Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
And so… all trips have to start somewhere, and mine started with Halifax.
Halifax was settled in 1749 by the British. At the time there was still a fairly heavy French presence in this part of Canada, but the settlement of Halifax helped to increase the British presence in Nova Scotia (which translates from the Latin to New Scotland).
Halifax is located on a large harbour, and as such has always been a maritime city, and is now the largest city within the Maritime provinces. For me, it was lovely to be near the water again, on the ocean, with boats lining the waterfront. I’m sorry Toronto, but a giant lake just isn’t quite the same.
I arrived in Halifax at around 9.30pm. Or to be accurate, I arrived at Halifax airport. It’s a LONG way out of town. By the time I navigated my way into town in my rented Kia Soul, it was pushing 11pm. Parking was easy enough if I was willing to get up before 8am to feed a meter, but given that isn’t something I’m generally keen to do, I hunted down parking for a little while so I could afford a relaxed morning. Then I was ready to get some sleep.
I awoke the next day to blue skies and sunshine. The trip was off to a good start. After tracking down a cafe (this would prove more and more difficult as the trip progressed) I headed down to the waterfront, and spent the morning wandering along, browsing the stores, looking at the boats.
Speaking of boats, throughout the trip there was one famous boat that came up on a number of occasions in different parts of the Maritimes. That ‘boat’ was Titanic, and it was to Halifax that most of the bodies that were recovered were taken to Halifax, being the closest connected city, where they were identified, with many buried in the city.
After wandering the waterfront, it was up to the Halifax Citadel, just in time for the daily cannon firing. The fortress standing now is the fourth in that position, and was built from 1818 to 1861. It never came under attack. This was the first national heritage site that I visited, however after visiting a few, the Parks Canada fancy for dressing up in period costumes came out. The Citadel is set up to mirror how it would have been when the 78th Highland Regiment, complete with kilts and bagpipes, manned the fortress. While I was there I saw a rifle display, and bagpipes being played. I found the fortress very interesting, and while I don’t usually go for the whole period dress thing, I found it to be quite tastefully done, with knowledgeable staff, and I actually found it an educational experience. Or perhaps I just liked the kilts and bagpipes.
Then all too soon it turned later, and I had to get moving to my destination for the evening, so I headed down to the farmer’s market, and the imaginatively named “The Fish Shop” where I had the most incredible serving of fish and chips for lunch. The bar had been set. And then… after tasting and purchasing some incredibly juicy strawberries from another stall, I got behind the wall and drove off into the sunset. Literally speaking.
But that, and my first lighthouse encounter, is a story for next time.
Click here to see my gallery from Halifax
