Glamping in Newfoundland
No Shaun Majumder but plenty of snow crab and scallops fresh from the sea
During our month of camping across Newfoundland, we enjoyed many fine days but one in particular stands out. It was our unscheduled visit to La Scie, a fishing community of 800 souls at the tip of Baie Verte Peninsula that juts into the North Atlantic.
We were glamping in nearby Burlington, comfortably ensconced at ‘Ome Sweet ‘Ome, a not-for-profit social enterprise that was founded by Canadian actor/comedian and Burlington native Shaun Majumder.
Somewhere we read that La Scie is considered the Crab Capital of Newfoundland, so when we realized we had enjoyed all kinds of seafood during our first two weeks on the Rock—except for crab—the decision was made to drive that afternoon north from ‘Ome Sweet ‘Ome for one hour to La Scie.
The image at top says it all about La Scie in northeastern Newfoundland. It isn’t our own capture but comes from La Scie Tourism Association.
As our photo shows, La Scie has one of the many picturesque natural harbours that Newfoundland is blessed with. The name is French for saw, on account of the jagged mountains surrounding the fishing settlement in northeastern Newfoundland.
Read more:
https://townoflascie.wixsite.com/lascie
http://newfoundland.hilwin.nl/PHP/en/lascie.php
The fishing fleet was at rest when we visited La Scie, the crab season just having ended. Some boats are away in Labrador fishing for turbot.
Lupines grow in the wild in Newfoundland, reaching four feet in height and adding colour and texture to the visual scene such as this one overlooking La Scie and the Atlantic.
Next time we visit La Scie we will camp in this spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, at Island Cove RV Park owned by the town and managed by the most friendly Beverly. Our trusty Subaru Outback, with the Thule on top for camping gear, will have covered a total of 8,894 kilometres by the time we return home after 38 days on the road.
When we stopped at La Scie Clover Farm Supermarket in hopes of obtaining fresh seafood, we found only frozen product—and no crab. When she saw our disappointed faces, Tassie, the grocer, suggested we try next door.
The building next door has no signage, so we were hesitant about entering. But, lo and behold, the door opened and a man invited us in. Tassie had called ahead to alert Cindy and Jaime Gray to our coming and our needs.
A few minutes later, we departed The Seafood Stop with two pounds of flash-frozen snow crab clusters and one pound of fresh scallops that were harvested earlier in the day and shucked moments ago. Talk about fresh from the sea!
An hour later, we were back at our glamping site cooking up a feast.
Lots of scallops and much butter in the pan makes it difficult to get that nice sear on scallops, but who cares? They taste fabulous without the sear!
And, yes, we travel with a full-size lobster pot. You never know when you might need to steam snow crab or other delicacies of the sea. Note that in the photo there is an arm of the Atlantic within a few feet of our kitchen/dining room.
Nope, it doesn’t get much better than this!
At ‘Ome Sweet ‘Ome, our chosen accommodations look non-descript on the outside.
But the interior is gorgeous, including almost all the comforts of home.
With a wonderful view of Green Bay out the front door out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Read more about Burlington: https://bobsnewfoundland.com/burlington.html
The glamping resort has been created by comedian Shaun Majumder as a way to create a sustainable social enterprise in the place of his birth. He calls it ‘Ome Sweet ‘Ome.
The tent we’re staying in has this plaque mounted: “Mani Majumder was the father of Shaun, an East Indian immigrant who married a Newfoundland native and made a home in Burlington. Later in life, after remarrying, he settled in Burlington for a second time.”
Comedian Mark Critch paid tribute to Mani after his death: https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/lifestyles/mark-critch-pays-tribute-to-mani-majumder-2760/
Shaun was away when we stayed at ‘Ome Sweet ‘Ome but he did send a sea otter to say hello.