Canada - Vikings 1004
Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Canada’s eastern most province: See golden salmon sunsets, icebergs in clear blue ocean waters; hear crashing surfs on windswept coasts, fog horns, silence; smell fresh air with out pollution or ragweed; taste fresh fish and homemade pies; feel the warmth of the friendly people.
L’Anse aux Meadows where the Vikings lived in 1004 --
on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland
According to the “Sagas,” in 985 Bjarni Herjolfsson was blown off course from his trip to Greenland and spotted Newfoundland. In 995-996, Lief Eriksson went looking for this land and described “Vinland.” Thornfinn Karlsefri and Thovald Eriksson led an expedition to find “Vinland” and established a village for 3 years in what is now L’Anse aux Meadows. While there the first child born to Europeans on the North American continent was born: Snorri Thorbrandsson.
The remains of the village were covered for hundreds of years and then in the 1960’s they were discovered. To get the whole fascinating story, visit the modern reception centre. On display are artifacts found at the site and a model illustrating how the site would have looked during the time of the Vikings and what activities might have taken place. The National Park is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List of cultural and natural sites of outstanding value.
Walking around and going inside the full scale replicas of some of the sod-roofed, thick walled buildings, you have the chance to see what it would have been like to live in this Norse settlement with its beautiful vistas over the waters of the Strait of Belle Isle.
The little villages in the area are right out of a picture book. One of the many Newfoundland magical spots for sunsets is at L’Anse aux Meadows -- you can just imagine 1000 years ago...
A lovely place to stay overnight is the Valhalla Lodge -valhalla-lodge.com that has a fabulous view of Gunner’s cove, icebergs (in June), and sometimes whales. Decorated in Norse style, it was originally owned by Bella Hodge, who grew up in L’Anse aux Meadows and used to play on what everyone thought were “Indian mounds” not a grass covered Viking village.
For authentic souvenirs, there are handmade quilts and socks at Valhalla Lodge, and whalebone carvings from a carver’s home down the highway. There are other places to stay at nearby St. Anthony and St. Barbe.
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