Charlottetown, PEI

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Charlottetown, PEI on a business trip for a national police conference (yaaah, I’m a big shot). I made sure to seize this opportunity and extend my trip a couple of nights so that I could explore the city on my own. This would make this my first official business trip, as well as my first time really travelling on my own. It was awesome!

First I flew from Ottawa to Montreal, which barely felt like I was up in the air at all, then from Montreal on to Charlottetown. The Charlottetown airport went on record for being the smallest airport I’ve ever been in. I walked through the arrival doors, took a few steps, and I was out of the airport!

I stayed in downtown the whole time, and was able to walk around everywhere. I was right on the Charlottetown Harbour, complete with a marina, lots of cute gift shops, big churches, and even a Cow’s ice cream shop!

This is me and the Cow’s cow. My co-worker wanted me to get on top of the cow like all the little kiddies were doing, but I thought it best that I just pose in front of the cow.

This is Victoria Row, a pedestrian street complete with cute little bars and restaurants. At night, you can sit out on the patio and listen to local music. I enjoyed a few glasses of wine on this very street.

On my first day of being on my own it was a cold and rainy day, so I wasn’t able to enjoy much of the outdoors. I spent my time eating and shopping at all the cute shops near the water. For dinner I decided to go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner (my favourite!). This was my first meal in a restaurant by myself, so I decided to order a drink to celebrate my bravery. Little did I know that I had just ordered the biggest, most obnoxious drink I could get. See evidence below. I felt really silly drinking this ginormous (yes, I said ginormous) drink on my own, BUT it was definitely delicious!

At this point I had moved from the hotel I was staying in for work to a hostel right down the street. I ended up in a room with three Japanese girls, all travelling on their own, (what are the odds of that?). Each of them had been in different cities throughout Canada, working and learning English. It was really nice to be able to communicate with them. Now I have friends to visit in Japan if I end up travelling there one day! Maybe I will now make it a point to go. :)

On my last day, I decided to go on a tour around the outlying areas of Charlottetown… I’m glad I did it! I was able to see a lot of things I would’ve otherwise missed.

Large dead jellyfish, complete with my feet for size perspective. Jellyfish fascinate me.

I had really wanted to spend a day on the beach, but the weather wasn’t very cooperative so I settled for taking pictures of it. This is Cavendish beach.

Anne of Green Gable’s house… (Robyn – these pictures are for you!)

…and Anne’s room.

That night I figured it was imperative to have a lobster dinner seeing I was in PEI. So my new Japanese friends and I headed to Lobster on the Wharf for a real out East dinner.

I chickened out at the last second about ordering a full lobster and opted for the ‘lazy lobster’ where all the work is done for me and soaked in a delicious butter sauce.

My friends got the real thing.

Later that night I booked a sunset boat cruise around the Charlottetown Harbour on my own. I had a romantic cruise with myself.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in Charlottetown. It’s a beautiful city and I suggest for you all to go! I now know that I am able to, and actually like travelling on my own, so I will be planning more trips for the future!