After our night in Bangor we set out for Calais (Cal-liss) and our first visit to Canada since the pandemic. This crossing experience was quite a bit different than our previous crossings. In the past we showed our passports, answered a few questions and we were on our way.
It was a very different experience this time. After showing our passports and answering a few questions we were asked to go inside the station and wait while two Canada Border Officers thoroughly searched the van. While we did not have any contraband on board it was still a bit unsettling having the van and all of our possessions searched. The frosting on the cake was our realization after driving away from the station that our passports had not been returned! One of the officers that had searched the van had our passports in his pocket — oh boy!
After retreiving our passports, we traveled east to camp at Mouth of the Magaguadavic. This is a privately owned tract of land that sits at the mouth of the river and the Passamaquoddy Bay. We were able to pull our van up to the edge of the bluff to have an unimpeded view of the gorgeous bay. Unfortunately, that evening a thick mist had settled over the bay and were not able to enjoy the full view. We sat by the campfire until the mist overwhelmed our fire and we retreated into the Beast.
In the morning we awoke to a much different view than the previous evening’s shroud of mist and fog. We enjoyed our breakfast as we sat outside transfixed by the pristine bay.
We pulled ourselves away from the view eventually and began our trek east along the coast and the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy has a beautiful and rugged coastline and an impressive 40 foot tide occuring twice daily.
We stopped for lunch in the tiny fishing village of St.Martins. We walked out to caves which are accesible when the massive tide is out and then lunched at a seafood restaurant perched on the beach. To say the seafood is fresh and delicous is an understatement.
After our delicous lunch we continued along the coast to Fundy National Park where we would spend a couple of days hiking and exploring the area.
About ten miles southeast of our campsite at Fundy NP sits the village of Alma. The village is another quaint fishing town with great fresh seafood and quite impressively a specialty coffee shop — The Buddah Bear.
We enjoyed our stay at Fundy NP — beautiful scenery, moderate hiking and specialty coffee nearby (what could be better?). We are off to Prince Edward Island.
Be seeing you!
ON THE ROAD with Maria + Stephen 