Saturday 13 June 2015

The Fundy City

One of the major destination on the Atlantic Coast of Canada - Saint John, New Brunswick



Ø  Saint John, New Brunswick:-

Saint John, Canada's oldest settlement is the gateway to the scenic wonders of New Brunswick. One of Canada's oldest provinces, New Brunswick remains remarkably unspoiled: 85 percent of the province remains unsettled. New Brunswick boasts vast forests, purling streams, gentle hills, rich farmlands, and a spectacular coastline dotted by historic towns. Nature also blessed the area with one of her most astonishing phenomena: the reversing River Rapids. The fierce tides of the Bay of Fundy rise with such force that they actually cause the St. John River to reverse direction and its waters to flow upstream. Saint John's history dates to 1604, when the Sieur de Champlain landed nearby on the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. After the American Revolution, American Loyalists flocked to the area. Saint John became a thriving industrial port. But the catastrophic fire of 1877, declining commerce and decades of neglect gave the town a sad and careworn look for decades. That changed in recent years. Redevelopment of the waterfront and the old district has restored Saint John's charm and its sense of history. Saint John is the largest city in New Brunswick and the second largest city in the Maritime Provinces. It is known as the Fundy City due to its location on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River, as well as being the only city on the bay.


Caribbean Princess at Saint John, New Brunswick with a Norwegian & Carnival Cruise Ship.


General Information: Saint John, New Brunswick:-

Time:  -4.00 GMT (AST - Atlantic Standard Time followed in Saint John, New Brunswick)
Currency: CAD – Canadian Dollar ($) (1 CAD = 0.53 GBP / 0.81 USD / 0.74 EURO /
51.80 INR)
Dialling Code: (1)

Airport: Saint John Airport (YSJ), New Brunswick.

Port: Port Saint John, operated by Saint John Port Authority.


Ø  The quaint "Uptown" area is laden with Victorian-influenced architecture, brick walkways, historic churches, town squares and flowers blooming around old-fashioned lamp posts. There's a storybook quality about the town that's a nice respite from bustling, overly touristy cruise ports. Saint John also has a bohemian flair, with lots of street musicians, funky galleries and independent record stores. Stroll down side streets in uptown Saint John to find one-of-a-kind art, books and vintage items. For the beer-lover in your life, snag a memento from Moosehead Brewery. Or, if you prefer more Canada-themed souvenirs, try Java Moose Coffee Roasters, where you can also grab some java.  Pick up a map at the Welcome Kiosk in the ship terminal, or the Visitor Information Centre a few blocks away, at Market Square. There are more than 100 retail shops within a 10-minute walk of the terminal, including Market Square and Brunswick Square, which are modern, indoor malls linked by a pedestrian walkway. The King Street area is lined with quaint shops, cafes and galleries. Germain Street and Prince William Street are known for historic churches and architecturally significant buildings. But you may get no further than Water Street, across from the terminal, which is home to a few inviting pubs. Personal Advise – Get onto the Hop On / Hop off Bus (The Pink One’s) and do both the tour loops if you have an entire day to spare. This tour the best for Shoppers.

Ø  Major Points of Interest in Saint John, New Brunswick:

1.      The Reversing Rapids
2.      Bay of Fundy
3.      Old City Market


·         The Reversing Rapids

The Reversing Rapids is a unique phenomenon created by the collision of the Monstrous Tides of the Bay of Fundy and the mighty St. John River. At low tide, the St. John River which runs through New Brunswick empties into the Bay through a narrow rocky gorge. Near Fallsview Park, an underwater ledge below the surface causes a series of rapids & whirlpools. At this point the Tidal Waters are lower than the River Level. As the Bay tide begins to rise they slow the river current to a stop and for 20 mins a rest period called Slack Tide allows the boats to navigate the rapids. The tides from the Bay continue to rise and their powerful force gradually reverses the flow of the river and rapids begin to form, reaching their peak at High Tide. The water at High Tide rises up to 15 feet & is higher than the River. It is recommended to view this Wonder from their 2 vantage points – Bridge Road & Fallsview Park.







·         Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine. The Bay of Fundy boasts the world's most dramatic and dynamic coastline with the highest tides in the world. The greatest tides in the world occur in the Bay of Fundy.  Each day, 100 billion tons of seawater flows in and out of the bay during one tide cycle.



·         Old City Market

The Old City Market is part of Canada's Family of National Historic Sites and is the oldest working farmer's market in Canada.








Inside Old City Market

Ø  Cuisine Delights in Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John New Brunswick has a wonderful variety of fine dining and casual dining restaurants, as well as restaurants that specialize in authentic cuisine from around the world. Whether you're feeling adventurous, or looking for something familiar, Saint John has something for everyone. A variety of locations for dining in are available in Market Square. For the thriftier traveller an eatery is located in Brunswick Square, or try the side aisles of the City Market for fresh salads, sandwiches, and other local fare.


