Our first cruise stop was Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax is a really neat little city. Like most cities, it is now spread out far and wide, but the central downtown combines the best of old and new. The dock area is renovated into a very nice walking tour, with just enough, but not too much, touristy shit. (well, this tug was kinda over the top)...
The Canadian Coast Guard was on duty...
And the dockside entertainment was great... this saxman had his act down and got my money...
Not spending too much time at the docks, I immediately took off up the hill, into downtown, finding many cool shops and pubs, including a curious looking place and eventually a great indy music store (lots of vinyl!).
Old churches often define an old city, and Halifax is old...
Like most of Eastern Canada, Halifax expresses a strong Brit influence. I continued up the hill to the Citadel National Historic Site, and old Brit fort that has a commanding view of Halifax (see pics above) and protected the city from invasion way back when. I got there in time for the noontime cannon firing and a performance of the bagpipe band.
Then it was back downtown, past this clock tower, for a wonderful lunch at the Five Fishermen, including a local brewski (Alexander Keith's Red).
After lunch, some more walking led me past this cool new office building with a very interesting weather vane, signifying the Halifax ties to shipping and sailing... a tie furthered by a rather large mural.
Then it was back on the Big Fucking Boat to continue the cruise. The pilot boat eased us out...
But the dock area still held new charms for me... a set of flatbed rail cars with new diesel engines and, of course, lots of cranes.
Finally, goodbye to Halifax...
As a final entry to this post, the first of a series of lighthouse pics... There were three of them we passed on the way into and out of the Halifax harbor.
On to St. John... or is it Saint John... hell, I don't know which... there's so much booze on this boat, I'm barely afloat.
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