August 17 & 18, 2012; Crossing to NFLD and Drama on the High Seas

AUG  17 & 18, Friday & Saturday; Ferry crossing to Newfoundland & HIGH SEA DRAMA

It is 6:00 am and we are up and getting ready.  It POURED overnight and the wind was howling at times; I hope it is NOT an insight of what the crossing will be!!?

Should have known; it was much worst!  We were at the Terminal at 9 am, paid an extra $123/return as our rig was actually 53’ long so had to pay 10 feet more because of the increment system.  We finally loaded at 11:15 (NFLD Time Zone) and were on our way.  The sky was overcast and the Bay fairly calm but that didn’t last as we hit the Straight, it became Gale force wind and waves around 8-9 feet high.  It was a rocky crossing.  We had complimentary free dinner so we ate lunch for free.  The crossing took a total of 7 hours and when we arrived at Port aux Basques, we found out there was another ferry holding off the coast waiting for the wind to die down so they could go in the Terminal so we both held a holding pattern of back and forth.  Eventually, around 9 pm, the other ferry was given the OK to dock so that left us out there.  We couldn’t go in as it was still too windy and not safe (the harbour is tiny and restricted in space). 

At one point, the ferry on its turn around, was hit by a rogue wave (it was dark by this time) and everything went flying.  A couple beside us lost their meal on the floor and she went flying on her back, chair and all.  A call was made for a nurse and/or a doctor so Val attended.  A total of 9 people were slightly injured in that little fiasco.  Needless to say, the Captain was very apologetic and warned us from here on in whenever we made a turn.  There was quite a fracas from the kitchen too, what with the dishes flying and pots and pans. A while later we were told that we would not dock until 2-3 am as the other ferry had to leave first. 
Aug 18, 3 AM, we finally docked, drove off and parked at the Info Centre outside of town for the balance of the night.  4 other rigs joined us.  We went to bed and woke up around 8:30 am. 
We went to Tim Horton down the road and after a good coffee and breakfast; we drove to our campground, LITTLE PARADISE RV PARK.  We paid $44 cash for two nights.  They only take cash.
We had a shower and relaxed.  I texted my daughter and son to let them know we were here safe.  We are 4.5 hours ahead of BC.  We took a drive back into Port-aux-Basques and stopped at the info centre for pamphlet and books.  The lady was very helpful and gave us lots of information on places to see and do.  We took a drive along the coast on Hwy 470 and visited some little villages such as Isle au Mort which is famous for its shipwrecks and a local hero who saved over 200 lives on two different shipwrecks back in the late 1800’s.  We drove to another small village call Rose Blanche.  The rock here was all white and granite like.  A few cut blocks were scattered along a trail we took to see and old light house.  This was the end of the road so we drove back into Port aux Basques and went to the bank and looked around.  We stopped to pick up some groceries then came home and had dinner.  I was in bed very early as I was tired.