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Monday 30 March 2015

Shediac's Giant Lobster

Now where did I leave my giant seafood crackers?

Location: Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada
Address: 229 Main St.
Date: July 2006
Website:  www.shediac.ca

  The town of Shediac, New Brunswick calls itself the Lobster Capital of the World.  It does have a large lobster fishing industry and it also has one very large lobster.  Located on the main street, it is in fact the World's Largest Lobster.  The sculpture is about 35 feet long and 16 feet wide and was built in 1990.  The lobster is joined by a regular sized fisherman and, during our visit at least, several excited children.

I'm trapped in my traps.

  Right next to the lobster is the Tourist Information Centre and Gift Shop. Here you can plan the rest of your maritime visit as well as purchase some souvenirs.  There was also another fisherman sitting amongst some lobster traps and providing a great photo opportunity.

About 5 Great Blue Herons.

  Looking out over the water behind the giant lobster we spotted some great blue herons in the distance.  We also had to put some distance between us and Shediac as we were headed to Prince Edward Island next.  We came for the lobsters, both the delicious lobster rolls we enjoyed at the nearby Lobster Deck restaurant and to see the giant one that sits by the shore.

World's Largest Lobster.


Map of Our World
Shediac's Giant Lobster

Post # 43

Friday 20 March 2015

The Polar Bear & The Frog

Once upon a time a polar bear walked through downtown Churchill.

Location: Churchill, Manitoba,Canada 
Address: Kelsey Blvd.
Date: Oct 2014
Website:  www.everythingchurchill.com

  Churchill, Manitoba is the polar bear capital of the world.  This means that occasionally you may see one walk right down the main street and you should always be on alert.  While we were in Churchill we didn't encounter any bears in town, we did however have this very unusual experience.
  We had just exited the Parks Canada Visitor Centre when we spotted something big and white walking down the street.  It was someone dressed up in a polar bear costume.  We wondered where could they be going?  We hurried up to the main street to see what was going on.  As we turned the corner what should be headed our way but a frog driving an ATV.  Of course. The frog waved to the polar bear.

A frog was driving his ATV down the road when he saw the bear and waved.

And the polar bear waved back  We got the impression that they knew each other.

And the polar bear waved back.

 The bear continued up the road and as he walked along he waved at everyone he saw.  When we recounted this story to one of our tour guides, they were quick to point out that it is against the law to impersonate a polar bear in Churchill.  Even if it is a cute, big headed one that walks upright.  As we mentioned before the real bears often end up in the middle of town.   You run the risk of being tranquilized and hauled off to Polar Bear Jail.  Our guide was unaware of any penalty for impersonating a frog.

The bear headed down the road waving at everyone he saw.

  By the time we caught up to the action the bear had headed into Gypsy's Bakery & Restaurant.  The frog had parked his ATV and joined the bear inside.  As we walked up to the restaurant we noticed the camera crew that had been filming the entire event.  We also noticed the Japanese flags on their vehicles.  We are not sure how they obtained their vehicles, but we do know that there are no roads to Churchill.  Anything that arrives in town comes either by train or by plane, so vehicles are usually hard to come by.

And then they all sang Happy Birthday. The End.

  When we finally entered the restaurant,  the polar bear and the frog were with another woman who had grabbed a few people and they were holding a sign that said "Happy Birthday Peace The 15th Anniversary".  As the woman tried to explain that she wanted everyone to sing Happy Birthday, more people crowded into the doorway of the restaurant.  As everyone was just standing around, the restaurant owner asked if we would either come in or go out.  We chose out, and made our way back out onto the street.
  Seeing a polar bear in Churchill is a common sight indeed, but this bear lead us on an unusual journey that may never be explained.


Map of Our World
The Polar Bear & The Frog

Post # 42

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Toronto's Little House

Just a little house.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address: 128 Day Ave.
Date: Sept 2014

  Wedged in between two normal sized homes is this little house in Toronto.  It seems out of place next to its neighbours.  At about 300 square feet it is one of the smallest homes around.  According to its website it is only 2.2m wide and 14.3m long.  It doesn't leave very much room to move around in, but it does have all the important things required from a modern home.
  • A place to eat and prepare food.
  • A place to sleep.
  • An escape from the elements.
  • Electricity and plumbing. 
A tiny domicile.

  We didn't see who currently lived there but they must not be claustrophobic, or very big.  The truck parked out front seemed equally as large as the home.  The story behind the house is that back in 1912 the city intended the land to be an alleyway.   They never finished the alleyway so the clever land owner decided to build on it.  There it has sat for over one hundred years like something out of a storybook.

A slender abode.


Map of Our World
The Little House

Post # 41