Day 34
Today was Canada Day! A national holiday celebrating the confederation of 4 provinces forming Canada on July 1, 1867. We get an early start to assure a parking space downtown. All parking and events today were free of charge. We began with a visit to the Citadel, a fort built by the British to protect against an American attack. The attack never happened and the fort never saw battle. The Citadel was the center of the Canada day activities and included a chorus, band and a 21 gun salute at noon by 3 American made howitzers. We caught some of the Canada Day Parade through town. Lunch at Indochine Banh Mi. Kitchen party at the Farmer’s Seaport Market at which we sampled the Ironworks Distillery vodkas including a maple vodka which was quite good. Next was a visit to the Canada Immigration Museum which included a timeline of important dates in Canada’s history. I found it a bit strange that Canada day does not celebrate Canada’s independence from Britain which did not take place until the Constitution Act of 1982.
The museum also had a temporary exhibit of the Empress of Ireland, “Canada’s Titanic”, a passenger ship that sank in the early morning hours after a collision with a coal transport ship. The ship sank within 15 minutes of the collision and 1014 people died. The exhibit was very well done and very interesting. Next we took the passenger ferry to Dartmouth across the bay from Halifax and ate dinner at the Wooden Monkey. The meal was fantastic, mine a seafood chowder was coconut based with lobster, scallops, mussels and fish and Rosemary’s a sesame crusted halibut on a bed of root vegetables and roasted sweet potatoes with an orange sauce. A return ferry back to Halifax, a long walk up hill to the car parked near the Citadel and a 40 minute drive to the coach made for a full but wonderful day.
Day 33
Drove into Halifax. Walked along the waterfront boardwalk. Visited the Alexander Keith’s Brewery and went on a tour of the brewery. The brewery began in 1820. The tour began with a sample of their IPA which is much lighter and less bitter than most IPA’s. Of course, I get two of each sample as Rosemary is not a beer drinker. Later in the tour we sampled a second beer and I down two more. The tour ended with a Scottish party called a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) at which 2 more beers are offered, a red ale and a coffee stout while our guides in 1860's attire sing and entertain. The best part was the ability to top off the beers during the party. A good time was had and I left feeling no pain despite my distended belly full of beer. I don’t remember what we did next. Rosemary reminded me that we had lobster rolls at Murphy’s on the waterfront and visited the public gardens, beautifully maintained Victorian gardens downtown. Walked our feet off all over town.
Day 32
Departed New Brunswick and entered Nova Scotia. Checked into Wayside RV Park with full hookup although only 30 amps. Drove car to Peggy’s Cove and walked among the rocks surrounding the lighthouse. The view was spectacular despite the foggy conditions. We continued along the coast before arriving in Halifax. Visited the Fairlawn Cemetery which is the resting place of about 150 of the Titanic victims.
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