We left New Brunswick, drove over the 8-mile Confederation Bridge and entered our second Maritime Province, Prince Edward Island (spelled without an apostrophe “S,” we learned). We stayed in Charlottetown, where the annexation of the Maritimes to Canada was first proposed in 1864. Maritime residents in the past feared American expansionism, so the British colony officially joined Canada in 1873. It also helped that Canada promised to bail PEI out of a major financial banking crisis – a result of an overly-ambitious railway building plan – if it joined the club.
Language wise, English is more common than is French. Instead of encountering French names like Pierre and Henri, we saw names like Seamus and Aengus. PEI and Nova Scotia have strong Celtic roots. Many Scotch and Irish people have immigrated here. Instead of bistros & boulangeries, pubs, teahouses & shortbread vendors line the streets. Visitors are treated to ceilidh sessions in many of the eateries. Click on Pete’s video of the Gaelic folk music and dancing in the photo gallery and enjoy the fun.
Although the fishing industry (lobster & mussels & oysters, oh, my!) is strong on the island, PEI’s primary industry is agriculture, potatoes being its largest cash crop. The oysters and new potatoes we ate were amazing. Just look at the expression on Pete’s face.
Last but not least, Cavendish, PEI, was the inspiration for the novel Anne of Green Gables. We found references to the titular character everywhere. Luckily, because of time restraints, Pete was spared a tour of the chick-book locale.
Wish you were all here to share the journey with us.
8 Comments
Enjoying your travelogue and pictures and am green with envy. Why did I not see your happy feet on the dance floor????? 🙂
After all those oysters, PEI new potatoes, a kale salad with lardons, (and Pete ate an entire large lobster), we were lucky to still walk.
Pete, that guy you are photographed with needs one of your slick haircuts! Really nice photos. Looks like you are having z great time.
We are on the grounds of the Grand Ole Opry where we will hear Crystal Gale. Very nice weather today. And the food..every meal has been great. Really friendly people in this rapidly growing city (100 new residents per day!). Good vibes. We would definitely return.
Forgot to say we are in Nashville?
Whoops. Forgot to say we are in Nashville, although you probably already guessed.
Ah -2 people with irrepressible humor travelling on a lark! How can it get better than that? The way the lobster dinner was described left my mouth watering. As usual, stellar photos and real insight into the culture and affections of the locals. Thank you for the wonderful vicarious pleasures. Jill’s Irishness is definitely on display……..
You probably feel at home with the Irish and the potatoes. The oysters looked yummy? This was one order?
It’s a world filled with lighthouses.
Fleaster
I like the corny posed photos as much as the gorgeous scenery ones (and the martini [?] with oysters looked pretty great, too). Only thing missing was of you both dancing!