Day 36
October 5, 2019
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
There have been two major disasters associated with Halifax - the December 6, 1917 Explosion and the sinking of the Titanic. As it happens, I was able to get a photo of the Titanic just as it was beginning to sink:
Being the first ship to arrive in Halifax today, the Viking Sun docked right beside the Farmers Market - position A. And what a market! It is similar to and about the size of St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto, an entire block indoors. The lamb vendor makes a point:
Because today is Saturday and many businesses are closed, the crowds were elbow to elbow at the Market. That the 4,500 passenger MSC Meraviglia arrived shortly after the Sun helps explain some of the scrum effect. If we had been traveling any other way than by ship Karen and I would have loaded up big time at the Market. But with all the space in our suit cases already dedicated to what we brought, we merely bought some local honey for our tea breaks. The tiny blueberries, compared to the large ones we buy at home, were especially appealing. BTW - Trader Joe's in California sources its blueberries from Nova Scotia for their preserves.
It was a sunny day so we stretched our legs by meandering through the Halifax Public Gardens and then strolling along the extensive Boardwalk. Karen recalls a time when Halifax's harbour area was decrepit and disreputable. It been entirely renovated and is now a welcome haven for locals and attracts its share of cruise ships.
FACTOID - The MSC Meraviglia has a staff to passenger ratio of 34%. The Viking Sun has a staff to passenger ratio of 51%. Not only do the Sun staff, and I mean ALL the staff, including the most senior employees, serve passengers with enthusiasm, but they do so in an unusually friendly and caring manner. It's a comforting feeling!
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
There have been two major disasters associated with Halifax - the December 6, 1917 Explosion and the sinking of the Titanic. As it happens, I was able to get a photo of the Titanic just as it was beginning to sink:
Being the first ship to arrive in Halifax today, the Viking Sun docked right beside the Farmers Market - position A. And what a market! It is similar to and about the size of St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto, an entire block indoors. The lamb vendor makes a point:
Because today is Saturday and many businesses are closed, the crowds were elbow to elbow at the Market. That the 4,500 passenger MSC Meraviglia arrived shortly after the Sun helps explain some of the scrum effect. If we had been traveling any other way than by ship Karen and I would have loaded up big time at the Market. But with all the space in our suit cases already dedicated to what we brought, we merely bought some local honey for our tea breaks. The tiny blueberries, compared to the large ones we buy at home, were especially appealing. BTW - Trader Joe's in California sources its blueberries from Nova Scotia for their preserves.
It was a sunny day so we stretched our legs by meandering through the Halifax Public Gardens and then strolling along the extensive Boardwalk. Karen recalls a time when Halifax's harbour area was decrepit and disreputable. It been entirely renovated and is now a welcome haven for locals and attracts its share of cruise ships.
FACTOID - The MSC Meraviglia has a staff to passenger ratio of 34%. The Viking Sun has a staff to passenger ratio of 51%. Not only do the Sun staff, and I mean ALL the staff, including the most senior employees, serve passengers with enthusiasm, but they do so in an unusually friendly and caring manner. It's a comforting feeling!
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