun. So, take that plunge. Make your way by boat or by plane to the Magdalen Islands and experience the surprise of a lifetime. Enjoy!

https://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/en/discover-the-islands/

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/things-to-do-in-the-magdalen-islands-canada

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Wednesday, June 22, 2022

If There's One Thing You Never See All of In New England, It's Lighthouses!

I've lived in New England a long time, and there are so many beautiful places to visit that I can't count them all. We have hundreds of amazing waterfalls, hundreds of state parks, hundreds of historical sites, bridges of flowers, peaks to rise to, dunes, islands, and even a national park. The northeast is jammed with beauty, and there are several less inhabited areas, just in case the people who think it's all one big city need to hear it.

One of the greatest things about the northeast, meaning New York and all of New England, is that whatever you're into, someone will take you on a tour of it. You'll find boat tours, train tours, guided tours, walking tours, self guided tours, bus tours, and maps for the independent thinker. If you get online and look for a map of lighthouses of the Northeast, what you find might be overwhelming. The number of lighthouses out here is staggering. I've been looking at them for years, and I still haven't seen them all. That's a lot of lighthouses, because I travel a lot.

Lighthouses for a lot of us are those items that we decorate our bathrooms with. Some people decorate the whole house with shore themes. But, lighthouses are still used. They are historic, some dating back to the times of George Washington. Many were homes to the operators back in the day. Many sat on their own rock in a channel or other subsidiary body of water. Many were found on islands.

In the case of New England and the Northeast, there are thousands of islands. Not every island has a lighthouse, but the islands made the lights necessary. Boothbay Harbor, Maine has over three hundred islands. That's a lot of islands for one bay.

If you're a photographer like me, whether for pay or amateur, you'll love lighthouses. I promise. They're photogenic and a lot of fun to go and see. Tours are a great way to go with several of the Eastern lighthouses. A lot of them require a boat.

There are several tours that you can sign up for where a boat takes you to an island to see a lighthouse. There are several such tours along the coast and throughout Long Island Sound. Most of these tours run about $30 and you get a two or three hour tour of the lighthouse and island, as well as a nice boat ride. There are other tours that will take you on a long boat ride to view several lighthouses for close to the same price. Both styles are relaxing and fun. I've done a lot of these tours.

Then there's the drive by, as I call it. We have ferries in our area that go from Connecticut to Long Island. There are other such ferries throughout the northeast. These are transportation ferries that just happen to go by some of the more remote lighthouses. Many times the ferry captain will announce such lighthouses as you pass them, so you don't miss the sight.

Then, there's the lighthouses that aren't what they seem to be. In Saybrook Point, CT, the lighthouse is a hotel room. In Provincetown, MA, the tower was once used as a lighthouse centuries past, but is now a local museum and landmark. As we all know, The Statue of Liberty welcomes all to New York Harbor and the mouth of the Hudson River. A lighthouse? You can bet ships use it as a marker.

But, the bottom line is that the Northeast has a ton of lighthouses because of the rocky shores of both islands and land masses. Sometimes, there's just a shoal that's nothing but a pile of rocks that ships need to be aware of. The shore in the Northeast is dangerous, and ships, boats, and ferries need alerts for their safety.

Lighthouses are everywhere in the Northeast. There's one in the middle of the East River on Roosevelt Island. People still call them home, like Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine. No matter how old they get, a lot of them are still in use.

One thing that you'll find is that a lot of them are an outdoor visit. The most notable Northeastern lighthouse that you can still go inside of is Montauk Point, Long Island. They still have hours of visitation. There are some others. Sheffield is open, but you have to take a boat there. Pilgrim Tower is open, but hasn't been a lighthouse for many years. And so on. So, if you decide to spend the day looking at lighthouses; realize that you'll probably be spending your day outside.

