Screeched in at Trapper John's

Everywhere you went someone would ask if you had been screeched in.This meant you had become a honorary member of Newfoundland & Labrador.  So where better to be Screeched in than on George Street in St Johns at Trapper  John's.

Trapper John's was a small little bar right at the start of George street, (or the end depending on which way you were going) and we went through the time honoured ceremony there.. First we had to repeat after the person doing the swearing in ceremony a verse in Nefenise.  ( I am still not sure what I said)

We had to have a straight shot of screech

Then kissed the ass of the provincial bird the Pepin

We were than touched on each shoulder as if being knighted by the barman's long stick and we were presented with are certificate that said we were honorary member of Newfoundland & Labrador.  (We got to keep the shot glass too)

Our first night in St. Johns

We made a quick stop at a little bar that everyone  (but me) had been at before and had enjoyed the down home hospitality.  Linda the owner wasn't  home but we had a few drinks and talked to a locale lady and even had the barmen take us all through the living quarters to show us the paintings that Linda had done

Then it was off to get something to eat and a sign caught my eye

We were in time and went in for some great fish and chips.  It was cod and not deep fried in a heavy batter  like we expected but lightly breaded and delicious

As the sign out front had said they made their own beer and had 4 different kinds from a light wheat to a dark  almost like a Guinness.  I tried them all.

This restaurant was on the main street but just around the corner was the famous George street.

It was kind of a back street in St Johns a couple blocks long and was all bars and night clubs.  To my disappointment most of them were charging a 5.00 cover charge   Even the karaoke bar charged $5.00 and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $5.00 to see someone try to sing.

We did find one Irish Pub that had entertainment and no cover charge.  My kind of place

We sat near the bar where we could see the band

They had two bands while we were there which were a couple of girl folk singers

And when they finished about 11 o'clock a Irish Rovers type band came on who were excellent

 as well

Some of the Sights around St Johns

The first day in St Johns we took a quick trip out to Cape Spear.  There was a light rain that day and the wind was coming in off the ocean and it was so cold that after a few minutes are faces were numb.

 After a quick look around we were glad to walk through the old tunnels as it protectect us from the wind

After we left there we were off to Fort Ammerst

There wasn't much of the old Fort left to see

Arriving in St. Johns Newfoundland

After a early morning flight from Toronto to Halifax and a short stopover we finally arrive in St. Johns Newfoundland.  It was a very cold and windy April day with light snow showers every so often so we quickly grabbed a taxi and we were off to our Hotel which was known as the Hometel On Signal Hill. It was a three story brand new Condo that had been converted into a Bed and Breakfast Hotel.  . 

We checked in at the main office and they directed us to unit #12 where we had a room on the 3rd floor

Our room was on the 3rd floor and there were no elevators   It was small but cozy with a full bath, a fridge TV, Desk, Easyboy chair and snacks we could purchase if we wanted.

The 2nd floor had a full kitchen and dining room but breakfast was provided in the first condo where the office was  It was your typical bed and breakfast type with homemade muffins, cereal , toast and eggs, coffee tea and juice.  I managed to eat my fill each morning.  after all it was free.

It was a short 10 minute walk downhill to were Dave and Cathy, Christina , Gerry and Trish were staying at the Courtyard Hotel

On the way down we saw the harbour which was directly behind their hotel.  Although it looked as if it was snowing it actually was birds flying around.

Their hotel was almost at the start of the downtown area

Ann Marie and friend

Sunset Cruise in Aruba

The sunset Cruise that we were going on went from a dock behind the Rio Hotel in the Highrise section of Aruba

After going through the hotel and down the stairs and pass the pools we arrived at a wharf with a nice bar on it

We waited here for the tender to take us out to the boat

The boat was a small sailboat built in 1925

We all found our spots on the boat and off we sailed

The cruise included free liquor but no beer.  I had all the Margarettes the girl could make in two hours.

We cruised for exactly one hour up the coast under full sail than turned around and headed back.  It was to be only a two hour cruise.

This is the Rio Hotel as seen from the water.

The sunsets in Aruba can be quite beautiful.