EXCURSIONS

Choices of excursions
Methods XII
Université de Moncton

Choices for a full-day adventure: SATURDAY, AUGUST 6th 2005

No. 1) Anne’s Land, Prince Edward Island

This morning travel across the Confederation Bridge, a 13km fixed link that spans the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Here we will see the sites made famous by Lucy Maude Montgomery in her novels chronicling the life of Anne of Green Gables. Our morning will start with an orientation tour of Charlottetown, Canada’s birthplace, where the founding fathers of this country gathered in 1864 to discuss the possible union of all of British North America into one country. After that, we will enjoy a lobster lunch with all the trimmings before going to the Charlottetown Festival to see the famous musical play based on the Anne of Green Gables books.  This is longest running musical in Canada and attracts thousands of people every year.  Since its premiere in 1965, over two million have seen it. We will return to Moncton in the early evening. (Steak dinner will be available for those you doesn’t eat Lobster).

Maximum number of Participants: 50
Time Frame: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Cost per person: $140.00 (includes the bridge toll, lunch, and tickets to the musical)
Please note that the final date to reserve is June 30th.
Internet Site: http://www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/daytours/al.php3

No. 2) Whale Watching in St Andrews

A few hours’ drive from Moncton will have us cruising the magnificent Bay of Fundy to see a greater variety of whales than anywhere else in the world. In this bay, reputed to have the world’s highest tides, the numerous marine mammals include the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, one of the rarest whales in the world; the Sei Whale, a newcomer to the area; the clown of the sea, the Humpback whale; the smallest of the baleen whales, the Minke; the giant Finback whale, which grows up to 80 feet long; the Harbour Porpoise; and the white-sided Dolphin,. Departing from the beautiful seaside resort of St. Andrews, we will cross Passamaquoddy Bay, entering the West Isles by Little L'etite Passage. As we make our way among the many islands and passages, we will be amazed by the abundance of bird life. We will observe Bald Eagle nesting sites and a variety of sea bird colonies (Guillimonts, Kittiwakes, Eider, Gulls, Cormorants, Razor-Billed Auks). Both ancient and modern methods (weirs and aquaculture) of harvesting sea life from these waters are seen and explained en route through the islands. Marine mammals such as seals and porpoise take advantage of the rich feeding areas amongst the islands. While seals can be seen all year, porpoise numbers increase in late June and throughout the summer. At times, whales can also be seen in these confined and protected waters. Once we enter the open Bay of Fundy, opportunities for whale sightings increase dramatically. Finback and Minke whales are the most common from late June to October. Return to Moncton in the late evening.

Maximum number of Participants: 55
Time Frame: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Cost per person: $100.00
(Lunch is included)
Please note that the final date to reserve is June 30th.
Internet Site: http://www.whale-watch-east.com

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Choices for a half-day adventure: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3rd 2005

No. 1) Lobster Tales in Shediac

Set sail for two and a half hours with lobster fishermen.  Haul real lobster traps from the water, learn the proper way to cook lobster, then eat a full mouth-watering lobster dinner right on board. Sit back and relax and enjoy the view, along with our down-home Acadian hospitality.

Maximum number of Participants: 55
Time Frame: 4 hours
Cost per person: $85.00
Internet Site  : http://www.lobstertales.ca

No. 2) La Dune de Bouctouche/Pays de la Sagouine

We will travel 50 km. north of Moncton to visit La Dune de Bouctouche, a white sand dune that stretches for 12 km. along the coast near the small Acadian town of Bouctouche. This dune was created over two thousand years ago from the constant action of winds, tides and sea currents. This is a very significant environmental area as it is home to a rich variety of marine life, aquatic plants and shore and migratory birds, including the endangered Piping Plover. Our next stop will be Le Pays de la Sagouine, a fictional village situated on a small island in the Bouctouche River.  This « tourist » village was inspired by the fictional character of La Sagouine, an Acadian char woman created by the imagination of the internationally-renowned novelist and playwright Antonine Maillet. The traditional colourful village setting provides a perfect backdrop for La Sagouine and her neighbours to introduce tourists to the Acadian culture and way of life. The island hosts a number of Acadian festivals, theatre productions and nightly live entertainment.  Visitors who enter le Pays de la Sagouine will undoubtedly leave with a new appreciation of the Acadian joie de vivre!

Maximum number of Participants: 50
Time Frame: 5 hours
Cost per person: $45.00
Internet Site: http://www.sagouine.com