Lee Family Trip

Jackie and her sons (Sebastian and Jeremy) are from Oakville, Ontario, and this summer the boys wanted to see Nova Scotia.
Blue Diamond Tours designed their itinerary which included the ‘must see’ sights & ‘must do’ activities. Being young teenagers, the boys had a couple of ‘must-do’s’ of their own that we also included in the trip. Additionally, BDT booked the hotels, arranged for the meals and all the other elements needed for a successful tour.

Blue Diamond Tours can make your Nova Scotian holiday a success too! The family flew into Halifax on July 24th, and their odyssey began on the 25th with an orientation tour of historic Halifax, an hour long visit to the Citadel, and stops at the Titanic Cemetery and Peggy’s Cove (see travelogue for notes on artist Neil Depew). Lunch was at the Trellis Café whose haddock chowder is the very best! Afterwards it was on to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg where we saw some of the tall ships from the 2009 Tall Ship Halifax Festival docked in Lunenburg Harbour. The beautiful sailing vessels of yesterday definitely added colour to the old fishing port.

July 26 is Saint Ann’s Feast Day which turned out to be very apropos as when we toured the historic grounds of Grand Pré, the Acadians were in full swing celebrating this important Feast Day. Grand Pré was where the English deported the French Acadians in 1755. Lunch today was in Wolfville (which used to be called Mud Creek), home to Acadia University. Next, we toured Charles Prescott’s home at Starr’s Point and Jackie and the boys learned of his importance to agriculture in the Annapolis Valley and Nova Scotia. The Look-Off and Hall’s Harbour were also toured. Hall’s Harbour was once a Pirate’s Lair and is now home to a Fundy lobster & fishing fleet and lobster pound and restaurant. Lots of great agricultural land and scenery were passed during our day in the Annapolis Valley.

On July 27th, we toured along the Gold Coast. Sights today included the Auto-Port, a world-class winter surfing beach, Acadian Villages, tidal clamming flats, salt-water marshes and more. We visited Fisherman’s Life Museum where our guests learned about the harsh life endured by fishing families along these Gold Coast shores and how the Myers family raised 13 daughters in their very tiny home (see the photos on the travelogue). We ended our day at the Inverary Inn in Baddeck, our home for the next three nights.

July 28th consisted of a full day of touring the world-famous Cabot Trail. As we left Baddeck, we opted to use the ferry at Englishtown to help shorten the overall mileage and to give Sebastian & Jeremy a close up look at a ‘cable-ferry’. We went up and over Cape Smokey as I find this route best. Our rest stop was at Keltic Lodge where Sebastian and Jeremy, both avid golfers, admired the Highland Golf Course, rated number one in Canada for the past several years. Next, it was on to Neil’s Harbour, a good place to stop as it is a fishing village of renown and first settled by fishermen from nearby Newfoundland.

It was around then when the first chorus of “When do we eat?” was heard, so we stopped at Cabot Landing. This is the said to be the very place that John Cabot landed in New Scotland (Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland). It was sunny and warm with a bit of a breeze during lunch. One of the boys’ ‘must-do’ adventures was just ahead at Pleasant Bay. We went up and over North Mountain to the bay and a two hour whale watching adventure with Fiddling Captain Stan. Yes, according to the boys, “hundreds of whales” were observed....and they have the pictures to prove it! Guess I’ll have to take their word on that as I stayed on shore!
The local museum, The Whale Interpretation Center, was very interesting and frankly well worth the time and money to visit. The rest of the Cabot Trail was up and over and down MacKenzie and French Mountains (where we spotted an American Bald Eagle), and then a tour through Cheticamp and along the world-famous Margaree River before heading back to the Inverary Inn at Baddeck.

Following breakfast on July 29th, we drove to Fortress Louisbourg and were able have a lengthy visit to this famous fortress which included a private guided tour for Jackie and her sons. Road construction interfered slightly with our timing, but the boys were able to spend a solid 90 minutes plus at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum at Baddeck.