Some of the good restaurants you might want to visit would be:

My Picks / Backpackers Choice:

·         Billy’s Seafood
·         Thandi’s (Indian & Thai)
·         Taste of Egypt
·         Big Tide Brewing Co.
·         Alley Gria

Saint John Ale House, Located on the Boardwalk, inside Market Square. Great Selection of Beer both local and international. Good eats! You can get the Ale Sized fish and chips which is practically a whole side of haddock! Good value for the money. Expect to spend around 10-20 at lunch and a little bit more in the evenings. Has a bar downstairs and a fine dining establishment upstairs.



Indian Buffet 


Maine Lobster & Mussels


Fish & Chips


Pizza Delight at Saint John


Traditional Maine Lobster

            Shopping in Saint John, New Brunswick:

Saint John also has a wide variety of local, national and international stores represented at the numerous shopping malls and big box areas of the city My Personal Advise that if you on a visit to Canada / New-England than perhaps it is a better idea to wait until Boston, Massachusetts to shop.

Advisable Tour Operators in Saint John:

Ø  Ambassatours Gray Line

3790 Mackintosh Street, Halifax, NS B3K 5A6
Tel: 1 902 423-6242, Toll-Free 1 800 565-9662, Fax 1 902 423-5522
Email: reception@ambassatours.com

Please contact Ambassatours at the above mentioned details for an amazing experience in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Personal Memoirs of Saint John, New Brunswick




At an Indian Restaurant in Saint John


Ganong Chocolate Factory & Museum




Dispatching Tours Shore Side


We have completed the coastal journey of Canada / New-England and we will now very shortly move to the Caribbean Islands & Central America.



The Gateway to Nova-Scotia

In this Edition, I will speak about one of the major destination on the Atlantic Coast of Canada – Halifax, Nova-Scotia



Halifax, Nova-Scotia: -

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. Halifax is considered a global city and is a major economic centre in eastern Canada with a large concentration of government services and private sector companies.  Halifax was ranked by Money Sense magazine as the fourth best place to live in Canada for 2012, placed first on a list of "large cities by quality of life" and placed second in a list of "large cities of the future", both conducted by fDi Magazine for North and South American cities.

General Information: Halifax, Nova-Scotia:-

Time:  -4.00 GMT (AST - Atlantic Standard Time followed in Halifax)
Currency: CAD – Canadian Dollar ($) (1 CAD = 0.53 GBP / 0.81 USD / 0.74 EURO /
51.80 INR)
Dialling Code: (1)

Airport: Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Enfield, Nova-Scotia.

Port: Port of Halifax, operated by Halifax Port Authority (HPA)

Visitor Information Centre/s:

1.      Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 1655 Lower Water St,   +1 902 424-4248.
2.      Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, +1 902 873-1223

To go around the town I would personally advise people to walk through the beautiful HarborWalk (3km boardwalk), which is the waterfront in downtown Halifax. The HarborWalk is home to a Metro Transit ferry terminal, hundreds of stores, Historic Properties, the Casino Nova Scotia, and several public places. Downtown Halifax, is home to many small shops and vendors, is a major shopping area. It is also home to Scotia Square, Barrington Place Shops, and Maritime Mall. Numerous malls on Spring Garden Road, including the Park Lane Mall, are also located nearby. The area is home to approximately 200 restaurants and bars, providing an interesting array of world cuisine. There are also over 60 sidewalk cafes that open in the summer months. The night-life is made up of bars and small music venues as well as Casino Nova Scotia, a large facility built partially over the water. The iconic Peggy’s Cove is internationally recognized and receives 600,000 plus visitors a year is approx. 43kms from downtown Halifax.


Downtown Halifax from Caribbean Princess


Harbourwalk


Major Points of Interest in Halifax:

1.      Pier 21
2.      Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
3.      Peggy’s Cove
4.      The Halifax Citadel

 Pier 21

Pier 21 is an Ocean Liner terminal & immigration shed from 1928 until 1971.  Over one million immigrants came to Canada through Pier 21 and it is the last surviving seaport immigration facility in Canada. In 1997 the Pier 21 facility was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.


Pier 21


Emerald Princess @ Pier 21


Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Step back into Nova Scotia's maritime history. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a member institution of the Nova Scotia Museum and is the oldest and largest maritime museum in Canada with a collection of over 30,000 artifacts including 70 small craft and a steamship: the CSS Acadia, a 180 foot steam-powered hydrographic survey ship launched in 1913. A special permanent exhibit explores the sinking of RMS Titanic with an emphasis on Nova Scotia's connection to recovering the bodies of Titanic victims. The museum has the world's foremost collection of wooden artifacts from Titanic, including one of the few surviving deck chairs. 


