Before I get started, I should mention I love beer. Not like alcoholism ”love”, but I appreciate a cold devil on a hot day. Heck, any day will do! Despite this love and affection I have for beer, I am by all means not a snobby Beer Connoisseur. I’m not all that picky when it comes to what I’m drinking. So long as she’s cold, chances are I’ll give it a thumbs up, or at the very least won’t completely hate it. I’d like to think my tastes have grown up a bit though; and I think I have some of these incredible brewery’s in Halifax to thank.

The Halifax Macrobrews

Alexander Keiths

One of the oldest commercial brewery’s in North America was started in Halifax, way back in 1820. Many Haligonians pride themselves on the Keiths brew. Beer Snobs will tell you Keiths IPA doesn’t taste a thing like the original Keiths recipe, which is probably true; but that doesn’t stop the entire city from calling Keiths “their” beer.

Keiths is now owned by the beer-giants at Labatts. By all means not the best beer of the bunch in my honest opinion, but well worth the try, simply for historical value. As the saying goes, “Those who like it, like it a lot”. The same passion likely holds true for those on the other side of the fence. Regardless, if you’ve never been to Canada, its a must try beer.

Head down to the Red Stag Tavern (in the Historic Alexander Keiths Brewery), for a pint and a plate of amazing nachos (whats up caramelized onions!), don’t forget to check out their rooftop patio.

Keiths Brewery Tour

Tours through the Historic Brewery on Lower Water St are about $20. You typically get 2 or 3 beers out of it and are given a great little history lesson on the life of Alexander Keith. Be warned, its one of those Tours with actors pretending to be in the 1800′s. So if that’s not your cup, I’d stick with finding a pub nearby.

Olands Export Ale

In 1867 the Oland Family started brewing tasty tasty beer and it wasn’t long before they started shipping their suds all over Eastern Canada & the Maritimes.The Olands Family first started with Moosehead, and later with Olands Export Ale in the 1920′s. The Olands family eventually sold off the brewery to Labatt’s in the 70′s though. While it’s still brewed in Halifax at the Olands Brewery, some say they’ve lost some of their “Beer Cred” for being owned by Labatts. Try their “Schooner” beer, named after the BlueNose that the Olands Family helped fund and build.

Olands Brewery doesn’t do tours, but will occasionally host Open Houses. Read The Coast to watch for those events. In the meantime, park your keester at a pub, or head to the nearest NSLC for a case of Olands.

The Halifax Microbrews

Garrison Brewing Co

As with most microbrews, Garrison’s is very young compared to the old timers above. Garrison’s got their start in 1997, and have been picking up awards along the way since for their microbrews. Their flagship brew is the Irish Red, but my personal favourite as of lately is their Tall Ship Amber. Their modern facilities are very inviting, and the location is superb. The perfect stop after enjoying the Halifax Boardwalk. Garrison offers up a pretty awesome tour for groups of 10 or more as well. They run for $12 per person, but you definitely get your money’s worth as there are plenty of beers to “sample”.

They’ve got an awesome little gift shop where you can pick up cold Growlers (large jugs of beer) along with your standard beer bottles. They also offer 6oz samples for $2.00 each, which can be a great way of putting each of their beers into your mouth. Be sure to follow them on twitter. These guys are about as local as you can get. Added bonus, their beers have no preservatives.

Propeller Brewery

Like the folks at Garrison, this craft brewery got started in 1997 and has been invading pubs & fridges of residents of Halifax ever since. Located along the eclectic Gottingen Street, this little brewery concentrates on beer for locals. You can taste the love they put into it. Stop by the Prop Shop for their extremely cheap Growlers. A small deposit is required for the massive bottle, but once you have one, refills are only 9 dollars.

Propeller Brewery does offer tours for groups. Having been on several brewery tours, I think this one might be my personal favourite. Depending on how many people are in your group, it’ll cost between $15 and $20; but I assure you that you’ll get your moneys worth. Their brewery tour consists of walking into a back-room with a couple giant tables, a bar with every Propeller Beer on tap, and an iPod plugin for your group to listen to your own choice of music. Basically you sit, and drink. Half way through the “Tour” they ask if anyone wants to see how their beer is made; but it isn’t required. They’re just as happy to let you continue drinking as much as you can in your allotted time.

Granite Brewery

There is a wild history behind the Granite Brewery. They got their start in 1985 in Gingers Tavern as the first Brew Pub east of the Canadian Rockies. It was also one of the oldest taverns in Halifax, going back as far as 1948. This may not seem that old, but one has to remember Nova Scotia was a dry province for a couple decades during prohibition. Unfortunately, Gingers has closed its doors for good, but the brewery that helped make Gingers famous lives on.

The Granite Brewery is now located in the North End of Halifax, at 6054 Stairs Street between Robie and Kempt. They also have another location in Toronto. The Halifax location concentrates on the producing and selling their beer, so don’t expect to find food here. They’re famous beers are still being served all over Halifax, including the Henry House, Obladee, and the Lions Head Tavern. Of coarse you can always pick up bottles & kegs right at the Brewery. Be sure to try their “Peculiar Strong Ale” – it’s delightfully strong and pleasantly awesome!

Rogues Roost

This little brewpub is close to my heart solely for the fact that their IPA is probably the best in town, and also because they’re trivia on Wednesday nights is a blast. Located on Spring Garden Road, you can find a window seat and people watch for hours. Their beer is brewed in small batches with no preservatives and is extremely amazing. I have yet to try every beer they have on tap, but I’ve put enough of a dent in their menu to know that their award winning brewmaster knows what he’s doing.

Rock Bottom Brewery

Another Spring Garden Brewery slash restaurante in downtown Halifax. This tucked away micro brewery is located below Your Father’s Moustache, a popular upstairs restaurante with an awesome rooftop patio. But ignore that patio will ya? Go downstairs, park your keester, and prepare for some mind-blowing brews. Order up a Fathom Red Ale for a robust brew, or go extra crazy and order a Sable Island Wheat Ale (What is Sable Island?). They’re beers are some sort tasty and come highly recommended by drinkers & eaters.

The folks at Rock Bottom also rock a mean trivia on Tuesday nights, which typically leads to some clever questions & some hilarious team names.

The Hart & Thistle

Along the boardwalk of Halifax is a waterfront Gastropub and Brewery called The Hart & Thistle. They serve up some great food with a mean microbrew. Their beer menu changes often; but you won’t be disappointed stopping in for something random. This little restaurantes a perfect spot to take in the Halifax Harbour and truly feel that “Nova Scotian Pride” locals talk about so often.

Staff at the Hart & Thistle is more than happy to talk beer and flavours with patrons. On a recent lunch break I was convinced by the cute tattoo’d waitress to give the American Pale Ale a try. I never got around to thanking her, but it was incredible on that particular hot summer afternoon.

Halifax is always called one of the most “Walk-able” cities in Canada. While prairie people such as myself will say that’s total bullshit (Have you seen the hills?!), everything is very close by. This convenient civic trait makes for an amazing “Micro-brewery Pub Crawl”. Do your mouth & self a favour, grab some friends, stop by a brewery  in Halifax for some serious sud action.

Have you been to any of these breweries? What’s your thoughts on their beer?

8 Rockin’ Breweries in Halifax Nova Scotia! is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Music by Of Porcelain

The Time lapse is of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and features several boats, the Halifax Harbour, and the iconic MacDonald Bridge. My personal favourite part is when you see a young couple pop into frame to take photos. If you stay til the end, you’ll see an eerie red glow emanating from behind the camera. That’s actually one of the lights along the boardwalk slowly charging up as it gets darker out. All in all, it was fun and I’ll definitely be doing it again.

