ohvictoria

Lobster Fishing: Exploring Prince Edward Island's Most Prominent Seafood

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:34:01 GMT

PEI Lobster Fishing:

For 150 years, the lobster fishers of Prince Edward Island have dedicated themselves to this profession. From rising early at daybreak to embarking on their boats, they diligently set traps and eagerly bring in the delectable lobster that delights customers across the globe. Spanning across 45 ports in Prince Edward Island, this occupation has become a cherished tradition passed down through generations for many.

Prince Edward Island's lobster industry is renowned for its high-quality lobster. The pristine waters of the North Atlantic Ocean provide an ideal environment for the lobsters to thrive, resulting in tender and juicy meat. The hard and strong shell of the lobster not only protects the delicate meat but also adds to the unique dining experience.

The two lobster seasons in Prince Edward Island, the Spring season from May to June and the Fall season from mid-August to mid-October, offer different opportunities for lobster fishing. The first day of each season, known as Setting Day, holds special significance. It marks the beginning of the fishing season, and it's a celebratory occasion for the community.

On Setting Day, people gather to witness the spectacle of hundreds of boats setting sail from the ports and venturing into the open water. It's a vibrant event that brings together locals and visitors alike, creating a sense of unity and excitement. The sight of the boats heading out to sea symbolizes the start of the lobster season and is an integral part of the island's cultural heritage.

Prince Edward Island's lobster industry not only contributes to the local economy but also attracts seafood enthusiasts from around the world. The reputation of PEI lobster as a gourmet delicacy has spread far and wide, making it a sought-after treat for those who appreciate fine dining and exquisite flavors. Whether enjoyed in local restaurants, prepared at home, or savored during special occasions, Prince Edward Island's lobster remains a beloved and iconic symbol of the island's rich maritime heritage.

Check Out the Featured Fisher of Prince Edward Island:

MITCHELL JOLLIMORE

Learn more about PEI Lobster at www.lobsterpei.ca!

The OH Victoria Hotel finds its home in the heart of the picturesque village of Victoria.

websites@guesty.com — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:38:21 GMT

Victoria

History of Victoria:

Founded in 1819 by James Bardin Palmer, Victoria-by-the-Sea is situated on the south shore of Prince Edward Island, halfway between Summerside and Charlottetown. The village's grid pattern was designed with the foresight of recognizing the advantages of its small, sheltered location and pristine, warm waters. The founders understood that these attributes would contribute to the area's future prominence and reputation.

It was during the late 1800's that Victoria began to thrive. It became home to many small businesses and popular wharves. Victoria became home to many businesses as well as became a significant seaport. It was the island's third-largest seaport and was involved in many important trades. Many of the trades out of Victoria were done with other east Coast seaports, the West Indies and Europe. During the early 1900's, Victoria became a regular stop for the steamboats, welcoming visitors from all over. Usually these visitors were looking for a calm get-a-way where they could relax in the enchanting seaside village for a few days. In 1962, the Trans-Canada Highway was opened for use. While it was being built, they bypassed Victoria-by-the-Sea, ensuring that the village's charming character would be preserved and it will always be seen as a quaint seaside retreat. Many artisans draw

However, with the 1950s expansion of the Trans-Canada Highway, Victoriaby-the-Sea was bypassed, allowing it to preserve its charming character as a quaint seaside destination. The village has become a permanent home for numerous artisans who find inspiration in its serene and picturesque surroundings. These talented individuals are captivated by the village's tranquil atmosphere, and they have chosen to reside in Victoria by the Sea, establishing it as a hub for artistic creativity and expression.

If you are wondering what to do in Victoria, click the link below!

Check Out this beautiful video of Victoria-by-the-Sea:

Revitalizing Elegance: Unveiling the Spectacular Transformation of OH Victoria Hotel

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:38:21 GMT

Welcome to the OH Victoria Hotel, a treasured gem that transports you back in time to the early 1900s. Formerly known as the Orient Hotel, this historic establishment holds a significant place in the heart of the Village of Victoria, thanks to its rich heritage and captivating backstory. Built in 1900 by the skilled carpenter Charles Roger, who contributed numerous remarkable buildings to the village, the Orient Hotel quickly became an iconic landmark. Its name, undoubtedly inspired by the prevailing fascination with Oriental decor during that era, added an air of mystique to the establishment.

