alexandriacardinals

May 11

Halifax

[Continuing our tour of Halifax, picking it back up again at the Citadel . . . ]

[We have entered the Citadel, and here’s a little history I was not aware of at the time:  At the time of the American Civil War, Canada did not yet exist as a federated nation. Instead, British North America consisted of the Province of Canada (parts of modern southern Ontario and southern Quebec) and the separate colonies of Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Vancouver Island, as well as a crown territory administered by the Hudson’s Bay Company called Rupert’s Land. Britain and its colonies were officially neutral for the duration of the war. Despite this, tensions between Britain and the United States were high due to incidents on the seas, such as the ‘Trent Affair’ and the Confederate commissioning of the CSS ‘Alabama’ from Britain.

Canadians were largely opposed to slavery, the preservation of which was the main goal of the Confederate States of America, and Canada had recently become the terminus of the Underground Railroad.  Close economic and cultural links across the long border also encouraged Canadian sympathy towards the Union.  Between 33,000 and 55,000 men from British North America enlisted in the war, almost all of them fighting for Union forces. The conservative press in Canada East supported the secession and ridiculed the Yankees as lacking in morality.  There was talk in London in 1861–62 of mediating the war or recognizing the Confederacy. Washington warned this meant war, and London feared Canada would quickly be seized by the North.  (Wikipedia)]

[In other words, Canada became a country, at least in part, out of concern about being attacked by the good ole U. S. of A.]

[Tourists amass for the changing of the guard.]

[At the end of the drill, the lower-ranked guards had to remove their bayonets before entering a building for safety reasons.  The higher-ranked guards did not have to remove their bayonets allegedly because they were more skilled at the movement of sharp objects in tight quarters.]

[A display with a black powder rifle.  It made a heck of a noise, but he did hit the wall.]

[Soldiers quarters . . . I would have opted for a Motel 6.]

[The overlook from the top of the Citadel – its cannons could cover the river.  And that’s Georges Island out there.]

[These are not ship masts – they were used to display different color flags/banners for communication up and down the river.]

[Inside the Citadel from the surrounding wall.]

[Our boat’s down there somewhere – Georges Island is just to the left of the tall white building.]

[I like men in uniform!]

[I like women in uniform . . . ]

[She gave us a commentary about the changing of the guard.  I wanted to bring her home too, but I was already rejected concerning Anne of Green Gables.]

[Now how does that kilt song go again?]

[OK, we’re heading down hill from the Citadel . . . ]

[There’s the river, where we assumed our ship was still berthed.]

[Halifax Town Hall]

[St. Paul’s Church, the opposite side of the plaza from City Hall]

[Art]

[This just for our Hawaii host.]

[We’ve made it to the bottom – now where?]

[Aha, a Tim Horton’s!  You may recall way back in Montreal we tried a smoked meat sandwich.  Well, this was our last day in Canada and we had yet to have a Tim Horton’s doughnut or . . . poutine!]

[The poutine came first – we found a restaurant on the waterfront where the server said they would whip up a batch for us!]

[And there it is – french fries covered in brown gravy and melted mozzarella cheese (the ‘true’ recipe uses cheese curds, we were told, but one makes do).]

[Yum, one order for 3 was more than enough!]

[From the Super.]

[Well, we were in Canada . . . ]

[And this is where we ate.  Our server was a hoot.  She had just returned from a vacation in Cuba – then I realized that’s no big deal for Canadians.  I asked if she brought back any cigars.]

[Then back to Tim Horton’s for dessert – The Super caught us ogling.]

[Tummy’s full, we began the river walk back to the ship.]

[We all play [sic] in a yellow submarine . . . ]

[Reetz braves the elements.]

[The Super and I acknowledge our heritage.]

[The ship is in sight . . . ]

[We have walked the metropolis of Halifax and found our way home.  And cooler weather is really great for long walks.]

[A last sculpture piece as we near the ship . . . ]

[Our last dinner in Canada . . . ]

[I can’t remember?]

