Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
August 2014
Our adventures in the Canadian Maritimes began with 3 days in Nova Scotia's lively capital, Halifax. From our well-positioned hotel, we were steps from the waterfront and a short walk to the center of town. After a city orientation, we visited the Citadel where our in-character guide give us a great overview. Then at the Maritime Museum, we learned about the Titanic and the little-known Halifax Explosion of 1917 during which more than 1600 people were killed and 9,000 injured when a munitions ship blew up in the harbor. The next day we enjoyed a half-day trip to picturesque Peggy's Cove with its lighthouse and tiny shops. None of us will ever forget the stop at eccentric author Ivan's on the way back; let's just say you had to be there. Back in Halifax, there was an international Busker festival taking place near our hotel. What's a Busker you ask? It's often an acrobat or someone who does tricks, who performs in public for gratuities. We spent some time observing them and browsing the various booths. In our free time, some of us visited Pier 21, the Canadian equivalent of Ellis Island. Others visited the art museum housing the work of folk artist Maud Lewis, whose crippling arthritis in her hands made her charming paintings all the more amazing. We had excellent seafood in town, including the mussels offered at our welcome dinner. And there was an incredible ice cream store next to our hotel called Cows, where everyone of us was probably seen at least once.
Next we traveled NE to Baddeck on the Cape Breton Island portion of Nova Scotia. Here we found the views over the water from our lodge delightful. But perhaps the best part was the gazebo, large enough to accommodate all of us for our afternoon cocktail parties! From our base here, we spent a full day on the Cabot Trail. Though obscured in some parts by overcast, there were several stunning views of this iconic area. And some of us saw our first moose here! We also visited the Alexander Graham Bell museum where we learned the telephone was just one of his many inventions. During free time, some of the group took a puffin boat trip and got to see hundreds of those birds as well as bald eagles and other wildlife. Others took a sailboat trip on Bras d'Or Lake with an entertaining captain. In this town we enjoyed more seafood and some of us had more than one lobster-roll lunch.
The next destination was Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. On the ferry ride across the Northumberland Strait from Nova Scotia, we were entertained on deck by three young women who were self-taught musicians. Once on land, we made our way to our historic hotel right in town. Here we visited Founder's Hall with its time tunnel depicting the founding of Canada and PEI's role in it. We also toured historic Province House, built in 1847 and still the seat of provincial government. We made a 1/2-day trip to the north shore of the island to see the wind-swept dunes. We then visited Green Gables where we were all young girls for the day, soaking up the story of the author of fictitious Anne with her red pigtails and freckles. And yes, we had more seafood, most notably whole lobster and various varieties of oysters.
After 3 days, we left the island, this time by The Confederation Bridge, and headed for our final destination, Bay of Fundy. At Hopewell Rocks, we saw the bay at high tide, then Ranger Rick gave us an informative overview before taking us to see the stunning difference in the bay at low tide. The usual 40+-foot variance in the tides was made even greater by the presence of the super moon.
Throughout the trip we were amazed and delighted by the friendliness and helpfulness of the Maritimers. We all wished to take a little piece of their hospitality back home with us.
August 2014
Our adventures in the Canadian Maritimes began with 3 days in Nova Scotia's lively capital, Halifax. From our well-positioned hotel, we were steps from the waterfront and a short walk to the center of town. After a city orientation, we visited the Citadel where our in-character guide give us a great overview. Then at the Maritime Museum, we learned about the Titanic and the little-known Halifax Explosion of 1917 during which more than 1600 people were killed and 9,000 injured when a munitions ship blew up in the harbor. The next day we enjoyed a half-day trip to picturesque Peggy's Cove with its lighthouse and tiny shops. None of us will ever forget the stop at eccentric author Ivan's on the way back; let's just say you had to be there. Back in Halifax, there was an international Busker festival taking place near our hotel. What's a Busker you ask? It's often an acrobat or someone who does tricks, who performs in public for gratuities. We spent some time observing them and browsing the various booths. In our free time, some of us visited Pier 21, the Canadian equivalent of Ellis Island. Others visited the art museum housing the work of folk artist Maud Lewis, whose crippling arthritis in her hands made her charming paintings all the more amazing. We had excellent seafood in town, including the mussels offered at our welcome dinner. And there was an incredible ice cream store next to our hotel called Cows, where everyone of us was probably seen at least once.
Next we traveled NE to Baddeck on the Cape Breton Island portion of Nova Scotia. Here we found the views over the water from our lodge delightful. But perhaps the best part was the gazebo, large enough to accommodate all of us for our afternoon cocktail parties! From our base here, we spent a full day on the Cabot Trail. Though obscured in some parts by overcast, there were several stunning views of this iconic area. And some of us saw our first moose here! We also visited the Alexander Graham Bell museum where we learned the telephone was just one of his many inventions. During free time, some of the group took a puffin boat trip and got to see hundreds of those birds as well as bald eagles and other wildlife. Others took a sailboat trip on Bras d'Or Lake with an entertaining captain. In this town we enjoyed more seafood and some of us had more than one lobster-roll lunch.
The next destination was Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. On the ferry ride across the Northumberland Strait from Nova Scotia, we were entertained on deck by three young women who were self-taught musicians. Once on land, we made our way to our historic hotel right in town. Here we visited Founder's Hall with its time tunnel depicting the founding of Canada and PEI's role in it. We also toured historic Province House, built in 1847 and still the seat of provincial government. We made a 1/2-day trip to the north shore of the island to see the wind-swept dunes. We then visited Green Gables where we were all young girls for the day, soaking up the story of the author of fictitious Anne with her red pigtails and freckles. And yes, we had more seafood, most notably whole lobster and various varieties of oysters.
After 3 days, we left the island, this time by The Confederation Bridge, and headed for our final destination, Bay of Fundy. At Hopewell Rocks, we saw the bay at high tide, then Ranger Rick gave us an informative overview before taking us to see the stunning difference in the bay at low tide. The usual 40+-foot variance in the tides was made even greater by the presence of the super moon.
Throughout the trip we were amazed and delighted by the friendliness and helpfulness of the Maritimers. We all wished to take a little piece of their hospitality back home with us.