Stepping inside the Orient Hotel was like embarking on a nostalgic journey... Its dark, deeply colored Art Deco interior design exuded an enchanting aura, while the antique furniture pieces, dating back to the early 1900s, whispered tales of the times before. A rich, deep red carpet gracefully covered the entire hotel, carrying within its fibers the cherished memories of all those who had walked upon it. The walls were covered with original photographs, showcasing old pictures of the Orient Hotel, historic art work and of course photographs of the first family who resided in the building before it transformed into the beloved hotel a century ago.

After

Before

However, as the calendar turned to 2022, the OH Victoria Hotel embarked on a remarkable re-design journey. Re-designed by Rachel Brown Design, balancing the preservation of its historical significance with the desire to infuse a breath of fresh air into the space became the driving force behind the ambitious project. The goal was clear: to revitalize the hotel while cherishing its remarkable history.

About the Design:

During the interior renovation of the OH Victoria Hotel, we embarked on a meticulous process, carefully selecting each historical element to ensure that the essence of the past would shine through in the new design.

Beginning with the entrance, the light oak flooring serves as a soft and bright foundation that complements the vibrant architectural elements throughout the hotel. We updated the staircase with brand new solid oak elements, however, a beloved historical feature, the newel post, was preserved and restored and became the centerpiece around the staircase, paying homage to the hotel's historical past. Make sure you lay your hand on the top of the post to feel its history.

Fireplace After

Fireplace Before

Orient Hotel During Construction in 2023

Bottom Stair Post

To the left of the staircase you'll discover a common lounge space that exudes contemporary style with a captivating twist. The room was envisioned to provide a tranquil ambiance with an ocean navy blue as the accent color. The fireplace became a focal point, covered in blue tiles designed to mimic the gentle movement of waves. Intricate fluted pine detailing behind the TV and surrounding the fireplace acted as a connection to the sandy shores, embodying the hotel's coastal essence.

Choosing the perfect furniture was vital to enhancing the architectural details of the space. Two ocean blue swivel chairs nestled in the bay window, alongside four mid-century modern layback chairs, captured the essence of relaxation while maintaining an air of contemporary elegance. Bright copper tables provided a striking contrast, representing the sun's radiant glow on the ocean and sand. This fusion of orange and blue elements brought forth the beauty of Victoria-by-the-sea, encapsulating the essence of the coastal experience within a lounge space. This thoughtfully designed area serves as a gathering place for hotel guests, offering opportunities to engage in games, enjoy movies, have conversation, or even catch up on work.

Venturing upstairs, you'll discover the transformation of the Orient Hotel from an eight-bedroom bed and breakfast into three stunning long-stay suites. We did this so that we could target large families, friends groups or corporate events that wanted to spend a good amount of time in Prince Edward Island. The kitchenettes in each suite were carefully designed with a contemporary beach house style in mind. The cabinetry is a beautiful bright white that perfectly complements the butcher block countertops. Modern matte black handles were chosen to provide an easy grasp for opening the cabinetry, matching the slim black faucet in the sink. The backsplash tiles, a mesmerizing mix of blues, beiges, and greens, inspired by the captivating hues of sand, water, and plants. These tiles serve as a striking connection between the suites and the essence of Victoria by the sea, allowing visitors to feel like they are gazing at the ocean while cooking. The kitchen tables, in an oak finish, fold down to maximize space, while the kitchen chairs, originally from the Orient, have been refreshed with a coat of white paint, giving them a renewed look.

Rustico Suite Kitchenette

As you enter the bedrooms, you'll find that we took great care to preserve and incorporate as much of the historical furniture and decorative elements as possible. Historical paintings were hung back up on the walls, vintage mirrors have been refreshed and retained, and the drawers and cabinetry have been lovingly preserved. These touches pay homage to the hotel's rich heritage, creating a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that enhances the overall charm of the suites.

