Halifax
In Halifax there is normally a direct Bus from the airport to the city. But since the Macdonald Bridge connecting Dartmouth with Halifax is being “face-lifted”, in the evenings you get a complimentary detour on the way to Halifax. Bus, Shuttle, Bus…. At least like that you get to know the local transport system “Halifax Transit”, with the different bus numbers, routes and so. And hopefully you reach your destination.
By the way in the north end of Halifax there is a Street called “Merkel Street”.
But it is not named in honour of Angela Merkel’s short two-hour stop in Halifax in August 2012 (where she had a speech and witnessed the signing of a memorandum between the Halifax Marine Research Institute and Germany’s Helmholtz Association for a joint project to investigate ocean risks such as extreme weather conditions and the melting of the Arctic).
No its said that it is named after German troops who came to Canada, after fighting for England in the French and Indian Wars in 1750-1784.
Oh yes there is of course the „Halifax Citadel“ or Fort George (named after King George II of Great Britain). When you sit there in the howling wind you can almost hear the sergeants shouting at the troop in the drill on the courtyard around the blockhouse in the centre.
Might be because of the impressive size or the 72 canons it was never attacked, but strategically important Halifax Harbour.
If it’s sunny everybody is strolling or jogging on the Waterfront. Sure a nice place to sit outside and have a beer in warm spring days. Now it was rather the temperature to sit inside with a cup of tea or a bowl of soup.
Indian Harbour
Driving south-west from Halifax you’ll get to the “most famous Lighthouse” at Peggy’s Cove. Judging from the huge Car and Bus-parking it must be a hell of a traffic jam during high season. Now there were just 3 cars on the parking… hard to choose a parking space…
A little further down the coast lies Indian Harbour. A quiet place with nice views on the ocean and a great restaurant. The Name “rhubarb” has its origin from the rhubarb plants which grew there before the place was built. Now the home-made rhubarb jam comes with the superb “biscuits” served here.
Oh yes and they had music that night. Local Shawn Crockard gave his farwell concert before leaving the province. So the whole neighbourhood from Seabright to Peggy’s Cove had a table reserved to hear him and spend an evening together. So a busy night for Jim and Diane serving all those hungry guest and circling around the tourist always standing in the way…
So thanks again to Jim, Diane and of course Shawn for that wonderful night at the “Rhubarbs Music Bar”.
Between Peggy’s Cove and Indian Harbour is also the Swissair 111 Whalesback Memorial located. A nice place to remember the 229 passengers and crew that died 1998 in this crash. A catastrophe also here still remembered as a very difficult time especially for those involved in the rescue operation.
Yarmouth
Don’t be fooled it takes you quite a while to get down south-west till Yarmouth especially if you take the coastal road that winds along the shore.
There is the great view at the Cape Forchu Lighthouse not to be missed.
Also here its definitively off season. My luck the only open place to eat is Rudders Brew Pub & Seafood Restaurant. I did enjoy best „Rudders Red“ and the fresh seafood. Brian Amirault who was playing the “Saturday Night Music” tonight had some problems to get the attention for his songs because everybody is enjoying the food and drinks.
Driving back up the north coast you’ll come along a lot of churches. In Pointe-de-l’Église it’s said that the Église Sainte-Marie is the tallest wooden church in North America.
Unfortunately there was no time either for Sandy Cove, Westport and Cape d’Or. But thanks to the “heuristic” programming on the GPS I had the pleasure of experiencing the really small roads. Seems this programming seeks to avoid the therm “make a legal U-Term” under any circumstances (I only brought it once to do so). So happily drive down the county roads trying not to hit a farmers dog guarding his masters farm.
Pictou was the place to stay before starting on the Cape Breton Island. While end of 19th Century work in tobacco industry, ore smelting and later in shipbuilding grew. In the last 50 years economic problems grew. The only large industry to be seen from Pitou is the pulp plant of Northernpulp across Pictou harbour.
Also here still off season with a lot of places closed. Found the nice Willow House Inn B&B where the hosts Jamie and Debby do a great job make you feel at home.
Cabot Trail
Great drive on a sunny day on the Cabot Trail!
Would be worth a weeks trip alone with all the nice hiking trails found there.
Due to my already fixed train Trip from Halifax to Quebec City I took the “Short round” on the Jack Pine Trail. So the coyote, bear and moose didn’t have time to attack me…
