Vacation – Page 10 – Just An East Coast Girl

Racing Dragons

Dragon boat racing is observed and celebrated in many areas of east Asia. They are traditionally held as part of the June Dragon Boat Festivals all over China. However, when we lived there we searched all over our area to find such a thing to observe, with no luck. They were mostly held in Southern China the years we lived there.

What I didn’t realize, is that for the last 18 years there has been Dragon Boat Races in our own backyard. Well, you know, close to us… in Dartmouth at Lake Banook.

This year July 11 is the 18th Annual Manlife Dragon Boat Races.

Dragon Boat Racing is the “ultimate” in team paddling races! The crew of a standard dragon boat is typically 22, comprising 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, 1 drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddlers, and 1 sweep (a steerer) standing at the rear of the boat. Dragon boats however vary in length and the crew size will change accordingly, from small dragon boats with 10 paddlers up to the traditional boats which have upwards of 50 paddlers, plus drummer and sweep.

It was a lot of fun to be at this event today and see the racing. There was even a small performance of Chinese culture…dragon dance, Chinese ladies dance, and a young guy playing the erhu with a bit of an east coast fiddling style!

After the races, we decided it would be fun to eat at “The Great Wall”, a Chinese restaurant in downtown Halifax. It was lovely authentic atmosphere and what made it perfect was that there was a family beside us visiting from Shanghai speaking Chinese and eating “the Chinese way”

The whole experience just made me smile! A great day.

At the very tip!

We took our Volvo off roading…

out to one of the very tips of our province, to Cape d’Or.

I was curious, I wanted to see what was there.

This place is absolutely AMAZING for views!!

Cape d’Or is located at the north point of the entrance to the Minas Basin.

There are dramatic 200 m cliffs on the western side and 30 m cliffs on the southern side overlooking treacherous tidal currents in the Minas Channel. The Cape was named by French explorers (Cape of Gold) because of the bright copper deposits. Most of the Cape is heavily forested, but the areas beside and above the lighthouse are cleared and grassy providing excellent long-distance views in good weather.

There is also a restaurant and accommodations at this point which in my opinion would make a relaxing getaway! Could you imagine watching the sun rise and set in such a place?

A Walk on the Ocean Floor

Have you ever wondered what was on the bottom of the ocean along the coast? What was lurking under that muddy water in the Bay of Fundy?

We enjoyed a day trip adventure to Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick.

Hopewell Rocks or Flowerpot Rocks, are rock formations caused by tidal erosion. They stand 40–70 feet tall. Located in the Bay of Fundy, where the World’s Highest Tides make for interesting adventures, the base of the formations are covered in water twice a day. And if you are there at low tide… it is possible to view the formations from ground level, while walking on the ocean floor!

High Tide at the Flowerpots at Hopewell Rocks…

And the same place at Low Tide…so AMAZING!!! And we enjoyed a couple hours walking on the Ocean Floor at low tide…

It’s Just MUD

ooey, gooey, deep rich reddish-brown MUD!!

Home to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km long ocean bay that stretches between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast.We took a drive along the coastline of our beautiful province and a bit of the coast in New Brunswick that borders the Bay of Fundy. There are so many interesting little spots ( which I will blog in separate posts) It is really quite amazing to view at high tide and low tide. BUT underneath all that…as David says…

it’s just MUD!

The Ovens

The Sea Caves called “the ovens” are amazing especially at high tide when the water is washing in and out and creating cannon like noises. However tonight, it was low tide, and even though the views were spectacular it didn’t quite have the effect if it were high tide.

It’s a beautiful spot to go for a walk and enjoy the ocean anytime.

Beach Day

Beautiful pristine water, white sandy beach. One of my favourite beaches along the South Shore and today was a gorgeous day. It’s the kind of day you want at the beach and was perfect to show our nephew and his wife. She has never been to Nova Scotia let alone step foot in to the Atlantic Ocean. We were so happy to be able to show them one of many reasons Nova Scotian’s are proud of their beaches.

Lovin’ our beach day!

