Geographical Background
Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada by area. Its shape on the map resembles its main product—lobster. It lies nestled in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the northwest Atlantic, with a population of only 150,000, most of whom are descendants of Scottish immigrants who have lived a peaceful life through farming and fishing for generations. The capital, Charlottetown, holds significant historical importance in Canada, as the agreement to form the Canadian Confederation was signed here in 1864, making it known as the birthplace of Canada.
Fairy-Tale Town
Although it is the provincial capital, Charlottetown is actually a quiet small town. Whether it is the church, city hall, or shopping mall and theater, all the buildings are small in scale. The colorful houses are scattered among the green gardens, reminiscent of a saying: "as if entering a fairy-tale world." In the afternoon, sitting in a street-side café, one can observe the serene elderly walking their dogs, the youthful students from the University of Prince Edward Island, and occasionally a red or green bus passing by, carrying a few curious tourists like us, wide-eyed and exploring.
Anne of Green Gables
To be honest, it was only upon arriving at Prince Edward Island that I learned about the classic work "Anne of Green Gables," making the author Lucy Maud Montgomery a symbol of Prince Edward Island. The novel depicts the inspirational story of an orphan girl, Anne, who is adopted and strives for self-respect and hard work. To commemorate the centenary of Lucy's debut work, 2008 was designated as "Anne Year" in Canada. Now, the farm where Lucy once lived with her relatives has been developed into a tourist attraction, featuring green roofs and white walls, all wooden structures, set on a green hillside, embodying pastoral beauty. The gift shops on the island offer various souvenirs depicting Anne's image.
The King of Seafood: Lobster
Another symbol of Prince Edward Island is lobster. Joining fishermen to catch lobsters is a popular tourist activity on the island. However, for those who prefer convenience, we chose to go directly to a cooking school to learn how to prepare baked lobster. Seafood enthusiasts often regard Canadian lobster as the king of seafood. Although they are not as large as Australian lobsters, this is because they grow in the cold, pure waters of the Canadian Atlantic coast, taking about seven years to reach a weight of one pound. With large claws and tender, flavorful meat, such fresh seafood does not require much cooking; simply boiling it will yield equally delicious results.
Houses Facing the Sea
Cavendish Beach is the starting point of the national park, where the ebb and flow of the tides have shaped the rocks into various forms, with layers of reddish-brown rock; beside it are silver-white undulating sand dunes, the most spectacular being the long grasses growing on the dunes, bending in the wind, under the vast crimson sunset.
If you ride a bike from the center of Charlottetown along the coast to the Prince Edward Island National Forest Park, it offers a different experience, with blue seas, green forests, and white lighthouses, all incredibly picturesque. I particularly enjoy the scattered villas along the coast, with no fences, and gardens featuring lounge chairs and barbecue grills.