Friday, May 17, 2024 (Day 11)

 Marystown, Newfoundland / 8:55 a.m. / 11 degrees to Fortune, Newfoundland / 10:02 a.m. / 10 degrees for a total of 68. 6 km driving.  Ferry from Fortune, Newfoundland / departed 12:44 p.m. (Newfoundland time which is 1.5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time) to St. Pierre et Miguelon, France / arrived at 2:05 p.m. (St. Pierre time which is 2.0 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time).

We had breakfast in Marystown and picked up Subway to have as our lunch on the ferry or after we arrived.  Staying at Marystown was a good decision, not long of a drive to Fortune to get our ferry.  We saw a moose along the way.  We were advised to arrive 1.0 hour in advance of our scheduled departure of 1:00 p.m.  We were then to arrive an additional 30 minutes in advance of the 1 hour as we were making arrangements to park our vehicle in Fortune overnight.  Note: to bring our vehicle over to France requires vehicle insurance from France as our vehicle insurance would not cover.  It is a flat rate fee of for $175 Euros for 30 days regardless if we only needed coverage for 2 days.

Therefore, upon arrival to Fortune, Newfoundland (beautiful blue skies), we checked in at the blue ferry office (not the ferry terminal).  They check your purchased tickets and re-issue a smaller ticket to go with your passport.  Within the same building but a separate entrance, is Kelli's Restaurant Cafe, where we had pre-arranged overnight parking with Drake's parking.  We followed the shuttle driver to an enclosed industrial yard/storage unit (1 km away) and they shuttle us to the ferry terminal and also pick us up upon our return.

We confirmed we could bring our subs across to France but would be limited to what we could bring back from France to Canada.  We took our Bonine tablets (for seasickness) and talked with a nice couple from Fermont, Quebec (near Labrador City, Labrador) who would be staying at the same hotel as us.

Upon boarding the ferry, they park the vehicles first, there was about 15 vehicles on the ferry.  They take our suitcases and put them in a van and provide them to us upon arrival.  The ferry is very nice.  You walk on to the bottom deck but recommend heading up to the 2nd level as there are larger windows.  You can also go outside at the back of the ferry.  There is some seating outside.  The ferry was generally smooth with a back and forth lull.  Perry caught 40 winks.  Coffee, water, etc. can be purchased from a small counter.  We had beautiful skies but fog rolled in for a touch.  Upon arriving at St. Pierre et Miguelon, France it was clear blue skies.

We stayed at Hotel Robert, walking distance from the ferry.  We had a nice room that included a mini fridge as well as a kitchen table.  Unfortunately, the bed was hard.  We ate our subs in our hotel room and headed out for a walk within the area.  We bought some postcards and stamps to mail a few cards home.  Note: Within St. Pierre, everything closes between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. each day.  The bars do not open until 6:00 p.m.  There is no tax.  The currency is Euros.  They have European electrical plugs.  There is a carrousel across the street from the ferry terminal.  It is a quaint little town and we feel so fortunate to have taken the opportunity to check it out.  What we have discovered:  The roads are narrow and some appear to be one ways.  Street and building signs don't always appear.  Most street signs are on peoples homes.  The sidewalks are nothing like home.  You walk on the sidewalk and need to step on the road because garbage cans are there, light post, fire hydrants or even the steps up to someone's house (see picture).  We would have no problem walking on the streets except the drivers speed and barely slow down especially when rounding corners.  They only stop for pedestrian cross walks.  We decided to skip the taxi ride around St. Pierre after seeing how they drive. (ha-ha)  We are glad we did not bring the truck over.

You can purchase some alcoholic drinks from the front desk at the hotel for your room which we did.  We had supper at the hotel's restaurant "Le Buddy".  The food was good.  Perry had fish and chips and Carol-Ann had a hamburger with salad.

The couple we met from Fermont ate at "Le feu de braise" within walking distance from the hotel and they said it was delicious.  The bill was presented to them in Canadian funds and they were advised "not" to tip as it has already been incorporated within the price.

Over all a fun experience and we got our passports stamped with the St. Pierre et Miguelon, France  stamp.

Ferry

Carrousel

Sidewalk, notice the stairs that lead to the house (they also come down the other side)


Street signs sometimes appear on the side of a house.

European electrical plugs



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