Parisisalwaysgood
I feel compelled to respond to the below review of "Labrador...in general". From the 'young' mining towns to the historic towns with their cultural roots, to the barren northern beauty of Cape Chidley and to the southern coastal Quebec border, Labrador is a huge region filled with excellent adventures, eye-opening experiences and warm people. In Labrador we are known for our hospitality and a great sense of humour!Yes, there are Class-A gravel "graded" roads upon which we recommend using caution. The Labrador road systems are still somewhat at frontier levels, and with the vast revenues generated from local resources going to the island portion of the province, money is always a challenge. Some of the local towns have not been established for long, and do not have the commercial history of other areas, especially far South of here. Labrador City is a mining town that is less than 100 years old, Goose Bay a military town that will celebrate its 75th Anniversary next year. Other central towns have a 200+ year old trapping and trading history, and the North Coast has links to the Moravians that date back to the mid-1700's. Still very "new" in the eyes of the average tourist. The local people make up for this with their enthusiasm and generosity! Many a long-haul motorist has been helped out of a ditch and taken home for supper by the helpful and concerned local people, and for many, life-long friendships have been made. Many tourists are blessed with the sight of a black bear or moose crossing their path, something one sees less and less of in more heavily populated areas.Prices are as expensive as one would reasonably expect, when all supplies are shipped in to the region. If a pound of apples takes 3 days to truck into Labrador, chances are it's going to cost a little more. And while restaurant meals may be pricey, that invitation to a stranger's home for tea and some home made bread is priceless. The Labrador people are well known for their generosity, good humour and kindness. It is unfortunate that people sometimes experience poor service, but let's be honest~that could happen anywhere. And, you get what you give.Of course, those who are geographically challenged may not understand that 'driving 5 hours' is by no means "seeing" all of Labrador! The road system travels from Western Labrador, through the central "hub" to the South Coast of Labrador. The road route takes the traveller through the Interior, but does not do justice to the salmon-rich rivers of the South Labrador Coast, and it does not take in the stunning fjords and rocky beauty of the North Labrador Coast, which is accessible only by plane or coastal supply vessel.There are walking trails to enjoy, wilderness treks to challenge, long-distance historic canoe routes to follow, world class sport fishing, local museums, National Parks, heritage and arts festivals, craft fairs, farmer's markets, commercial Trades Expos, over 1,000 kms of high-standard groomed snowmobile trails, traditional dog team races, lighthouses and lookouts, unspoiled lakes and rivers, protected wetlands and marshes, every sport imaginable, wilderness guides to hire and several rich cultures to experience. The Cain's Quest Snowmobile Race is the longest snowmobile endurance race in the world, and only the toughest competitors survive. Sound like an exaggeration? Not a chance! The Trapline Marathon is a world-class Marathon, and a qualifier for the New York Marathon and others. People travel here from across the globe to take part, and the reviews on that website certainly do Labrador generosity justice.As for those pesky blackflies~well, being positive people, we prefer to regard them as an indication that we don't have enough pollution to kill 'em off! In heavily wooded areas, there's bound to be the odd bug. Complaining about them is comparable to grumbling that the desert has sand in it~what do you expect?Then there's that "bathroom" issue. When there are more remote gas stations built to put those bathrooms in, we will advertise. For now, we prefer to encourage people to plan ahead, pack extra tissue and be self-reliant. It's all part of the Adventure!The answer to "WHY?" is that we like it here, and we choose to be here. Many people have come for a one-year work contract and end up staying indefinitely. Many European airforce personnel retire here, reluctant to give up such a healthy and unrestricted lifestyle after living in over-populated cities elsewhere. Graduate students learning about our diverse cultures cannot tear themselves away. Young families settle here, wanting security and great education and opportunities for their children. Immigrant families have come here, and can't believe how welcoming and supportive local people are.To maximize any travelling experience the average Tourist needs to be to be open-minded and respectful of the new environment, inquisitive of cultures & geography, and perhaps willing to make the occasional concession. Stop and get to know the local people and the attractions of the area that you're in. After all, it wouldn't be fair to generalize California by just a few days' drive!
Doebaby
After spending 5 days driving most of Labrador my question is WHY? Labrador is vast, mostly empty with limited and relatively uninteresting things to see and do. Granted, there are trillions of trees, millions of lakes, ponds and other water sources, and mile after mile of grated road, making every trek arduous and way too time consuming, and for what. I found most of the residents very nice but insular in a way that made them very uninteresting as well. Prior to going there I read every review of every restaurant (few and far between as they are) and discovered that most reviews were not wrong...I felt certain that people reviewing were just being critical, not so. There is no 'reasonable cuisine' there. I never go to McDonalds at home but the one in Labrador City almost seemed gourmet compared to other places we tried. Fried and over cooked seems to be the order of the day! Be prepared for exorbitant prices...especially what you get for the cost...that applies to food as well as accommodations. Service is also not to a standard that most people would expect especially at those prices. I've tried to refrain from discussing the black flies but my review would not be complete without at least mentioning them. They are horrible! Beyond anything I have ever experienced! Not sure how or why anyone would live in this remote and inhospitable part of the world. BTW, the long tedious stretches of road between towns/places have no rest stops or conveniences...read, no toilets. Nature is your facility, but be quick about it, otherwise you will become lunch for the black flies!