Be aware that the tour you choose will be on a boat. That's standard practice for a lighthouse tour. There are some great ones out of Gloucester, MA, Boothbay and Portland, Maine, and New London, Connecticut. You will see multiple lighthouses and hear the most amazing stories.

The Dumpling Light just off the shore of New London at the east end of Long Island Sound, close to Fisher Island is one of my favorites. Supposedly, the designer of the Segway bought the island, built a replica of Stonehenge on it, got annoyed with the local officials, and declared the island its own country. I guess he minted some money and everything. Love the stories. The one thing they didn't tell us was whether or not it was still an operating lighthouse.

Some lighthouses, while still important, particularly to ferries that still traverse Long Island Sound, are private residences. The Orient Point Light has a disco ball hanging from the upper deck. There are also some lighthouses throughout New England that you can stay the night in. They're listed on Air B&B.

While the lighthouses, whether they're on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park in Maine, or a cliff along Cape Cod, or an island in Boston Harbor, are beautiful; they mostly still provide a service. The ones that you can visit, either inside or out, have hours. Many private owners allow people to come onto their property to see the beautiful historic buildings, so please respect that property. How would you like it if someone came along and trashed your yard?

All I can say is that if you like lighthouses, the Northeast has them. They're everywhere that there's water. We have rocks, islands, shoals, and harbors that can and will become dangerous if there's no warning for the boats and ships. It's still a hazard to this very day. So while the lighthouses are plentiful and beautiful; they are necessary.

The best part of going around to see them and photograph them is that it gives that road trip focus. Sometimes you need focus to guide you in your travels. I used to go and hike to waterfalls, but I think I saw most of them. It took me decades, but I did it. Now, I've turned to the majestic lighthouses to guide my road trips, even in these times of unrealistic gas prices. I enjoy the drive, the view, and the boat and ferry rides that take me there. It's a win win.

In a world where we're still trying to avoid crowds a bit due to Covid, making open air sights a great thing, take a tour and see some of the Northeast's greatest treasures. Visit some of the most majestic, historic, still operating buildings along the rocky shores of New England. Learn the stories, have an adventure and enjoy!

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https://www.thetoptours.com/north-america/united-states-of-america/connecticut/lighthouse-hopping-in-connecticut

https://www.nelights.com/about/connecticut-lighthouse-boat-cruises.html#gsc.tab=0

https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/

https://sailpoetslounge.com/

https://www.ctvisit.com/getaways/lighthouse-tour

https://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/connecticut-lighthouses/

https://www.steppingstoneslight.com/

https://www.bostonharborislands.org/lighthouse-tours/

http://longislandlighthouses.com/

https://www.longislandferry.com/Common/Help.aspx?page=lighthousecruise

https://www.discoverlongisland.com/listings/lighthouses-2/

https://www.toursofdistinction.net/tours/day-trips/long-island-sound-lighthouse-cruise/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g47729-d23560312-Western_Long_Island_Sound_Lighthouse_Cider_Fall_Foliage_Cruise_WFM_Queens-Flushing_.html

https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-england/most-beautiful-lighthouses-in-new-england/

https://matadornetwork.com/read/lighthouses-overnights-new-england/

http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/lighthouses-by-state.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46209-d8662105-Reviews-New_England_Lighthouse_Tours-Portsmouth_New_Hampshire.html

https://acadianboattours.com/

https://www.savebay.org/lighthouse-tour-faqs/

https://www.bathlighthousecharters.com/

https://downeastcharterboattours.com/

https://www.thescenicroutemainetours.com/

https://roseisland.org/

https://www.acadiatours.com/

https://newenglandecoadvent

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g4672736-Activities-c47-t22-New_England.html

https://www.newenglandcruise.com/?source=bing&cn=cruiseregionsports&ag=newengland&msclkid=02b119d305f8139088807b7896b2bf00

