Week 4

 9 SEPTEMBER 2022 : QUEBEC CITY CANADA

We arrived early but what a disappointment we docked in the industrial area about 25 minutes walk from down town anyway I got off the ship and then it was a case of get going for I wanted to be back at the ship by 14h00 so did not have all day to walk around.Another big cruise liner had taken our spot in the downtown area so hope we have it back with our next visit.Not far from the docks I passed a huge veggie garden that I thought was very cool this seems to be the trend at the moment. On my way to the top of the hill I passed policemen closing off streets and putting barriers up then I knew something was going on , a few meters away I saw a poster with the words 

Le Grand Prix Cycliste Quebec.

My first stop was the stunning Chateau Frontenac Hotel with a petite French lady singing the most beautiful French music right in-front of the hotel.The inside of this hotel just takes your breath away and you walk back in time, beautiful is a understatement.I walked up to the start of the cycle race and saw all the teams from all over the world warming up and getting ready for this big event.On my way back down towards the old city area I really got lucky and the cycle peloton were on there first round coming up the hill and I had time to take a video of them the shouting crowds ,that was a special moment and made me think of the Tour de France.On my walk around I discovered a stunning bush with the most beautiful flowers only to discover later it was a hibiscus bush and the name Dark Mystery pink with a red centre. Did get around to the old city area was special to see and walk around the beautiful old buildings , hearing music , cafés packed with tourists, a lovely vibe

I made my normal visit to Starbucks to download all my things and must say in this part of the world all information is in French so is a bit of a challenge.

 

10 SEPTEMBER 2022 – @SEA

This I call my resting day and must admit was lazy.We had a dinner date with the medical team for 3 of the crew were leaving when we get to Boston so that was a nice evening out with good company nice food and some wine!!! Was the first time I really got to chat to the other members of the team and meet the new doctor who comes from the  Philippines.Told her I really admire them they are such friendly people and always smiling are a hardworking nation and an example to so many others.They were all in a festive mood and also took time to take some photographs in the beautiful restaurant. 

 

11 SEPTEMBER 2022 – CHARLOTTETOWN

We were in for a surprise when we arrived in the terminal building it was dark and no lights were on! Thought it was strange and then only to discover that the town had a major power outage so for a moment thought we were back home ,haa haaa must say was a disappointment for all the shop had closed there doors and there was not much to do but walk around.So off we went to the local craft market that is on over weekends I was looking to buy some more soap from a vendor I discovered 2 weeks ago but was out of luck for she was not there.I had just bought us an melted ice cream when the power came back on and we could buy ourselves the famous lobster rolls and a orange beer.So far Dave,s Cafe definitely takes the first spot they are delicious cost around $23 ,that seems to be the going rate around here

 

12 SEPTEMBER 2022 – SYDNEY

Not really lots to see and do in this town so I just got off to use the public wifi and still had my books I had bought last time so not long after getting off I was back on the ship and spent the rest of the day on board.

 

13 SEPTEMBER 2022 -HALIFAX

We docked in the industrial area of the harbour and were picked up by local busses that then dropped us at the terminal building because it is a working port you are may not walk around on your own.I got off early and then hubby came on later and joined me for our walk all along the wharf  had an ice cream while watching the tourists and locals enjoying the sunny day.I keep on forgetting that in this part of the world a sunny day is precious and you use every opportunity you get to enjoy the sunshine for winters are cold and long.

 

 

 

14 SEPTERMBER 2022 - PORTLAND MAINE

Got off late because here we enter the USA again and then everyone on the ship has to go through immigration the officers boarded the ship later than planned so did take a while.The passengers on these trips are older they seem to prefer Canada and the young generation like Bermuda the Bahamas and Caribbean having a good party , sunshine and fun!

Decided to walk to the East side today and I passed the Maine Narrow Gauge train that was getting ready to take its passengers on a short trip made me think of the Apple Train we had in PE. Got to Fort Allen Park with the most beautiful views over the bay and a veggies garden with a view over the sea called a community garden and established in 2011 with all the veggies you can think of I was very impressed then saw a  special needs boy that was on a swing in the park and boy was he having fun I was actually scared the seat was going to go right over the bar he just wanted to go higher and higher that brought a smile to my face.Then a guy with a dog that looked a lot like a wolf came along and every second person stopped to ask about the dog he had the most beautiful fur and blue eyes.