On July 30th, again following breakfast, we were back on the road to the Sydney area where we picked up Route 4. Our first stop was Gordon’s Bakery for some meat pies which disappeared very quickly considering the big breakfast we just had not too long before. Teenage boys seem to have hollow legs. Rita MacNeil was not ‘in residence’ at her tearoom, but we stopped anyway. Route 4 is very scenic (more so than Route 5 if you ask me) with lots of views of the Bras d’Or Lakes. There is the Look-Off, Saint Peter’s Canal, and Chapel Island among other historic sites to be seen. You should be warned, however, that there is currently a lot of road construction going on in this area, and as welcomed as it will be once it has been completed, it will hinder your progress along this route and add time to your day. We stopped briefly in Pictou (known as The Highland Heart of New Scotland) before taking the ferry at Caribou to Prince Edward Island, known as “The Gentle Island“. We did experience a bit of rain on our drive into Charlottetown and to our new home for two nights, The Brackley Beach North Winds Resort. Later on, we drove (rain free) to North Rustico and the Lobster Dinner at the restaurant with the 120 foot salad bar (60 feet long on each side).

After breakfast on July 31st, we toured Charlottetown, visited Founders Hall and Province House, and headed out to New Glasgow and the home base of Prince Edward Island Preserves. Next, it was on to Anne of Green Gables National Historic Site for a visit. The highlight of the day for the boys was their two hour visit to the Sandspit Amusement Park. Dinner this evening was at a waterfront restaurant in Charlottetown, after which the family went to see DiscoCirque - A Musical Review at Confederation Center.

On August 1st, we headed out to Gateway Village which is the stopping spot at Confederation Bridge. We also made a stop at another spot to take pictures of the bridge and have a brief rest before crossing the bridge into New Brunswick. Minutes later, we were on Nova Scotia’s Sunrise Trail.

Approximately seven Tall Ships were visiting the Port of Pugwash, which is world-famous for salt and The Cyrus Eaton Peace Center. We spent some time visiting this great community on the Northumberland Strait which was celebrating their summer festivale at the time. All three of the Lees seemed to enjoy their time at the Salt Museum at Malagash. This great museum is very well worth the time and effort to visit and tells of an important mineral and time period in Nova Scotian history and culture.

Next, we drove around the Jost Winery parking lot, saw the fields of vines and headed back into Wallace and the road turn-off to Masstown. We had a rest and food stop at Masstown (near Truro) before heading back on the road to Halifax and the hotel where this great adventure ended.

We had mostly sunny and warm to very warm temperatures. There were numerous stops for road construction, as our PEI guide Florence said, “We have two seasons in PEI; winter and road construction.”

This outing was custom-designed specifically for the Lees. They had numerous requests which were incorporated into the trip to ensure their vacation experience was exactly what they wanted. You too can have a tailor-made vacation; just tell us what you want to do / see / where you’d like to go / how many days, etc., and we’ll be happy to customize a tour to meet all your specific requirements. And remember, no group is too small or too large, we can do it all!

Until next time, Bob

The Uniacke Estate Museum Park

Is a rainbow a sign of God’s favor or merely a scientific phenomenon? I’d like to think it is a sign of His divine kindness, showing us the beauty that follows the storm.

In the early evening of August 7th at Cleveland Beach, we had a picnic on the sand in mind, but the ominous looking dark clouds looming overhead told us that might not be a very good (or dry) idea. Not to be deterred, we opted to use the car instead of the sand in an effort to make the most of the situation. As we feared, moments after reaching the car the rain started falling. Our reward for waiting out the rain showers from the comfort of our car was a beautiful rainbow to view while we dined. (view the photos here)

If you choose Excursion D or a modification of this outing, we’ll pass Cleveland Beach & Park, one of approximately 10 great Atlantic Ocean beaches situated around the Atlantic’s great inlet, St. Margaret’s Bay, and the handy the community of Hubbards.

Saturday, August 8th was sunny with temperatures reaching the warmer side of mild. Today we headed out to The Uniacke Estate Museum Park, a place we seldom seem to have time to visit and could be part of our Excursion G package - The Land of Evangeline tour. While a bit off the beaten track, it is part of what was once the expansive country estate of Attorney General Richard John Uniacke (1753-1830). Built between 1813 and 1815, the grand country house is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Canada. The estate offers visitors a vivid glimpse of life in the early 1800s amongst Nova Scotia's gentry.

