Carpe Diem<br/><br/> If you want to explore Newfoundland and the maritime provinces of Canada, please bear in mind that you have to slip into a warming anorak even in summer. Every rain free day is a gift at the edge of the Labrador Current. Rubber boots and good rain wear are also essential. You can admire icebergs from Greenland on the island in the north as late as June to July, and the small harbours are often decorated with ice floes until well into the summer. <br/> But when the sun breaks through, this region of Canada opens up in all its diversity and drama. In the north, a former Viking settlement bears witness to the earliest community, even before the Europeans discovered America and later established themselves there. Small, picturesque fishing villages tell of a hard struggle for existence. In the past as well as today. Lonely stretches of land give flora and fauna the opportunity to face the harsh weather. <br/> The capital, St. Johns, impresses with colourful wooden houses and a lively pub culture. The oddball humour of the population is unique, and they all love their musical heritage. Carpe diem! Seize the day!