Apollo reserves a
place, in both Greek and Roman mythology, as the god of music, art, beauty, light,
and knowledge.
But there is nothing
artful, pleasant, or beautiful about the Apollo, the aged and ill-kept ferry so
named, plying the Straits of Belle Isle several times a day between St. Barbe
and Blanc Sablon.
As my vehicle crossed
over the dock into the vessel, I spied licence plates announcing Texas,
New Hampshire, Ontario, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. A little later, I was given to wonder what their owners were thinking.
While bemusement
seemed adequate enough at first, the walk from the car park through the doorway
onto several flights of stairs, leading to the reception area, gave even this
reluctant tourist fair warning that any expectation of relaxation
within pleasant, comfortable, clean, and modern surroundings, might be excessive.