In choosing Excursion G, you might keep a visit to Uniacke House in mind for a trip back 194 years in time.

The long driveway to the house from Route 1 is part of the original military road route between Fort Edward at Windsor (which protected the back door) to Halifax circa 1755. Every time we visit this area, it reminds me to mention Uniacke House as a worthwhile destination.

Until next time.
Cheers,Bob

A Freeman Family Odyssey

The Freeman extended family group of Lunenburg Massachusetts, cruising on the Maasdam, wants to visit Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Is it like our home Lunenburg ? Or, very much different ?

The Cruise Ship Maasdam, docked 20 minutes late on July 13, as it was encased in heavy fog. The Halifax sky was heavy over-cast coupled with fog.

The Freeman’s trickled off the ship to meet Bob and Mike ( the driver ) of Blue Diamond Tours. Their tour started at about 9:00 am , with a brief introduction to historic Halifax, Holly Cross Cemetery, Victoria Park and the Public Gardens, a drive around the Citadel, “ the tour of Bob” and then it was off to Peggy’s Cove.

The sun was shining, at Peggy’s - the swimming hole - the Lighthouse – and for grandson Mike running like mad over the rocks of Peggy’s Cove. Coffee was found - the deGarth rock monument - the cove - and we were on the road again.

The sun was with us for the rest of the tour. Using old route 3, we arrived at Mahone Bay ( the story of Oak Island and it’s unfound treasure was told in detail) - and the Freeman Quest - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

We gave a brief driving tour of the town - Lunenburg Academy, Saint John’s Church , the fine homes of the old sea captains, the Lunenburg Bump, and some places where the CBS Movie of the Week - Jesse Stone is filmed.

The Freeman’s made a plan and then scattered and explored this “new” Lunenburg for the next 90 minutes – some had lunch - some did banking - some shopped – all had fun - in ‘new’ Lunenburg.

It was a sunny day as we drove Route 103 back to historic Halifax, some of the Family slept, as Bernard said - the young ones were up pretty late last night!!

The Maasdam’s return time was 4:30 PM - we were at the dock by 3:55 PM. Another successful Shore Excursion J actually a variation of J , we wanted to give more time in Lunenburg.

As you are aware all our excursions are modifiable – we can add or drop elements/sites to any excursion – customize it for you. And, all our excursions are private once you have booked a date - only you and yours will be on that excursion!!

Arround the city:

• On Thursday the Tall Ships arrive,
• the Jazz Festival continues,
• there is always something new along the Harbour Walk

Blue Diamond Tours is ready to serve . . . . . . .

Vikings on the Watefront.

It seems the weather has been overcast and damp for far too long. The weatherman says June has been normal and actually a bit dry. But, with fog and clouds overhead , we made our way to the shore of Halifax harbour and to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

They have a new guest the Freydis Joanna a replica of a 1000 year old Viking ship built at the Viking Ship Museum in Denmark.

As you can see she is not a Viking Longboat the terror ship of long ago. She is built with Danish Oak and Fir, using traditional handcrafting Viking Ship building methods.

Freydis Joanna is a “faering” used in coastal shipping activity, the Vikings being traders as well as raiding marauders who preyed upon weak monks. During our short stay the sun came out and it actually felt “hot” standing out in the sun.

We have other photos showing the normal activity that takes place in and about and along the Harbour Walk in the vicinity of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. You can view them on the Blue Diamond Tours web site.

As we say, there is always something to keep you occupied when you are Harbour Walking.


Come see!!

Surgenor 50th Wedding Anniversary

As a fiftieth wedding anniversary present, Joy said she’d like to go to Prince Edward Island - and so it came to be. On June 7th we headed to the PEI ferry at Caribou, Nova Scotia and enjoyed a smooth 75 minute sail to PEI in total sunshine. When we left Halifax, there was heavy cloud cover and sprinkles of rain.

Our first stop on the island was the town of Montague, or as the locals say, ‘Montague the Beautiful’. As the name suggests it is one of the prettiest towns on the island. Graced with a tranquil river, lovely tree-lined streets and stately homes, it is a wonderful environment for residents and visitors alike. It’s harbour is at the junction of three rivers, the Montague, Bradebel and the Cardigan. Many nature cruises in eastern PEI begin in Montague.