Have you tried any of the time-lapse apps on your iphone? What’d you think?

Photo Du Jour – Time Lapse of a Halifax Sunset is a post from: I Backpack Canada

1. Point Pleasant Park

Located about 3km south of downtown Halifax, Point Pleasant Park can provide a full days worth of enjoyment for people of all ages. It’s absolutely free for everyone, so hang onto that money for patio beers, souvenirs or some of that famous Cows Ice Cream (located on the boardwalk by the Lower Deck Pub & Grill). Point Pleasant Park has a whackload of trails for hiking and biking (no biking on weekends). There’s a supervised beach, which while locals will tell you not to swim in, is “apparently” now safe for the public after the city fixed some sewage issues. If hiking, biking, or swimming isn’t your thing there’s plenty of grass to park your keester on for a picnic or a read. If boat watching is more your thing, be prepared to be pleasantly distracted by the number of container ships, cruise ships, yachts, and sailboats you’ll see float by. While walking through Point Pleasant Park you should also expect to see plenty of old historic pieces, including cannons, old forts, and my personal favourite, Prince of Wales Tower.

2. The Halifax Public Gardens

Located on the corner of Spring Garden Road and South Park St, the Halifax Public Gardens is another quiet refuge from the occasional busy streets of Halifax. Upon walking in the Gardens you’ll notice the incredible smells of thousands of flowers and the gentle sounds of flowing streams. The Halifax Gardens are great for a long stroll or for a relax and read session. It can get busy in here during the summer months, so be sure to have a Plan B in your back pocket incase crowds aren’t your thing.

3. The Halifax Common a.k.a The Commons

Definitely a more “local” park than the Halifax Public Gardens, the Halifax Common (Or “The Commons”) is where families, students, couples, and the occasional band of hippies go to enjoy the sun. Its only about a 10 minute walk from downtown. The North Commons has several softball diamonds, a couple walking paths, a fountainand plenty of room to starfish on the warm summer grass to partake in the worlds greatest hobby, cloud-watching. If you’re bored of the massive fields, head to the Central Commons (just across the road), where you’ll find , an outdoor pool, a skateboard park, tennis courts, a fountain, and a few more fields to sprawl in.

Fun fact about The Commons, it was originally pasture land for horses and cows of citizens and military forces.

4. The Halifax Boardwalk

The Halifax Boardwalk extends across the entire Downtown Halifax waterfront, just below Lower Water St. The Boardwalk is hands down one of the few things I’d say you have to check out while in Halifax. Sure, it’s a little touristy at times and can get pretty hectic with how many people check it out. But a walk down the Boardwalk in the early morning with your coffee or after finishing a meal out on the town is probably one of the coolest free things to do in Halifax. If you want to walk the entire Boardwalk, head down to the Casino and start walking south. You can actually get all the way to the new Farmers Market. Along the way expect to find pubs, artists, buskers, Fish & Chips, Beaver Tails, Souvenirs, Boat Tours, Historic Boats, shops, and some great scenic vistas to snap a photo or two.

5. The Halifax Seaport Farmers Market

Take a break from the Halifax Boardwalk and check out the new Farmers Market in Halifax. This complex was just recently finished, and is filled with vendors from all over Nova Scotia. While entry is free, the goods are not. But even if you don’t plan on spending anything, it’s just a great building to walk through. Whether its coffee, food, fresh legumes, fruit, or meat, you’ll have a tough time not coming home with something. If you’re a robot and have no interest in food, you’ll be happy to hear there are plenty of vendors selling art, trinkets, souvenirs, and other knick-knacks. Don’t miss checking out of the best views in town, head upstairs to the rooftop of the Farmers Market, there’s a few benches up there for the public along with the best view of Georges Island.  The Farmers Market is open daily, all year round!

Halifax Farmers Market Hours

• Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday 8:00 AM -4:00 PM

6. Get out on the water with the Halifax Ferry

While this is a stretch on the word “Free”, I like to think of it as “pretty much free”, which means its being included whether you like it or not. For $2.00, you can get a round trip ticket on the Halifax Ferry to Dartmouth. It is the cheapest way to get on the water and provides some fantastic views of downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. During the summer months, scoring an upstairs seat on the Ferry can mean a fantastic reprieve from the Halifax summer heat. The Ferry Terminal is located just down from the new Tim Hortons (With Cold Stone Creamery), right near where they park Thomas The Tug Boat. If you’re heading to Dartmouth for the afternoon, walk up to “Two If By Sea” for Halifax’s best coffee and the most mind-blowingly-awesome cheese croissant I’ve ever eaten.

7. Free Halifax Concerts at Grand Parade & Alderney Landing

Halifax has a large and thriving music scene, and if you play your cards right you might be in for experiencing some world class live music, for free! Every summer there is at least one or two free shows worth checking out at either Grand Parade (across the street from the Dome) or at Alderney Landing (in Dartmouth). Natal Day consistently brings free concerts to Halifax. Be sure to check out their schedule. This year, Natal Day is putting on Wintersleep, Gloryhound, Town Heroes, and Jay Smith at Alderney Landing, on July 30th.

8. Watch Buskers in Halifax

For 10 days in August, Buskers from all over the world head to Halifax to perform their acts. Be it music, theatre, or dare-devil-esque performances. Watching is completely free, but I highly suggest tossing what you can into their hats if you really enjoyed the show. While the International Busker Festival in Halifax is definitely the show stopper, there is always busking going on in Halifax. If you’re in town, look for Buskers on Spring Garden Road (Typically near the library), downtown Barrington Street, or along the boardwalk. There are plenty of talented local buskers in Halifax, including Fiddlers, Guitarists, Sax Players, and my personal favourite, this one African-Canadian guy who is the worlds greatest karaoke singer (find him along the Boardwalk).

9. Visit A Halifax Cemetery

If its a depressing kind of day, maybe the fog rolled in, and the sun is hiding, experiencing some of the historic cemeteries in town can be a surreal change from the upbeat streets of Halifax. There are two cemeteries I’d recommend checking out. The first being the Old Burying Ground, located on the corner of Barrington Street & Spring Garden Road, which contain the remains of some of the earliest Canadians. While most of the names are pretty hard to make out from weathering, it’s still a neat little spot in the middle of downtown. If you have wheels, be they bike or car, wander up to the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. It’s located in North Halifax, on Windsor St. What’s unique about this cemetery is that many of the remains of victims from the Titanic ended up there. Apparently there’s even a Jack Dawson there, which gets a lot of attention care of James Cameron’s famous film.

10. Listen to the Cannon go off at Noon on Citadal Hill

Everyday at Noon, a cannon goes off in downtown Halifax, shaking the bodies of locals and tourists, and typically scaring both. If you play your cards right, you can experience the whole event in the most up-close and personal way possible. Head up to Brunswick Street and look for the Halifax Clock Tower. Walk up the hill, or take the Citadel Hill Tour if history is your thing (costs about $8.00 for the tour), and wait. If you can make sure you’re there for noon, you are in for a treat. As the thunderous roar from that cannon goes off, you’ll witness dozens of people on the hill and along Brunswick Street freak out, then laugh as they remember “Oh, just the noon cannon, woops!”

11. Halifax Historic Sites

History Buffs will love Halifax. The amount of historic properties, forts, churches, and ships in this city is border-line crazy. Best of all, many of these sights are free, or damn-near free. Stroll through Point Pleasant Park and check out the Prince of Wales Tower, or walk along the boardwalk and hop on the H.M.C.S Sackville, the C.S.S Acadia, or if you’re timing is right, the infamous Bluenose (the boat on the Canadian dime). For a city thats so youthful and vibrant, its great to see so much historic “stuff” being preserved.