[I’ll be glad when we finally disembark the ship . . . I can’t eat another bite!!]

[Looks good, whatever it was?]

[A monkey was hanging around when we got back to our room.]

[And yet we still had enough energy for a musical interlude . . . ]

[Of course I can’t remember the group’s name, but we enjoyed listening to some old time rock ‘n’ roll.  We would be back in the States by morning.]

We’ll explain the appeal of curling to you if you explain the appeal of the National Rifle Association to us.  ~  Andy Barrie

Up Next:  U.S.?

May 11

Halifax

[Editor’s note:  The delay in reporting on the Canada trip was engendered by another trip to another foreign country – Indiana.  While I had hoped to continue the Canada blog while attending Mini-University at Indiana University, the rigors of academia prevented me from doing so.]

[Halifax was our last stop in Canada.  And it’s a big city.]

[Halifax the capital of the province of Nova Scotia. The municipality had a population of 403,131 in 2016, with 316,701 in the urban area centred on Halifax Harbour.  The regional municipality consists of four former municipalities that were amalgamated in 1996: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, and the Municipality of Halifax County.  This urban area is the most populous on Canada’s Atlantic coast, and the second largest coastal population centre in the country after Vancouver, British Columbia. Halifax currently accounts for 40% of Nova Scotia’s population, and 15% of that of Atlantic Canada. Metropolitan Halifax benefits from a process of increased rural depopulation and corresponding urban growth in Atlantic Canada during the late 20th century—a demographic shift that was delayed several decades in the region compared with other parts of North America.  (Wikipedia)]

[Another scenic port entry . . . ]

[Georges Island (named after George II of Great Britain is a glacial drumlin and the largest island entirely within the harbour limits of Halifax Harbour.  The Island is the location of Fort Charlotte – named after King George’s wife Charlotte.  Fort Charlotte was built during  Father Le Loutre’s War, a year after Citadel Hill (Fort George).  The island is now a National Historic Site of Canada.  (Wikipedia)]

[That’s the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in the background, built in 1955.]

[We’ve landed (obviously) and in our first venture off the ship The Biddies have discovered Samuel Cunard.  As you may have surmised, he is indeed the founder of the Cunard Line.]

[The Old Burying Ground was founded in 1749, the same year as the settlement, as the town’s first burial ground. It was originally non-denominational and for several decades was the only burial place for all Haligonians. (Wikipedia)]

[Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica]

[Self-identified – my favorite things!]

[As we were walking past the above building, we came upon the statue below – even from the back I recognized it as Churchill.  Obviously well done!]

[This was the old city library.]

[This is the new city library, a block away and across the street.  The Halifax Central Library opened in 2014, i.e., it’s brand spanking new.]

[Inside the new library . . . ]

[Reetz likes it!]

[The view from the roof . . . ]

[Of course, one of the joys of foreign travel is talking with the locals.  In this case it was made much easier by a shared common language.  We struck up a conversation with the white-haired gentleman sitting next to Ruthie.  He looked like a college professor, but as I recall he was a retired businessman.  Well, the conversation got fun – soon every one in the room was listening in and laughing with us.  And though this was an anteroom, it was still a library and a couple folks got up and left – I’m not sure if it was our fault, but I wouldn’t be surprised.]

[The discussion above was about the best way to walk to the Citadel – there on the hill top.]

[Out walking again past South Park – I don’t believe it had anything to do with the TV show.]

[But it was on the way to . . . ]

[The Public Gardens . . . ]

[The Biddies experiencing the joys of new discovery.]

[And away we go . . . ]

[This is a tree . . . ]

[And this is a gazebo surrounded by flower gardens . . . ]

[This is a Canadian bee . . . ]

[He says, “Buzzzz, eh?”]

[Oh yeah, I wasn’t going to use eh.]

[A nice sunny day would have been nice . . . ]

[But we’re enjoying it anyway . . . ]

[Just seemed like a neat shot.]

[And 6 photos by the Super in the park . . . ]

[We’re out of the park and heading to the Citadel.]

