Canada's Most Eastern Island, Fogo Island.
Fogo Island Inn
The eastern edge of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador where the Vikings landed in many years ago.
Fogo Island lies further eastern tip of Newfoundland.
I finally had a chance to visit Fogo Island. It's on the eastern edge of Canada, even further east than Newfoundland, and is written 「フォーゴ島」 in Japanese.
My younger son, Kaita had an opportunity to be a steward at the Fogo Island Inn in May 2022. Although it was just a summer job for him as a university student, it was a fantastic experience to work at this world-class hotel all summer.
Newfoundland and Labrador are located at the northeastern tip of Canada, a region that even Canadians rarely visit. The area was originally the land of Indigenous peoples, but in the late 10th century, Vikings settled there, and the district is still registered as a World Heritage site. L'Anse aux Meadows is located at the northern tip of Newfoundland so that we couldn't go there this time, but fans of the Netflix Viking series might know about it.
Of course, the Viking series is fiction, but characters who may have arrived in Newfoundland appear in the show.
When you arrive in St. John's, Newfoundland, by plane from Toronto, it takes another 5 hours by car to reach the ferry terminal for Fogo Island. After a ferry ride of about 45 minutes while enjoying the breathtaking archipelago's sea view, you arrive at Fogo Island, which has a population of about 2,200 people.
Fogo Island Inn, which had been on my "must-visit spot one day" bucket list for several years, might have finally become a reality thanks to my son.
The Inn was built in 2013 by Shorefast, a non-profit foundation established by social entrepreneur Zita Cobb from Fogo Island. Fogo Island Inn aims to revitalize the Fogo Island economy after the decline of cod fishing.
Since its opening, the modern hotel towering like a spaceship in untouched nature has continued attracting many guests worldwide.
Very little to do but a lot to do for your soul.
Hiking, foraging, reading, and hot tubing, the to-do list is the nourishment for your body and soul.
Staying at the hotel, free from busy everyday life, gazing at the sea, hiking, touring artist studios, and trying Newfoundland's "shed" cuisine is the most relaxing experience. There is little to do but you can do a whole lot for your body and mind cleansing.
A very charming attraction at the Inn is a visit with Blake, the Newfoundland dog living with the hotel staff. Newfoundland is a breed bred to help and attend to fishermen at sea.
The atmosphere of the luxurious hotel doesn't make you feel like it has a high threshold, which is due to Newfoundland's deeply rooted hospitality culture. The staff are friendly, and everyone is a resident who loves Fogo Island from the bottom of their hearts.
One delightful aspect of the hotel stay is exploring the hiking trails scattered across the island. Aside from the small town of Joe Batt's Arm, where Fogo Island Inn is located, and a few scattered communities, the rest of Fogo Island is genuinely untouched wilderness. The island's charm also lies in the ability to enjoy hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean in various locations throughout the island.
Even on clear days, a windbreaker is essential to protect against the strong winds coming from the Atlantic. While there are hiking trails within walking distance from the inn, there are also hiking trails not far away that can be reached by car, each offering different scenic views. No matter where you go, the views are truly exceptional.
Vast untouched nature, every corner of the island.
Fogo Island Hiking Trail Map
Brooke Point
Fogo Head
Bridge Studio
Picnic Lunch-Prepared by Inn Restaurant
The scents of delicious cuisine seem to be one big attraction of Fogo Island Inn.
The hotel meals are served three times daily in a dining area overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. They feature the sea's bounty from Fogo Island and Newfoundland, along with locally grown organic vegetables and meats.
The foraging-based diet, known as "foraging" incorporates ingredients from the island, such as various fruits, mushrooms, and seaweed, collected during nature walks. These meals offer a unique culinary experience of Michelin-level quality that can only be enjoyed at Fogo Island Inn.
In addition to the kitchen where meals are prepared, the hotel also has a pastry kitchen. Located across the gravel hotel entrance, the pastry kitchen offers freshly baked bread, desserts, and treats served to guests straight from the oven to the table.
If you request it at the inn's restaurant, they will provide a picnic bag for your hiking adventures. Enjoying a simple menu lunch amidst the vast nature is a different and exceptional experience compared to the luxurious dining at the inn.
Fogo Island Inn truly offers the combination of Newfoundland's abundant nature and delicious cuisine, making it worth the long journey from Toronto or anywhere in the world.
My son mentioned that there are discounts during the off-season. I encourage anyone to check their website for more information. Newfoundland and Labrador also promote tourism largely, so be sure to explore their YouTube channel.
Long Studio, Joe Batt's Arm
Built with Shorthand