Maritime Tour: Dropping Anchor in Halifax, Nova Scotia (1/3)

The Marcoses 2024 Provinces Series - The Maritimes (July 13-24)

Ever dreamed of a vast and endless sea, halcyon waves, and salty air? The expansive shade of blue that is ever-changing, never constant, and unbound by time, space, or words. Deep, mysterious, and quiet - the sea would never tell the secret that it holds. However, there is only one thing that the sea is boisterous about - freedom and the liberation it brings to those who set sail!

She is made for adventure - keep sailing Biw, and ride the wave of success. We will be shore and waiting when you bring your stories to land.

So longed that the family had planned to tour the Atlantic Canada, however, unlike the sea, we are creatures of habit, bound by social responsibilities. We aren't as free to do as we please, we aren't as abundant of time, we are limited. Work constraints give us just two weeks off, and what is a two-week journey in comparison to the grandeur of the Atlantic? For now, we've settled to explore the Maritimes, visiting Halifax, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. We'll return to sail to St. John to complete our tour—though we're unsure when, but certainly for sure. 

We fats ready to rock the boat, bitaw nag airplane biya mi hahah

Day 1: Dropping Anchor in Halifax

We have never really cruised in the entirety of our trip, so there were no actual anchors to drop, but essentially the trip commands a maritime vocabulary so yes, the anchor was first dropped in Halifax :)

Halifax is a charming city by the sea, with lots of wonders to go about. With dainty shops by the boardwalk, abundant eateries, and pleasant people, one can tell that there is never a shortage of fun in Halifax.  After settling our belongings in our hotel, we started touring the surroundings. It was a refreshing day near the water, the weather was nice and everything turned out as we hoped.

Halifax in Nova Scotia is a seafarer's dream destination. It is a logbook of the sea and the land, the old and new, the port and the harbor, and the locals and the tourists. It is one of the most vibrant and festive waterfront landings we have ever visited. We knew right then that this tour would be epic.

The waterfront harbor is a confluence of everything that rocks your boat - good food, people of eclectic backgrounds, chic and cute ocean-themed shops. It was a good sunny day, with gentle wind from the sea and the faint crashing of waves as a musical backdrop. Everything was just so perfect in this place, but perfect with a hefty price! Everything is exquisite down to the price tags, it was like being held at gunpoint by some pirates dressed up as shop owners and waiters. The Waterfront is a tourist trap for a reason - the place elevates seaside entertainment and we have to pay for what we get to enjoy! So here, rob me with what little I have in my pockets, me hearty! 

Our first day in Halifax is perfect down to a ten! A day deserving to conclude with an amazing dinner of sliders and oysters over a debate between Gen Z vs Millennials.

Day 2: Old Stories Told

Our 2nd day in the stunning seascape of Halifax took us back to antiquity. They speak in the sailor's tongue that dead men tell no tales,  but it does not apply to legends. Though silent, their legacy speaks loudly for them. 

Letters across the multitude of times. Had the author known that his diary endured and lived on for the next generation to admire? 

So much history in every brick and stone. If only these walls could talk, oh the stories to be told!

The Citadel is one great example. It stood mighty on top of a hill overlooking the ocean's vastness. The Citadel withstood the test of time to tell the story of the past. What I learned from the tour of the Citadel is that Halifax owes what it is today to the fortification provided by the Citadel. 

The courthouse stands as another enduring pillar of the past, weathering the passage of time. It serves as a powerful reminder that regardless of the era or how rapidly times may change, law and order remain essential for humans to progress. With such symbolism, it is undeniable why courthouses were built grand and impressive in their architectural design. 

The historic row of old houses in Halifax holds its own against the grand buildings dedicated to governance, law, and order. One can only imagine happy people living in each house, suggesting that life is happier near the waves and the shore.

Our second day in Halifax deepened our appreciation for the city, revealing its rich history and the courage of its people, which gave us a new perspective. While it undeniably charms with its ocean views, it also stands as a testament to strength and resilience.

Day 3: of beers and tunnels

Our 3rd day in Halifax was meant for guided tours. There was no preplanned itinerary as we had strongly agreed on a house arrest, demanding laziness to be the only order of business. However, the bright sunny day overlooking our window led us to the great outdoors. With nothing in our hands, Gabby and I scrambled to secure tickets to two of the most famous tours in Halifax: The Alexander Kieth Brewery and the Georges Island Ferry Tour. I had never run as much as this day to secure a reservation.  

We first started the day by boarding the ferry to Georges Island. The Island is one of the many honorary National Historic Site recognitions. Fort Charlotte is situated on this island, a remarkable artifact that tells the history of bomb-making. A guided tunnel tour is one of the highlights of the trip!

Alexander Kieth Brewery is one of the oldest working breweries in Canada. The tour of the brewery is an informative walk-through of Keith's legacy, the brewing process, and a tour that takes pride in sending you home drunk. Beer of different brews was served in small glasses to guests of legal drinking age, kids got tea or fruit juice. The tour pinnacles in a tavern, where limited edition brew is served with music and live entertainment.

We ended our third day enjoying a huge serving of dinner. We were exhausted and depleted from the tour, and the dinner of seafood and steak at Bluenose over a debate on whether lobster is a pet or food revitalizes us. 

The joy throughout the day was an epic conclusion to our first anchor in the Maritimes. Before completely saying goodbye and thank you to wonderful Nova Scotia, we chose to linger a couple more days at another destination that every sailor dreams of.

Halifax, you were a dream forever home but not just meant to be. May the waves of your ocean take us to your shores, may our feet touch your sand, and may our eyes see your beauty once more, but for now, we will hold on to the memory.

*TheMarcosesXHalifax/Nova Scotia*