https://www.visitacity.com/en/portland-maine/activities/all-activities?activitiesSearchByName=lighthouse&campaginid=418229134&adgroupid=1290827033799756&targetid=kwd-80676908276519:loc-190&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Portland,%20Maine%20ActivitiesM10X%20G-US-In-US&utm_term=portland%20maine%20lighthouse%20tour&utm_content=Portland%20Maine%20Lighthouse%20Tour

https://www.getyourguide.com/eastern-point-lighthouse-l149044/tours-tc1/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=377151465&cq_con=1247946168886853&cq_term=www.getyourguide.com&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=o&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=377151465&adgroup_id=1247946168886853&target_id=dat-2329796419836470%3Aloc-190&loc_physical_ms=44736&match_type=b&ad_id=&keyword=www.getyourguide.com&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=8240e2d702381f9022ee807c91726487&gclid=8240e2d702381f9022ee807c91726487&gclsrc=3p.ds&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=8240e2d702381f9022ee807c91726487&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ct%3Ddsa%7Cln%3D29%3Aen%7Ctc%3Dus&utm_term=www.getyourguide.com&utm_content=ct%3Ddsa%7Cfn%3Df1

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

A Quick Update on Travel in Eastern Europe....

Taking a bit of a pause today from the bucket lists to talk about something that's on every potential European traveler's mind. That war in Ukraine. Today I speak a bit from experience. I once traveled around Eastern Europe in 1991 in January. I found myself dealing with the start of the first land war in the Persian Gulf and all the havoc that wreaked with travel in Europe. I also landed in the middle of an uprising in Lithuania. It was an exciting trip. So, that being said, I must say that after Covid-19 and now Putin's temper tantrum; I'm concerned about tourism in these areas.

Tourism, as a genre, generates over a trillion dollars every year. We humans, like to explore and we are amazed at the history, natural beauty, and luxury that is waiting for us around the world. We love adventure, activity, sports, and festivals. Whatever the reason, humans travel.

The past couple of years have put a lot of what we were once used to in travel at great risk. Now, we have one of the most publicized wars of this century to deal with. We all have questions. Will it become a world war? Will they use nuclear weapons at some point? How long will it last? What will Russia do next if they win, or even worse, if they lose? Everyone is waiting, nervously, for answers to those questions and more.

But, in the world of the determined traveler whose had tons of covid vaccines and stayed home for a couple of years, there's only one real question for the potential European traveler. How close can I get to that war and still be safe as a traveler? This question may not apply to tourists, but we travelers are asking it every day.

Eastern Europe has long since been one of my loves, as has Russia, but that's out. Right now, no one is so much as flying over Russian or Ukrainian Airspace. Belarus and Moldova are being avoided like the plague as well. And who could blame us? We want an adventure, not a death trip.

One of the obvious problems with being a lover of Eastern European travel is that it butts right up against the war zone. Hungary, Romania, and Poland are getting a bunch of refugees as well, and that makes things tricky for travelers. Refugees need someplace to go, and who are we, the travelers, to tell them that we need their potential space for our vacation? Not cool.

These are tricky times. Even the radiation detectors at Chernobyl have been turned on. Everyone is bracing for the worst. But, these countries have a significant reliance on travel for their economies, and they don't want to lose out on that. Especially with a bunch of Ukrainian refugees to take care of. Also, how many years can we travelers be expected to leave such a remarkable part of the world off of our bucket lists?

Reality is that you can travel to many of these areas. While Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus, parts of Romania and Hungary are in the hot seat; many other Eastern European countries are making adjustments to protect travelers and keep their monies coming in from this industry.

Flying to countries such as Slovakia and Poland, amongst others is changing, but still happening. There are airlines that aren't making the trips, and there are airlines that we aren't supporting right now; taking a stand against Russia. Can you still fly to Warsaw? Yes. You can fly to Riga, Estonia if you wish. The people of the local areas are monitoring the conflict day and night to make certain that the areas foreign travelers visit are safe.

