Newfoundland & Labrador - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island - page 367

Except for the trip from the airport, all taxis operate on meters. A trip within town should
cost around $8. Jiffy Cabs (

709-722-2222; www.jiffycabs.com ) provides dependable ser-

vice.

AROUND ST JOHN'S

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North of St John's
Right out of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the Ocean Sciences Centre (
709-737-3708; www.mun.ca/osc ; 10am-5pm Jun-Aug) is operated by Memorial
University and examines the salmon life cycle, seal navigation, ocean currents and life in
cold oceanic regions. The outdoor visitors area consists of local sealife in touch tanks.
It's about 8km north of St John's, just before Logy Bay. From the city, take Logy Bay Rd
(Rte 30), then follow Marine Dr to Marine Lab Rd and take it to the end.
Secluded and rocky, Middle Cove and Outer Cove are just a bit further north on Rte
30 - they're perfect for a beach picnic.
North at the head of Torbay Bight is the enjoyably short Father Troy Path , which
hugs the shoreline. The view from Cape St Francis is worth the bumpy gravel road from
Pouch Cove. There's an old battery and you may just be lucky and see a whale or two.

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West of St John's

West of town on Topsail Rd (Rte 60), just past Paradise, is Topsail Beach with picnic
tables, a walking trail and panoramic views of Conception Bay and its islands.
Bell Island ( www.tourismbellisland.com ) is the largest of Conception Bay's little land-
masses, and it makes an interesting day trip. It's a 14km drive northwest from St John's
to Portugal Cove to the ferry ( 709-895-6931) and then a 20-minute crossing (per pas-
senger /car $2.50/7, hourly 6am to 10:30pm). Bell Island has the distinction of being the
only place on the continent to have been nailed by German forces in WWII. Its pier and
80,000 tonnes of iron ore were torpedoed by U-boats in 1942. At low tide, you can still
see the aftermath. The island sports a pleasant mélange of beaches, coastal vistas, light-
houses and trails. Miners here used to work in shafts under the sea at the world's largest
submarine iron mine. The Iron Ore Mine & Museum ( 709-488-2880; adult/child $12/5;