Four ships! That’s right, four cruise ships in the Port of Halifax today. That’s a lot for a small port. And not only ships…PEOPLE!
I love cruising. It is one of my favourite ways to vacation. To be in our home province and in our city when there are 4 cruise ships visiting is exciting to me. I said to my husband if we lived right in the city I would want to work in that industry somehow. It excites me. Actually tourism is so interesting and I love meeting and talking to people visiting our province and I absolutely love cruising, so the two put together would be a really fun job.
This year is a great year for the number of cruise ships coming to the Port of Halifax. Just look up Cruise Schedule for Port of Halifax and you will see. A lot of days 2 and 3 ships. Some days 4 and actually on October 1st there will be 5 ships. That is so terrific! So many people visiting our beautiful province.
We were in the city today and actually made a point of going to the Port and then went to the Dartmouth side to get a picture of all four ships together. Two Royal Caribbean ships, a Holland America ship, and our favourite a Norwegian Cruise Line ship ( the Dawn).
It’s a lot of fun to go down to the Pavilions on cruise ship days. It’s the only time the shops are open and I like browsing. We had a great day and even grabbed a late lunch at the Seaport market.
The back drop looks different when there is a cruise ship in port. Oh…to be cruising!!
Unique, unspoiled…tucked away at the end of a rocky beach. A trail that is 6.5 km round trip. It consists of marine, terrestrial and wetland ecosystems. Both sides have steep cliffs and tidal pools, shale beaches and just AMAZING views along the shoreline. Just a perfect little walk for such a gorgeous afternoon!
And where is this unique place? It is Hirtle’s Beach And Gaff Point.
September is my husband’s favorite time of year. It’s his Birthday month and it’s usually when he takes a vacation. He loves Fall. Nice warm sunny days ( not too hot) and cooler nights. Although this September we’ve still been running a bit of air conditioning.
Today is officially his first day of Vacay and PRIORITY for this week was a long bike ride! So this morning bright and early off he went with a fellow colleague…
LA TOUR de Honda Fury
First stop…Middleton in the Annapolis Valley. Coffee time, of course!
It was a beautiful Saturday and lots of picturesque places along routes in our province. Unfortunately getting pics proves difficult on a bike unless you are making lots of stops. For the most part they just enjoyed the ride!
And lunch at a great Turkish restaurant ( David said it was my kind of place and we would have to go sometime)
They had a great “tour” and it might have been nice to see a few more places, they both agreed that they are not “long distance” bikers. But then again this was the first long ride and maybe with a few more stops and (pictures for me lol) they would love it.
As promised back in May…Here is my second edition RESULTS page of the quest to find the BEST fish & chips places in Nova Scotia. As you know last summer we did this and in the Spring we decided there were just so many places we didn’t get chance to try that we would do another post.
Fish & Chips is a staple food along the South Shore of Nova Scotia. We LOVE our fresh haddock. There are so many great spots along the coast where it is a feature on the menu. So just where is “the BEST”… the best tasting, the best presentation, the best value for your money?
If you want to check out last year’s list you can click on the link below:
And after lots of study and careful consideration…:) Here are the 2015 RESULTS
May 24~ The South Shore Fish Shack, Lunenburg …revisit
We were here last year, their first season open and we loved it. So back we went. Now this was only the second weekend open this year and once again we thought the fish was fabulous. Cooked to perfection and so delicious. They’ve switched up a bit from being served in boxes to served in baskets ( I like the boxes better) and they also switched from bottles of pop to fountain pop ( not a fan) I don’t drink pop but David does and he much prefers his COKE in a can or bottle, but hey they’ve got it right and serve COKE! The South Shore Fish Shack is wonderful and I know we will go back again. PLUS the view on a summery night is amazing!
May 30~ The Turkey Burger, Cookville ( just outside of Bridgewater)
I think Turkey Burger has got EVERY restaurant in the province beat for portion size. Their servings are HUGE!!!!! I remember eating at the Turkey Burger as a teenager…vanilla milkshake, cheeseburger and fries would be my order back then. Tonight I had a milk shake… and David & I ordered the 3piece fish & chips. The milkshake is large and made with real ice cream and so thick and delicious. And the three piece fish…well, we could feed our WHOLE family with that order. The fish was fresh and flaky, so tasty good. This restaurant is a MUST for anyone visiting the area.
