From Percé to Gaspé

Today is our first day in Percé, and we decided to explore the unique culture of this "fin du mond." The French name Gaspé is taken from the First Nations Mi'qmak term Gespeg, which means "Land's End."

Driving north along the shore, from village to village, cape to cape, bay to bay, we saw houses and churches showing the unique character of this wild and demanding land.

 

 

 

We stopped to view a lone fir tree leaning, Carmel-like over the water with steep cliffs in the background.  We explored a beach with smooth pink sandstone borders.

 

Once in Gaspé, we chose Brise Bise, a beautiful little restaurant, for lunch.  We couldn't decide whether the bouillabaisse or the lobster club sandwich was yummier.

 

 

 After lunch, we arrived at our ultimate goal, the Musee De La Gaspesie, where we learned about the cultural history and regions of the Gaspe Peninsula, from the native Mi'qmak to the Viking explorers circa 1000, to the French explorers and missionaries, the British conquerors, the bountiful-then-exhausted cod fishing tradition, and now the region's bountiful nature and geography and it's emphasis on tourism.

The most interesting exhibit was "Gaspesienne No. 20," a 360-degree virtual reality tour of a Gaspe fishing boat and a conversation with it's crew.  It inspired David to try his hand at sailing a boat in those choppy waters:

 

It was a full day.  We came home to the RV prepared to plan the next few days' stay.