12. Ride the FRED bus

If you’re in Halifax during the Summer without any wheels, fret not. FRED will take you just about anywhere in downtown Halifax, for FREE. FRED (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown) runs between July 3rd and October 22nd. This vibrantly coloured bus runs seven days a week between 10:30am and 5:00pm. An on-board tour guide rides everywhere with FRED and provides a commentary on Halifax and its many historical locations. Even if you have nowhere to go downtown, hopping on the FRED can be a great way to get your bearings in Halifax. Check out the FRED Schedule to find out where it stops. Just a heads up, the FRED is not an alternative to get anywhere fast as it has a habit of being late. If you need to be somewhere fast, you can get from one end of downtown Halifax to the other for about $10 in cab fair.

 Map of Free Things To Do In Halifax

Have I missed any must-do free activities in Halifax? Love to hear from you in the comments!

12 Free Things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Welcome to Jakes Landing

After a relatively long and cramped road trip, we pulled up to Liverpool Adventure Outfitters, located along the water of Jakes Landing. We promptly unloaded all of our gear from the car to the canoes. At $35 a day, we were all laughing. After the gear was finished, it was time to unload the beverages. I performed the famous awkward beer unload. I had an excuse saved up already, waiting to be questioned by a Park Ranger. “No Mr. Park Officer Sir, these beers are for the entire group…We plan on having a quiet evening looking for nocturnal birds while enjoying a beer or two”. A towel was ready nearby to toss on top of the other six “Two-Fours” and the bottles of liquor still in their brown bags. No need to make a reputation for ourselves before we even get a taste.

Note: Most parks allow drinks (Cans & Plastic only – but always double check); however, it’s an unwritten rule that you shouldn’t start cracking them nor flaunting them until you’re out of plain view of workers, children, and other thirsty patrons waiting in line for their canoes.

Low Riding Lake Chariots

Our lake chariots were full and riding low with the sheer amount of camping gear & wobbly pops. I carefully entered my canoe, in hopes of not being that boob on the trip who tips all of our stuff and watches as the river takes our drinks for a ride. Fortunately, my paddle eventually dripped into the water of Kejimkujik. The water was a still mirror. Part of me felt guilty for ruining the tranquility of the entire scene. Birds were chirping, a light ripple bubbled from what I assume was a fish, a calm breeze pushed through the green of the trees, and here we were. Two beer deep, laughing, listening to the Beastie Boys on a set of crappy speakers and paddling out to our own private island. I thought to myself, its a good thing we’re on a remote island, because I would hate to be the Nature-Loving solo camper who got stuck with the campsite next to us. Can someone say “No Sleep Til Brooklyn!”

Transforming Engaged

Paddling our rental canoes soon became a game of cat and mouse, followed by the occasional game of transformers, where we’d join canoes into a colossal mega-canoe. Hell-bent on having a good Canada Day. The sun was out in full force, scorching the trees, warming the water, and burning the uncovered shoulders of campers. I breathed in the sunshine, “Not gonna get me this time sunshine…SPF 30 my friend, do your worst!”. As the minutes approached further into the hour, the horsin’ around slowed down and we began concentrating on paddling.

That’s our island!

The paddle playlist continued, keeping us  on time with one another. With each pull, the canoe approached closer and closer to our new home for the weekend. Roughly an hour later, we pulled our canoes over the natural beach of our island. Laughter, Woots, and a high 5 or two were shared as we laughed at the immensity of this campsite. It was the size of a city block, with designated areas for tents, its own outhouse, a firepit, two picnic tables, and a giant pile of wood. Pretty standard for a campsite, but for some reason, everything seemed better here.

This is where things get a little hazy, and I’d be hard pressed to do much more writing about the rest of that day. Maybe it was the bottle of whiskey, maybe it was the beer, maybe it was the good people and the great weather. Whatever it was, that experience was my own, and I look back on that with my own fond, short bursts of memory and hilarity. I celebrated my 23rd Canada Day and survived. Beans, sausages, hangovers, pancakes, bacon, whiskey, beer, and all. Nobody said Canada Day was healthy, but it is always worth a smile or two.

What did you do for Canada Day?

Canoeing and Island Camping in Kejimkujik National Park is a post from: I Backpack Canada

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about this holiday, nor will it likely be the last. I’ve been asked by several people what my plans are for Canada Day. One would expect a guy who writes about Canada to have something grand, immense, and insane planned. “Shotgunning 3 beers into my mouth while riding a giant firework into Parliament while screaming EH Crazy”. While that would be incredibly badass, my plans are a little more humble, but I’d have to say they’re equally as awesome.

Tomorrow morning myself and 11 friends (who are spread out all over Atlantic Canada) are roadtripping to one of Canada’s most unacknowledged National Parks and camping there for several nights. Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia. Nope, not a typo (at least I hope not). Pronounced Keh-Je-Ma-Coo-Jick, or Keji for short. The name Kejimkujik means “Tired Muscles” in Mi’kmaq. So typical facts aside, theres something like 4 rivers that run through here, along with some incredible wildlife, including Moose, Deer, Beaver, Black Bears, and Loons (made famous by the Canadian Loonie).

Cool, camping, standard Canada Day activity right? Wrong! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill “Pull your car into your campsite, unload your tent, build a fire, have a beer” type of campground. We’re going inland. Far. We rented some canoes, and rented an Island Campsite. We’ve got to canoe for a good hour + just to find our little secluded campsite. While the party may not have much for fireworks, nor live music (unless you count some Koombaya around the Campfire), there shall be many drinks being consumed on this little shin-dig.

I’ll be sure to take pictures and try my best to get a signal to throw some photos up on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (if you follow me – username: corbinfraser) In the meantime, I wanted to share with you guys some of my favourite posts I wrote that I think could be helpful if you’re planning a Canada Day getaway.

Canada Day Resources

My old post of Canada Day Celebrations across this great nation!

Going Bungee Jumping In Canada? Give this a read!

Find out the Best Places in Canada to Surf!

Try a new beer this Canada Day! Read 10 Must try Beers from Canada

If you’re camping you’ll want to eat right. Read Top 7 Must Have Foods for Camping

Get your fix of live music, but first read The Ultimate List of Canadian Summer Music Festivals

Follow a fellow Canadian or two – Read 6 Canadian Travel Bloggers You Should Be Following

Listen to this! Great Canada Day Celebration Song!

What are your plans for Canada Day? I’d love to hear from ya.

Happy Canada Day – Lets Get Traditionally Drunk! is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I loved the fact that Halifax & the Canada Games went out of their way to showcase their local Atlantic music talent, including the likes of Joel Plaskett, Sloan, Hey Rosetta!, Matt Mays, Great Big Sea, and CBC Radio 2′s own Buck 65. Some more artists that joined the party included Hawksley Workman, Rawlins Cross, Old Man Luedecke, Radio Radio, and City & Colour.

Despite the freezing cold, and the fact that these shows were held mostly during the week, the support from local Haligonians and the Canada Games participants was quite astounding. I’ve never been to a show that big at the Grand Parade, but it seems to have gone on without a hitch. Keep it up Canada Games! I look forward to seeing you wherever you’re held next year!

2011 Canada Games Rocked Celebration Square is a post from: I Backpack Canada

We made it down to Murphys Wharft, where our whale watching tour was to begin. My hangover was consuming me. I told Justin, my roommate, that chances were good that I was going to upchuck on a whale, or possibly a small child. He gave me one last way out, “You don’t have to do this man”. I lifted my face out of my hands, “Yes Justin, I must!”

