At Sea - On Ship today

Margaret woke early this morning [Tuesday, 30 September] with someone washing of windows outside our Cabin, and then over the loud speaker all First Aid Emergencies were called to Port Side 11 level.

To day the sea is very calm but very cold wind blowing.     Each morning when we go to breakfast on the 15th floor you go past swimming pools so are exposed to the weather.

Had breakfast leisurely this morning and returned to the cabin to do a little packing.

Later in the morning we went to a cooking demonstration in the Princess Theatre and then a tour of the second biggest kitchen gallery, and then got caught up in a sale in one of the Restaurants, took a lot of photos of the kitchen area.


Cooking decmonstration



Kitchen area where we looked through

After lunch went to the Princess Theatre again to met the singers and dancers and were taken on a tour of the back stage and dressing room and costumes and also were speaking to the dancers.   Some have been doing this for 10 years or more.

Lift areas

One of the many Dinning Rooms

Another Dinning Room

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

 



Charlottetown, Canada
    

While Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest providence in terms of area and population, it more than makes up for this with the friendliness of its people, its natural beauty, and for being known as the birthplace of Canada.
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The island's landscape is dramatic and features rolling hills, pristine forests, reddish-white sand beaches, ocean coves and the famous red soil. The capital of Charlottetown offers a small town feel and a relaxed atmosphere with a cosmopolitan flair. The town has evolved into a dynamic city without sacrificing its historic charm. One certainly cannot think about Prince Edward without mentioning the author Lucy Maud Montgomery who once lived on PEI and drew inspiration from the land during the late Victorian Era for the setting of her classic novel "Anne of Green Gables." PEI also has another claim to fame with the Confederation Bridge built in 1997. The world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters provides a connection from PEI to the mainland Canada.
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[Monday, 29 September]   Very cold wind here today, winter clothes are out, weather forecast for Quebec is good.      Our trip not until 12.50 p.m. and finishes at 4.30 p.m. today.      All passengers have to be on board by 4.30 p.m. so will be one of the last on.

Our trip is coming to an end fast, Bill said this morning only 4 more sleeps on the ship.

Each night when we go to our cabin 2 chocolates are waiting for us on the bed all bed covers pulled back nicely, my nightie nicely placed on the bed.

My Breakfast that I have each morning, fruit and yoghurt followed by scrambled eggs, small breakfast sausages, bacon and harsh brown.

Breakfast on the Ship

Bill has gone for a walk while I am doing the blog he has checked the news on the IPAD

Took photos as we left breakfast this morning of Charlottetown and then back to our Cabin to get ready to leave the boat.

From the Top Deck of our Ship

Part of Charlottetown

We both went off Ship and checked emails and updated the blog then Bill took Notebook and IPAD back to ship, while he was away I checked how far to town, and got a map.    It is 20 minutes walk away and off we went.

Charlottetown Port Facilities

Very pretty town lots of flowers outside shops and lovely Sunflowers all out in flower but it was very windy so plants were getting blown around and very cold.

Sunflowers in the Main Street

Went to Anne of  Green Gables shop, lovely shop, lots of ornaments in there this afternoon we are going out to Anne of Green Gables Home this afternoon so will see quite a bit of scenery and country side on this trip.

Anne of Green Gables Store

Store

I loved the shop could have spent some money in here, lovely Ornaments, Dolls, Linen etc.   I took many of photos inside the shop as well.

Charlottetown Street

Margaret on the way back to catch our Bus Trip

Walked up many streets and took photos and then back to the Port Building to wait for our Bus Trip.   There were 5 Buses going to Anne of Green Gables Home

In Charlottetown Pavilion

Many people sitting there checking emails and talking on phones.   Our Bus left at 1 p.m.

Had a very pleasant trip through the town and through farmland where we saw potatoes and soya and mustard crops.

Crops

The soil only 1 foot deep so erosion is a big problem so green belts have to be placed on hills.

Lots of maple trees and just on the turn.  The weather has been very warm this time of the year.

Reached Anne of Green Gables Cottage spent 50 minutes there pleasant walk and toured the old cottage.

Anne Green Gables House

Went for a walk through the woods where the author based her story.

The  author of Anne of Green Gables is Lucy Maud Montgomery and is one of the world's most famous authors, and was born in 1874 in the modest white and green house, decorated with authentic Victorian period pieces.  Special exhibits include the replica of the writers wedding dress and personal scrapbooks containing copies of her many stories and poems.

Trees at Anne of Green Gables Home

The area is completely surrounded by a very up market golf course.

Golf Course at Anne of Green Gables Home
 

We then proceeded to the other side of the Island and stopped at Cavendish on the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

At the Beach

Margaret at the Beach

The sea was very rough, the soil and rocks are red so looked quite impressive.    We proceeded along the coast passed some fishing villages and then returned to Charlottetown.

River

Fishing Boats

Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island.   There is a mixture of gaelic and French and English speaking languages.

Recently a bridge was put across to the main land and it costs $45.00 return.

Our Tour Guide Elizabeth was extremely pleasant to listen too, and very proud of her Island.  I thoroughly enjoyed our stop in Charlottetown.

Elizabeth our Tour Guide

After we got back to our Cabin went down for a cup of tea, and met a couple from Santa Monica.

He was a Hawaiian and had lived at Napier and worked for Massey University.   He lived in a Retirement Village with 9,000 residents and was on holiday with his neighbour.

Attended the early Broadway production show, very slick and beautiful costumes.

