72 FOCUS - JUNE 2017 far atop the dome. I once spent a week in Thompson, located very far north in Manitoba, where my favourite eatery was the A&W… enough said. I recall taking the VIA train, across Canada and entered Ontario at four in the morning. We stopped in Toronto at nine the next morning. It is impossible to fathom how large this land is. Watch- ing moose swimming in one of the province’s 250,000 lakes (half are still unnamed) is spectacular. Toronto is of course remarkable, if you are looking for city life, albeit overshadowed by Port Perry, Canada’s prettiest town. A visit to Ottawa can be breathtaking, especially when you are standing in front of our Peace Tower and imagining history unfolding itself. In February, catch Winterlude, eat a Bea- ver Tail or skate on the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink. Heading east to Montreal is like visiting another country. From fashion to food, architecture to language, the distinct society of Quebec, derived from the early French settlers, makes this area feel very European. Quebec City, with North America’s oldest commercial street, is a tourist mecca. New Brunswick has more covered bridges than anywhere in the world. The tidal boar in Moncton, along with Magnetic Hill is not to be missed, but if you are short on time, visit the Hopewell Rocks (flower pots). Adrive north to Edmunston and a visit to the annual cheese festival, makes for an interesting stay in this predominantly French region. If chocolate is your thing head south to St, Stephen’s (just outside St. John) and tour the Ganong factory. Yes, there are lots of free samples. Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital is one of my favourite cities. The historic properties offer great restaurants and artisan shops and you can dance the night away at the Lower Deck. About an hour south is famous Peggy’s Cove and its popular lighthouse. The restaurant is great, but the views are out of this world. A stop in Lunenburg and a glimpse of the Bluenose (our sailing craft depicted on our ten cent coins) is a must-see for anyone in the area. Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island is now accessible by a bridge (it is free to cross over, but a $45 charge to return). A walking tour of Charlottetown is the way to see the his- toric city, where Canada was born. An- other tourist stop is the house of Anne of Green Gables, immortalized by Lucy Maude Montgomery. Our last, youngest and most eastern province is Newfoundland. Watching icebergs in St. John’s harbour is out- standing. Seafood is abundant, and the ruggedness of the shore is breathtak- ing. Lighthouses pop up everywhere, and the local dialect and customs set this province aside from the rest of the country. In the words of Stomping Tom Con- nors, “In Canada we Get to See it All”. See the world, but see Canada first! Jonathan van Bilsen is a photographer, author, columnist, keynote speaker and can be followed at photosNtravel.com DID YOU KNOW…........ what is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard? Email me your best guess at jon@photosNtravel.com. Answer, next month. O Canada (continued from page 71) The lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. Dawn at St. John’s Harbour in Newfoundland.