Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada

 On the road again



 

Our first Donair. 

They are similar to a Gyros.  The biggest difference being the sauce. The sauce is sweet with a little spice to it and much thinner.

 

The infamous Do-Not-Climb-But-Who-Are-We-Kidding Wave statue.

 

Lunenburg

A Colonial Town perfectly preserved

 

Bluenose II - The legend reborn

 Bluenose struck a reef in 1946. Despite the loss, the legacy and admiration for the once mighty schooner lived on in the hearts and minds of Canadians — especially Nova Scotians.
In 1963, Bluenose II was launched. It was built by many of the same people who had worked on the original vessel at the same shipyard in Lunenburg.  It continues to serve as Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador.

Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church is the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Canada, dating to the founding of Lunenburg in 1753.

 

Lunenburg Academy 1890

 

 In the 1750's, lured by the prospect of free land, nearly 1500 Protestant German, Swiss and French pioneers set sail from Europe under protection of the British Crown to establish a colony on the coast of Nova Scotia.  With them was a set of town plans drawn up by the London-based Board of Trade.  As part of their agreement with their British sponsors, the colonists would use these plans to impose a pre-designed "model town" onto the wilderness.  Accommodations had to be made once they got here for the unexpected steep hills they found upon arrival.  In recognition of Lunenburg's extraordinary level of preservation - 70 percent of its homes and structures are from the 18th and 19th centuries.  The United Nations has declared Lunenburg's entire Old Town district a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



 

We meet up with more great friends of Shonna's - Nathan and Sarah gave us a tour of downtown Halifax and treated us to dinner at the Henry House!

The Citadel
An enormous star-shaped defensive fort established to protect Halifax from invasion.  Equally impressive are the views over Halifax and the second-largest natural harbor in the world.

 

Noon in Halifax is announced by the firing of the Noon Gun, a tradition that has continued, every day except Christmas day at least since 1856.

 

While at the Citadel we met up with Cliff another friend of Shonna's who used to work here.  While visiting with us a former co-worker spots him and tells him to check out the new Citadel van. He happens to be in the picture chosen to be on both sides of the new van. (lower left corner)

 

We decided to give Poutine another try before making our final decision.  Poutine is French fries, cheese curds and gravy.  This time we have bacon added because anything that's not good with bacon on it is just not good.  Right?  Well we decide Poutine is not top on our list.

 

The Wharf

 

Public Gardens

 

The Halifax Public Gardens are a 16-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Halifax. Officially opened in 1867, The Halifax Public Gardens have retained much of their original Victorian character. The Public Gardens were designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1984.  In true Victorian fashion, the Gardens boast ornate fountains, a bandstand, statues, urns and a magnificent wrought iron entrance. Also among their treasures are over 140 different species of trees, including unusual or rare species and some centenarians. 

 



 

Blue Rocks
As described to us by the visitors center - Just as pretty as Peggy's Cove minus the lighthouse and tour buses.  She was right.


 

Mahone Bay - founded 1754

 

 
 

Martin Valley 

 

Baywaters

 

You never really know what's around the next corner. 

 

Cooling off in the Atlantic Ocean



 

Peggy's Cove
The drive from the south side around Margaret's Bay is much more scenic than the north side.


 

Our last night we finally meet up with Morrigan, another friend of Shonna's.  She lives in the Hydrostone District.  From the ashes of the catastrophic Halifax Explosion, which shattered the City's North End in 1917, rose the Hydrostone District with some 325 fireproof dwellings of the most modern type.  After dessert she walks us around showing us some of Shonna's favorite places including Fort Needham Memorial Park that overlooks the North End of the Harbor where they used to walk Brave (Shonna's dog) every night.