One thing that you might find when flying to Eastern Europe right now is a different flight pattern. This could also happen if you're flying to the Middle East or other Asian areas. Most long range cross continental flights go over the north pole. They normally fly over Russia, which encompasses 11 time zones, making it hard to miss. Now, airlines are planning different routes to avoid these air spaces and ensure patrons' safety. This may lead to higher ticket prices on top of the stupid fuel issues, and could make your flights longer. But, Emirates Airlines has been dealing with this kind of security issue for years, and their methods have been successful. Food for thought.

Had you planned to take a river or other cruise to the area? Well, Viking's Russian River Cruises are out, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for cruise enthusiasts. All cruise lines that operate in that area are still offering cruises. There may be substitutions for dangerous ports of call, but they are still making great cruises. You can still take that river cruise, just not in Russia. You can still take that Baltic cruise, just not to St. Petersburg or Murmansk. Check the current itineraries and consult one of the companies specialists before committing to anything, but don't just be scared and go to Disney World.

Most tour companies are making substitutions and carrying on. They've already lost too much time already to the pandemic. And remember, their employees and company owners will be right on those tours and cruises with you. They don't want to die, so I wouldn't worry too much about your personal safety. This is a great time to take a tour rather than go it on your own. Let the company keep up on where it's safe to go. That way, you can just enjoy the trip.

Eastern Europe is normally beautiful. What's happening in Ukraine is deplorable at best. I stand with Ukraine. I traveled to Kyiv and other parts of the country years ago. It is home to some beautiful places, and more importantly, some beautiful people. They have a rich history, and I sincerely hope that this war ends with Ukraine in tact. It would be such a catastrophic loss to see the beauty and people of that great country ruined.

Why do I advocate checking into travel as close as Poland or Estonia during a war in Ukraine? Well, every country needs their tourism and travel monies. Most countries attribute lots of monies coming into the countries every year to travel and tourism. I believe that it only expands the catastrophe to cause more financial hardship to nearby countries. There are wars all over the globe. War happens, but Poland shouldn't suffer because their neighbor got invaded. Recent studies show that most areas are safe for travel at this point. Always check the State Department website or MMGY. MMGY has a division that monitors travel safety around the world.

I would say with Eastern Europe to work with a tour company or a cruise company. Make sure that your airline is avoiding Russian and Ukrainian airspace. You should take precautions. I also probably wouldn't use this time to take a three week trip. With the constant change due to war, I say spend a week or so and see some great stuff, and then go home. But, there are some wonderful countries full of wonderful people who are suffering right now because they are in the neighborhood of the world's most media covered war. Don't write them off as destinations. Do your research, see what precautions you should take, make secure plans and enjoy!

https://travelmart.org/is-traveling-to-eastern-europe-still-safe-amid-russian-war-on-ukraine/

https://www.mmgyglobal.com/agencies/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/08/russia-ukraine-war-putin-news-live-updates/

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/travel/ukraine-russia-travel-plans.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2022/03/07/international-travel-may-be-another-casualty-of-the-ukraine-russia-war/?sh=2cce8f836f54

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/03/21/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-eastern-europe-right-now-your-questions-answered-by-the-experts

https://www.afar.com/magazine/is-europe-safe-for-travel

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

https://thepointsguy.com/news/european-travel-plans-russia-invasion-ukraine/

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/promotions.html?cid=SEM|BNG|999|c_73109901_kwd-77515792594039:loc-71200_77515715892771&utm_id=sem:VRC-US-BNG-UpperFunnel-NC-Europe-BMM&utm_content=VRC-US-BNG-UpperFunnel-NC-Europe-BMM&msclkid=b66975e9479010cd07bd17498286145a&gclid=b66975e9479010cd07bd17498286145a&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://exploretraveler.com/war-in-europe-should-we-change-travel-plans/

https://www.europe-roadtrip.com/post/is-it-safe-to-travel-europe-during-the-ukraine-war