Balance is the key

Balance is the key to a happy, fulfilling life. Hard work and leisure, a lot of one and not too much of the other. An appreciation and enjoyment of both.

Today we went on a small hike to Balancing Rock in Tiverton, NS.

It’s a very easy groomed 2.5-km trail and 235-step staircase that leads to a platform with view of the Balancing Rock and St. Mary’s Bay. Just beautiful. This 9 meter high rock is a part of the North Mountain columnar basalt rocks which forms the cliffs along St. Mary’s Bay and the Bay of Fundy.

EVERYTHING Strawberries 🍓

It’s strawberry season! Fresh, local, sweet, red, delicious strawberries. I picked some up at the market, So I am making lots of delicious treats…

Strawberry pie and shortcake and salsa and just plain strawberries. Oh…how I’ve missed this goodness!

And today, this morning… we went Strawberry picking, the first U-pick of the season. It’s been a few years…So much fun!

And because it’s vacation, I came home and made biscuits so David could have fresh Strawberry Shortcake

Lovin’ EVERYTHING strawberries.

Tourist in your own Town

Tourist in your own town or a stay vacation…call it what you want but this year’s summer vacation we aren’t traveling too far. Everyone asks “Where are you going?” Maybe they expect to hear a really cool place. I guess we could have booked something away…I love our vacations to far away lands and exotic places, interesting cities and really fun places, who wouldn’t? I’ve been spoiled.

I was talking to Chinese friends and told them we were taking a two week summer vacation and they said “two weeks is long enough to come to China!” Oh, I wish…I will ALWAYS want to go back.

Nope sorry. This year our “summer vacation money” is being spent on our outdoor projects and no excess being spent on travel and hotels during peak season because 2016 is gonna be a big year for travel for us! Destination wedding in April, and 30th Wedding Anniversary trip in July ( which I am still working on the itinerary). I’m also wondering how I can squeeze in a cruise or resort vacay in early 2016 too, maybe February. Winter is just too long and too cold.

So…we’re here BUT I’m excited. I have learned to appreciate small things in those big things. Like a good meal, a beautiful sunset, fresh air walking along a clean beach, a quaint little coffee shop, a unique fishing village, an old world town…lots of things so Tourist in your own town? What does Bridgewater offer the visitor? Ok, so maybe not just Bridgewater. But our province. Nova Scotia. It’s beautiful and I really want to enjoy it and appreciate it and do some things, maybe like a tourist. I don’t know but I have a list of wonderful ideas and my handy Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers guide.

Let’s hit the road Baby!

Oh…

The Seaport Market on a Sunday

Another rainy Sunday in the forecast. What to do? I have REALLY been wanting to checkout the Seaport Market in Halifax. Besides we had a few errands to do in the city. Sounds like a perfect idea.

About the Seaport Market…A little bit of history from their website http://www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com/about/

The Halifax Farmers’ Market was created by Royal Proclamation in June of 1750, a year after the founding of Halifax. The Governor and Council designated a site for the Market – the present day Bank of Montreal building. For 50 years this flesh, meat or cattle market, as it was known, sold produce as well as livestock delivered from Acadian farms in the Annapolis Valley and from local farm production. In 1848 the City of Halifax was incorporated and the original City Charter conveyed the Country Market property to the city “for the public and common benefit and use of the City of Halifax according to the true interest and meaning of the original grant.” The Market has operated in several locations across the city since its inception in 1750, but moved to the Halifax Seaport in 2010 where it is now known as the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market – the longest continuously running Market in North America and proudly hosting over 250 vendors! The Halifax Seaport is a vibrant arts and cultural district found at the south end of the Halifax waterfront. Extending from Piers 19 to 23, you will find artisans, retailers, cruise terminals, event facilities, cafés, galleries, offices, a museum, a university and the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market. This district has been redeveloped to showcase local talent and is now a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Right on the waterfront in Halifax, one of my favourite spots!

We had a wonderful few hours, had something to eat and even picked up a new cutting board from a local artist.