We all boarded Murphys Tour boat, a collosal looking thing with chairs lining the outer-upper deck and theatre-esque seating in the main cabin. I found a sweet looking seat right beside the edge of the starboard side of our tour boat. If I was going to be sick, I didn’t want to be running for a garbage or bathroom. Plus the fresh air distracted me from how many shots of whiskey I shouldn’t have partook in.

The tour boat set off toward the sea while the tour guides gave us an in-depth history lesson on Point Pleasant Park, Pier 21, and the Halifax Harbour. I took in as much as I could under the circumstances. That is, until one of the Murphys Tour Guides mentioned on the P.A system that there was a bar in the cabin. My guts said no, but my logic said yes. The only way to cure (or at least delay) this hangover was to drink through it. Hair of the dog. Thankfully, Justin and his old man were happy to join me for beers.

My thoughts were finally tuning into the beauty of Halifax’s harbor. The second largest in North American, next to New Yorks. As of yet, we hadn’t seen much in terms of wildlife, aside from some seabirds. The history lessons continued, when finally some harbor seals swam by far enough away to look indistinguishable from some of the waves. The Murphys tour guides informed everyone on boat that they were going to pull a lobster trap out to let us touch (and annoy) some crustaceans.

As they hauled up the heavy looking wooden box, I had to laugh a bit. It was almost empty. There were a few little guys in there, along with some stone crabs and a very pissed off fish. This was by all means nothing like “The Deadliest Catch”. Thankfully, Murphys Gang had a backup plan, they ran to their tank in the cabin and pulled out their domesticated lobster and crab to let the kids (and me) hold. We grabbed a second round of beers and took our seats to enjoy the sun as it faught its way through the clouds. My hangover would come back every so often, or maybe it was seasickeness. Regardless, I held strong.

We’d been on the boat almost an hour with still no sight of whales. I was beginning to think we might be the unlucky group of the day when suddenly crowds of children and a few eager photographers ran to the port side of the ship to see something. The Murphys Whale Watching crew announced that they’d found a Minke Whale, but warned we might not see it for a bit as it looked like it was diving. I figured I should get up to see if I could see anything. Then on the starboard side two more whales surfaced, where they proceeded to show off a bit. One minke whale waved its tail as it dove deeper, while the other was just surfacing.

After watching for 15 to 20 minutes, one last whale, or possibly the first one, surfaced again on the port side. Unfortunately, unless you have a telescopic lens with a trigger finger and some serious high shutter speed, you may have a heckuva time catching any pictures of whales. As you can see, I didn’t. But I think that’s what a lot of people seem to forget. Its a Whale Watching Tour, not a Whale Photo Shoot. After realizing I wasn’t going to be able to get much of a shot, I put the camera away for a while, and just watched the whales. Its incredible how much faster the human eye is than the camera.

The Whale watching tour finished with some bird feeding and a few more historical stories, including the famous Halifax Explosion. As I snapped a few last photos of the Halifas Skyline, I realized my hangover was gone. Then I got off the boat and realized I was perhaps a bit dunk. “Hair of the dog, you’ve done it again!” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you go whale watching hungover!

Whale Watching & Hangovers in Halifax Harbour is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Explosions at Citadel Hill

I woke up with 7 minutes to make it 6 blocks to Citadel Hill for the 21 gun salute. Yes, I slept in til 11:53am, do I regret it? Not a chance. I threw on a semi-clean Tee and commenced running with perfect form. Some might say I looked like a gazelle as I passed families covered in temp tattoos of maple leafs, with red shirts, red hats, and Canadian flags hanging from any nook and cranny they could find. I made it there with less than a minute to spare. The canons exploded violently, shaking the everything and everyone near. As the 21st shot went off, the crowd lining Citadel Hill cheered.

Big ships on the Boardwalk

I walked back to my apartment leisurely, high fiving families and drunks decked out in red & white. It was already 12:15pm, I had to catch up to these animals. That wasn’t hard. After consuming a fair amount of drinks with my friend slash roommate, we decided to check out what was going on down at the boardwalk. Rumour had it that there were still a bunch of Navy ships kicking around from the Queens recent visit. The ships still in harbour during Fleet Week were awesome. Coming from SK, where the biggest boat you can hop on is your cousin Jeds 12 foot tin can fishing boat, these ships blew me away.

The Battered Fish

After checking out some of the ships the smell of salty and savory food was luring us in. The boardwalk is notorious for amazing little food stands, as well as some of its more high end restaurants. We chose the food stands. The Battered Fish was pretty lined up, but the sign above where they were taking orders greeted us with warm words, such as Poutine, and Fish ‘n Chips, and other sexy words, like “side of Gravy”, and “Made with real cheese curds“. The food was in our hands in minutes, and in our guts in seconds. Why does everything taste so much better when you’ve got a good buzz on?

A Quick Nap

I ended up walking up to Citadel Hill again to see what was going on. Which as it turned out at that moment, wasn’t much. I starfished on the grass, enjoying the bright blue sky we were given on this fantastic day. Next thing I know I wake up to the sun setting. Must have passed out there for a minute. Classic whiskey.

Wake up for round 2

Justin and I made it back to our apartment for some coffee, followed by more drinks. That quick passout kicked our butt, so getting back into the swing of things the second time around was tough. However thanks to the invention of the shotglass, we were properly intoxicated in a short time. We ran down to the harbour and barely caught the fireworks. We oo’d and ah’d for a couple of the big ones, then began planning our night.

Initially we had planned on catching the ferry to Dartmouth to catch Joel Plaskett, but those plans never panned out unfortunately. Instead we ended up bar hopping for most of the night. We met some cool people, high fived a few thousand hands, and listened to some live bands at various drinking establishments. All in all, good Canada Day. Bad hangover, but good Canada Day.

2010 Canada Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The weather was hovering around 25 degrees celcius all weekend, I needed to get out of my cramped apartment, and was itchin’ to see something new. After getting lost a couple times and nearly dieing as I struggled up every hill, I finally managed to find it. Point Pleasant Park.

One might wonder, how Pleasant is this Park? Well, as a matter of fact, I can proudly vouch for the name, this park is all sorts of pleasant. As soon as you walk through the first couple hundred feet of the footpaths, you begin to forget how close you really are to downtown Halifax, to the hustle and bustle of life in a metropolitan city.

The first thing I noticed upon walking into the park was the fragrance of the woods and flowers, combined with the chirping sounds of birds and the occasional blast of warm air, I began to wonder how in the hell this park had escaped me for this long.

After making a quick stop at Blackrock Beach, I was fortunate enough to catch one of the massive cargo ships leaving the Halifax Harbour. This was by far one of the coolest things I’d seen that day, however it was clear that myself and the cute asian girl standing a few feet away were the only ones who thought so, on account of us being the only two people snapping pictures and starring at this massive piece of machinery gracefully float back out to sea.

After hiking further through the park I began to find a whole bunch of WWI and WWII memorials. It was a surreal sight seeing people bathing in the sun just a few feet from this massive 25 foot Cross with the names of hundreds of men and women etched in it. Unsure of whether this was disrespectful or not, I made sure to pay a few minutes of attention to the memorial before grabbing a piece of grass and laying starfish as I watched the clouds go by.

Once my imagination gave out and the clouds began to simply look like clouds again, I hiked further into the park. After coming across a “You are here” sign, I began to realize how little of this park I had seen so far, despite spending almost 2 hours in it already. Turns out this monstrous park I was just meandering through is a total of 186 acres. So I decided to make use of what little energy I had left to see a little more of it. The canons only a few hundred feet from me, seemed like the next stop.

