Customer Testimonial: A Birthday Gift Like No Other

A Custom Cape Breton Map for a Proud Canadian in New Zealand

A Proud Cape Bretoner in Aotearoa

Don’s wife may have spent the last 24 years in New Zealand, but Cape Breton Island — with its rugged coastlines, Celtic culture, and wild beauty — will always be home.

“My wife is from Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada,” Don told us, “and although we've now lived in NZ for the last 24 years, she remains a proud Cape Bretoner.”

So for her milestone birthday, Don had a bold idea: commission a custom 60cm x 60cm map of Cape Breton Island that her family in Canada could gift her. A piece of home, lovingly rendered, to hang in their new house in Christchurch.

The Making of a One-of-a-Kind Map

We worked closely with Don to bring the vision to life. From reviewing references of the island’s contours and depths to matching the size and style he imagined, every detail was carefully considered.

“I was nervous commissioning a map of my wife's Canadian home … I needn't have worried,” Don wrote. “Matt stayed in touch throughout the creation and until it arrived.”

The result? A handcrafted map unlike any other — capturing the beauty of Cape Breton’s coastline and the emotion tied to its shores.

A Big Surprise and a Beautiful Reaction

The map arrived in time for her birthday, and the response was everything Don had hoped for.

“It’s beyond amazing. She loves it — it’s so personal and so special — the only one in the world!”

The story of this map goes beyond topography and depth curves. It’s a story of belonging, celebration, and craftsmanship — of creating something that honours a life lived across oceans.

“The detail, craftsmanship and finishing are all exceptional, even better than I hoped. A true piece of art we'll be proud to display as a highlight in our new home.”

A Gift That Starts Conversations

As Don jokingly pointed out, the only downside to such a meaningful gift?

“Everyone from her family who visits will want one too, and it will no longer be the only one...”

That’s a sentiment we hear often — because once people see a Tides Out Map, they understand how personal and powerful a custom map can be.

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Looking to Create a Custom Map of a Special Place?

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply want to honour a place that holds deep meaning — we’d love to create something unique for you.

➡️ Learn more about our custom maps
➡️ Enquire about a one-of-a-kind piece

From Cape Breton to the Marlborough Sounds and beyond — your story, your map.

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⭐️ Don Elder’s Review on Google Maps

“My one-off map from Tides Out is absolutely STUNNING! I was nervous commissioning a map of my wife's Canadian home – Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia – as a big birthday surprise. I needn't have worried. Matt stayed in touch throughout the creation and until it arrived. It's beyond amazing. She loves it ... it's so personal and so special ... the only one in the world! The detail, craftsmanship and finishing are all exceptional, even better than I hoped. A true piece of art we'll be proud to display as a highlight in our new home. The only sad thing ... everyone from her family who visits will want one too, and it will no longer be the only one...”

Thanks Matt, Kate and Tides Out — I can't recommend you highly enough!