Halifax, NS

---

Day 8 - Thursday, May 12, 2016 - Halifax, NS - Weather forecast: partly cloudy - temperature: 9°C/48°F - actual: temperature 15°C/60°F - in the morning wind 15 knots - 4 Beaufort under bright sunny skies



Today was another of our non-excursion days so we took our time leaving the ship. As we were docked beside the famous “Pier 21” where many of Brooke’s ancestors came through as immigrants and where her father set off for Europe during WW2 we had to pay a visit. We first visited the information center and were able to get information packages, including photos, on some of the ships that her ancestors took from England. We then went upstairs and toured the building, which is now a museum dedicated to telling the story of immigration to Canada.



After a light lunch ashore I headed off in search of HMCS Sackville, the last Corvette afloat from the 2^nd World War. The last time we were in Halifax the vessel had been moved to avoid damage when hurricane Juan hit the city. I was hoping to visit her and get an up close understanding of what my Uncle Jim experienced as a stoker aboard one of these vessels during the war. Unfortunately she was not at her berth. I inquired at the information kiosk as to her whereabouts hoping that they had given her a new berth only to find that she was in dry dock getting some much needed repairs and a new paint job, before the start of the official “tourist” season.



While I was in the area where the Sackville should have been berthed I had the opportunity to see a cadet-training vessel from the Mexican Navy, which was in habour on a goodwill visit and showing the flag. Literally their national flag, which they had aloft, was enormous.



The city of Halifax has done a marvelous job in restoring the waterfront by building an excellent 3 kilometer boardwalk and making it truly a people place. The citizens of the city were taking full advantage of the beautiful weather.



The rest of the day was given over to reading before dinner where we had a lively discussion with an American couple, who were long time registered Republicans, on their thoughts on Mr. Trump. They flatly told us that they would vote for all of the other Republicans running in their, but not for him. Instead they were going to exercise their option of writing in their choice for President.



Due to the length of our dinner conversation we caught only part of the entertainment put on by the singers and dancers entitled Droom. It is fascinating to watch a relatively small entertainment crew, 6 dancers - 3 female & 3 male, 4 singers - 2 female & 2 male - accompanied by a five piece band, assisted by a sound track, put on these shows.

---

Comments

[Yvonne Hertzberger]

Volendam
Of course Pier 21 is where we entered Canada on May 25, 1950. We've been trying to find the passenger manifest but no luck so far.