Creative Exploration to Canada & New England - Halifax

Things change in a heartbeat.  When I woke up this morning I had no idea how I'd be spending my day in Halifax.  This would be my fourth visit here.  The only thing Pat and I had decided was that we didn't need to sign up for an excursion.

Then, a call from Elena.....Bernie's father had suffered a major stroke, and they would be leaving the cruise to fly back home to Florida.  One of the things I love about Elena is how even in the middle of a personal crisis, she can think about others.  The next thing I knew, Pat and I had Elena's and Bernie's excursion tickets for the day......and not just any excursion.......the SEVEN hour tour!

**(Real time update:   although the initial prognosis was really bleak, I just heard from Elena yesterday that Bernie's dad is showing signs of improvement, and even the doctors are calling it a miracle!)**

This is Robert, our guide for the day.  Very personable and knowledgeable man....a retired high school teacher.  Why the kilt?  Well, for those amongst us who don't speak Latin, in that language, Nova Scotia means New Scotland.

Come along on our seven hour tour (now why does the theme song from Gilligan's Island pop into my head whenever I say those words?)

First stop, Victoria Public Gardens.

Then after a brief stop at the Citadel we spent an hour at the waterfront, where Pat and I had some fish 'n chips at Murphy's Pub, on their deck, where I was able to snap some good shots.

(I couldn't resist zooming in on this pin-laden cap while in the restaurant.)

The bus then left the city and our next visit was Acadian Maple Products, a small factory/gift shop where genuine maple syrup is bottled and turned into various other products.

 

Back on the bus (after sampling some maple peanut brittle), and we're off to Peggy's Cove, a remote and beautiful fishing village and home of Nova Scotia's most famous lighthouse.

 

Our last stop was Fairview Lawn Cemetery, final resting place for many victims of the Titanic.  In case you didn't know, the good people of Halifax were tireless in their rescue/recovery efforts.  There is even a museum in the city dedicated to all things Titanic.

We barely returned to the ship in time for dinner.  Quite the long day!  That night there was a chocolate buffet on the Promenade deck.  I'm sorry I have no photos to document the insanity that is several hundred people who probably only just finished dinner, jostling for position, attempting to fill two plates at one time with mountains of chocolate creations.  I witnessed a woman tripping over a blind person's cane, and I myself was very nearly decapitated by a tray of truffles.  Enough said.  Chocolate does not necessarily bring out the best in people.
Tomorrow is a day at sea.....and our next class with Tim.  Yea!