Hiking turned into walking, which then turned into “Holy crap I’m out of shape“. Thankfully I found the right trail that lead to somewhere I could rest. Price of Wales Tower. From far away it didn’t look like much, but as I got closer it became apparent how well made this thing was.  As I snapped some pictures, I did a quick 360 to see if I was getting in the way of somebody else’s picture. Turned out I was the only one in this part of the park. This gave me plenty of time to walk around this big brick tower and read all the signs before carrying on. Turns out this giant brick tub-stopper was built in 1794 through to 1799 as a means to protect the Halifax against seaborne attack  from the Northwest Arm. It must have worked, because Halifax still exists today. Thank you Tower.

As I finished the last of my water, I realized how incredibly hungry I was. I never argue with my stomach, so I decided to call it quits for the day. Point Pleasant Park was a great place to spend a hot spring day, and is well worth more than just a quick stroll through. You can’t beat the price (Free), and if you’re a history buff, I’m sure you’ll find something that interests you. If you’re a nature lover, the wooded areas and scenic vistas will make you right at home, and for those just in need of a quiet place to unwind, theres a good hundred acres or so for you to find a spot of your own.

Getting to Know Halifax: Point Pleasant Park is a post from: I Backpack Canada

For more surfing videos like this check out Surf Donkey

Watch Matt Mays & Sam Roberts get their surf on in Nova Scotia! is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Sable Island

Nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic, Sable Island has been the final resting place for over 350 ships since it’s discovery. Partly due to thick fogs, strong currents, and the fact that it’s in the middle of of a major transatlantic shipping route. Despite the enormous number of ships to have met Davy Jone’s Locker, there is little sign of any of these ships. Thick tides and moving sands tend to cover them in little to no time at all.

So aside from its nasty ship eating abilities, what makes Sable Island so great? For one, it’s protected to the nines. Try to make an unwelcome visit and you’re sure to meet the good folks of the Canadian Coast Guard. But why so protected? Nope, no gold, no diamonds, no secret Canadian version of Area 51 (how cool would that be!?). It’s all about nature here.

Nature huh?

Yea man, nature! Sable Island is home to hundreds of feral horses known as Sable Island Ponies, all of which are protected by law from human interference. If you’re like me, you might be wondering “What the heck are a bunch of wild horses doing miles from the mainland on a stretch of land no more than 1.5km wide?” Well, apparently the horses are descended from a herd confiscated from Acadians during the Great Explusion and left on the island by Thom Hancock…you may know his nephew…goes by the name of John Hancock.

Aside from horses, there is a large Grey Seal population on the island (See photo to the right), which sometimes happen to end up being food for natures dear friend, the Great White Shark. These ocean predators have been known to hang around in the nearby waters. Don’t forget the countless bird colonies that reside here, along with the  freshwater sponge which is found only in ponds on this mondo el weirdo island.

Sable Island on Map

You want to visit Sable Island?

So all this talk is getting your feet all sorts of itchy to check this place out? Sandy beaches, cool animals, a little hidden getaway from the world. Might be nice. At present, you’d have a better shot at going to Antarctica than Sable Island. From what I hear they currently limit 250 visitors per year. You should also be warned, many locals are pissed that the government is considering making Sable Island a National Park, which means it could end up being a tourist attraction. What would be a group of pissed of people be without a Facebook Page, check it out at Hands off Sable Island. Whatever decision is made in the end, I just hope Sable Island survives along with it’s inhabitants. If you’re looking for an organized group of people trying to protect Sable Island, check out the Green Horse Society. They’ve got some great photos and a lot more reading material on this subject.

Cool video of the Sable Island Ponies

The Secret of Sable Island is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Looking out at the Atlantic

My older brother made a surprise visit from Regina a few days back, so I took him out to the Lawrencetown district and showed him some of the neat little beaches along the coast. Despite how cloudy it looks it was actually a really nice day out. Go warm winter days.

Photo Du Jour – Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia is a post from: I Backpack Canada

For those who don’t know much about the Halifax Explosion, it was the world’s largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima. The explosion happened on December 6th, 1917 in the Halifax harbour. The explosion was caused when a Belgian relief vessel and a French munitions carrier collided during World War I. 1600 Buildings were destroyed, 12,000 houses damaged, and 6000 were left homeless.

The Belgian vessel was leaving the Halifax harbour, heading for New York, when the French Munitions ship was on it’s way to wait for a convoy when the ships collided at approx 8:45am. The French munitions vessel was carrying picric acid, gun cotton, TNT, and the top deck was carrying benzol. For roughly 20 minutes, crowds began to gather near the Halifax Harbour to watch the fire and sparks. While they were watching, the crew of the Mont Blonc rowed for their lives to warn people to run. Unfortunately it was too late. The French munitions vessel had drifted and rammed Pier 6. The Halifax explosion flattened everything within 800 metres. Rumour has it the explosion was heard as far away as Prince Edward Island. To add insult to injury, the following day one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began and lasted for an astonishing 6 days.

If it wasn’t for the aid given by Boston, many more would have died. This years tree was a 49 foot (15 metre) white spruce, donated by the Shatfords from Fox Point, Lunenburg County. The tree has been on this property for almost sixty years. Hundreds of elementary school children were present for the cutting of the tree, and another large group of children awaited it’s arrival on the Boston Common.

Chalk one up for heartwarming history lessons.

Nova Scotia says ‘Thank You’ to Boston is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC

This is the ‘Byron Bay’ of Canada, filled with Surf shops and schools, along with miles of beach. The surf in this area is easily some of the best in Canada. Because of this, Tofino has been gaining recognition in the global surf community. O’Neill is hosting Canada’s first professional surfing competition here between October 25 and October 31, 2009. The Cold Water Classic Tofino is the fourth part of a five-part World Qualifying Series that are sponsored by O’Neill. This event is expected to bring in more than 100 pro surfers competing for $145, 00 U.S. If you’re in the area around then, you should definitely check it out!

Tofino and the surrounding area is extremely beautiful, and for those Surf Tourists, this is definitely a stop you shouldn’t miss. The town has a cool vibe to it, there are plenty of backpackers and free-spirits. Plenty to see, even more to do. Easily one of the best surf town’s in Canada, and a very popular destination for surfers alike. Long beach, the most popular surf spot for Tofinites, is just south of Tofino. Long Beach is a provincial park, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding parking. Easily one of Canada’s best surf locations.

See Tourism Tofino for more information

Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia

25 minutes south of Halifax is a unique small town, which when first going through doesn’t seem much more different than the last few. However, once you get to the waters edge, you’ll see the difference. This great little community is full of surfers, and taking one look out into the ocean, you can see why. The East coast has a habit of getting the best waves at night, so if you can’t sleep, wander down to the beach, you might be lucky enough to see a few redeye surfers out there, taking advantage of a quiet night out on some of the Maritimes best Surfing.

Lawrencetown Beach is a south-facing stretch of sand that unfurls for approximately 1.5 km (1 mile). The beach is a provincial park and is one of the first beaches in the province to be supervised by the Nova Scotia Lifeguarding Service. The beach hosts not only some amazing surfing, there is also some great mountain biking and hiking nearby.

Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia

Located inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Ingonish Beach is a remote and well hidden beach many surfers call their own. The breaks aren’t quite as consistent as Lawrencetown, but during winter and particularly hurricanes this area can get crazy quick. It’s a very nice, scenic beach, with miles of sand. A great place to learn to surf, as it’s rarely all that crowded and swells tend to keep below 7 feet.

