Dates: October 26 to November 9, 2013
Ports: Quebec City, Corner Brook, Sydney, Halifax, Portland, Boston, Newport, New York, Norfolk, Charleston and Fort Lauderdale. On my trip, Portland was skipped due to bad weather.
Quebec City
Dates: October 26 & 27, 2013
One of the oldest European settlements in North America. It was found by the French explorer and navigator Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Located at the northeastern tip of North America at the confluence of the St, Lawrence and St. Charles rivers. Quebec city lies 290 km (180 miles) northeast of Montral and 1290 km (800 miles) southwest of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
When I arrived there, it was a rainy day. Temperature was just above freezing. The ship docked there over night, but heavy rain stopped me to visit in the evening. To shoot evening scene was hard due to rain and strong wind.
October 27 was a bit better, it only had slight rain with cloud. Strolled in the old city was not bad, especially it was Sunday, very quiet in the morning except bell from the church.
Corner Brook
Date: October 29, 20
Corner Brook is the 2nd largest city in Newfoundland with population around 20K. The day when I was there, it had heavy rain, sleet, snow flurry, sun, cloud and wind. When I got to the gate, it rained so hard, so many passengers running back to ship. They said it was to cold with sleet, they had to come back because they could not find a place to hide. The city offers shuttle bus but only 4, you can image the long lineup. There is a Walmart that is located faraway. Downtown area, there is city hall, a Pulp & Paper mill. A shopping mall that has a Sobeys, half of the space in the mall is for renting. They should attract more cruise visitors during summer and fall.
Very clean road - just washed
One downtown shopping mall - stores are empty
The last autumn scene
Snow covered mountains
Paper&Pulp Mill in downtown
Sydney
Date: October 30, 2013
This Sydney is in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is on the northeastern tip of Cape Breton Island. The city was founded in 1785; the area's first settlers were mostly poor Englishmen and disbanded soldiers fleeing the Revolution. Population is around 100K.
The harbour area is downtown. There are banks and stores. Tim Hortons attracted many sudden visitors. Many of tourists are using the free WiFi. I did not see McDonald's in the area, so I also ordered coffee and used their WiFi. Temperature was around 5C in the morning with wind.
Sydney Cruise Terminal - A giant fiddler
One historic Anglican church
Bank of Montreal building
Downtown
Halifax
Date: October 31, 2013
It is Nova Scotia provincial capital, population is around 380K, the largest Canadian Atlantic city. European inhabitants arrived in 1749 when Colonel Edward Cornwallis led 2,500 settlers to the colonial capitol in the Town of Halifax. The area was founded as a British military outpost and was the birthplace of British Canada.
The cruise terminal is not far away from downtown. There are wooden walkway along harbour, very comfortable for tourists to walk around. Historic Pier 21 about Canadian Immigrants is just next to the cruise terminal. After Titanic movie, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic exhibits Titanic memorabilia attracted many tourists to visit. You can walk and climb hill in the downtown area. I had stayed twice in Sheraton at harbour, now, it is Marriott.
Canadian Atlantic provinces fishermen catch lobsters, but lobster price in the harbour area restaurants is not cheap - $29.99 for 1 lb lobster, $59.99 for 2 lb lobster. In Toronto supermarket, lobster is from Atlantic, the price is around $6.99/lb. In Atlantic market is about $15/lb. I believe the high price here mainly for tourists.
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