Erma
Reged: 10/05/02
Posts: 528
Loc: North Georgia
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**duplicate post from Canada forum**...and a "little" ways from Mainland France...but France none the less.
Has anyone had the opportunity to visit the islands. We are thinking of a summer motorcycle journey to SP/M, along with Newfoundland, and Labrador. Many thanks for any insight/guidance.
Very best regards, Erma
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KevinS
Reged: 07/23/03
Posts: 3460
Loc: Boston
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Erma -
It's been over 25 years since I've been to St Pierre & Miquelon, so anything that I can say is pretty dated. I took a small passenger ferry from Fortune, located on the Burin Peninsula on the southeast corner of Newfoundland. It wasn't possible to bring a motor vehicle to FSP in those days, and may not be now. I recall leaving my car in a chainlink parking lot in Fortune for the two days that I was on St Pierre.
I don't recall the name, but I stayed in a small hotel a few blocks from the harbor - nothing fancy, but adequate. There were only 2-3 hotels on the island then. There weren't all that many restaurants either, but I remember eating some great coquille st jacques. Dinner reservations were recommended by the hotel.
The standard of living on the island was pretty good, as a lot of the necessities are subsidized by the French government. The evening news was a satellite feed from France, rather than the CBC feed from Montreal that I expected - the people are definitely French, not French-Canadian. I did run into a number of Canadian students there, who were taking a total-immersion French course.
There wasn't a lot to do on the island, other than wander through town or go hiking. I was mostly interested in the architecture of the older buildings. There isn't a lot for the locals to do either - I remember sitting in a bar and watching the same car drive through the square out front time after time after time... I was content to hang out in St Pierre, and never made any attempt to get to Miquelon.
Like another island we know, there is a history of fishing, with a bit of smuggling thrown in. The peak of smuggling was during Prohibition, but I wouldn't be shocked to discover that an occasional boatload of booze and butts makes its way to NFLD, along with some of the above-mentioned French-government-subsidized goods.
For what it's worth, that's what I remember. If I'm ever again back in eastern Newfoundland with a couple of extra days on my hands I'll go back to FSP.
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Erma
Reged: 10/05/02
Posts: 528
Loc: North Georgia
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Kevin,
Thanks so very much for posting your travel experience to these tiny islands. I really enjoyed getting your viewpoint.
Somehow I doubt much has changed over the years. I hope to see this area next year. There is something interesting to me about the islands......
Best regards, Erma
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KevinS
Reged: 07/23/03
Posts: 3460
Loc: Boston
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Erma -
I'm just happy that you found some value in my trip of 25 years ago.
Quote:
There is something interesting to me about the islands......
Good choice of words. I had the same feeling 25 years ago when I found myself 3 days ahead of schedule on a trip back to Newfoundland to visit my grandparents in Hearts Content. (Hearts Content is located just north of the towns of Hearts Delight and Hearts Desire. Love those Newfoundland names!) I decided to take a detour, slide down the Burin Peninsula, see some land that I might never see again, and visit some intriguing French territory. It turned out to be an excellent use of 3 days. (As did the time spent visiting with my grandparents when I arrived - on schedule - in Hearts Content. The experience of watching my aging grandmother play the pipe organ in church was beyond price, as was watching my grandfathers fingers fly when asked by two 20-something fishermen to help them mend a torn fishing net, a skill they hadn't come close to mastering.)
There was a timely article on St Pierre et Miquelon in this past weekend's LA Times. The article is currently available, but may disappear from view by unregistered visitors shortly. Send me a PM with your e-mail address if you would prefer not to register - I have a copy of the article.
LA Times St Pierre and Miquelon article
You're right - St Pierre doesn't seem to have changed much, but I don't recall being able to rent a car.
As a Newfoundlander by birth, I would love to hear about your proposed itinerary. I've been away for so long that I won't have much to contribute, but I am intrigued by your proposed trip. Send me a PM if you prefer.
Regards,
Kevin
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