July 5~ revisit~ We were impressed with Turkey Burger on May 30th, so when our nephew and his wife were visiting from Ontario we wanted to treat them. However, our second visit wasn’t quite as good. Portion sizes are huge…they were impressed! But the fish was a little overcooked and batter a bit greasy this time. I think I’ve tried enough fish & chips here and will try something different. BUT the milkshakes are THE BEST ( I had one again)
Our son and nephew enjoying the fish & chips 😀
June 7~ The Wharf Wrap Restaurant, Eastern Passage
The Wharf Wrap Restaurant in Eastern Passage is located by Fishermen’s Cove. The restaurant itself is nothing to look at but we’ve heard rave reviews how their Fish & Chips are “the best” so of course, I wanted to go. We ordered the one piece and added a piece of fish to share. Just like last week at the Turkey Burger, portions are HUGE!!! We couldn’t believe it. How can these restaurants afford to serve such large pieces of fish. The batter on this fish was a little different. Its a cracker crumb/batter with “secret special seasonings” that only the owners know. I guess it’s a family secret that even the chef’s don’t know entirely. Well, it was different BUT oh so delicious!!! It is served with fries and their special pineapple flavour coleslaw. Once again we were not disappointed. YUM!!!
July 2~ Pearles in Paradise …revisit
This is always a favourite when we go to the valley. No complaints, just ALWAYS the same VERY good fish!! That’s why we go back.
July 2~ The Dockside, Digby
Not a fan! Digby is known for it’s scallops and they were delicious but we have had much better fish and chips. The best thing was the view, right on the waterfront, overlooking the scallop trawler fleet.
July 5~ Lanes Privateer Inn, Liverpool
This was a pleasant surprise. A spontaneous lunch stop with some of our family on the way through to the beach. I took took the opportunity to see what the fish & chips were like. They were REALLY good! Home cut fries with lightly battered fish. A perfect lunch, especially when enjoyed on their garden terrace!
July 7~ Acadian Fish & Chips, Hammond’s Plains Road
We have seen this restaurant on our way through to the airport, city or to David’s brother’s place and always comment we should try it! Vacation time is great for eating out. I love their decor outside, lighthouse and little fisherman. It’s a family owned and run business. They serve home cut fries and nice servings with a lemon wedge, tartar sauce and coleslaw. The service is super fast and they are very friendly. A great spot!
July 9~ The Battered Fish- Halifax Waterfront
It was ok. I love the waterfront so eating takeout with a view is so much fun BUT we’ve had better fish & chips.
July 10~ The Blarney Stone, On the 103 in Hebb’s Cross
A small licensed family dining restaurant that has been serving customers since 1983. With a diverse menu offering east coast specialties such as fried clams, fish and chips and other great home style meals like hot sandwiches and burgers. This place is ALWAYS packed and it’s been years since we visited.
Like I said this spot is BUSY!!! The food is great. David & I shared the 4piece fish and chips which was enough for us. The fish was normal portions but lightly done, flaky and not greasy. The chips were just regular ( not hand cut, so nothing special) David did have a side of sweet potato fries which were delicious. A great little spot for good food!
July 18~ Tastee Freeze, Hebbville
This is not the place to get Fish & Chips, it’s a wonderful spot for soft serve ice cream. That being said we just wanted a quick take out of fish and chips to take to the waterfront in our town to enjoy and the Tastee Freeze is just 5 minutes away. We thought we’d give it a try. We’ll be back, we love this spot…but for ice cream!
August 2~ Food Truck Fish & Chips, Huey’s at Halifax Waterfront
Food Trucks set up at the Waterfront during the Busker’s Festival. We had to try Fish & Chips from one. Huey’s was the one that had fish & chips. The experience was cool. The chips were home cut fries which were excellent but the fish was way too much batter for the fish. Oh well…
August 15~ Food Truck Fish & Chips, Irene’s at Chester Yacht Club
Chester Race Week and Chester Village is a busy spot!! A few food trucks were there to help with the event and all the people. We finally got chance to go on Saturday the last day of the races, and had lunch at the yacht club overlooking the harbour so we could watch a bit of sailing. Our food truck choice…Irene’s. Again, not the best fish & chips around but we loved the atmosphere and relaxing lunch.
