Tour of the Canadian Maritimes

I arrived a day early in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, before my Caravan tour––”Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island”––was to start. We also visited New Brunswick, the third Maritime province. I had taken an red–eye flight from Los Angeles to Newark and then a morning flight from there to Halifax. Halifax is on Atlantic time––four hours ahead of LA and one hour ahead of Eastern time. I spent most of the afternoon after arriving catching up on sleep and adjusting to the time change.

Our tour orientation did not begin until the evening, so I had my second day in Halifax free. I took an Ambassatour Gray Line tour to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, two places my Caravan tour would not be visiting. I had to meet the tour in downtown Halifax. Our first hotel was near the Halifax airport, which is a good 50–minute public bus ride to downtown Halifax, but no problem taking it. I took some photos of the city but will add them later to the ones I took at the end of our Caravan tour, which included sightseeing in Halifax.

The weather at this time of year was on the cold side and sometimes windy and raining.

Seen on My Bus Ride

The scenery along almost the whole distance from my hotel to downtown Halifax was one of forests, an interesting sight for someone from Los Angeles. I chose the beginning of October for the start of my Caravan tour as I was hoping to see the leaves changing color. There were leaves doing this already, and even though a full change of color did not happen on my tour, I was pleased with what I did see. The window for a full change of color is probably a three–week one, so it can be hit or miss.

On the Ambassatour to Lunenburg

There were only seven people on the Ambassatour, with one man visiting from Scotland. On the way to Lunenburg, we also passed many lakes and undeveloped land.

At Lunenburg

It takes about an hour of driving to get from Halifax to Lunenburg. Once there, we met our local guide in front of the Lunenburg Academy. It was built between 1893 and 1895 as a public school. It is now a music academy.

Lunenburg in a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America with its numerous 18th– and 19th–century buildings. It was founded in 1753 as a British outpost to displace the Mi’kmaq First Nation People and the Acadian Catholics (from France) with Protestants. However, the British colonists did not do well here, so new colonists from Germany, France, and Switzerland were invited to come with the promise of great farmland. However, little could be farmed in the area because of the rocky terrain, so the new settlers became fishermen, especially for cod, and ship builders. The settlers also had to contend with uprisings from the Mi’kmaq and also discord from the Acadians.

Lunenburg

One of the many 18– and 19–century houses in Lunenburg. This one was built in 1888.

Lunenburg

There are also many old churches in Lunenburg. This is the St. John’s Anglican Church founded in 1753.

The Bluenose

On display on the Lunenburg harbor is a copy of the Bluenose, a schooner and fishing vessel built here that revolutionized both types of vessels. Lunenburg is known as the “Home of the Bluenose.” Lunenburg County is also the “Balsam Fir Christmas Capitol of the World.”

I have put my photos of Lunenburg on a slideshow. Go to

Lunenburg

(Slide Shows, Canada, Nova Scotia, “Lunenburg”).

Mahone Bay

Our next stop was at Mahone Bay, a short distance from Lunenburg. It was founded in 1754 by settlers from Lunenburg.

Mahone Bay

Mahone Bay also has many 18th– and 19th–century buildings.

Mahone Bay

An old house in Mahone Bay.

Mahone Bay

The classic view of Mahone Bay with three churches reflected on the water.

Scarecrows in Mahone Bay

The Mahone Bay Scarecrow and Antique Festival was held the weekend before we visited here. Hundreds of scarecrows were still on view. Here is the Royal Family.

I have put my photos of Mahone Bay on a slideshow. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/mahone–bay/

(Slideshows, Canada, Nova Scotia, “Mahone Bay”).

Caravan Tour

We had our orientation meeting for our Caravan tour this evening. There will be 46 on the tour (44 Americans and 2 Canadians), I think the most people I have had on a multiday escorted tour. However, it worked out well and there were many new, interesting people to meet.

We met our tour director, Blair (this photo of him was taken on a later day). He was a great combination of tour director, historian, and stand–up comic. He was really funny and his humor made the tour so very enjoyable.

We would get on our bus tomorrow and start to explore.