…And the guest talent show
August 29-Sept. 2, 2024
1 US$ = 1.3 Canadian dollars
We were supposed to go to Nuuk, Greenland – unfortunately a storm and current blew a lot of ice into the bay, making it more dangerous than our good Captain Stieg was comfortable with – so we sailed onto St. John’s a little early for an overnight and added the lovely city of Halifax to our schedule.
Exiting the ship in St. John’s, Newfoundland – we were greeted by a Newfoundland! (My favorite breed of dog – one I really can’t have in south Texas as it would be considered cruel to make one live in our heat).
With nothing planned, we walked up along the streets toward a park, outside of which happened to be a city map indicating a self guided walking tour.
While staring at the map and coordinating with our phones, a local walked up and asked if we were “from the ship”. We said yes, and he very nicely gave us a list of the places he thought most interesting to see by foot and how to get there. We followed his instructions and came first to …
The Colonial Building (admission $6/$4 senior) allows a very self-guided tour. Very few items advise no touching – so in one of the rooms you can try on some 19th/early 20th century garb. What I didn’t know – Newfoundland (and Labrador) became part of Canada in 1949 – prior to this they had been a British Dominion. They had to give up self governance in 1933 due to debt incurred by building a railway across the island and from sending their own regiment to Europe in WWI. From 1934-1949 a six member Commission governed the region until it was ceded to Canada – becoming Canada’s 10th province.
The buildings museum aspect highlights Canadian artists from the region.
We continued past the Colonial Building to gardens around the Lt. Governor’s mansion – where they have a very locally inspired totem.
The weather started looking a little grim – so we continued up the hill to a local grocery store. I really wish I had a kitchen and a big pot …
And then on to The Rooms ($12 adults, $7.80 seniors)- a wonderfully done museum highlighting the history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
We had an appointment at 3PM with many of my fellow bloggers to get “Screeched In” – aka – become an official Newfoundler, at the same place where Anthony Bourdain took his vow (Anthony Bourdain explores Newfoundland (Screeched In is almost to the end)…
Due to the same weather issue that prevented us from heading up to Nuuk, we benefitted from an overnight in St John’s. One of the other reasons it was one of my favorite cities on the trip was the strong music culture. George Street has numerous bars and restaurants, most featuring live music and most without a cover charge.
We set sail a little after 8 AM, heading for Halifax – the make-up port for Nuuk.
Our friends Edna and Roy were ecstatic about the addition – the cruise ship docks just a few blocks from their condo – so they could unload all their extra stuff and not have to worry about trying to get it shipped from Miami or carrying it on a plane (we were all a little jealous!).
Halifax is a very cosmopolitan city with The Citadel ($13.25/$11.25 for seniors) overlooking the town – so we hiked up there first.
paddock at the bottom of the hill!
Since the city has a large Public Garden – you know I had to check that out!
The last thing we had to make sure we did – have a lobster roll!
The next day – a day at sea – I performed in the “Serenade’s Got Talent” Show – playing the World Cruise version of “I’ve Been Everywhere, Man”
Next stop – New York City!