Leaving Montague, we headed for Charlottetown and toured through potato farm country. PEI has more than 150,000 acres planted with potatoes. Once in Charlottetown we briefly stopped at Confederation Center to inquire whether Anne of Green Gables, the Musical would be playing sometime during our three night stay. Sadly, the answer was no as the summer season only begins in late June. Next, we checked into The Bradley Beach North Winds Resort.

After checking in, we headed back out to nearby North Rustico where the fishing industry remains the most important local economic activity. North Rustico is home to approximately 40 vessels docked in and around a small craft harbour. Lobster fishing is the main focus for much of the fleet, and during the months of May and June, fresh north shore PEI lobster can be bought at a fish market on the harbour wharves or directly off the boats. Our stop was the world famous “Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers" where we enjoyed the fresh seafood of Prince Edward Island, as well as the 60 foot salad bar.

Following breakfast the next day, we drove back into Charlottetown and toured this picturesque little town famously known as The Cradle of Confederation. We stopped for a visit at Founders Hall with it’s new heritage attraction, Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion, and retail boutique which tells the story of Canada from its inception in 1864 up to modern day.

Next it was on to Province House, scene of the first conference on colonial union in September, 1864. Delegates from the colonies of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada met in the legislative council chamber (now the Confederation Chamber) to begin discussions which led to Confederation in 1867. We also explored the adjacent Confederation Park where a rock or stone from each Province or Territory of Canada is on display.

Soon it was time to head out to New Glasgow, PEI, home to Prince Edward Island Preserves. It is located in an old butter factory situated on a corner of a major intersection en route to Cavendish Beach, the Anne of Green Gables House, and near the world-famous New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. The production kitchen is in full view so that customers may get a first-hand look at how their products are made. Staff make sure that everything the store offers for sale is available to taste. Customers can also purchase the Maritime music which is played in the store. In addition to preserves and music, the store also stocks a variety of the best teas from around the world. In addition to the variety of teas from around the world, the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company recently began their own tea company and now also offers some of their own blends for sale. The location in New Glasgow has grown into a world class facility that sees more than 150,000 visitors annually from all over the world.

The dining tea-room overlooks the Clyde River and serves fresh island meals. For our visit we had the owner, Bruce, as our waiter. I’ll tell you, the man never sits still; while he was serving us, he was also looking after three other groups and trying to have his own lunch at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking!

Our next stop was Cavendish, that legendary land of Anne of Green Gables. We visited Green Gables, which is part of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site and has become famous around the world as the inspiration for the setting in her classic tale of fiction, Anne of Green Gables. In real life, this farm was the home of David Jr. and Margaret MacNeill, cousins of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s grandfather. Shortly after her death in 1942, Lucy Maud Montgomery was recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada as being a person of national historic significance, and in 1948, a monument and plaque were erected on site at Green Gables. Designated in 2005, Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site includes the site of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Cavendish home and Green Gables. The homestead is surrounded by the famous Green Gables Golf Course.

Following our visit, we toured along the north coast of PEI, driving through such places as French River, and Malpeque Harbour & Bay (Malpeque is a world famous name in oysters and are extensively fished and farm-fished at Malpeque and other bays and inlets around PEI).

Our last stop for the day was Saint Mary’s Church at Indian River. It is the largest ‘shingle-style’ church on PEI. There are 250 churches in PEI, more per capita than any other province in Canada. Dinner was at a fine restaurant in Charlottetown.

On day three of our trip, we headed westwards to meet our PEI guide, Florence Gavin, a daughter of PEI who at one time or another was involved in lobster fishing, Irish Moss farming, potato farming, raising & showing award-winning Percheron horses, as well as working in various positions in the Credit Union financial services industry of PEI. Our tour on day three proved Florence is the only person to show-off Western PEI! During our one day with Florence we visited:

