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Published: October 27th 2007
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Hello folks
Pumpkin season is upon us. Everywhere we go there are pumpkins! honestly I've never seen so many - and there are heaps of varieties and all different shapes and sizes. Some are big enough to make boats out of. So there is no escaping the approaching Halloween!! Montreal was not the place to experience the North American tradition of Thanksgiving (apparently it's too American) so I'm still yet to experience the celebrated pumpkin pie (although apparently you can buy it in a can!).
Quebec city is a quaint town. The cobbled streets and old buildings give it a very romantic, European feel. French is the dominant language here, although given the high tourism numbers almost everyone speaks a bit of English. The city will celebrate its 400 anniversary next year, it is the oldest city in Canada and I think it's the only walled city in North America. The history is hard to miss. The city celebrates three periods in its history. Firstly the French colonisation followed by the English invasion and the subsequent defense of the city against US invasion, and thirdly the formation of Canada (I'm unsure what role the first nations / Inuit people
played in the region as their history seems a little neglected). I think Christmas in Quebec would feel like you had just wandered into a fairy tale. In winter you can stay in a hotel complete made of ice - the pictures look awesome (like an ice palace), if not somewhat cold.
From Quebec city we caught the bus over to Fredericton and then over to Halifax. Fredericton is a university town, on the banks of a river. We spent one night in the local hostel, which was odd to say the least (my sheet was an old curtain) and one lovely night with Linley and Dave. Halifax is quite similar in lots of ways to Wellington, it has about 400, 000 people, a harbour, hills with a pub based culture. Heaps of seafood, quite well priced too, so Emily is incredibly happy.
We toured Nova Scotia with the Salty Bear tour group. The tour started in Halifax with the usual motley crew of kiwis, English, Aussies, Swiss and Japanese. We drove from Halifax over to Cape Breton on the first day, stopping for photos of the giant mastodon, Tim Horton’s (as this is Canada!) and numerous pretty
tree shots. In Cape Breton we went for numerous hikes, both around the rugged coast line and in the forest. Cape Breton was a highlight for me. The dance party rocked that night - go DJ Wayne!
From Cape Breton we caught the ferry over to Prince Edward Island (PEI). PEI is home to Anne of Green Gables. We stayed in Cavendish right next to the red sand beach and about 10 minutes walk away from Anne of Green Gables house. I ambled around the house, but I didn't bother going in - I never read the books so the novelty is a bit missed on me and the TV show was filmed in Ontario anyway. PEI is quite flat - the highest point is just over 150m and has gentle rolling hills and is the world's second biggest producer of frozen potato chips. Ahh, McKean you've done it again!
We crossed the $800 million dollar 13km bridge from Prince Edward Island to the mainland and then back to Halifax and its multiple pubs for the night. We finally got our chance to sing "Barrett's Privateers" (Halifax's song) at 2am (see the video - the light quality sucks
but hopefully the sound works and I was a bit slow so the first verse is missing. I did try to scan the crowd to get the navy boys behind but was thwarted by the lack of light - sorry girls). I'm sure Peggy's cove is wonderful in the sunshine, but it was rainy and very grey while we were there (the sort of rain where you get soaked within 2 seconds of being outside). I made it out to the lighthouse but then sort refuge in the gift shop.
From here we drove up to the Bay of Funday to watch the huge tide change (about 15m) and red sands. We made a point of stopping at one of the local vineyards to sample their numerous wines, including ice wine and maple wine (both very yummy, if not a little bit sweet).
So now I'm back in Halifax and have been for the past week, searching for a job to keep me amused for the next wee while and living at the hostel. I have work next week as a receptionist for the Canadian Cancer society. Unfortunately the pay rate here is substantially lower than what is
was in the west!
Hope everyone is well and is having fun. It great to hear from you all.
Cheerio
Cielle
Ps. You can buy vegemite in Halifax!!!!!!!
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