Ingonish Beach provides a great view of the Highlands of Nova Scotia, with plenty to do, including mountain biking, hiking, golfing, cross country ski, and yearly Ceilidhs and other traditional Cape Breton entertainment. Well worth the drive.

Kincardine, Ontario

Found in the southern part of Ontario, Kincardine has a great beach that can surprisingly keep up with some of Canada’s coastal surf spots. Keep in mind, the weather plays a huge part in the swell size and breaks here, but plan it out and you can find yourself with some solid 10 ft waves.

Make it down to the beach, and you’ll see the massive pier going into the lake. Take a graceful jump off it, and should the weather be on your side, you’ll be surfing before you know it. It may not be one of the best surf spots in Canada, but it’s unique enough that I thought it deserved being on this list. If you’re an avid surfer, you can score some good bragging points for saying you surfed in the Great Lakes.

Habitat 67, Montreal, Quebec

Habitat 67 is the name of Canada’s very own standing wave. Found in Lachine Rapids, in Montreal, Quebec. It’s become a popular stop for whitewater kayakers and river surfers. Named after the unique building complex located adjacent to the waves. There are two schools out here that’ll teach you how to ride the standing wave. Imagine Surfboards has taught 3,500 students since 2005, and KSF, another Montreal River-surfing school, has had 1, 500 students a year since 2003.

The waves are created by the fast moving water of the rapids hitting some underwater boulders, which produces waves as high as two metres. There are a few other standing waves upriver as well, including another one name Big Joe. Standing Waves are the perfect way to feel comfortable on your board. Rather than a short stint of being up on your board, you can be riding these waves for 10, 20, 30 minutes if nobody else is waiting. Even if you don’t plan on jumping in, it’s definitely worth stopping to check out.

Lake Superior, Ontario

As coastal areas are becoming more and more “discovered”, many surfers have gone to great lengths to find a spot they can call their own. Some of these surfers have turned to the Great Lakes, and surprisingly enough, they’ve been finding some.

The North Shore of Lake Superior offers a good amount of surf. Weather determines the quality of these waves, but despite being very reliant on the weather, surf associations have begun popping up around the area. The Superior Surf Club displays beautifully what the Great Lakes can offer curious surfers. On average there is about 10 surfable days per month, and of those, 2 days will be of good quality. Waves here can reach 10 to 12 feet in height. However, they can get a lot bigger than that during the throes of a raging storm. The most popular places to surf in Lake Superior are Lester River, Stoney Point, and Park Point. They have the most consistent amount of surf. There are no rentals here though, so you’ve got to bring your own surfboard and hope for the best.

For those looking for a unique experience, Canada offers some great surf locations for novices and pros. It’s just a matter of hunting them down. There are countless other surf locations in Canada, you just have to keep your ear to the ground as surfing in Canada isn’t nearly as popular as say hockey, or even curling. Hopefully this list can get you started for a potential great time. Remember, waves come year round, it’s just a matter of finding the guts to dive in, no matter how cold it might be.

Best Surf Locations in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

After loading up the car rental with as much of my sisters junk as we could squeeze in, we started the three hour drive North to Antigonish. Antigonish, Nova Scotia is unique little town that is home to St. Francis Xavior University. one of the best Universities found in Canada. Some would say it’s the education, others would just say that it’s the parties, the community or the old campus. Either way, it’s a beautiful town that is worthy of checking out, whether you plan on getting some education, or just want to see a youthful town populated by University students and a few thousand locals.

Once we finished unloading everything, we decided to check out a few local attractions in Nova Scotia. We took the sunshine trail over to Pomquet Beach to enjoy the warm Nova Scotian Weather. Pomquet Beach is a coastal beach overlooking St. Georges Bay. The rolling waves and warm saltwater was enough to shake off any cramped legs caused by the hours of driving. The only thing that could have made that moment more perfect was if one of those good looking university girls on the beach offered me one of their beers. Maybe I wasn’t flexing enough. Ha!

That night we went to Pipers, one of the few pubs in town, to enjoy some  music along with some Rye and Cokes. There was a great student Jazz band playing, getting their groove on. Now if you’re a jazz fan, I’m sure you would loved this, I however am not, don’t get me wrong, they were good at what they did, it just wasn’t my thing. So I made it a mission to drink myself to “deaf”, a new technique I’m still working on. It however, didn’t work. It turns out you will get kicked out long before silence occurs. Next time.

The following morning we woke up, grabbed a bagel and a coffee from Tim Hortons, and went on another little road trip to see Cape George, a supposed great view of the cliffs, rocks and rolling hills of Nova Scotia. After kilometers of winding roads, followed by a few detours, we were just about to make the bend towards the tip of Cape George. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, construction had blocked the highway as a dead end, with a “Locals Only” sign. Seeing as my sister is a local of the area for a few more semesters, we saw no reason why we couldn’t sneak by and see the view we drove all the way out for. After a few more dips and turns, we came across a huge landslide that had blocked the highway off completely, part of the wake of destruction left by Hurricane Bill.We snapped what few shots we could, and continued along the highway until reaching Mahoneys Beach. We didn’t stay too long as the tide had just gone down, leaving meters of seaweed and debris. I did manage to score a few more shots, but decided to call it a day and went back to our hotel room in Antigonish.

My sisters stuff had been completely unpacked, her room was pretty much setup and ready to be lived and learned in, so the following morning Justin and myself said our farewells to my sister, and drove back to Halifax. We had roughly 4 hours to kill before our flight would take us back to the prairies, so we chose to spend it in downtown Halifax. We had a beer at Gatsby’s on Spring Garden Road, took a walk around the Wharf, watched a few fellow buskers, checked out a couple of the universities in Halifax, and enjoyed some local seafood.

Nova Scotia is a strange, albeit familiar place in Canada. There are subtle differences from the Maritimes to the rest of the country, from the way they say “Cawwwr”  (for Car), or they’re obsession with all things seafood related (even mussels). The people honestly are some of the worlds friendliest, each city has it’s own unique soul to it, and everyone seems generally happy. Many people, Canadians included, never consider the Maritimes as a potential vacation destination. Fact of the matter is, it’s cheap, the food is great, there’s so much to see, even more to do, and not a day will go by that you’d rather trade it in for something else. Go travel Nova Scotia, the sooner the better.

Read Part One here

Read Part Two Here

Read Part Three Here

Nova Scotia Bound – Part Four is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The Alexander Keiths Brewery tour was pretty swell, the tour guides are dressed and act in colonial fashion. Aimed a little more at older folks I imagine, but it was good none the less. The guides sing and dance and try and include everybody in on their “colonial festivities”. I imagine participation would be easier if the beer sampling came before the singing and dancing begins, but it was fun none the less. Plus I had the hots for one of the colonial girls.

The tour costs roughly $15.00, and includes two pints of beer at the end of the tour. Definitely worth the money. The beer sampling includes Alexander Keiths India Pale Ale, Alexander Keiths White, Alexander Keiths Stout, and Alexander Keiths Red Amber Ale. I hammered back a Stout and a White, as India Pale Ale is one of my old time favourites.

After an afternoon hanging out downtown, the Maritimes decided to show it’s true colours. For the next 12 hours there was a constant downpour of rain. So much so, that when we got back to our room, we noticed the roof was beginning to give out, water was dropping through, and the paint was beginning to bubble in quite a few areas. We let the Inn staff know about it, and low and behold, we scored a free upgrade! We ended up with a lush apartment style hotel room, no questions asked!

