DAY 23---HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

REMINDER THAT CLICKING ON THE PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM FOR BETTER VIEWING. 

        Our position today is docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia, shown on maps by circle.  Last photo shows relation of Halifax to Portland and Boston.  It is mostly sunny and 65F outside.

HALIFAX

        Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia with an estimated population of 530,000.  It is the economic center of Atlantic Canada and home to a concentration of government offices and private companies.  Other industries found in the rural areas of the municipality include agriculture, fishing, mining (gypsum), forestry, and natural gas extraction.

        Halifax has a humid continental climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters, which is due to the Gulf Stream moderation. Hurricanes have hit here in 2003, 2010, 2019, and 2021.  All did minor damage except the 2003 storm.

        Halifax's tourism industry showcases Nova Scotia's culture, scenery, and coastline much like yesterday in Sydney.  There are several museums and art galleries in downtown.  The Port of Halifax is scheduled to receive approximately 188 cruise ships this year with an expectation to welcome around 328,000 passengers.

LAST EVENING

                                                                     Some appetizers

                                         Very nice window seat in Sette Mari thanks to Rey. 

                                                      Pilot boat coming to get them.

        After cocktails in the Meridian Lounge we headed up to Sette Mari for dinner.  As always we started with minestrone soup..

                                                               Love these two wines.

                                       Rebecca had the penne pasta with bolognese sauce.

                                        

                                                Of course I had the huge veal parmesan

        I had to have the Sette Mari Chef Megh come out so I could thank him for the veal parmesans I have enjoyed on this cruise.

                                 We sat center stage but a few rows back for Kenny James show.

                                               His son, Trevor, is an amazing guitar player.

                                                             Trevor doing his thing.

                                                              What an energic show!

TODAY

                                    Very smooth sailing this morning at 8am and already 61F.

  YEA!  It's Sunday and on Regent there is caviar and champagne.  Dara always gives me extra!

                                                   Smoked salmon and a piece of cheese.

Eggs benedict with spinach instead of Canadian ham.

                                                              None of these for me!!

Here's today's NFL games that will be televised on the suite tv's:

2pm

Giants vs Cowboys

Bills vs jets

5:30pm

Broncos vs Colts

Eagles vs Chiefs

9pm

Falcons vs Vikings

               

Green buoys for navigating the harbor

As we sailed up the Halifax harbor, I spotted a lot of bikes riding along the coast.

                    They were loading the first cargo ship and unloading the second larger one.

        Georges Island in the harbor.  It has a citadel, "Fort Charlotte" from 1750.  Now a National Historic Site.  There is a light house on the island.

                                   Some views of Halifax from the sports deck as we docked.

                                 The gangway is below and not far from our balcony.

                                                               Our ugly view today.

In La Veranda at lunch they were carving this big ham.  I had a small piece and made a sandwich.

        This was today's featured pasta, Penne alla Vodka.  Penne pasta with smoked salmon in a creamy tomato sauce.  I put some pepper flakes in it to spice it up some.

         I had not taken a photo of Rey, the Sette Mari maitre d.  We have known him for years. 

        I had a tour scheduled for 12:55.  It as to be an hour drive each way to Peggy's Cove for a lobster lunch.  I would not be back on the ship until 4:30.  The Dallas Cowboys are playing on our tv starting at 2pm so I did not go on the tour.  I can get lobster on the ship anytime I want it.  I'm not a fan of long bus rides.

After lunch I went for a walk off the ship.  This is the cruise terminal with lots of Canadian products.

                                             This was sitting right outside the terminal exit.

        I had a chat with a very nice security guard on the way into the terminal and he highly suggested I do a walk down the boardwalk.  So I did.

              Bronze of Samuel Cunard.  Responsible for steam ships to cross Atlantic to here.

It was a nice walk and lots of locals enjoying it and the lovely day.  Lots of restaurants and fun walk.

              Ok, game is about to start so I will finish this post at half time.  Well, ugly first half. 

 

        We'll head to the Meridian Lounge at 6pm for cocktail hour as usual.  Here's tonight's Compass Rose menu.  I have requested some fried calamari for our appetizer.  Not sure if I will have the beef bourguignon or the crispy duck as my entree.

        We are sailing again at 6pm to arrive in Saint John, New Brunswick, by noon tomorrow.  Tonight's show is a production cast show, "Crossroads".  We did not like this show on our first segment so not sure if we will go.  If we do, we'll sit in the back for a quick escape.  May watch the end of the Eagles/Chiefs game instead.

             Holy cow!!  What a game!  Glad I stayed to watch it.  Cowboys win in overtime.