Happy Sunday. We’ve been travelling this week, so I didn’t have time to put together my usual Sunday Spark post. Instead, I’ll share some sights and highlights of our time on Canada’s east coast where life is simply slower and friendlier.

A slower and friendlier pace of life on Canada’s east coast

Our trip to Canada’s east coast took us through 5 of our 10 provinces.

Every time I travel in Canada, I am struck by the vastness and beauty of our country. In addition to the natural landscapes, it’s fascinating that each province has its own unique vibe. On this trip, I noted the slower and friendlier pace of life in Canada’s Atlantic provinces.

The drive from Kitchener, Ontario and Charlottetown, PEI is 1,800 kilometres—about  1,100 miles. It’s a long drive. Distance aside, Canada’s east coast feels like it could be on a different planet—life here is more relaxed.

A slower pace

As soon as you enter New Brunswick after the busyness of Ontario and Quebec, the pace slows noticeably. Life feels lighter. You can breathe easier.

I can’t help but feel a little envious of the slower and friendlier pace of life on Canada’s east coast. Store clerks and restaurant servers take the time to chat with you rather than rush you out of the store to deal with the next customer.

And people here don’t seem to mind waiting. I had a lovely conversation with another customer as we waited in a very long line at Costco in Halifax.

A friendlier pace

For in Prince Edward Island you are supposed to nod to all and sundry you meet on the road whether you know them or not.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Driving around Prince Edward Island, we noticed people smile and wave when we passed by on the road.

In Ontario, where I live, we wave to our neighbours and people we know, but no-one smiles or waves at complete strangers. Interestingly, my husband, who grew up on a farm in Ontario, told me people used to do that in Ontario, too.

This made me wonder when we go so busy that we couldn’t take the time to acknowledge other people. It’s kind of sad.

When we return to Ontario this week, maybe I’ll start waving at people who pass by our house. They might think I’m crazy but it might just make them smile for a moment.

Highlights of our trip to Canada’s East Coast

Canada’s East Coast is quaint and picturesque with an abundance of natural beauty. Pictures don’t do it justice, but I’ve captured some of the highlights of our time in PEI and Nova Scotia this week.

Potatoes galore

As I shared last week, both New Brunswick and PEI are big potato growing regions. These two provinces produce more than half of Canada’s potatoes. After visiting Potato World in Florenceville, New Brunswick on our way down here, we had to give equal billing to The Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary, PEI.

While we were there, I had some delicious loaded potato soup for lunch in their cafe.

Charlottetown waterfront and Cow’s ice cream

Charlottetown is the capital of PEI. I love the city’s waterfront. It was a beautiful day, so we walked the four kilometres from Colleen’s place to the Charlottetown waterfront. And of course we celebrated the good weather with a Cow’s ice cream cone.

A lighthouse you can stay in

The West Point Lighthouse on PEI has been turned into an inn. I’ve put this on my list of places I’d love to stay. The ocean views are breathtaking, and I imagine the sunsets would be spectacular.

The North Cape in Tignish

I always smile when Colleen tells me the radio station she listens to gives “Island weather, from tip to tip.” We visited the East Point “tip” on our visit in 2009 when the girls were small.

This time we drove to the North Cape— the other “tip”. The walk out the the tip was rocky, but worth it.

Red sandstone cliffs

PEI is known for its red soil and red sand. It gets its colour from high iron content which has rusted over time to a beautiful dark red colour.

We spent some time exploring the south shore of the island, including Canoe Cove where I took these photos.

Peggy’s Cove

When we visited Nova Scotia years ago, we spent time in Halifax and on Cape Breton Island. This time, we explored the eastern end of the province, including the iconic Peggy’s Cove. The lighthouse on the rocks is every bit as beautiful as you’d imagine.

I found Peggy’s Cove to be such a spiritual and peaceful place. Hearing the piper play Amazing Grace while we were there gave me chills. I hope you enjoy my video of the moment.

Lunenburg and the Bluenose II

The Bluenose, known as the “queen of the north Atlantic fishing fleet,”  was a famous schooner built in Nova Scotia. Launched in 1921, she became a symbol of national pride after winning the Herald trophy in the International Fisherman’s Cup five times in the 1920s and 1930s. That pride is displayed to this day on Canada’s dime coin.

The Bluenose was lost off the coast of Haiti in 1946. Built in the 1960s, the replica Bluenose II is berthed in the picturesque town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

The rhythm of the Fundy tides

The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest tides in the world. Travelling in this area during low tide, I was struck by the contrast with the high water mark. It was a reminder of the rhythm of nature that empties and fills these rivers and basins twice a day. Beautiful!

Digby scallops

Digby, Nova Scotia is at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. It’s the Scallop Capital of the World. We had dinner at a quaint little restaurant called The Crow’s Nest. I had “Scallops 3-Ways” (pan fried, deep fried, bacon wrapped) with a garden salad. The scallops truly were mouthwatering and delicious.

Spending time with Colleen

Of course, the biggest highlight of the trip was spending time with our daughter, Colleen in PEI. It was wonderful to spend her birthday with her. And the gluten-free Yorkshire puddings I made for her special birthday meal turned out terrific.

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If you ever get a chance to visit Canada’s east coast, do it! I guarantee you’ll love the slower and friendlier pace of life.

Thanks for reading. Drop me a comment below to let me know which of these places you’d like to visit.

The Sunday Spark will be back next week.