The day I said farewell to Cape Breton Island, it was all gloomy and misty. I had made up my mind about the appalling hostel and second-thought that it was actually a comforting space to come home after the past five sunsets. I had tried to deal with the thought of never seeing Nate and Brianna again, the two people that helped me envision my best days in Cheticamp, and I had prepared myself for not crying on the train while reminiscing all the good, nice things happened in Cheticamp and around. I had even forgiven Zac for not being completely honest about what kind of holes I’d have trapped myself during my stay there, and decided to only write good things about the stay on his guest book and keep the rest with me. (Well, and you guys too since I actually wrote this post. I’m sorry Zac.)
Showing all posts tagged solo female traveller
VIA Canada 150 Trip Part 8: Chéticamp, NS
Out of all places I travelled to within this nearly one month trip, Chéticamp offers the most unexpected journey indeed. Many things didn’t actually go as I planned, but at the end of the day, I realized that those are all the facts that made this journey very remarkable. And still, that shifting plans do not change the fact that this small town located just outside the entrance of the Cape Breton National Park is such a charm worth uncovering; with its bluish scene of the limitless Atlantic Ocean and the sparkling drops of goldish sun rays touching it, wildflowers of all magnificent summer hues that separates the ocean with a secret pedestrian road that I stumbled upon by chance, and of course the majestic green highlands on the other side of the road, surrounding the town with such splendid background.
VIA Canada 150 Trip Part 7: Cape Breton National Park (ii)
Does a single hike suffice for representing the entire and infinite grandeur of the Cape Breton National Park? Heck no. Which is why after I did the hike with Nate, I signed up for a program offered by the Cape Breton National Park; the Sunset Skyline Hike. It is basically a hike around the dusk time to the most famous trail in the entire Cape Breton, the Skyline Trail, so that we can see glimpses of sunset from the top of the mountain. The thought of sitting on top of the highland plateau overlooking the fine shades of sunset submerging into the depth of the distant Atlantic Ocean convinced me that this is not something I want to miss. And I had never been so correct about a decision in my life.
But the highlight wasn’t really about the hike only. It was also the time that I met Brianna, another Cape Breton National Park interpreter who made me realize that Nova Scotians are probably indeed the nicest and kindest people I’ve met in my entire life.
VIA Canada 150 Trip Part 7: Cape Breton National Park (i)
To me, Cape Breton National Park simply redefines Canadian beauty to another level. The eight-hour tour of Cabot Trail gave me perfectly amazing first impression and glances of the outer boundary of the park, but the acadian, boreal, and taiga forest hidden inside the park is another gem yet to be discovered. What sort of beauty hidden behind those uprising highland plateau covered in green? What kind of wild lives disguised among those dark, yet enchanting woodland? How does it feel like to view the most picturesque sunset submerging to the depth of the ocean from the one of those soaring peaks? Never in my thoughts before I knew that I would actually find all the answers soon.
And just like that, I knew for sure I had to hike to enjoy the best sides out of it. However, I am no experienced mountain hiker with only a couple experiences in the past, and being a solo traveller did not seem to help at all for I wasn’t confident at all to explore Canadian mountain by myself as the wild animals were common sights in all national parks. But my persistence kept me going to find a possible way to hike with at least one other more experienced person, and that had led me to one of the greatest hikes in my life by far.
VIA Canada 150 Trip Part 6: Cabot Trail, NS
I’m quite sure that in the back of every Canadian’s mind, there’s always this particular dream about driving along the scenic world-famous Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. However, the fact that domestic flight within Canada is even a lot more expensive than international flights does not seem to help at all, hence once again I felt very fortunate to get the Canada 150 pass and be able to reach this part of Canada at last.
I must say, that even though the Rockies in the western part of Canada where I live is jaw-dropping indeed, but the coast of the eastern part of Canada is such a treasured hidden gem on another level. And the best way to possibly see the ultimate highlights of it is by experiencing a drive along the Cabot Trail which encircles the Cape Breton National Park, where the mountains meet the sea that expands into the Atlantic Ocean.
VIA Canada 150 Trip Part 5: Baddeck, NS
The day I spent in Baddeck was a day unlike any other days this year. Or possibly even any other days I’ve had in the past few years. For the first time in such a long time, I finally remembered again how it feels like to be completely at ease, to sense the solid peacefulness of summer vibes, to wholly feel soothed and renewed. To simply forget and not worry about the past nor the future, for all that matters is really the present. To be brought back to a place I’ve never had a chance to wander to in such a long period before that day; a place in my mind where solitude is truly a bliss—and not at all a sign of loneliness nor missing companions.