Saint Anthony

In the afternoon we went to Saint Anthony just south of L’Anse aux Meadows. It was turning out to be such a wonderful day that we decided to take a boat cruise out to see whales, birds, and icebergs. This area is known as Iceberg Alley because of the huge numbers of icebergs that float by each spring and summer from Greenland. We were lucky to have so many left this year in late July but then again the surrounding hills still had patches of snow on them!!

We learned that the icebergs take 2 years to float down from Greenland. 90% of the iceberg is under the water. Sometimes they get grounded. They make crackling noises as they hit the water as the trapped air is released. It is some of the purest water on earth. We brought some on board and got to taste it. Tom brought some back to our room to add to his whiskey.

We also saw a huge 80 foot fin whale. It kept surfacing then diving. We saw smaller minke whales, puffins, and a harp seal laying on one of the icebergs.