Exploring downtown Halifax

Halifax boasts that it has the longest Harbourside boardwalk in the world. We certainly explored it today. 11000 steps and one blister later you can now be awarded a certificate for walking its length. I love how right along the boardwalk are brightly coloured chairs , picnic tables and murals. Every new or renovated building has to include some type of public art…..a statue, mural or display. The atmosphere is vibrant with both locals and tourists enjoying the area.
The city is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia. It has been able to retain some of its historical buildings although many of course were lost in the massive explosion of 1917. There is an extensive pedi way that joins from the modern towers , office blocks , hotels and extends over major roadways. A pedi way is a covered walkway. This must be a boon in winter with the temperatures they experience, don’t you think.

Were you impressed? I found you a maritime museum since you will miss the Tokyo one. Halifax has created a Museum of the Atlantic. This region has always had a maritime history dating back to the birch covered canoes of the indigenous Mi’kmaq people. Yes there were models of ships, but more interesting, well to me , was the section on the Titanic and the explosion. As I said previously, the explosion happened when two ships collided in the narrows.

The pictures show the before and after for the church in the area . Shrapnel and parts of the exploded ship were found up to 8 kilometres away from the explosion site. Pieces still turn up today buried in the ground or in buildings that could be repaired.

You and I both know the story of the Titanic and have seen at least one documentary or fictionalised movie. Halifax was the nearest city to the ship. They expected the casualties to be brought to the city but the survivors were taken to New York. Instead Halifax got the job of collecting the dead and the debris. Many were identified and returned to families but despite best efforts , others weren’t and were buried . Artefacts are displayed showing the opulence and disparity between the passengers. To avoid scavengers , clothes and belongings that could not be returned were destroyed except those that could lead to identification. The saddest of these were a pair of baby shoes. Parts of the beautiful decorations in the ship also washed up. Many pieces were taken and turned into other pieces by the locals.

Class  system was evident in both life and burial. Look at these three rooms and menus. The first class had coffins, the second and third canvas shrouds and the crew, a stretcher. The third class menu is not to my liking but for the person , it may have been luxury compared to their usual meal.

What was your favourite part of the Museum. For me it was the section on sail boats. You walked in to the sound of the wind in the sails, the creak of the boards under your feet and the smell of the ropes. The Museum showcases the time of the sailboats but has gone further to teach children and others some of the traditional skills. They can learn how ropes were made, figureheads caved and better still, how to make their own rowboat. The scheme seems to be successful with one group already rowing beautiful boats and a Mi’kmaq family has made a traditional canoe. The  Museum is planning to expand the scheme. Rest time…….see you tomorrow. Oh if the photos aren’t coming through to your email, just flip over to the website…….site powers don’t know why sometimes they don’t come through.