Entrance of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic


RMS Titanic




Surviving Deck Chair from Titanic

Peggy’s Cove

This quaint, historic fishing village dates back to 1811. Peggy's Cove is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay. Peggys Cove is 43 kilometres (26 miles) southwest of downtown Halifax and comprises one of the numerous small fishing communities located around the perimeter of the Chebucto Peninsula. On 2 September 1998, Swissair Flight 111 crashed into St. Margaret’s Bay with the loss of all aboard. One of the memorials to the victims of the disaster is located at The Whalesback, a promontory approximately 1 km northwest of Peggy’s Cove





Peggy's Cove Light-House

 The Halifax Citadel

This classic star fort is a Canadian National Heritage Site. Situated on top of Citadel Hill, it provided a perfect strategic view of the Halifax Harbour when it was constructed. Today it offers the opportune tourist that same view. Presently, the site itself has daily re-enactment from guides/interpreters in period dress. It is also home to a museum and a small ceremonial garrison. A must see, especially during Canada day (July 1st) celebrations. The museum is open only May-Oct, but the grounds are open all year around. During the summer, you can see the ceremonial cannon firing each day at noon.



Cuisine Delights in Halifax, Nova-Scotia

There isn't really such a thing as "Nova Scotia cuisine", but there are a few things that are worth seeking out. Seafood is generally not much cheaper in the Maritime than elsewhere, however many restaurants specialize in this cuisine. The exception to this rule is mussels. They are generally good quality, cheap and found on many appetizer menus. Another seafood worth having is scallops, as they are generally higher quality than the ones you get in many parts of North America. "Sea pie" is often a good deal when available, as are hearty eats like Fish and Chips or Seafood Chowder. Lobster in a restaurant will be expensive, so your best cheap bets are to buy one at the store and cook one yourself, or attend any of the numerous lobster dinners that are hosted by churches and community groups throughout the warmer months. Halifax prides itself on locally sourced ingredients, fresh seafood and innovative chefs making this region the centre of Canadian Maritime Cuisine. The legendary Maritime cuisine extends beyond city limits and into our thriving wine country.

Some of the good restaurants you might want to visit would be:

High Budget / Executive Quality:

·         Five Fisherman
·         EDNA
·         Chives Canadian Bistro

My Picks / Backpackers Choice:

·         Split Crow
·         The Coastal Cafe
·         Food Wolf (Food Truck)
·         Shiraz
·         Bud The Spud

There are a large number of good cafes, pubs, and other eateries all throughout downtown. Liquor purchases for private consumption are regulated by the provincially owned liquor monopoly called the NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation). Stores can be found in stand-alone locations, malls, and grocery stores. Selection is often surprisingly large, but be prepared to pay: a twelve-pack of beer can range from $17-20, and a pint of rum or vodka will set you back $12-14. All prices quoted include taxes and recycling deposits. Most stores close at 10 PM Monday to Saturday and 5 PM on Sundays. Stores are closed for holidays.












Indian Cuisine Delight in Halifax



Shopping in Halifax, Nova-Scotia:

Halifax also has a wide variety of local, national and international stores represented at the numerous shopping malls and big box areas of the city. The largest mall in the city is Halifax Shopping Centre. My Personal Advise that if you on a visit to Canada / New-England than perhaps it is a better idea to wait until Boston, Massachusetts to shop. Halifax is a bit of the expensive side when it comes to shopping, but you can always trying scanning for local stuff at Seaport Farmers' Market: This oldest running farmers' market in North America. It runs year-round. Saturdays are by far the busiest with the most vendors, but the market is open every day of the week. Along with local produce, milk, bread, meat, and preserves, you'll find a diversity of local and ethnic prepared foods, plants, artwork, clothing, and all sorts of other interesting stuff that you may not expect for find at a Farmers' Market. Buskers play music both inside and out of the building.
  
Advisable Tour Operators in Halifax are:-

Ambassatours Gray Line

3790 Mackintosh Street, Halifax, NS B3K 5A6
Tel: 1 902 423-6242, Toll-Free 1 800 565-9662, Fax 1 902 423-5522
Email: reception@ambassatours.com

Ambassatours Gray Line are one of the best & quality tour operators and I have personally dealt with them for 2 separate seasons as Shorex, Princess Cruises and I had very high volume of guest on tours and I never faced a complaint or a displeasure by any guest with regards to the tour operator.

Blue Diamond Tours

Toll-Free: 1-866-414-6883, Local: 902-444-6883, Fax: 1 902-445-3311, Email: info@bluediamondtours.com
Never dealt with them but they are also one of the better tour operators in Halifax, Nova-Scotia but my personal advise would be to still go ahead with Ambassatours Gray Line.

Collections from my Personal Memoirs:


My Friend's Benson & Danny



Indian - Canadian Danny Fernandez








The Ambassatours Gray Line Shore-Side Team