Proceeded to another show, featuring a mine reader who performed some mind blowing stunts.
As it was a formal night we then went to the top deck for a buffet tea.    Came back to the room to read our Disembarking notices in how to get off the ship in Quebec,    They seem to have it very well organised.
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Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada

Day 7

Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada

Cape Breton is fabled as a magical travel destination and the Port of Sydney is the gateway. Known for its beauty and unique Celtic music and culture, Sydney puts some of the Island's greatest sights and attractions at your fingertips when you disembark into the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.

The dockside pavilion offers an array of Shopping Boutiques, a Craft Market and the World's Largest Fiddle. You will also find wireless Internet services, a Visitor Information Centre, and the Cape Breton Island Exhibition Centre featuring artifacts, images and an overview of the rich culture and heritage of this historic Island. Or you can simply sit and savour our local seafood cuisine at the Range Light Cafe, or enjoy a glass of wine on our second level balcony.

The city of Sydney has a deep history and was originally founded in 1785 by British Loyalists fleeing the perils of the American Revolution. The rich natural resources led these new settlers to establish prosperous coal and steel industries, which attracted immigrants from a myriad of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. To this day, Sydney remains a haven of multiculturalism.

The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is just a short drive from the community of Baddeck and the breathtaking Bras d'Or Lake where Alexander Graham Bell lived, worked and studied. On the east coast of Cape Breton lies the largest historic reconstruction in North America, the Fortress of Louisbourg. The Fortress is a Parks Canada National Historic Site and is described as a Williamsburg-style attraction that is not to be missed.
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We have a late start today, [Sunday, 28 September] all passengers had to go off the ship by tender boats. 



Margaret outside Cruise Pavilion

Our original excursion was sold out so we had to choose from what was left.    We thought we had booked a trip but it was local Gaelic People performing their Cape Breton Ireland Music and Dancing.



Before our excursion we went for a walk around the Board Walk and also down to the park and main street it was very pleasant but windy.

Main Street

Margaret at the Park

Bill on the Board Walk 

I have updated the blog in the Cruise Centre where many people are using IPads etc.

Bill upstairs at the Cruise Ship Pavilion



People using their IPADS and phones

Our excursion was not until 1.20 p.m. and we were piped into the building and room.    We were given a cup of tea or coffee and oat bran biscuits.    Bill's highlight for the day.   Bill was not looking forward to this and had said he if it was to boring he would go back to the ship.     I enjoyed it and Bill stopped for the whole time.

Group Performing for us

Then tried to connect to the Wifi to update todays event but internet was down.
I enjoyed looking at the stalls in the Pavilion before and after our show, beautiful jewellery, and paintings.


Stalls at the Market in the Pavilion

 Then caught tender boat back to ship and went through the security procedures again and up to our cabin for a shower and get ready for tea.

Tender Boat

There is a lot of entertainment on tonight but we are going to see a World Class magician and illusionist, Michael Barron

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

 



The capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Halifax was once Great Britain's major military bastion in North America. The beautifully restored waterfront buildings of Halifax's Historic Properties recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage. Stroll the waterfront, and you may find Nova Scotia's floating ambassador, the schooner Bluenose II, tied up to Privateer's Wharf, just as old sailing ships have done for over 200 years. Halifax is also the gateway to Nova Scotia's stunning scenery, including famous Peggy's Cove, where surf-pounded granite cliffs and a solitary lighthouse create an unsurpassed scene of rugged natural beauty.
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[Saturday, 27 September] Another Beautiful Day here not a cloud in the sky 3 Ships in Wharf today.    In the Farmers Market typing this and updating yesterday, very noisy and people everywhere.     Pleased too hear that you are all enjoying the blog.

Been on 2 bus trips today.    Both enjoying our holiday.    Meeting new people all the time and some seem to be astounded that we have been away for over 5 weeks, time is flying by.     Have taken lots of photos.    A bit of nuisance no free wifi on board the boat, can pay but it is very expensive.

Weather excellent not a cloud in the sky.  It would have been the warmest day on the cruise.

Caught the pink Hop on Hop off Buses for the orange route.     

Hop On Hop Off  Bus

We stopped at Citadel National Historic site and saw changing of the guards, which happen every hour.

This is a fort built in the early 1800 to protect the city against American Invasion but was never needed.

A large stone wall protect the town from all sides.    It is still maned by Scottish Dressed Soldiers.

Guard

Bill in the Grounds

Gun on Top

 We spent 30 minutes here and then caught the next bus to continue our route.

 We then did the town route.

Halifax Public Gardens

In 1914 Two Ships collided in the harbour one containing ammunition, and the other ship contained TNT.

Neither ship was flagged as containing explosives.   The result was 2 blocks of the town being wiped out with high rates of death and injuries. 

This is one of the original houses

We could see where the town was rebuilt from the old part.   Because there were so many children injured they realised that they had to get special medical needs.  Which was the start of Paediatric.
The explosion was the largest man made until Hiroshimo.  The town is quite hilly but very pleasant.





 

A lot of houses have front porches with extra doors so that when opening the front door the cold does not go into the house.

We went to the Farmers Market, it was extremely busy.

The Farmers Market

There were 3 ships in port yesterday, people everywhere.    We have heard that when we are in Quebec there will be 5 ships in port while we are there.

Each night we have delivered to our mail box outside our door the days excursion and about the towns (highlights) and the Princesses Newsletter.

Margaret and the Guard

On top looking in

Parks and Gardens

Street in Halifax

Buildings

Margaret in a shop on Pier 21 where our ship was berthed

 At 4.30 p.m. we went to the Princess Theatre to a Canadian Pipe Band and  Dancers display.



Band Playing at 4.30 in the afternoon

Dancers