We started the day with a visit to the Halifax Citadel - an old fortification built in the mid 1800's to defend the Halifax harbour. There was lots to see and do at the citadel, ranging from self guided tours where you can check out many open doors and areas inside and outside the citadel walls. Gwen really liked the small doors near the canons that housed munitions.
Climbing up to the citadel that overlooks the Halifax harbour
Lola and her doors
Other highlights from the citadel:
Seeing a shooting demonstation
Seeing the various types of trenches used by the army (wooden trenches like in WWI and WWII and the "trenches" between the inner and outer walls of the citadel)
Seeing the many sizes of canons used and the types of ammunition used by each one
Trying on some authentic military dress
We were unable to get a late checkout from the hotel (they were sold out for tonight) so we had to make our way back before the 12 o'clock gun demonstration where they would shoot off one of the canons.
With the van loaded, we made our way to Pier 21 which is where the Canadian Museum of Immigration is located, on the original grounds of the Halifax Immigration port. We quickly went through some of the gift shops at one of the nearby piers and then grabbed a bite to eat (lobster rolls had all round except for Gwen who had lobster salad).
After lunch, it was time to check out the museum.
The museum was pretty neat, showcasing the many points in Canadian history that shaped how immigration was viewed and regulated. We took an immigration test, unfortunately A scored the lowest out of B and G but only by one.
Entering our heritage onto the display wall
After the museum, we made our way to have a drink at the Alexander Keith's brewery. Traffic was a nightmare as there was a festival going on and everything was backed up. Luckily we found a parking spot about two blocks away. Adam squeezed the van into an available spot on the street which was free parking for two hours. Immediately forward of our spot was one that could not be used after 4pm. We arrived at 3:40 and the van tires were right on the cutoff for the parking spot. "We will be fine", said Adam.
And we were. Sort of...
After quickly having our drinks (two amber ales for the boys, some rum and fruity concoction for N and G with her water), we made our way back to the van, at 4:15. Immediately upon leaving the brewery, we could see the flashing lights of a tow truck. "No that's not us" said Adam. And he was right, but not after he and Blair made a block-long sprint only to see that yes, we were fine but it was the car two spots up from us that was getting towed, under the watchful supervision of parking police.
Blair had already turned the charm on, to ensure that we were not getting a ticket too, we we politely finished our conversation with the officer regarding the cutoff for the "no parking" spot forward of our van (which according to this guy, is the mid point of the vehicle).
It took about 15 mins for the adrenaline to leave the bloodstream which was about the time that we got through the toll bridge in Dartmouth.
We then made the long drive to Sydney, stopping in Truro for supper at Frank and Gino's restaurant which was surprisingly good.
We are now comfortably lying with our feet up in our hotel on Cape Breton Island, trying to decide what time we are starting the day tomorrow. Hopefully not too soon - I could use a sleep in...
Somewhere enroute to Cape Breton
No comments:
Post a Comment