How to keep busy on Manitoulin Island (so you can avoid the black flies…)
I cannot tell a lie. Manitoulin Island would have been more enjoyable if it wasn’t for those pesky black flies that found joy in biting chucks out of everyone. We were told (after the fact) that it’s advisable to swallow a vitamin E pill every day, for a couple of weeks, prior to your stay on the island. The flies then leave you alone as your body emits an odor that they find disagreeable. But as we hadn’t done anything of the sort, we resorted to dousing ourselves with insect repellent and hoped for the best.
Manitoulin may not be able to compete with the likes of an island in the Pacific or Indian Ocean. But it is peaceful, has an interesting history and some beautiful natural sights to discover. You can always find something to do on the island even out of tourist season. Here are some of things we saw!
The Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong are easily accessible from the parking lot by way of a well-constructed metal stair case.
The Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong (©MRandin)Although the trail that leads you through the wooded area, away from the falls, is quite flat, it's got some lovely natural features.Along the trail from the Bridal Veil Falls (©MRandin)
Here you’re guaranteed to find the island’s famous “lady slipper” and Ontario’s provincial flower, the trillium (if you visit in the right season that is!)
A lady slipper and its occupant! (©MRandin)
A Trillium (©MRandin)
If you’re looking for some others, try the Cup and Saucer trail that leads you to a limestone & dolomite escarpment. For a less strenuous day, drive to the 13 Mile Point which offers you just as peaceful a vantage point.
Manitoulin is worth the trip for the sunsets. Make your way over to Carter Bay and Providence Bay for two great ways to end the day!
Sunset over Providence Bay (©MRandin)
Carter Bay - a great place to fly a kite! (©MRandin)
And for something special head over to Misery Bay. The “Friends of Misery Bay” website describes it as such:
”…an ancient flat rock sea bottom. This unique feature, known as an alvar, presents unusual geological viewing opportunities for the visitors’ enjoyment.”
When the tide is out, it’s possible to walk quite far into the water. But be careful the rocks are extremely slippery!
On the rocks in Misery Bay (©MRandin)
And last but not least, don’t forget to visit the Old Mill Heritage Centre to find out about the island’s darker side. Here you can read all about the mysterious death of Danny Dodge and the fate of his young widow.
In my backyard (Part 3)
The "Pierre de la Piax" translated literally as the "Rock of Peace" can be found on the walking trail between St. Croix and the village of Vuiteboeuf in the Canton of Vaud. It is a 5 minute walk from "l'hôtel du Chasseron" the mountain top resting point for hikers and day trippers. The rock is said to be full of positive energies, which is transmitted to all those who lay their hands on it. Even if you don't believe it the view from the top is well worth the hike! (©MRandin)
“You say Inuksuk. I say Inukshuk”
We found this Inukshuk on the Wikwemikong reserve on Manitoulin Island. And on the drive back home, we found the highways of Northern Ontario lined with thousands of tiny Inukshuks that people had erected.
Look out for this large Inukshuk when you visit Manitoulin Island! (©MRandin)
A post from the Indian who didn’t run fast enough!
In my opinion, political correctness has been taken to an entirely different level in Canada. Which is why I was surprised and amused to hear Dave, a native Ojibwe, say to my mum, dad and me, “So you are the Indians who couldn’t run fast enough!”
Our paths had crossed that morning at the local Community Centre on the Wikwemikong reserve, situated on the south eastern peninsula of Manitoulin Island. Wikwemikong is the only “unceded” native reserve in Canada as the land has never been relinquished to the government by treaty or any other means.
©MRandin
In my backyard (Part 2)
La Liberté, the brain child of a gentleman named Jean-Pierre Hirt, is a familiar sight on the waters of Lake Léman near the town of Morges. It was constructed over a period of 5 years and brought together experienced craftsmen who had found themselves out of work during the recession in the 1990s. In all there were 600 people who contributed to the construction of this magnificent ship. ©MRandin
Do you have a picture of your “backyard” that you would like to share on Chickstravelflicks? If so, send a picture, with a short caption, to the following address: chickstravelflicks@hotmail.com
I’d go to Church more often if…
(©MRandin)
If you’re a newcomer to Chickstravelflicks and are wondering whether to continue reading after seeing the title of this post – please stay. I assure you this is a travel blog! Read more…
How many people and cars can you fit in the ‘big canoe’?
It takes a big boat, on a large body water and an ‘island’ that is 2,766 km² (1,068 square miles) in area, to make you realise that you have lived in Europe far too long. Everything in Canada is big and Manitoulin Island is no exception. According to its Wikipedia entry it is the “172nd largest island in the world and Canada’s 31st largest island”. Maybe we should have realised what we were in for when we saw the size of the ferry that took us over there.
The "Chi-Cheemaun" in the mist! (©MRandin)
“Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London….”
… But if someone offers you the opportunity, make sure you know which London you’re headed towards!
London, found in South Western Ontario, is my Canadian home town. Yes folks, I’m a Londoner. But ‘real’ Londoners, from the other side of the pond, are rarely impressed when I call myself one. Needless to say, being a Londoner from Ontario, has caused confusion at many airport immigration counters, university applications and conversations in bars around the world.
I’d like to now take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London, Ontario. Maybe I’ll show you something, to make you change your mind and encourage you to visit this beautiful town!
Yes, there is a Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario. (©MRandin)
If you're canoeing along the River Thames that flows through London, Ontario, make sure you don't fall in... (©MRandin)
Richmond Street sits alongside Oxford Street, Trafalgar Street & Piccadilly Street. Monopoly anyone? (©MRandin)
The Labatt Centre. Home to the 'London Knights' - London's hockey team. (©MRandin)
Middlesex College at the University of Western Ontario. My alma mater and that of Margaret Chan (Head of the World Health Organization) and David Furnish (Elton John's partner).
Oh, and when you’ve had enough of London, Ontario you can also hop over to neighbouring Paris, Zurich and Delhi (pronounced “Del-High”)…
In my backyard (Part 1)
A lazy summer evening along the boardwalk near the town of Morges situated on Lake Léman. What makes it all worthwhile is the exquiste view of Mont Blanc in the background. (©MRandin)
Do you have a picture of your “backyard” that you would like to share on Chickstravelflicks? If so, send a picture, with a short caption, to the following address: chickstravelflicks@hotmail.com
So you want to be Canadian eh?
Ask people in Europe what they think of Canada and the words “big” and “cold” will probably crop up in the conversation at least once. To be honest, on my first attempt at writing a general post about Canada, I used these words twice in my opening paragraph.
So rather than drown readers in clichés I decided to put together a list of do’s and don’ts, which I hope will be more useful to you if you’re ever on the other side of the Atlantic. (If you’re reading this from Canada and would like to add some more tips to this list, please use the comment section below.)
Somethings, however, will always be bigger in Switzerland! (©MRandin)
