Maritime Tour: Dropping Anchor in Cavendish x Green Gables, PEI (2.5/3)

The Marcoses 2024 Provinces Series - The Maritimes (July 13-24)

Dreams come true to the heart that never doubts. The first part of this journal is a personal triumph over delayed gratification fueled by my childhood dream and persistent belief - that one day, when I could walk the very grounds that inspired Anne of Green Gables, I would finally read the pages of the masterpiece written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

A magnum opus like Anne of Green Gables is born from inspiration, much like the most iconic literary works, elusive art masterpieces, and timeless music across all genres. As a child, of all the books I encountered, I always set Anne's adventures apart because it felt like a representation of myself at the time. Anne became my inspiration. Through my cousin Tonga,  I learned that the book’s setting was based on a real, distant place, far away and cold. I knew then that I would never truly read the book in its entirety until I set foot in the very place that inspired Anne’s adventures—Prince Edward Island. 

Day 8: The Green Gables

Step into the place that inspired L.M. Montgomery's Magnum Opus. A visit to the Green Gables Heritage Place is like stepping back in time to where the beloved author lived a life full of joy and inspiration. The tour takes you through the iconic green farmhouse, set amidst rolling farmland, which served as the backdrop for her famous stories. We also explored the remnants of Lucy's childhood home, the school where she once taught, and the church where she worshipped. we also bought soveniers from the stationed gift shop not far from the Green Gables house.

We also spent some time at Montgomery Park, where we played and captured photos of the bronze statue of L.M. Montgomery with her beloved cat.

The Green Gables house is a visual narrative of the book, a victorian-inspired farmhouse in a rolling hills of lush greens and serene trees. The exterior is painted of green and white, most notably the green gables that gives the house its name. The house stood proud of its history and heritage, commanding poetic words of admiration. The interior of the house is set into the 1900, wth vintage decorations and periodic furniture. The wallpapers are floral-themed, reminiscent of happy days gone by. The place is as peaceful as an afternoon moments of coffee and book and a reminder that there is eternity of beauty in words and literature. 

While the adventures of Anne Shirley were not the only source of inspiration for my passion for writing and reading, it was the catalyst - the harbinger of poetic immagination and my conquest to learn words and meaning. Today culminates the dream I had as a child. It was a long time coming, but I remain steadfast - my dream never gave up on me, and in the end, it came true. On the 8th day of our journey through the Maritimes, I finally set foot in the place where Anne’s adventure began. It was a heartfelt moment for me, one that few may fully understand, walking the pages and realizing dreams is a reward that took two decades to materialize! 

Avonlea

We couldn't resist visiting Avonlea village, a fictional place brought to life from the books of Lucy Montgomerry. We had the most delicious fire-wood pizza at Piatto Pizzeria. The village is charming, full of picturesque heritage buildings, lovely shops of arts and decorative pieces.

There isn't a lot to do in Avonlea, but it's a charming and recommended stop for those looking to enjoy quaint shops and local dining options. Whether you're browsing through unique boutiques or sampling delicious local cuisine, it's a lovely place to relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. It’s also the perfect way to conclude my journey, walking into and reimagining Anne's adventures as I turn the final page of the book and close the chapter. A truly fitting way to celebrate the realization of a dream come true.

Cavendish Beach

It was time to soak up some sun and sand! During our tour of PEI, we had the chance to visit Cavendish Beach. We came with expectations kept in check, not wanting to be disappointed, thinking it might be just another beach with the same views and vibes as those in Ontario. But we were pleasantly surprised to discover a stunning and almost surreal coastline. The wide stretch of reddish sand, the turquoise to emerald waters, and the gentle sea breeze made it feel like a hidden paradise. It is one of the most beautiful beaches we have seen. The water wasn’t too cold, the sun wasn’t overpowering, and the crowd was pleasantly small—intimate and peaceful. It was perfect, but unfortunately but we only had so little time!

Going to the beach is a breeze, it’s right off the main highway with plenty of parking spots available. A long boardwalk leads you to the beautiful red sandy shore, and at the entrance, you'll find changing stations and snack stands for convenience. There's also a picnic gazebo on site. We took our time walking along the boardwalk, enjoying the scenic view from above. Once we reached the beach, we quickly found our spot—perfectly situated with a great view of the water and some shade, away from the direct sun. Since we hadn’t packed any beach gear, we made do by laying out our cardigans and jackets as makeshift mats.

Biw wasted no time and ran straight into the water, while Papa followed suit but soon came back to lounge with me on the sand. The water didn’t keep Biw’s attention for long, though. She was drawn to the warm, glittering red sand and played on hours long! We dried ourselves walking the cavendish trail and found our sandy toes to the Red Cliffs of Cavendish.

Cavendish Red Cliff

As we continued our long walk along the trail, just when we thought we had reached the end, we were stunned to discover a surreal landscape of red dunes and rugged cliffs. Bathed in bright sunlight, the cliffs glistened in vibrant red—a truly ephemeral handiwork of God. The rugged beauty of the red sandstone formations was breathtaking.

I’m almost at a loss for words to fully capture the majesty of the cliffs. It felt as though we had been transported to another world. Against the backdrop of the deep blue water and the endless azure sky, the red cliffs stood in awe-inspiring silence—mystical and otherworldly.

Cavendish is an epic conclusion to or 8th day drifting through the Maritimes. I had my dream turned into memories when I touched ground at the Green Gables Heritage Place. We were reminded that God is the true grand architect of life, nature, and time as we basked in the warmth of Cavendish Beach’s waters and marveled at the serendipitous beauty of the Red Cliffs.

The world is a masterpiece crafted by His hands, shaped with love, and gifted to us to enjoy and experience. With hearts full of gratitude and excitement for the final leg of our journey, we wrapped up the day with a delicious Vietnamese meal. PEI, you will always feel like home, no matter where we are!

*MBGXCavendish*  *TheMarcosesXPEI*  *2&1/2GypsiesXCanada*