We took this good fortune as a sign that we should party. So a bottle of Jack Daniels and a ride in a Rick Shaw later, we were at “The Dome”. A three storey mega-bar.

Cover was $8.00 and gets you access to every floor. The bottom two being your classic nightclub scene. Neon lights, loud music (heavy on the bass) and lots of dancing. I found the top floor to be the best, live music, pub style seating, a large dance floor, all in a very social atmosphere. I wouldn’t say it’s a backpacker bar, but I did meet a lot of people from different parts of Canada. Particularly on the top floor.

Fast forward through the nasty hangover, a little vomit, and a Tim Horton’s Coffee, and we found ourselves at Bubba Rays on Spring Garden Avenue, recommended by my sisters friend, a local to Halifax. They have a huge selection of wings, done in dozens of different sauces, styles, and several different types of wings. Very delicious!

Between eating, drinking, and seeing Halifax, we met up with several of my sisters friends, some locals of Halifax, others of Ontario, each had nothing but good things to say about Halifax. It’s nightlife, the people, the places, and the community feel of being part of a Maritime Culture. It feels so unique, but familiar. It seems like a lifestyle anybody could adjust to, where ever they come from.

I’ve still got a few days left in Nova Scotia, tomorrow morning I leave Halifax, and head to Antigonish to help move my sister back into Residence at St. FX. We’ll see where the road takes me from there.

Check out Part One of Nova Scotia Bound

or read Part Two of Nova Scotia Bound

Nova Scotia Bound – Part Three is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Turns out Air Canada’s apology was sincere. If you measure sincerity in the amount of free alcoholic beverages they provide. Which was many. I took advantage by having a couple Heineken. My friend Justin, who’s traveling with me, wanted to see how far they’d let him go. 3 Beers, and 4 Rye and Cokes later, they insisted they couldn’t serve him anymore alcohol as we were landing soon. We believed that until we looked at the Flight Map and saw we still had 45 minutes left in flight time. Turns out they were just trying to cut him off as polite as possible.

After landing in Halifax, we grabbed our rental car, and made our way to a hotel. We managed to score a booking at the “Commons Inn” for a couple nights. The prices are reasonable, and it’s near Spring Gardens Road, a great little strip full of pubs and restaurants. After getting settled in and showered, we realized we hadn’t eaten much since early morning.

Thankfully my sister knows several locals, and they recommended we check out “Your Father’s Moustache Pub and Eatery”. We ordered food ( A lobster died on behalf of the delicious Lobster Roll I ordered) and finished it off with a few drinks. What’s great about Halifax is that walking from place to place really isn’t that difficult. Everything is relatively close. There’s so many places to stop and check out and poke your head in that you’re never bored getting from place to place.

Today was a relatively easy day, pretty non-eventful, I think we’re just going to enjoy the weekend, check out some sights and sounds, then get my sisters things together and get her moved back into Uni, and start some serious sightseeing then.

View Part One of my Nova Scotia Trip

View Part Three of my Nova Scotia Trip

Nova Scotia Bound – Part Two is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The last time I was in Nova Scotia was almost exactly a year ago, however there were quite a few things I felt I missed, this time it’s being done properly. My sister, my good friend, and myself are getting some miles off our back before the buckling down begins. My sister has to get back to University up in Antigonish, and I have to suffer through another month of caged in cubicles before handing in my resignation and driving my campervan East to pursue a career in music. I’ve been looking forward to this for months, however I haven’t gave it much thought until now.

Traveling with a serious itinerary hasn’t ever really been my thing. Winging it hasn’t let me down yet. So I believe we’ll be doing the same. Albeit, we do have a car rental setup. But that’s just being prepared. I’m assuming we’ll rock the cheap hotels, drinks, pubs, and as much Nova Scotian sea food that we can fit into our guts. Being flatlanders, eating anything that comes out of the water that isn’t Walleye is a gourmet seafood feast. Lobsters…be afraid, be very afraid!

I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to most, the change of scenery, or just being in a city where art, music, and culture are alive and thriving. Whatever the reason, this week I shall drink to the winner until my liver explodes. For that is the Canadian way, since 1867.

For those who were wondering… Yes, I will be posting photos and stories, along with travel reviews of Nova Scotia. Wish me luck!

Check out Part Two of my Nova Scotia trip

Check out Part Three of my Nova Scotia trip

Nova Scotia Bound is a post from: I Backpack Canada

• The further North you go, the colder it gets. We’re tough as nails, but not crazy…Well not all of us.
• The Trans Canada Highway (7,821 km) – A super long stretch of road that links all 10 provinces. The majority of the population lives in cities either linked to or damn near close to this highway.
• Keep your friends close… Ah you know the old saying.

A little about each province:

British Columbia – Capital: Victoria

Home to Vancouver & The Island (Local term for Vancouver Island). The NHL (National Hockey League) team Vancouver Canucks. Lots of trees, plenty of mountains. Bunch of rivers. The most hostels are found in this province. 40% of Canadas marijuana is grown in this area. 39% of which is smoked. BC is informally known as the stoner province. Other provinces like to cut it down as much as possible…perhaps out of jealousy of all it has to offer. If you’re keen on picking fruit or trying out WWOOFing this is the place to be. Looking for a job in the Rocky mountains. You can find it here. Oh – and lastly, the 2010 Winter Olympics are being held here. So suit up!

Alberta – Capital: Edmonton

Home of the Rocky Mountains and NHLs Edmonton Oilers & Calgary Flames. A province free of PST (Provincial Sales Tax) – Sidenote: Alcohol seems to be particularly cheaper here. In Alberta you’ll see where Mountains meet Prairies. Home of farmers, cows, big city folk and oil. Informally the Dubai of Canada. A few years back Alberta had so much money from it’s oil it was litterally giving it away ($200) to anyone who resides in Alberta. But like any well that you pump non-stop – things are starting to dry up. Alberta’s a great place to learn how to snowboard or ski. Visit Banff & Lake Louise, enjoy thermal hot springs all year round, go white-water rafting, or saddle up and give horseback riding a shot. Also home of the Calgary Stampede (a huge Canadian Rodeo & Great excuse to dressup like a Cowboy and party. …more

Saskatchewan – Capital: Regina

The land of the living skies, as this province likes to boasts. Which isn’t stretching the truth. Its skies are far more pretty than the rest of Canadas. A great place to spot the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) A superb place to find some peace & quiet – by far one of the flatest places found in Canada. Apparently you can watch your dog run away for 2 days. Although according to my Grandpa Elmer it can vary. Over the years Saskatchewan has become the “nerdy kid” amongst the other provinces, and is jokingly made fun of more than others. But once you get to know this “nerd”, it can be one of your greatest friends. With over 100, 000 different lakes. The sunniest province in Canada. Home to Regina (…yes something does rhyme with that) and pot holes. Reginas a great place to “BarStar” it up with people who rarely hear an accent. Check out Dewdney Avenue if you want to hit the strip full of Clubs, Pubs, and Bars. Winter gets “effin” cold…think -40 to 50 degrees (celcius) – Summer gets “effin” hot…think 35 to 40 degrees celcius. All in all, well worth the 10 hour drive from Calgary. …more

Manitoba – Capital: Winnepeg

Another prairie province – but finally not so land locked. Home of the Hudson Bay & the only Canadian Arctic Sea Port. Home of Lake Winnipeg, the tenth-largest fresh-water lake in the world – which is a superb place to check out during the summer. A very cool place to explore, home to a bunch of uninhabited islands along the Eastern shore. Manitoba is also home to Winnipeg and has earned the nicknames “Polar bear capital of the world” & “Baluga capital of the world” – If you’re feeling adventurous head out on a tour in autumn and see Polar Bears in their natural environment. If indoors is more your thing, I’m sure you can find a place to have a drink in one of Winnipegs hundreds of bars & pubs. Due to its size, more music events take place here than its neighbour to the west Saskatchewan. So be sure to keep on eye out on Ticketmaster.ca for any shows in the area. …more