· numerous harbours - both Northumberland Strait side and Gulf of St. Lawrence side
· Skinner’s Pond - best known for Stompin’ Tom Connors
· The O’Leary Potato Museum
· Mill River Resort - known for it’s golf course and ‘The Big One’
· The Town of Tignish and Saint Simon & Saint Jude Church which is the largest church on the island and home of the Louis Mitchell Tracker Organ. It is the oldest organ of it’s kind and one of the few left in the world.
· Cape North for lunch - noted for it’s view of ‘the line’ which is the boundary between the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and all important in the fishery business as when one is ‘open’ the other is ‘closed’ and the fishing is always fabulous just ‘over the line’! And yes, the oysters were fresh, plump and tasty!
· Alberton - the circa 1903 Train Station was turned into the town’s offices
· the site where Jacques Cartier first landed on PEI. The site is now a Provincial Park
· Tignish Run, home to the largest in-shore fishing fleet in Canada
· We stopped to view the farming property of the Elite Seed Company, where new varieties of potatoes are being developed
· We saw strawberry fields where the crop is the strawberry plant itself, not the berry. The plants are exported to Florida of all places!


Our day with Florence ended in the Summerside parking lot where we had met her in the early morning. Throughout the day, she gave us the background, history and explained the culture of this area of PEI.

Dinner was at the diner next to our motel complex, great food!

The next morning, we were Halifax bound. We crossed into New Brunswick via the 13.8 kilometre long Confederation Bridge. We stopped briefly at Gateway Village.

We were only in New Brunswick for a short time before we crossed into Nova Scotia at Port Elgin / Bay Ver and then continued on to The Sunrise Trail. Our next stop was at the famous Jost Vineyard where we enjoyed a delightful lunch at a snack-bar overlooking Wallace Harbour. Our itinerary took us through the Wentworth Valley to Truro and then on to Halifax.

The following day, we toured Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best, but the rain stopped whenever we did which actually made the day. The chowder at The Trellis Café in Hubbards is the best - and well worth waiting for!

Our 50th Anniversary Tour ended back in Halifax. A few days later we received a very thoughtful thank you letter from Joy and Charlie.

Remember, all our excursions / tours / outings are private and only for the people who booked them. We include as little or as much as YOU, the client, wants. The itinerary is your itinerary, the activities are set by you, the pace is the pace you desire, the hotels are the ones you choose and meals are where and when you want. If you wish to change a day, activity or take an unexpected side trip, we can make it happen! Want to just stay put and relax instead of heading out for a day of activities? That’s okay too! It’s your trip and we do what you want to do!

So, give us a call and let us know where you want to go and when!

All the best,
Bob

Saint Paul's Church & Grand Parade

This and the snapshots are an addition to our original Blue Diamond Exclusive The Almost Free DIY Cruise Ship Excursion: and some new activities outline for our Almost Free Family Fun in Halifax - Nova Scotia!

The original DIY Cruise Ship Excursion had you taking a Harbour Cruise on the Halifax - Dartmouth Ferry, which has been in continuous operation since 1750. This is still a great idea as you will see and learn much during your harbour cruise.

Our snapshots show the ferry leaving the terminal, and then the view as you walk up George Street where you will pass the Celtic Cross, in memory of the Irish Settlers of Halifax (that’s settlers not Irish Setters!).

As you travel west towards Barrington Street and the Grand Parade, on the left you will pass Province House where the Nova Scotia Legislature has met every year since 1819. Our provincial building is Canada’s oldest seat of government. In fact, in 2008 we celebrated 250 years of responsible representative government. The building is considered to be one of finest examples of Palladian architecture in North America.

The next snapshot is of the same corner (Granville Street at George Street) that is depicted in the oil painting in our friend’s condo, although there is no Binny Streetcar today! (see Bishop’s Landing blog of April, 2009).

Arriving at Barrington Street, if you look to the left you will see an original wall-painting on the side of a George Wright building (check out A Secret Halifax - April 9, 2009), and Saint Paul’s Church circa 1750. To the right, north on Barrington Street (on the same side of the street as the Grand Parade) is a Metro Transit bus stop. FRED (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown - See Halifax with Fred August 20, 2008) stops here, as does the #1 Spring Garden bus which will take you to Mumford Road Bus Terminal which is where the Halifax Shopping Center is located.

Saint Paul’s Church parish, which was founded by Royal Decree in 1749, and the church building which dates from 1750, is the oldest church in Halifax. The design of the church is based on St. Peter’s Church, Vere Street, London. The timbers were cut in Boston and shipped here along with other building materials, although local materials and bricks were used as well. The design, materials and construction have stood the test of time. We encourage you to explore the interior of this historic and great church.

