From the Pacific to the Atlantic - Crossing Canada by Train
2 October - 5 November 2024

Canada 2024
15 October 2024: Day 14

St John's, Newfoundland to Moncton, New Brunswick.

Introduction

An early breakfast at 6.30am so we would be ready for the shuttle bus to the airport at 7am. It is not far from the hotel to Halifax Airport but with the free shuttle available we succumbed to the offer. Just as well. At 7am it was pouring with rain, cold and windy. In a few minutes we were inside the terminal, had checked in our bags and gone through security. The flight boarded early, it seemed to be full of young students either returning home or returning to study after Thanksgiving. A bumpy flight with all the shower clouds but as we progressed south the rain cleared. At Halifax we were offered an upgrade to a Jeep Grand Cherokee so we could get a better view of the scenery.

We headed north towards Truro, stopping at Stewiacke to find a Tim Hortons shop for coffee and a bite. The location was also touted as half-way from Equator to Pole (which happens to be the same latitude as Cromwell in New Zealand). We diverted off the Trans-Canada Highway to the small village of Summerhill. Here is the Ann Murray Museum and Visitor Centre, as this is the town of her origins. Sadly, the centre had decided to close early for the season so all we could do was photograph the sign. From there we continued west to Moncton for the night. We stayed at the Amsterdam Inn and Suites, a 3-star hotel beside the TCH and right next door to the New Brunswick Casino. We were not tempted by the pokies, but the food at their bar had a good reputation so we dined there. Noisy and crowded but the food was definitely a big step up from the last few days.

St John's Airport, Newfoundland

We arrived early at the airport so had time to llok at the products for sale. The prepackaged fish was expensive (and not all was locally sourced), the remainder was snack food.

The Rock (restaurant) and the Holiday Inn at St John's Airport.

Inside the airport we found art work...

seafood..

chocolate..

Pumpkin spiced chocolate (it was Thanksgiving)

Puffins..

and snacks.

Our plane in the rain

nearing Halifax

our plane, now in the sunshine!

The drive north

We were upgraded from a small car to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, as the nice person at the rental car counter thought we might like a better view of the roads and scenery. We then ventured out onto the TCH, heading north to Truro and eventually to Moncton for the night. We made a stop at Stewiake for lunch, discovering we were exactly half way from equator to pole.

The Jeep - trying to work out all the strange controls.

There's something missing ...?

Yep - number plate on the rear only!.

Exiting the airport

and joining the TCH north.

Nearing the toll barrier on the TCH - only non-residents get fleeced. What a good idea!

The Half-Way House

Turning off towards Springhill

Springhill - its not a large town.

Springhill and the Anne Murray Centre

We turned off the TCH and drove to the small town of Springhill. We had planned to visit the Anne Murray Centre, but discovered a few days earlier that it had closed early for the season.

The Anne Murray Centre

Closed - of course!

Springhill to Moncton

After photographing the outside of the Anne Murray Centre, we continued north, eventually rejoining the TCH. Soon we met a road toll barrier, so with cash and credit card in hand we fronted up - only to be waved through as the vehicle had Nova Scotia plates. Beats me how she knew - the vehicles only have one number plate - on the rear! We then passed through the border from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick, no toll or passport but lots of flags.

Continuing on towards Moncton..

now back on the TCH

Leaving Nova Scotia

Entering New Brunswick

Nearing Moncton, but first the railway line.

A night at Amsterdam and the Casino

We had booked into the Amsterdam Inn and Suites for the night. It was conveniently located near the TCH and close to the New Brunswick Casino - we were not interested in the casino but it had a highly regarded restaurant inside. We found the casino crowded. As it turned out it is next door to the Molsom Performing Arts Centre that was hosting a concert that night. But we joined the queue for a table and were soon seated. The food and service were much better than expected.

Amsterdam Inn in the forground and the Molsom Performing Arts Centre in rear