Ontario – Capital: Toronto

According to Lonely Planet, Ontario is the bees knees of Culture, Cuisine and sophistication… although I don’t know how true that is, because one time, I heard a guy from Ontario fart. The most populated province in Canada, and second largest after Quebec. Home to the Nations Capital, Ottawa, and the provincial capital, Toronto (most populated city in Canada). A lot of local Canadians insist Toronto is an American city on the wrong side of the border, but I suggest you reserve those judgments to yourself. Most Torontites/Torontians/Toronteers/ and Torontonians take offense to this. Toronto is located right near the Great Lakes and a great place to hop around from if you plan on visiting the Yankee side of things, including the Big Apple itself (New York City). Ontario is home to the Niagra Falls, warm summers, The Toronto Maple Leafs, approximately 20 tornados per year, and London of coarse, Which is a wild city that mimics the Patron City down to street names and even a Thames River. Ontario is also the birthplace of the majority of famous Canadians, including… Rachel McAdams, John Gosling, Jim Carey, Mike Myers, Tom Green, Wayne Gretzky, Alex Trebek, Avril Lavigne, Rush, Barenaked Ladies, Howie Mandel & yes, even Shania Twain. Ontarios got plenty of places to eat, drink, party & experience the multicultural side of Canada. …more

Quebec – Capital: Quebec City

Birthplace of Poutine, Celine Dion, and possibly the French language (sources unconfirmed) – This province is Frances baby, it shot this knuckle child out way back when North America was considered the “New World”. Quebec is full of culture, cuisine, fine dining, cafe au lait, and yes, French people. This place can rock your socks. For one, its relatively cheap compared to the majority of places in Canada. It is also the home to the Montreal Canadians. A great time can be found on just about any night. What’s great about this place, is if you speak French, you rock that much harder here, and even if you don’t, the majority of Quebecers speak English too. Quebec is packed full of old Rustic buildings, particularly in Montreal & Quebec City. If you’ve digested a little too much culture, perhaps you need to vomit. In which case, what better place to do it than in the wilderness. Quebecs full of trees, mountains, parks, and the eastern coast! Be sure to escape the big cities, it’s the small towns where you’ll truly find your own piece of Canada. …more

Nova Scotia – Capital: Halifax

Latin for New Scotland – and for good reason. It’s strikingly similar to the Scottish highlands. Trees upon trees over hills, rocky coasts, icy seas and friendly locals. If you’ve grown sick of the Canadian Accent – fear not, Nova Scotia is a reprieve from that. Actually most of Eastern Canada is. It’s somewhat, not so American sounding. Maybe you’re craving some delicious sea food – There isn’t a restaurant here that doesn’t serve lobster, fish, scallops and other ocean crustaceans. Even McDonalds serves lobster – see the “McLobster”. Home to Halifax – a very cool party city with great sights, sounds, rustic buildings and a youthful feel to it. Keen on surfing in the Atlantic? Check out Lawrencetown – and on the way – be sure to stop at some of the coastal towns along the way. Always lots to see and do in Nova Scotia. …more

New Brunswick – Capital: Fredericton

One of the three Maritimes provinces, home to both English, and Francophones (primarilary the Acadians). If you’re keen on checking out the Bay of Fundy, home to the Worlds Highest Tides (16m or 50ft for you imperialists), it’s just a short drive. It’s definately worth visiting, especially if your an admirer of all things aquatic. You might find the East of Canada a refreshing change with its shorter distances between sights. It’s rare that you’ll find yourself ever travelling more than a few hours in this province. Like all Eastern Canadian provinces, you’ll find a fare share of rustic buildings, significantly influenced by the French and English. Just a heads up for everyone planning on visiting Saint Johns. It is home to the steepest main street in Canada. King Street can rise 80 feet in the span on two city blocks. So hitting the Stairmaster may not seem so farfetched if you plan on a long stay. If walking amongst humans isn’t your thing, and you fancy yourself a Whale Watcher, you should be happy to hear that New Brunswick has a wide variety of whales and many different whale watching tours. …more

Newfoundland and Labrador – Capital: St. John’s

The most Eastern province in Canada is sure to knock your socks off. Newfoundland and Labrador are the proud owners of its own dialects of English, French, & Irish. Its home to the most pubs per square foot in Canada, humbly located on George Street. Some facts you may like to know: Newfoundland & Labrador are home to the most sexually active people in Canada, also home to the most Attractive people, and are apparently the Funniest people in Canada. Now that I think of it, perhaps they were joking when I found out the first two facts…? You’ll have to go there and find out. But if half of what I write is true, then Newfoundland & Labrador is definitely worth checking out. …more

Prince Edward Island – Capital: Charlottetown

What do you get when you take a tiny island, and call it a province. P.E.I! Prince Edward Island is the birthplace of confederation. It is most commonly remembered as the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s book, Anne of Green Gables. For over four decades the musical play, Anne of Green Gables, has performed at the Charlottetown Festival (Mid May to Oct). If your ear is itching for music, then P.E.I can definitely help scratch it. The arts in this area alone is worth checking out. Be sure to go for a walk around Charlottetown, you’ll find countless different stores housed in brick buildings, all of which have a way of luring you in. …more

Northwest Territories – Capital: Yellowknife

A piece of advice, practice your J-stroke ahead of time. The amount of rivers and lakes here will seduce you one way or another to find yourself a canoe or kayak and explore some of the wildest terrain found in Canada. During winter the land in this area becomes the frigid winter wonderland you’ve all heard of. If visiting the Arctic Circle is somewhere on your bucket list, you’ll be pleased to hear that it bisects the NWT. Solitude is easy to come by here, the density of population here would give Manhattan a whopping three people. Home to moose, bear, caribou and bison. Northwest Territories displays nature at it’s finest. Hop on the nearest dog-sled and find out.

Nunavut – Capital: Iqualuit

The newest, largest, and least populated Territory in all of Canada. There are approximately 30,000 people spread across the area roughly the size of Western Europe. Nunavut remains the only area in Canada never to be fully conquered by Europeans. Approximately 85% of the population in Nunavut are Inuit. In 1999 they gained Democratic Control of the area. Home to polar bears, dog sledding, Caribou hunting, mountains, cliffs, the arctic circle, and the Northwest Passage. The Arctic pace truly does take effect here. Travelling through this area can be extremely frustrating, but should you have the time and expenses to make it in this rugged territory you’re sure to be pleased.

Yukon – Capital: Whitehorse

The Yukon is synonymous with adventure. This is the place for a unique Canadian road trip. Pack an extra tire or two, because roads around here can be as rough as the terrain. Home to Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada, which sits at 5,959 metres (19,551 ft). Home to Robert Service, One of Canada’s most famous poets who captivated the world with his poems “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” and “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” Spend a weekend partying in Whitehorse or try the Sour-toe cocktail in Dawson City, which is basically a highball with a twist of human toe. Yep, you heard right. But remember, in order to join the club, you’ve gotta kiss it. Now if toe kissing just isn’t your thing, you can always get more in touch with all this nature that’s around. If hiking’s on the agenda then Tombstone Territorial Park is the place to be, just remember to pack your insect repellent!

Backpack Canada – Information on Canada’s Provinces And Territories is a post from: I Backpack Canada