Discover the New World in Bonavista, Newfoundland

Sharing a Moment with John Chabot in Bonavista

Walked in the same steps as John Chabot on Cape Bonavista in Newfoundland, Canada. A big time explorer in Canadian history. Chabot made landfall on the east coast of the New World (Canada) in 1497 and raised the British Flag in the name of King Henry VII. 

Setting sail on board  “The Matthew”  from Bristol, England John Chabot’s goal was to seek a new passage to Asia for trade. There was only one problem.  Canada got in the way.

From the few records and some old-history human assumptions John Chabot was said to had discovered the New World when he made landfall on Cape Bonavista which is situated on the tip of the Bona Vista Peninsula. That is where I stood and… and for a long time.

There are many older stories of Canada’s younger years told at other historic sites that date back long before John Chabot and Christopher Columbus.  Canada has a long European History, a French History, a First Nation History, a Viking History, an Acadien History and on and on it could go. You get the point.  Canada was destined to be a multi national country from the get go.

I found it reflective standing on the hill with John Chabot. The wind churning and hurling, often whistling as it pass right by my ears.  The view was far reaching and calming. John Chabot had it good…  the front row seat for a lifetime of views. I was glad he was able to share it with me.  I was so visualizing, imagining what it must of been like for John Chabot when he pulled up anchor to the towering cliffs and crashing waves of the Newfoundland coast.

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse

Another question I asked myself was, “What was it like for the First Nation people as they watched these strange giant ships pull into their harbour?” Hmmmm.

Like previous explorers we explored the entire Bona Vista Peninsula.  What we found was not as profound but still it was significant to us. After the Chabot Memorial we drove up the road to the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse.

On the tip of the peninsula the lighthouse, pinned striped in a nice red and white suite, was surrounded by some light keeper buildings and a gift shop.

I have a thing for lighthouses so I am bias and look forward to lighthouse gawking. Lighthouses enjoy some of the best views around. And better yet, lighthouses like to share their views openly.

This beacon of a lighthouse was perched on a rocky cliff … proud and cocky like many houses of lights perched on our Canadian coastlines. The difference was that this lighthouse had a larger army of man-made “inukshuk” statues lining the cliffs looking like little soldiers waiting for a fight against the next storm.

Coastline of Dungeon Provincial Park

Just before the Chabot Memorial and the Bonavista Lighthouse was a great find – the Dungeon Provincial Park. A long gravel and cliff leaning road led us to a lookout peering into some cave arches lost in a massive sink hole. In the distance were some sea stacks and to your left and right were wall-to-wall rocky cliffs. Coming straight at us… the wind.

The road on the Bona Vista Peninsula is largely a loop route visiting smaller communities. No what that means? There is allot of coves, bays and marine villages like Trinity and Port Union to visit. Both are the two bigger towns in the region. By bigger, I mean small in a bigger way.

Trinity is tucked away in a cove with a historic waterfront, a theatre group and a hiking trail called the Sherwink Trail. The waterfront is small but the buildings are unique, historic and interesting. Many visitors park their vehicles and view the village on foot.

Also you may want to explore the Sherwink Trail. It is a coastal hiking path located in Trinity providing views of birding colonies and coastlines.

Port Union Main Street

Port Union is the only union built town in North America. It was built in 1916 by Sir William Ford Coaker and the Fishermans Protective Union. The town was built for housing the union employees of the many industries operating in the area like a fish plant and shipbuilding.

Today the Heritage District is a walking tour exploring back in time when fishing and ship building were king. The waterfront and the main street have been restored and are looking good. The main street is a treat to view although it is a tight fit with union buildings leaning down on top of you.

The highway drive exploring the peninsula is a destination in itself. The road twists and turns, crosses causeways and dips and dives in and out of coastal villages. Enjoy!