Halifax City Hall standsat the north end of the Grand Parade, which was designed in 1749, and is found on the original ‘blueprints’ for the city of Halifax. Halifax City Hall is a Victorian-style building(circa 1888) and is the original site of Dalhousie University, the largest university in Nova Scotia (est. 1819). We encourage you to visit our City Hall and Saint Paul’s Church as both are National Historic Sites.

To the west is the original location of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), founded by Anna Leonowens, (the Anna of The King and I) and constructed in 1887. The new campus for NSCAD is now located at Pier 20 - the Cruise Ship Pavillon.

To the west you will see a building that was a funeral home and helped with the burial of Titanic victims (April 12, 1912). With our DIY Cruise Ship Excursion, you could use Metro Transit to get to The Fairview Lawn Cemetery where most of the victims of this tragedy are buried.

Also to the west, you will find Halifax’s World Trade & Convention Center. If you look at the roof of the building you will see the Schooner Bluenose as a weather-vane. Up the street from The World Trade and Convention Centre you will see The Citadel Fortress. The original fort was built in 1749, however the fort on the site today is actually the fourth fort and is circa 1826. On the slopes of Citadel Hill you will see the Old Town Clock (circa 1803) with the signal masts of the fort in the background protruding above the fort walls. These signal masts were used before radio as a means of communication between fortified sites around the harbour. One mast was for commercial purposes, and was used by Halifax merchants to learn when ships were coming into port and/or to order stevedoring crews to unload their ship.

From here you may wish to continue up George Street (renamed Carmichael Street) to Brunswick Street where you will see the steps leading up to the Old Town Clock and the Citadel Fortress. Remember, FRED can also take you there as well as ‘he’ runs on a 40 minute schedule and is FREE.

Alternately, you may wish to return to Chebucto Landing (the Ferry Terminal area), or perhaps you may want to visit The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (founded 1908)which is located in the old Dominion Building (circa 1867) and is found on the southeast corner of George and Hollis Streets “The gallery has over 9000 works of art in its varied collection, ranging from Nova Scotian folk art to Inuit stone carvings. One of the most popular attractions in the gallery is the restored former home of rural folk artist Maud Lewis.”. Both Province House (which has daily free guided tours) and The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are worth the time to visit.

In the center of Chebucto Landing (the Ferry Terminal area) you will find the Old Dockyard Clock (1767) that served Halifax’s Naval Dockyard from 1772 until 1993. And, as you are aware, Chebucto Landing is on the Harbour Walk, so if you turn right you are cruise ship bound, or if you turn left, you will be heading towards the Casino area on the harbour which is next to Canada’s Naval Dockyard facilities.

FRED stops at the Metro Terminal next to Perk’s Restaurant, and from this location you can catch both Metro Transit Routes #2 and #4 (among many other buses) from which to start the original DIY Cruise Ship Excursion - June 21, 2008. As always, this DIY Cruise Ship Excursion is FREE but if you wish to do this and much more, Blue Diamond Tours will create a “Perfect Shore Excursion in Halifax” for you.

Thank you, and cheers!

Bob

View the snap shots

Bishop's Landing

A family friend let us use her condo at Bishop’s Landing for the weekend. Bishop’s Landing consists of 206 mixed-use units on the waterfront of historic Halifax Harbour. It is located on Lower Water Street across from the Keith’s Brewery (circa 1863). The complex is integrated with the Harbour Walk which is featured in our Free Cruise Ship Excursion.

Our friend’s particular condo overlooks George’s Island , a prominent feature of Halifax’s historic harbour. It was originally named Ile a la Raquette or Snowshoe Island by the French. However, when Halifax was officially founded in 1749, it was renamed George Island after King George III, and later, George’s Island. It has remained a part of the harbour defence system for the Port of Halifax ever since that time. The Federal Government of Canada recently announced it was going to cover the extensive cost of restoring the island’s fortresses in order to open the island to public visits, which are currently not allowed, as part of the Citadel visitor program. One interesting note, George’s Island has the highest ratio of snakes (black garter) per land area in the world. Surely, an added incentive to visit the island, although only my two grandsons shared that sentiment with me.