 

15 SEPTEMBER 2022- BAR HARBOUR

Today we had bad weather with a strong wind blowing making the sea choppy so that made the tendering to shore difficult and dangerous so they decided to rather use bigger tendering boats and that’s when I decided to rather stay on board and chill.The weather really does play an important role in how you perceive a place that I have discovered in my travels, walking around in the rain terrible wind and cold just not pleasant.Think by the time you get back to the ship dan is jy sommer kwaad  moeilik en jy weet nie eintlik hoekom nie,alles is nat jou sambrieel is omgedop en in sy maai. When you visit a place only once then you don’t have an option but with us coming again every week that does help and is a huge bonus.

 

16 SEPTEMBER 2022 – BOSTON

Took another route to town past the Fish Pier that was a 100 years old in 2014 with a photo of a giant shark that was caught must be at least 4 meters long. After my shopping I walked around the huge building in the port area that has different shops in it , is an old building that has been renovated .Then it was time to pic up parcels for hubby and doing the wifi thing before I returned to ship.

I was so disappointed when I got to the shore excursion desk only to be told hiking Saguenay National Park is sold out again so decided to try again next week.The guest are booking there excursion before they come on the trip and seems to book up fast especially if it is something with only 14 slots, so must be special.Last week the general age of the passengers were 76 but this week they look younger and sound very excited to be on this trip to Canada.The mornings are cold but as the day goes on it does warm up and is pleasant.

 

17 SEPTEMBER 2022- BAR HARBOUR

Nice day and 2 ships that are anchored just off the coast.Took hubby on a walk to the area were at low tide you can walk across to the other side/island.

Then it was time to spoil ourselves with food from MELT they make the most delicious sandwiches with sourdough and different cheese filling also tried there blue berry sweet treats and that was amazing so have decided that will be our weekly spoil in Bar Harbour and don’t forget the ice cream.Maybe next visit we can try there lobster rolls she did say that it was there bestseller am sure they all say that but if we go on what we have had and it is really amazing maybe Charlottetown will lose there nr 1 crown when it comes to lobster rolls, ha ha.

 

18 SEPTEMBER 2022- HALIFAX

Today was overcast and the weather was not looking good so did not feel like walking around it was cold and miserable so just popped in at the local farmers market and straight back to the ship.The free wifi was only for an hour so that did not last very long.

 

19 SEPTEMBER 2022- SYDNEY CANADA

Hubby was off so late morning we could get off and after a quick walk around I went back to the local book shop to get my books for the next round trip.On my way I stopped at a church and just popped in for some quite time before I returned to the cruise terminal to enjoy some free wifi.This port has good free wifi and is always packed with crew and passengers most days  there are bag pipes playing or some other music this seems to be Irish country.

 

20 SEPTEMBER 2022 – CHARLOTTETOWN

I had big plans to do some walking around and try there local ice cream at Cows in the waterfront hubby was working so was going to do it on my own.Saw on TV that it was going to be 9degrees so did have my doubts.Well ,after breakfast off I went but just getting into the terminal from the ship was enough for me and I decided there would be no walking around and ice cream tasting today.Yesterday I started with a sore throat and runny nose so need to get this sorted before my next round of tests but think I have a cold.Not something you need when they are testing all the passengers before you can enter Canada.

Then some good news I got a phone call to say they had a cancellation on the walk in Saguenay that also goes to the National Park so have decided to just take it incase I don’t get an opportunity again even if I really wanted to do the hike instead.So very excited and hope to get some nice pics or video to show you what it looks like.So that happens on Thursday the 22nd and tomorrow we are at sea and tomorrow night it is our first date night at Cagney’s with oysters , fillet , wine and some apple pie or crème brûlée in mind very excited about that.

 

21 SEPTEMBER 2022 - @SEA

Today is not great outside it is overcast with rain showers and bitterly cold did not check the temp this morning but was 9 degrees yesterday.The fog has also decided to set in over the ocean so the ships foghorn has been going off regularly just in case.I have decided to stay away from any exercise until I am felling better so after breakfast decided it was a good day for bed and movies so that is what I did.Watched the movie about the William sister and what part there dad played in them becoming world famous tennis stars was really inspiring and did not just land in there laps but came from hard work  dedication and a dad that believed and stood behind them truly a remarkable man.

Has been crazy in the medical department and hubby,s off day had turned into a busy day with a patient that has been admitted and needs full time attention so they are running around had to help with a fractures ankle and putting it in plaster.His years of experience doing everything in a rural hospital has really helped him he has seen it all. Hope we will be able to go on our date night without being interrupted but only time will tell.

The sail in tomorrow morning to Saguenay is beautiful so hope the weather plays along so you have land on both sides of the ship and should be in port by 11.My excursion is at 14h00 so very excited.

 

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