Blogs from Nova Scotia, Canada, North America

This morning we reached land. Hooray! We arrived in Halifax Nova Scotia about 8:00 while we were having a light breakfast in the Horizon Court. We had signed up for a shore excursion which included a lunch, and we wanted to enjoy it fully. We reported to the Explorer's Lounge and they told us to expect an advanced warning to start heading for the bus ahead of the rest of the tour group. So we headed down about 9:00 for a bus which didn’t show up until 9:45. But we made a leisurely pace down the ramps and through the port terminal and arrived just fine. It was a little chilly waiting outside on a bench until the bus came, but we were well bundled. The high today was only 61, so it was somewhat cooler ... read more

We took the train from Quebec City to Halfax in a sleeper car. It is about a 19 hour trip, so the ability to lie down when we arrived at the train station at 10 pm sounded appealing. However, the idea that the train would rock you asleep is a fictional idea. It actually rocks you awake! We arrived in the early evening the next day and stayed at the Lord Nelson. Found out our room had been upgraded and that we are across the street from the Halifax Public Gardens. Seventeen acres of beautifully maintained gardens. During our time here, found out some more about Canadian history. The Halifax explosion that occurred during WW1 and killed approximatly 2000 and injured 9000 due to 3000 tons of explosives igniting that were aboard a ship. It was ... read more

OK OK OK I am getting on a plane Monday and flying to Vienna, Austria. I have a EuroRail pass for 30 days and intend to explore parts of Europe where I have not ventured, and return to some that I visited too many years ago. It has been a decade since I left North America, and after two years of covid, I am more than ready to wander into new cultures. Perhaps this is not the best month to leave, as it is lobster season and all of my gardens are about to bloom in a couple of weeks, but it should be less crowded in European countries and not so hot along the Mediterranean sea. Friends from France are visiting now, and enjoying lobsters fresh from the sea.... read more

Le 26 novembre 2021, Après un autre doux réveil sans entendre la rengaine matinale de nos filles, nous partons déjeuner dans un adorable petit café à deux pas de notre hébergement, avec une jolie vue sur le port qui plus est. Nous faisons ensuite notre première découverte de Lunenburg la colorée. Comme ce village de poche est joli! Partout, de petites boutiques d'artisanat et de souvenirs, des bouquineries et des cafés douillets. En haute saison touristique, ça doit être très vivant comme endroit! Nous faisons un tour dans le port du village. Y est amarré le célèbre Bluenose II, le voilier que l'on retrouve imprimé sur les pièces de 10 cents. En haute saison, il est même possible d'y faire une croisière, mais cette activité est très prisée, mieux vaut réserver plusieurs mois à l'avance. Pour ... read more

Travelling is one of the most richly awarding experiences that allows you to remove yourself from the stresses of daily life. Whether you’re heading to the beach for the weekend or on a year-long global backpacking adventure, travel can change your life. Most people make the assumption that traveling must be good for health because of its intrinsic benefits. However, is travel good for you? It will please you to know that the next time you travel you will give your health a boost. That’s because travel allows you to broaden your horizons, enjoy new things, and create memories that last a lifetime. Health and personal benefits drawn from travel include increasing cognitive intelligence, relieving stress, and transforming your outlook on life. Technology has also played a part in making travel as stress-free as possible. Planning ... read more