Before

After

L ocated on the third floor, our Sand Dune Suite is the most spacious of all the suites, featuring a full kitchen, a designated dining area, and a comfortable living space. To create a sense of openness, we decided to remove the walls separating the dining and living areas. In the living space, our aim was to maintain the presence of the sage couch from the orient while rejuvenating the remaining furniture and enhancing the overall ambiance with a natural and serene feel. As part of the renovation, we introduced two chairs with jute backing, a sisal rug and blinds, a charming vintage wooden coffee table, and various other carefully selected items that contribute to the overall aesthetic of the space.

Before

After

PEI Oysters: Unveil the Taste of Coastal Perfection

websites@guesty.com — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:38:21 GMT

Let's talk about North Atlantic's finest treasure—the PEI Oyster. Prince Edward Island's warm, shallow bays, provide an abundance of nourishment and create an excellent environment for oysters to grow and thrive. With every gentle current and nutrient-rich tide, these oysters absorb the essence of their surroundings, resulting in exceptional flavors that are truly unique to the island. Each oyster, despite belonging to the same species, has distinct qualities due to the influence of their natural habitat.

The Rustico Oyster:

On our second floor, suite #2 was named after the Rustico Oyster. These oysters come from Rustico, a fishing village in PEI. The Rustico oyster grows for 3–5 years in cold salt water. They have very thick shells due to being tumbled in the North Shore Tides, which allows experts to have a effortless shuckinexperienc. Rustico oysters are also known for being salty and sweet.

Did You Notice The Names of Our Suites?

The Sand Dune Oyster:

Our top floor, 4 bedroom suite was named after the Sand Dune Oyster. This oyster grows for about 4-6 years in Souris River and are recognized for their bright, green shells. They're grown on the hard, sandy bottom for their entire life where they are naturally tumbled by the tide, which gives them deep cups and heavy shells.

Raspberry Point Oyster:

On our second floor, suite #3 was named after the Raspberry Point Oyster. These oysters grow in the cool waters of New London Bay in PEI National Park. Throughout the growth process, experts ensure the oysters are continuously manicured. This results in a perfect 3-to-3.5-inch sized oyster. Raspberry Point oysters are also known for their salty taste, fresh and clean flavour, and a delightful, sweet finish.

About The Oyster:

Ever wonder how an oyster grows? Well, they actually spawn naturally each Spring! After about 24 hours, oyster larvae begin to form a shell, then after a few weeks, the oyster finds a nice spot where it cn attach itself too and begin growing in the wild. Oysters cannot grow in waters that are impure, therefore our abundance of oysters is actually related to how clean and cool the waters of PEI are!

Did you know that o ysters are filter feeders? Oysters actually receive their no urishment from plants that naturally grow in the waters. Due to this, oysters help naturally clean the waters where they grow and reduce greenhouse gases by removing carbon dioxide from the ocean for shell formation! How neat!

Oyster Fishing:

The oysters are collected or fished from their natural habitat with the help of a 15-foot dory and a pair of oyster tongs with long handles and rake-like teeth. To catch the oysters, the fisher leans over the side of the dory and lowers the tongs into the 14 foot water, closing them at the bottom of the bed. This technique catches a small quantity of oysters, along with seagrass and mud. The fisher then lifts the closed tongs out of the water and places the collected contents on the washboard of the dory for measurement and grading. Any undersized oysters and old shells, which contribute to creating a new environment for wild oysters, are returned to the beds. The oysters that have been kept are cleaned and sorted into wooden crates, which will be sold to oyster processors and eventually reach the consumer. Although most experts have they fishing licence for spring and fall, many people continue to harvest in the winter! For islanders, farmed oysters are an incredibly booming business, so to continue harvesting into winter is very beneficial but much more complex and challenging.

Check out the video below to see how the professionals do it!

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