twangster

Day 6 - Halifax, continued...
Our progress so far...

Inside the cruise terminal at Pier 21 are a number of shops offering local crafts and other souvenirs. 

Halifax and Pier 21 has a lot of history and in the past this very pier served to be the point of arrival for many who immigrated to Canada.  In that sense it's Canada's version of Ellis Island in NYC being the primary seaport used for transatlantic crossings for much of the 1900's.


Plenty of hop on, hop off buses which if walking isn't your thing are a great way to self-explore the city.

Halifax is another old Canadian city with lots of history.  It was the birth place of Samuel Cunard whose parents immigrated here in 1783.  As a businessman he formed a steamship line that would later be known as the Cunard Line sailing from Liverpool, England.

A memorial to woman who volunteered in a variety of roles including during the war efforts.

"The Emigrant" - In many cases men left their families in their home country to pursue work in the new world. later sending money home to them.

Given the role that Halifax has played as a seaport it is also one of Canada's largest Navy ports.
A memorial to those Navy ships and crew lost in World War 2.


This leads to a very nice Harbor walk that follows the shore.

I've been to the maritime provinces several times, both as a kid in the family wagon but also as an adult.  Mostly by car, a few air trips.  This is my first visit by cruise ship.  
When you drive there, you see and experience a lot just by driving, stopping, spending nights here and there.  Gaspe Bay Peninsula for example.  Very beautiful area.  Cruising is different.  Not in a bad way, just different.  Seeing covered bridges in PEI for example that aren't in downtown Charlottetown.  An excursion can get you there, which I didn't do but that I knew that when I chose not to do an excursion.  I could have rented a car which is a very viable cruise ship day trip thing to do, especially with a family where excursions add up with each additional family member.   As a solo cruiser a car rental is often more than an excursion but provides a lot more flexibility than an excursion.
If you are going to rent a car, research ahead of time and plan a route leaving some time for being spontaneous.  No different than flying to NS, NB, PEI, etc.

Off to dinner in the Windjammer for German night (Ironic after so much World War history today).  Tonight was a formal night and I just didn't feel like doing the MDR.  Food in the WJ was very good.
Around 6pm the Captain announced a guest was in a critical medical condition and we would need to return to Halifax to drop them off for medical attention.  Unfortunate but it happens.  

As a result our arrival in Saint John, New Brunswick tomorrow has been pushed back to around noon.  The Captain will provide an update in the morning at 8am.  
Just before 9pm we made our second departure from Halifax.

Back on the ship I laid down for a nap (that Canadian beer is pretty strong).
Shortly after I went up for sail away and discovered the flowrider was operational.

The sole participant had brought a wet suit and was pretty good.  He had it to himself.

The slides were also operational and I can confirm the water is NOT heated. 

Slide rules in case anyone is interested.

As sail away got closer I saw some sail boats in the harbor.

The Peak-a-boo bridge was open for the first time in many days.

Down to the helipad for sail away.



The pilot boat tagging along waiting to pickup the harbor pilot.

Walking back towards the ship next to the pier is a local farmer's market.  Lot's of local's present today including many students from Dalhousie University here for lunch on this Saturday.




Closer to the ship is a local brewery. 

Time for a beverage.

Walking around town is easy and pleasant.



A Poutinerie.  

Halifax is known for it's Donairs.


An authentic chicken Donair. Yum.

Lot's of churches in Halifax.



An old cemetery across the street.







A recollection of a battle during the war of 1812 with the Americans.

The Citadel of Halifax remains never to have been attacked by an enemy.  It's place on top of this hill gave it a commanding view and ability to defend the harbor along with many other forts and defensive positions located around the port.
Today it is a museum operated by Parks Canada.





Hmmm, more cannons pointed at our ship.







It also serves as a museum for Canada's war efforts in both World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan.   

A section of the moat has been re-created in the form of World War 1 trenches of the Western front that Canadian soldiers fought in.  




"Keep your head down"  Yeah, no kidding.





Back to the barracks used by soldiers in the Citadel.


Upstairs has been converted into a museum with exhibits.







A recreation of the monument to Canada for it's role in liberating the area located at Vimy Ridge in France.


Admission was $7.80 or around $6 US.  Well worth it.

The Harbor walk continues and is home to many restaurants and shops.



A Canadian Navy ship was leaving the port this morning.