August 30~ AND for a third time this summer, revisit the Turkey burger in Cookville.
This time was much like the very first time we went. HUGE portions, cooked to perfections. Actually this time even though I didn’t take any pictures ( totally forgot) James, David and I shared the 3piece fish and chips and it was more than enough for lunch!! So I highly recommend this place. If for some reason it’s not quite what you expect the first time, give it a second chance. Now that this year’s Fish & Chips quest is finished, we need to try some of there other dishes! 🙂
So this year instead of going until middle of October with my search, we finished the end of August by returning to a favourite. I am just getting around to getting this blog post ready. There are still so many more places in our beautiful East Coast province that serve this delicious meal, and yes we will keep ordering “Fish & Chips” as we travel about. There are also some other tasty seafood dishes worth mentioning…chowders. lobster rolls, crab cakes, fish cakes, scallops, clams, mussels…hmm…next year I may be on a different quest.
We’re loving these gorgeous days in September and October before cold weather hits. Hope you get chance to go for a nice drive and have lunch or dinner at a local spot.
Fishing. Lobstering. It used to be a way of life for many East Coaster’s, and still is. It’s hard work, not the life of leisure some imagine. It’s interesting that equipment that is old or worn or rusty can make such beautiful photos. I enjoy meandering around these little villages, poking my head in old fishermen’s workshops and boathouses.
What do lighthouses see as they spend their days staring at the sea? The stories they could tell. I sit for but a moment and wonder…
Lighthouses…so beautiful. Navigational beacons and protectors, and this one in particular I never get tired of photographing. It doesn’t matter the weather or the season. Nova Scotia’s iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove.
So many people from all over the world come to Peggy’s Cove. The lighthouse, the rocks, the sea…all amazing! Unfortunately a few, ignore the signs, important signs placed for visitors protection, and they go a little too close. Wanting to see the sea and the waves and swells…they dare to go on the dark rocks…so beautiful BUT so dangerous.
Please enjoy the amazing views, they’re spectacular!!! BUT best at a safe distance. ( NEVER on the dark rocks)
Do you like puzzles? How about mazes? What about life-size mazes that you walk through?
Sunflowers. I LOVE them. With their sunny heads greeting, they make me smile. AND…in the Annapolis valley there are fields of sunflowers!
and one farm even advertises a Sunflower Maze.
I got thinking about sunflowers when a memory popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. 4 years ago living in China and a Saturday outing to the sunflower field. Sunflowers in China are shy though, and were never facing the camera for photos. This was funny and so unlike China culture.
So…another weekend adventure, off we went to the Sunflower field!
An old-time rival of the famous Bluenose is in Lunenburg. The Gloucester fishing schooner Columbia was launched in August 2014. This replica was built in Panama City, Fla., by Eastern Shipbuilding Group.
BluenoseII ( not my photo)
Columbia ( not my photo)
The Columbia and its eight crew members are spending a few weeks here. The Columbia schooner was built from original Bluenose blueprints and will be here to get a few repairs and adjustments as well as enjoy some sea time along side her rival Bluenose. Many of Columbia’s parts were built in Lunenberg and then shipped to Florida.
While it would have been nice to see the Columbia along side of the Bluenose ( we still might get chance) the Bluenose is sailing along Nova Scotia’s coast to Cape Breton stopping for visits in Sydney and Port Hawkesbury and won’t be back in port until later in the week when the Columbia is scheduled to leave.
We enjoyed a nice evening yesterday and got a few pictures…just to say we saw her!
**** Update Friday August 21, 2015
The Bluenose II sailed back into it’s home port of Lunenburg yesterday after being on tour around the province and the Columbia sailed out to meet her. These few photos along with others were on the NS website. I’m not sure who the brilliant photographer was but his/her name should be on these fantastic photos. This is what I had hoped to see. Here they are…the rivals…side by side…SPECTACULAR!!!
It’s a lot of fun to go down to the Pavilions on cruise ship days. It’s the only time the shops are open and I like browsing. We had a great day and even grabbed a late lunch at the Seaport market.
The back drop looks different when there is a cruise ship in port. Oh…to be cruising!!
Just An East Coast Girl 