The condos at Bishop’s Landing vary in price from merely expensive to approximately $1.3 million for the largest and most luxurious units. From our friend’s condo, we had great views of the Dartmouth side of the harbour, the orange oil rig from Louisiana (a victim of Hurricane Katrina in port for repairs), the Harbour Walk and as always, George’s Island, the centerpiece of our outstanding harbour.

The Port of Halifax is always busy with large container ships, warships from every nation, sailboats, and fishing vessels of every type going in an out of the harbour on a regular basis. But this time we spotted something we’d never seen in the harbour before, it was a paddle surf-board . Here’s an example of what we saw from the balcony of the condo, along with pictures of paddle surf-boarding! Bishop’s Landing has a private courtyard , pool, hot tub, barbeques, and more.

Our friend has a terrific oil painting of the old, binny streetcars once used in Halifax. This was the public transportation system in Halifax until the 1950's, when, like other North American cities, the streetcar fell victim to the onslaught of GM and public transport was converted to rubber-tired buses (mainly GM). It is a great painting showing a bygone era of historic Halifax. Although interestingly enough, Granville at George Street as shown in the painting looks surprisingly as it is today. You could walk to the corner of Granville and George Street from the Harbour Walk, after your harbour cruise on the Halifax Dartmouth Ferry.

Due to privacy concerns, there is only one interior snap-shot of our friend’s condo . Nighttime shots of the harbour proved to be a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. This photo was the best of the all the shots I took.

The Port of Halifax and the Waterfront Corporation are currently making improvements to The Harbour Walk that will add another level of interest . Bishop’s Landing Condo Complex is a multi-use facility that has much to offer cruise ship visitors including numerous shops, eateries, places to sit and relax and watch the world go by, as well as harbour-side entertainment . Also part of Harbour Walk and Bishop’s Landing is a public area with a view up Bishop Street itself and a glimpse of the Old Burying Ground. Read my last blog for more information on the Old Burying Ground and about the White House creator, General Robert Ross, who is buried there. Bishop Street’s streetscape appears very much today as it did in the 1860's.

Bishop’s Landing is just a short distance from the Cruise Ship Pavilion which is located along the Harbour Walk and which, as you’ll note, has it’s own Clock Tower . If you walk the entire length of the Harbour Walk you will find numerous, informative story boards as you go along which tell the history of ships and ship types as well as other interesting information about our city. Here is an example of one of the story boards you will find , it tells the history of Pier 21 which is part of the Cruise Ship Pavilion itself.

No tour of Halifax would be complete without visiting Keith’s Brewery, circa 1863 . Brewmaster Alexander Keith, a Mayor of Halifax (1850), is still there across from Bishop’s Landing.

Keith’s Brewery offers guided tours of their facility. Guides are dressed in period costume (circa 1863) and during the tour they tell much of the history of the brewery and Halifax.

Keith’s India Pale Ale is, even after all these years, the #1 beer sold in Nova Scotia. As they say, “Those who like it like it a lot!”

We hope the snap-shots and text will help you enjoy our Blue Diamond Exclusive, “The Almost Free Family Fun Day in Halifax - DIY Cruise Ship Excursion - Cruise Halifax” .

To the left of the brick building is where the cruise ships dock , and looking north along the Harbour Walk, you’ll see the edge of Bishop’s Landing Complex. Here are pictures of the construction improvements currently underway along the Harbour Walk . These improvements are scheduled to be completed in time for the summer tourist season.

At Blue Diamond Tours, we want you to make the most of your visit to our fair city. We hope the information provided helps you make your day a memorable one and your visit to our historic home town of Halifax, a success!

Read Blue Diamond’s other blogs & newsletters to add to your day in Halifax:

• Brunswick Street February 27, 2009


• Smith Street & Wright Avenue April 10, 2009


• The Public Gardens July 31, 2008


• FRED - Free Rides Everywhere Downtown August 20, 2008


• Also, start with our original offering of DIY Cruise Ship Excursion Halifax

If Do-It-Yourself is not your cup of tea, we at Blue Diamond Tours stand ready, capable and more than willing to build a customized tour just for you! All you need to do is ask!

Until next time,

Bob