A nice playground for anyone with kids can be found along the Harbor walk.

The "Last Steps Memorial Arch" is a tribute to the thousands of men who departed Halifax during World War 1 to fight in the trenches overseas.  Over the course of the war over 350,000 Canadian troops departed from Halifax. 


A view towards the Atlantic with that Navy ship growing smaller on the horizon.

Despite it's history Halifax is a very modern and clean city.


City Hall.


One of the oldest Anglican churches in Canada.

A view up the hill toward the Citadel of Halifax.



In 1917 as the World War 1 raged on, a Norwegian relief ship collided with a French munitions ship in the narrows of Halifax harbor.  The French ship was carrying explosives from New York City destined for France.  It burned for 25 minutes before 2926 pounds of explosives detonated.  The resulting fireball and shock wave flattened two square kilometers of city.  More than 1,600 were killed, 9,000 injured and 6,000 left homeless.  

Day 6 - Halifax, continued...
Our progress so far...

Inside the cruise terminal at Pier 21 are a number of shops offering local crafts and other souvenirs. 

Halifax and Pier 21 has a lot of history and in the past this very pier served to be the point of arrival for many who immigrated to Canada.  In that sense it's Canada's version of Ellis Island in NYC being the primary seaport used for transatlantic crossings for much of the 1900's.


Plenty of hop on, hop off buses which if walking isn't your thing are a great way to self-explore the city.

Halifax is another old Canadian city with lots of history.  It was the birth place of Samuel Cunard whose parents immigrated here in 1783.  As a businessman he formed a steamship line that would later be known as the Cunard Line sailing from Liverpool, England.

A memorial to woman who volunteered in a variety of roles including during the war efforts.

"The Emigrant" - In many cases men left their families in their home country to pursue work in the new world. later sending money home to them.

Given the role that Halifax has played as a seaport it is also one of Canada's largest Navy ports.
A memorial to those Navy ships and crew lost in World War 2.


This leads to a very nice Harbor walk that follows the shore.

Some people have medical equipment that requires them given the lack of outlets anywhere near the bed.  While a surge suppressor presents a clear safety hazard due to the type of electrical system on board, a simple plain extension cord does not.  No more than it does when and if the ship supplies one to you, until they run out.  
A plain cell phone charger does not represent a safety hazard yet I came close to having one confiscated because it was European and looked different.  
If Royal, or any cruise line wants to mitigate the need for them they should modernize their ships so they aren't needed first.
Plus -  a 25m extension cord?  Sure, ban anything over 4m and we're good.  
 

Ran into @JLMoran in the spa. Went to the gym to walk on the treadmill a bit while watching Lady Liberty. Have a killer headache for the past two days, have migraine Meds but doesn’t really feel like that.  
Singles trivia was group trivia so I got a drink (habanero grapefruit daiquiri) and left. 
Went to Izumi for dinner and got spicy crispy tuna and spicy ramen. It was good, not as good as Harmony’s Izumi but the service was top notch. It was good enough that I’ll likely go back at least once more before I leave. I didn’t need the $35 allowance, I was good with what I ordered. Headed to Cafe Promenade for cookies...Royal Caribbean has the best cookies, not always amazing other desserts but the cookies are my favorite! 
 
I have reservations for The Gift but not sure I feel like it. It’s been a long day and I’d like a shower, book and my bed. Btw- bed is great as is. Firm but not painful. (Harmony was crazy hard and needed a mattress pad).
Time to find the Coke Machine for some seltzer...

Back on the ship I laid down for a nap (that Canadian beer is pretty strong).
Shortly after I went up for sail away and discovered the flowrider was operational.

The sole participant had brought a wet suit and was pretty good.  He had it to himself.

The slides were also operational and I can confirm the water is NOT heated. 

Slide rules in case anyone is interested.

As sail away got closer I saw some sail boats in the harbor.

The Peak-a-boo bridge was open for the first time in many days.

Down to the helipad for sail away.



The pilot boat tagging along waiting to pickup the harbor pilot.

The Citadel of Halifax remains never to have been attacked by an enemy.  It's place on top of this hill gave it a commanding view and ability to defend the harbor along with many other forts and defensive positions located around the port.
Today it is a museum operated by Parks Canada.





Hmmm, more cannons pointed at our ship.







It also serves as a museum for Canada's war efforts in both World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan.   

