Thursday, August 15, 2019

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken on August 21, 2008. That day the head and assistant football coaches at Mattie's school came to visit us. With them, they brought a signed team ball, a signed team photo and lots of other gear. We knew the assistant coach, because he was one of Mattie's kindergarten teachers. But Coach Dave (in red), never met us, until that very visit. 


Quote of the day: Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia. It hosts the largest population east of Quebec City – 403,000 people at last count.
Halifax has been around for a long time. It was founded in 1749 by Honorable Edward Cornwallis of England. The Cunard Steamship Line was founded in Halifax in 1840. ~ hikebiketravel.com

Last night our waiter, Mauricio (from Peru), snapped this photo of me. I entitle it.... I caught Mattie Moon!

All three of us last night with the moon!

We arrived at the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia this morning. This was the view from the balcony. This fog did not burn off until 10:30am. Honestly it was disorienting, as we could have been anywhere!

This is the famous Pier 21! It is Canada's last remaining ocean immigration shed. The facility is often compared to Ellis Island (1892–1954), in terms of its importance to mid-20th-century immigration to Canada. Literally we disembarked from the ship into Pier 21. Seems like a rather historic greeting, given the number of immigrants who walked through these doors. 

The capital of Nova Scotia is Halifax and the largest city in Canada's Atlantic Provinces. Halifax was once Great Britain's major military bastion in North America.

Our tour guide, Glenn, was incredible. A retired principal. However, he sounded like Jimmy Stewart. If you closed your eyes, you would have thought you were transported in time to Hollywood. He made Halifax come alive for us. 

 I would say that Halifax has the most significant infrastructure compared to the other islands we have visited on this trip. They have 6 universities and major medical centers. 

Halifax also has distinct geographical territories that are defined by tree type. Lots of oaks and pine. But there is a part of the Island that is simply lined with granite cliffs. 

Halifax is filled with charming fishing villages. 

Our first stop today was at Peggy's Cove. The first recorded name of the cove was Eastern Point Harbor or Peggs Harbor in 1766. The village is likely named after Saint Margaret's Bay (Peggy being the nickname for Margaret), which Samuel de Champlain named after his mother Marguerite. There has been much folklore created to explain the name.

We had about an hour to walk around this charming fishing village. Filled with cute shops, a few restaurants, and even a lighthouse. 

 Hags on the Hill was tongue a cheek! The ladies who operate the store are young and have a cute sense of humor. Many of the things sold at Peggy's Cove are made in Halifax!

This Peggy's Point Lighthouse. The classic red and white structure was built in 1914 and it is still in use today. 

Do notice the incredible granite cliff that this lighthouse sits on. Our tour guide warned us about climbing on the rocks, as they are very slippery. He told us that many tourists have slipped in the past and had to go to the hospital. Basically it was a warning NOT to climb. Especially with the fog all around us.

I think this is one charming lighthouse, especially surrounded by granite. It makes it look so stately! You are not allowed inside the lighthouse. 

Glenn made it very clear to be back on the bus in an hour. So much so that I set a timer on my phone. The reason for being so timely was because it took an hour to drive back into town where the Fairview Cemetery is located. The Cemetery which has the largest number of Titanic victims buried. 

Well 50 of us got back on the bus! But we were missing one passenger! We waited for thirty minutes and even some of us on the bus got off again to search for this passenger. I am saddened to say we never found him. We do not know what happened to him and the ship basically asked us to return without continuing our tour! So we never made it to the Titanic Cemetery. I am a big Titanic follower, so this was disappointing. 

We drove passed the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. Other than the ocean itself, it is the world's largest burial ground of 121 Titanic victims.

I can't tell you how many stories Glenn told us about passengers who survived the Titanic. He also recanted how horrific it was in Halifax, as all the dead were brought to her shores. When the Titanic went down the closest land mass was Newfoundland. However, because Halifax has access to trains, Halifax was chosen to collect all remains and to bury victims. 

Glenn is a born story teller. You literally  could hear a pin drop in the bus as he was sharing the stories of victims and survivors. We were all glued to every word he was sharing. His stories remind me of how one death can send an entire family's life spinning. Forever! It is my hope that we can one day return to Halifax so that I can visit the museum and Cemetery.