Maritime Tour: Weighing anchor from St. Andrew's and Fredericton, NB

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

The time to make landfall is nearly here, taking with us to land stories of our Maritime adventures. Every day was a new chapter, each more epic than the last. From breathtaking seaside docks and ancient forest trails to the awe-inspiring natural landmarks, sailing the Maritimes is a headliner! The beauty, the culture, the people—each moment has left its mark, and our journey has been a true celebration of nature's raw power and maritime history. Truly, this voyage will be remembered as one of the most remarkable of all!

Drive from Moncton to Fredricton

Our 12th day in the Maritimes marks the final leg of our journey, and we had hoped to spend it with family in Fredericton. We drove from Moncton, battling heavy rain and fierce winds for over an hour. The road to Fredericton wasn't the coastal route we had imagined; instead, we were surrounded by towering mountains. I spent much of the drive sleeping, occasionally jolted awake by the pounding rain and howling winds. Despite the challenging weather, we were fortunate to have a safe journey. By the time we reached Fredericton, the skies had cleared, signaling better days ahead. 

Fredericton, the charming capital of New Brunswick and is home to expansive green spaces, walking and biking trails and exudes a laid-back yet spirited energy that captures the heart of the Maritimes. Admittedly, we didn’t have the chance to fully explore Fredericton's beauty, as we made a beeline for my cousin’s home where a delicious dinner awaited us. After enjoying a hearty meal and catching up on much-needed family time, we headed back to our hotel, ready to embark on our final adventure the following day!

Day 12: St. Andrew's and Fredericton

The hands of time seemed to favor us with a bright, sunny day, perhaps aware that the final leg of our journey was nearing its end. We had wholeheartedly embraced the rugged beauty of New Brunswick, walking through ancient forest trails like true-born Canadians of the North. As a fitting tribute to the waters of Northern Canada, we decided to spend our final day on the oceans of the Maritime. We made our way to St. Andrews, a picturesque and historic town nestled along the shoreline. The waters here are teeming with marine life, while the town itself is steeped in history, with landmarks like the iconic Blockhouse still standing as a testament to the past. To cap off our visit, we booked a cruise to get up close with the mighty leviathans of the deep.

Blockhouse and places of interest

The St. Andrews Blockhouse is a key historical site that was built during the War of 1812 as a defensive structure. It now serves as a museum, offering insight into the town's military history. 

We also had a mini excursion along the docks, enjoying fresh and juicy lobster, ice cream, cocktails and shopping spree.

Whale Watching

Our final tribute to the majestic Maritimes took the form of a thrilling 2-hour whale-watching tour, where we were outfitted with scuba gear aboard a zodiac boat. The experience proved to be even more exhilarating than if we’d been aboard a traditional masted sailboat. While the elusive giants of the deep didn’t make an appearance, the adventure itself was nothing short of spectacular. The excitement of racing across the waters, the stunning coastal views, and the anticipation of encountering marine life made the tour a true highlight of our journey!

Today, we hoist the anchor and sailed to home!

It was a perfect way to end our adventure in the Maritimes—a fun and memorable final day. Today, we hoist the anchor and sailed back home, we carried with us the cherished memory that, for a brief moment in time, the Maritimes had been our home. Those few days will forever remain a part of us, a beautiful chapter in our lives that we’ll never forget. 

Gabby and friends across the Maritimes: Harold Halifax Sr., Edward Charlotte Jr., and Bruno Frederick. They are the Maritime Bros. Cheers to hoping one day, our feet will find the shores of your ocean again - NS, PEI and NB! 

*MBGXFrederictonXSt.Andrews*  *TheMarcosesXNewBrunswick*  *2&1/2GypsiesXCanada*