Sonya's Blog - Day 100 - Peggy's Cove and Halifax
Sonya's Blog - Day 100 - September 30th - Peggy's Cove and Halifax
It is going to rain tomorrow, probably starting later this afternoon. We wanted to make sure we got out a little earlier so that we could enjoy our last nice day in this area. The kids did do some school work before we left, but then brought the rest in the car with them as it was about a 40 minute drive to Peggy's Cove.
Once we were on the highway to Peggy's Cove we couldn't believe how many bus tours were coming back down the highway. Four huge busses past us, but at least they were going the other way and had already been there.
Our first stop was the Swiss Air 111 Memorial site which is a little ways outside of Peggy's Cove. It was a nice memorial for that tragic accident.
We parked at the Visitor's Centre in Peggy's Cove and then walked down to the lighthouse. On the way we stopped at a small cafe and had some drinks and snacks. It was a cute little cafe with an attached gift shop. They allowed us to sit out on the deck with Kizmet, so that was perfect. After our stop we hiked the rest of the way to the lighthouse. When we got to the parking lot there was another huge tour bus and the passengers were getting back on. Blake stopped to talk to a couple and they were all from a cruise ship that was docked in Halifax Harbour that had left from Quebec City. They than told us that that is not the only cruise ship in the harbour today, there is another one from England. I guess that explains all the tour busses coming and going from Peggy's Cove. We then proceeded out to the rocks. Prior to getting there I had warned Isaac that there would be no running around and he had to stay well away from the water as there had been tourists that had been too close and been swept into the ocean and died. He was sufficiently scared by that little tidbit and behaved himself on the rocks. We had fun walking around the rocks. I didn't realize that they were the leftovers of an old mountain range from hundred of millions of years ago that were once as high as the Himalayans. So it was like we were walking on Everest, yet a lot warmer and easier going.
When we were done exploring around the lighthouse we walked back up to the Visitor's Centre so that we could drive to Halifax. On our way we were passed by a cool car and then just as we were getting to the Visitor's Centre the car came back up the other way and pulled into the parking lot. Blake went over and chatted to the guy, as well as every other person that was in the parking lot at the time. It was a Morgan and there was a whole group of them doing a road trip in their antique cars. This couple was from the states and they had a left hand drive, which amazed an English gentleman that was there as he had no idea that Morgan's ever made a left hand drive! There were others on the trip that were from Australia and Europe and had shipped their cars over to take part. They were not at Peggy's Cove though, most of the group was down at the Halifax Harbour. Here is a picture of the car:
Off to Halifax, which was only about 30 KM away on the coastal route. We were in Halifax in no time and parked near the Public Gardens. We then started to walk towards the harbour. I looked at my phone's map and determined that we were heading the right way, but after about 10 minutes realized we were not, we turned left and then we were heading the right way. It was all downhill and you couldn't see the water so it was confusing and I guess I am not too good with the maps app. We arrived at the harbour where the cruise ships had docked. We walked down a bit and then got on the harbour walk. It was well past lunchtime by this time so we found a restaurant to eat at. Isaac chose The Bicycle Thief and we were able to sit down on the patio with Kizmet right beside our table on the boardwalk. We ordered the Calamari for an appetizer and then some meals. The calamari was the best I had ever had and it was a good choice, even Isaac at some and said it was "okay". All of our meals were really good and Isaac was proud of himself for choosing a good restaurant.
We continued along the boardwalk after our meal and explored around the area for the next couple of hours. When we got to Cow's, the kids wanted ice cream and they headed inside. Kizmet and I stayed outside and Kizmet posed for this picture, such a good girl. Once Blake and the kids had their ice creams we started to walk back up hill towards the truck. We had to go around the Halifax Citadel to get there, but that was fine. When we got back to the Public Gardens Blake and Isaac walked through the park and Natasha and I went around as no dogs are allowed in. We then hopped in the truck and drove back to camp.
Sonya