THE ISLAND THAT ANNE OF GREEN GABLE'S BUILT. Review on Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is the smallest Province in Canada. A few years ago you could only reach the Island by plane, a ferry, (a 75 minute ride), or by a private boats. A few years ago they build a Confederation Bridge from the Nova Scotia mainland so it is now possible to drive there.

There are some things you should know before you visit here. You will need a car to see the Island properly if you are not on a conducted tour. Like the rest of Canada the Island is ''smoke free''. This means you cannot smoke in public places and many hotel rooms. The beaches, (do not have lifeguards), and the parks do not belong to anyone and you are free to use them as long as you clean up after yourself. If you do not do this you may be arrested. You may not throw things from your car or speed. Doing this will get you a hefty fine.

In this Province they call their highways 'scenic drives'.

There are three of them.

• When we visited the Island so we took the Ferry. When we arrived we were on the Trans Canada Highway and the KINGS BYWAY SCENIC DRIVE. As it happens this is the highway we used the least.

We had decided to make the Charlottetown, (the Capital City of the Province), our home base. On the way from the ferry we stopped at the Rossignol Estate Winery to tour the vineyards. They were kind enough to let us sample some of their wines as we sat on a patio that overlooked the Northumberland Strait.

Charlottetown is surrounded by high cliffs that seem to protect the city. While we were in Charlottetown we took a tour of the Confederation Center of the Arts that has an Art Gallery, Theaters and a Museum. We went to see Government House because in 1864 this was where the people, (we call them our ''forefathers''), decided Canada would become a Confederation.

We had dinner every night here. The fresh lobsters were so big I could hardly finish one. We never ate meat only fresh sole and halibut or seafood, (I know I am Jewish but I don't keep Kosher).

• The Lady Smith Scenic Drive was the highway was lovely. The name of the drive comes form the Provincial emblem that is a small pink orchid. One day we decided to visit the Cedar Dunes Provincial Park and have a picnic lunch on their beach. On the way we stopped at MacCallus Point to see an unusual looking lighthouse jutting out into the breakwater. I have never seen a lighthouse built like that.

Our next stop was at Cap-Egmont, (near Summerside), to see the houses that all have been built with recycled bottles.

On our way back we stopped at a few of the Village where only French is spoken.

• We enjoyed the Blue Heron Drive the most. As we drove along it we could see the herons standing on one foot along the shoreline.

We were going to Winslow North because we had heard of a store called the ''Cheese Lady''. I love Gouda cheese and she makes it. We had lunch at the shop and bought a round of the tradition Dutch style and one round of herb flavored Gouda to take home. She owns a Llama that you may pat. I have seen a Llama bite so we gave that a pass.

Our goal that day was to visit Darnley. As we walked the beach we saw the sandstone sea caves. We did not go into the caves because I know that snakes live in some caves and I am frightened of snakes! The water was so warm we took off our shoes and enjoyed the walk along the beach.

On the way back we stopped at North Rustico to walk along the boardwalk along the bay and see the weathered bait fishing sheds.

We really came to P.I.E. to visit the town of GREEN GABLES. I bet you knew that L.M. Montgomery's Book called ''Anne of Green Gables'' was about a real girl who lived in a house in Green Gables. I know this because the book has been translated into more that 15 languages and more that 300,000 people P.E.I. just to see the town, the house, the Gallery and the Musical, (if you are lucky to get tickets).

Accommodations and tickets for the show, (which we enjoyed very much), are booked at least one year in advance. So if you are planning a trip here you are now forewarned to book early.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS:

The beauty of this Island is made with the contrast of the red earth and the bright green grass and trees. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the music is ''foot stopping''. The cities, towns, beaches and parks are very clean.

I would come back to visit P.E.I. again.

If you want to see what this beautiful Island looks like the site is:

https://gov.pe.ca/pictures/index.php3

If you would like information about P.E.I you can email the Government at:

island@gov.pe.ca

©LL