A section of the moat has been re-created in the form of World War 1 trenches of the Western front that Canadian soldiers fought in.  




"Keep your head down"  Yeah, no kidding.





Back to the barracks used by soldiers in the Citadel.


Upstairs has been converted into a museum with exhibits.







A recreation of the monument to Canada for it's role in liberating the area located at Vimy Ridge in France.


Admission was $7.80 or around $6 US.  Well worth it.

Day 6 - Halifax, continued...
Our progress so far...

Inside the cruise terminal at Pier 21 are a number of shops offering local crafts and other souvenirs. 

Halifax and Pier 21 has a lot of history and in the past this very pier served to be the point of arrival for many who immigrated to Canada.  In that sense it's Canada's version of Ellis Island in NYC being the primary seaport used for transatlantic crossings for much of the 1900's.


Plenty of hop on, hop off buses which if walking isn't your thing are a great way to self-explore the city.

Halifax is another old Canadian city with lots of history.  It was the birth place of Samuel Cunard whose parents immigrated here in 1783.  As a businessman he formed a steamship line that would later be known as the Cunard Line sailing from Liverpool, England.

A memorial to woman who volunteered in a variety of roles including during the war efforts.

"The Emigrant" - In many cases men left their families in their home country to pursue work in the new world. later sending money home to them.

Given the role that Halifax has played as a seaport it is also one of Canada's largest Navy ports.
A memorial to those Navy ships and crew lost in World War 2.


This leads to a very nice Harbor walk that follows the shore.

Too bad it's not a parka, otherwise LuluBot would buy three.  

Day 6 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
I woke early to capture our arrival and I wasn't disappointed. 

 

it was nice to see sun and sky after several days of gloomy, wet weather.

Day 6 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
I woke early to capture our arrival and I wasn't disappointed. 

 

it was nice to see sun and sky after several days of gloomy, wet weather.

With enough money you can rent whole ship so I suppose anything is possible.  

Following!  
Have a great cruise!

Following!

The ship is gorgeous. Everything still looks so new. My room is perfect for what it is and I have a virtual balcony. All of my dinner reservations have been made except for my last sea day, it was easy to do as I walked in. Made my way to the spa and made a hair appointment for tomorrow night. If anyone remembers last time they screwed it up so this is try #2. 
 
YOLO

Let's just say this - I DO NOT use this word outside of this site but YOLO. This cruise was my bonus trip for the year after reading all of your lovely blogs and seeing your amazing pictures. I was supposed to visit a friend in Texas but we couldn't go this year so I booked this for myself. I've traveled alone before and booked a solo room before but this is my first true solo cruise. It's also my last cruise for probably a long time. I have a big land based Italy trip next year which is my #1 bucket list trip.
I've always wanted to go to Bermuda - in the late 70's (just dated myself but it was the LATE  70's) my aunt and uncle left from NY to Bermuda. At that time you were allowed to bring guests on the ship before it left so my mom, two cousins and myself got to board. There is an amazing picture of us at the shipyard - bell bottoms and a ton of hair. I have a vague memory of waving goodbye to my aunt and uncle and streamers all over (environment, whaaaat)  and remember smiling for the picture. They brought us pink sand in a bottle when they came back, since then I've always wanted to go. It's my #2 bucket list trip.
Bringing my new DLSR camera so I can practice for Italy. I'll probably forget half the time as I usually do. I'll likely update Instagram (Islalay76) and wait to upload the other picture when I get home. I'm VERY green on the DLSR - Nikon 3400
Refreshment package and I'm bringing 2 bottles of wine on board. Ultimate Dining Package and Chef's Table. I've only been to Izumi in the past so this should be fun.
If there is anything you want to know or see let me know.
Periscope is NoBadWords (I'm a tv censor, it's a joke) but I'm not really comfortable on it so not sure I will use.
 
So thank you all for giving me the courage to book a solo cruise.....YOLO!

Dropped pup off last night and passed out on the couch before 9. I haven’t been sleeping all week. 
This is my first time playing with the camera and Luna is my favorite subject. It only took a half hour to figure out how to get the picture from my camera to anywhere else.

Too bad it's not a parka, otherwise LuluBot would buy three.  

Day 6 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
I woke early to capture our arrival and I wasn't disappointed. 

 

it was nice to see sun and sky after several days of gloomy, wet weather.