Go. To. Halifax. Now.
A mere 36 hours after returning to Toronto from a four month work term back home in Alberta, yours truly set out for an adventure in Nova Scotia, aptly named "Canada's Ocean Playground." Well folks, the verdict is in, and Nova Scotia is AWESOME. If you love the ocean and/or late Victorian architecture, drop everything and go. Right. Now.
My journey began when I left Toronto very early on Friday morning, September 3, arriving in downtown Halifax around 12:30. Met by Alex, my dear friend Em's significant other, I walked along the beautiful boardwalk, taking in the salty ocean air and gorgeous harbourfront. (Note to Toronto city planners!)
I spent the afternoon touring the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (the Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits were particularly good) and went on a land and boat tour of downtown Halifax/the harbour. (Highly recommend the boisterous tour guides at the "Harbour Hopper." Ribbit. Ribbit. -- inside joke--)
Met up with Em around 9:00 p.m. and headed out on the town for some pub and martini bar-style fun.
Saturday dawned bright and early for me around 12:30 p.m. (HA!) Since it was an overcast day, Em and I were happy to hop in the car and drive down to her parents' new cottage, near the scenic and quaint La Have Islands. Had a low-key afternoon and enjoyed a delicious dinner with her parents, followed by a nice evening walk along the boardwalk and beach.
Sunday was touring day, and luckily the weather was beautiful. We set off around 10:30 a.m. to visit Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove. I really enjoyed the neat shops in Lunenburg. We stopped along the highway at a very fitting tribute to the victims of the Swiss Air crash that went down off the coast of Peggy's Cove. Very solemn. Patsy may have teared up a tiny bit. Peggy's Cove was swarming with tourists, so we got in and out as quickly as possible. Sunday night meant a dinner out (seafood chowder pour moi) and then a quick trip to Casino Nova Scotia. (Man, are slot machines ever addictive! But don't worry, Patsy broke even! Emily, on the other hand, won a fair chunk of change!!)
Holiday Monday was another lovely day spent walking through the Halifax Public Gardens, visiting the Citadel (never attacked!) and going on a tour of the Alexander Keith's brewery! Enjoyed a fancy dinner out, pricey price tag included, and then had an absolutely sinful dessert and martini at the Shoe Shop.
Tuesday Em had to go back to work, so I toured some more around downtown Halifax, bought some souvenirs (stuffed lobster in a rain slicker, anyone?), had lunch overlooking the water, etc. My last touristy-thing was taking in Pier 21, where many many immigrants to Canada (including my parents' neighbour back in Alberta!) entered the country to start off their new lives as Canadians, and soldiers/sailors (my grandfather included) left on transport ships and convoys to fight WWII in Europe.
I was sad to leave Halifax on Tuesday night to head back to TO, but excited to see my hubby. Thanks to Em and Alex for a wonderful four days. Falling in love with Nova Scotia is very easy to do and I can't wait to go back! :)
(Side note: about 10 days ago back in AB, some f*****g punks smashed the windshield of my mom's minivan. Message to said punks: grow up, you bloody losers! Destroying personal or public property for kicks is NOT cool.)
Without further ado, I have to head off and watch Canada beat Slovakia in World Cup hockey. Cheers, sweeties.
My journey began when I left Toronto very early on Friday morning, September 3, arriving in downtown Halifax around 12:30. Met by Alex, my dear friend Em's significant other, I walked along the beautiful boardwalk, taking in the salty ocean air and gorgeous harbourfront. (Note to Toronto city planners!)
I spent the afternoon touring the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (the Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits were particularly good) and went on a land and boat tour of downtown Halifax/the harbour. (Highly recommend the boisterous tour guides at the "Harbour Hopper." Ribbit. Ribbit. -- inside joke--)
Met up with Em around 9:00 p.m. and headed out on the town for some pub and martini bar-style fun.
Saturday dawned bright and early for me around 12:30 p.m. (HA!) Since it was an overcast day, Em and I were happy to hop in the car and drive down to her parents' new cottage, near the scenic and quaint La Have Islands. Had a low-key afternoon and enjoyed a delicious dinner with her parents, followed by a nice evening walk along the boardwalk and beach.
Sunday was touring day, and luckily the weather was beautiful. We set off around 10:30 a.m. to visit Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove. I really enjoyed the neat shops in Lunenburg. We stopped along the highway at a very fitting tribute to the victims of the Swiss Air crash that went down off the coast of Peggy's Cove. Very solemn. Patsy may have teared up a tiny bit. Peggy's Cove was swarming with tourists, so we got in and out as quickly as possible. Sunday night meant a dinner out (seafood chowder pour moi) and then a quick trip to Casino Nova Scotia. (Man, are slot machines ever addictive! But don't worry, Patsy broke even! Emily, on the other hand, won a fair chunk of change!!)
Holiday Monday was another lovely day spent walking through the Halifax Public Gardens, visiting the Citadel (never attacked!) and going on a tour of the Alexander Keith's brewery! Enjoyed a fancy dinner out, pricey price tag included, and then had an absolutely sinful dessert and martini at the Shoe Shop.
Tuesday Em had to go back to work, so I toured some more around downtown Halifax, bought some souvenirs (stuffed lobster in a rain slicker, anyone?), had lunch overlooking the water, etc. My last touristy-thing was taking in Pier 21, where many many immigrants to Canada (including my parents' neighbour back in Alberta!) entered the country to start off their new lives as Canadians, and soldiers/sailors (my grandfather included) left on transport ships and convoys to fight WWII in Europe.
I was sad to leave Halifax on Tuesday night to head back to TO, but excited to see my hubby. Thanks to Em and Alex for a wonderful four days. Falling in love with Nova Scotia is very easy to do and I can't wait to go back! :)
(Side note: about 10 days ago back in AB, some f*****g punks smashed the windshield of my mom's minivan. Message to said punks: grow up, you bloody losers! Destroying personal or public property for kicks is NOT cool.)
Without further ado, I have to head off and watch Canada beat Slovakia in World Cup hockey. Cheers, sweeties.