[It’s up there.]

[The plight of the walking tourist . . . ]

[The view of the city and the river as we trudge upward.]

[This would be our steep route back to the river.]

[And 2 more from the Super . . . ]

[We’ll end here for now – and pick up the rest of Halifax in the next posting.]

Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity.  ~  Marshall McLuhan

Up Next:  Halifax, part 2

May 10

Sydney

[So, Sydney?  I will admit to never having heard of Sydney before this trip.  Will wonders never cease?  Sydney is a population centre (32,000) and former city in Nova Scotia. Situated on Cape Breton Island’s east coast, it belongs administratively to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Sydney was founded in 1785 by the British; it was incorporated as a city in 1904, and dissolved on 1 August 1995, when it was amalgamated into the regional municipality. It served as the Cape Breton Island colony’s capital, until 1820, when the colony merged with Nova Scotia and the capital moved to Halifax.  (Wikipedia)]

[We’re off the ship, in the information center waiting for the rain to GO AWAY.  I’m in my usual situation under such circumstances.  I look to my left, no Supervisor . . . ]

[I look to my right, no Reetz . . . ]

[I’m left minding the fort while they browse whatever shopping opportunities there are?]

[Oh, here they are!  Let’s go here!]

[It’s raining hard, but The Biddies are indefatigable.  We’re going exploring.]

[It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!]

[We ducked into this church for a little local history.]

[Once the home of a prominent merchant, Jost Heritage House (c 1787) located in Sydney on Cape Breton Island, shows the evolution of a wooden dwelling over the course of two centuries.  The museum features displays on local marine life, Cape Breton history and a reconstructed apothecary.  (novascotia.com)  I did not feel like standing outside in the elements to take a photo that I could borrow much more comfortably from the internet – so that’s what I did here.]

[And because it was a foul weather day, we tried to keep our outdoor exploring to a minimum.  We thusly spent a lot of time in this heritage house.  The Super took the next 12 photos about the life and times of the era, not unlike what one would find in Colonial Williamsburg.]

[The Biddies were particularly taken with this young man explaining the goings-on in the basement.]

[I do not believe there would have been a fire extinguisher back in the day.]

[Not exactly a Sealy Posturepedic.]

[I’d like to return this duck . . . errr, loon.]

[Drugs!]

[Somebody asked this young presenter if she sang.  I don’t know why?  But she responded, “How about Amazing Grace?”  The assembled several had no problem with that, and she gave a marvelous a cappella performance.]

[And back to me . . . ]

[Thought it cool that the museum contained a undated photo our ship Veendam.]

[Just because banks are important . . . ]

[If you read the above, no need for further explanation from me here.  But now having read it myself, I guess there is a need.]

[The “Largest Ceilidh Fiddle in the World” –  Cape Breton Island is home to the world’s largest fiddle!  Located at the Port of Sydney, the iconic fiddle and bow reach 60 feet
in height. Also home of North America’s only living Celtic culture, residents felt the fiddle was a strong symbol to represent the island.  Officially named FIDHEAL MHOR A’ CEILIDH, or the Big Fiddle of the Ceilidh, the giant fiddle plays a dedicated medley composed by local musician Kinnon Beaton and delights all who hear it with a march, a stratespey and a reel. (cbisland.com)]

[Someone left my fiddle out in the rain . . . ]

[Shipboard visibility, so . . . ]

[Let’s go eat!  Bobbie, Kathy (the HQ), and Joanne were traveling with us if not actually with us.  We dined together on occasion when our schedules meshed.  The HQ is our travel agent and advised us of this trip.  To her credit, she did not cancel her trip upon learning we would be joining them.]

[We had a table that featured a view of where we’d just been.]

[And the requisite shots for the foodies.]

[And why this day will be remembered . . . ]

[Ahhh, a bunny]

I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada.  ~  Britney Spears (asked the best part of being famous)

Up Next:  One more day in Canada.  BTW, I hope you noticed this is our second international Sydney within a couple months of each other.