K & L's Travel Blog

June 10 2022

We awaken to a beautiful day after last night’s rain.  The forecast was for rain our entire stay but it has not played out that way.  Some overcast and one evening of rain but otherwise clear sunny skies. 

We noticed that you could cross the big harbor bridge on foot.  I think it would be fun.  The man in the lobby said, “I’m afraid of heights, I could never do it.” Lorena said, “But wait, I’m afraid of heights….” We pressed on and it really was majestic. Ironically, I found I was the one who could not look down.  I had to hug the inside rail, looking forward.  Lorena was able to step up and take pictures.  

We explored the North Halifax neighborhood called Hydrostone. It is a 1920 neighborhood that replicates an English village. For building material, they used this odd concrete composite that is shaped like cinderblocks.  They wanted the houses to be fireproof after the area was flattened and burned down in 1917 by the collision of two ships carrying explosives.  2000 people died. You see reference to it all over the city.  I had never heard of the “Halifax Explosion” until researching for this trip, but traveling here is an education.  No one here has forgotten. 

Our tour of Hydrostone put us a bit late, so we tracked down a bus and rode into town and walked several blocks down Lower Water Street to the restaurant. We had made reservations at “The Bicycle Thief,” a restaurant themed after the movie.  We had an outside table on the harbor.  It was hard not to over-order. We had “flash cooked” calamari as a starter.  Lorena had linguini with clams and I chose the fishcakes.  The fishcakes were flavorful and rich, and as predicted I could only eat one.  Lorena’s clams were fresh and the sauce was garlicy and spicy.  Good local beer as well.

We are budget conscious, and are intrigued by how we can best play the transfers and not buy more transit passes. We manage to travel via one ticket apiece from N. Halifax to the waterfront, back to the ferry and across to Dartmouth, and then catch the bus to the Bridge Terminal near our hotel. By the time we are done with all that adventure, we retreat to our room to rest and nap the afternoon away.

I can’t believe the steps I am racking up.

At about 6:00 we go to New Scotland Brewery and find it filled with young people.  I drink a high-powered beer and revive.  We find a trendy restaurant, the Side Hustle Snack Bar, and can’t believe our luck.  We order and share a Buddha bowl with egg, crispy chicken and vegetables.  It’s wonderfully seasoned and balanced.  Oh, the joys of traveling!  Not a destination restaurant but a quick find that meets all our needs.  

We walk back at sunset. Lorena takes the high road (for photos) and I take the low road and we meet up before the hotel.

I love this travel!  

Time to pack and transition tomorrow.  It is a bit daunting but exciting.