The trip we kept secret.... sssshhhhhh!

In the previous posts we talked about our frequent travels over the last few months (Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berlin, Barcelona, North Bay, Toronto, etc.). One trip we didn't announce was a short trip to surprise my parents (who live in Manitoba) - this time to the east coast! We corralled both boys (not easy), got our carry-ons packed and off we went to Toronto airport. A short flight had us land in Halifax, a few hours before my (mostly) unsuspecting family arrived. After arranging rooms (all on the same floor), etc., we waited for my brother to announce their arrival at the hotel.

Once the 'eagle has landed' text came through my phone, we all snuck a few doors down and prepared for the surprise. I had bought a bottle of Scotch (since the liquor store would be closed when they arrived) and used it to cover the peep hole in the door. On opening the door, there was disbelief and (possibly) an aborted expletive from my mom. Video and more attached at the link below.

Mom still with a little disbelief

Sandra knew

Dave colluded

Adam was tired

My father catching up with Parker and Wendy

The Halifax crew!

After a good sleep and the free breakfast at the hotel, we tagged along with wherever my brother Dave had decided we would go. The first stop was the Halifax Citadel - a fort used to protect the harbour. The chilly wind was quite the change for me, particularly after New Orleans.

Halifax Citadel

Citadel

After a quick lunch, the next stop was the Alexander Keith's Brewery tour (only 10 feet from where we had lunch - small town, what can you say!). It was a great tour and you got to have a lot of beer (the non-drivers, that is).

We walked along the waterfront and were able to have some Cows ice cream. That was partly as a preview of the Cows Ice Cream in Charlottetown that my parents might go to later in their trip.

Had dinner at the hotel (pizza delivered to the main lounge) and had an early bedtime. 

The next day had us visit the Pier 21 Immigration Museum and Archives. My mom and I went to the archives to get some further genealogy information, then we all went to the museum and the shops (it is also a cruise ship terminal). Cool place!

After the museum, we headed out for a drive toward Peggy's Cove and had lunch at the restaurant there.

The sun came out after lunch and the scenery was breathtaking. Everyone climbed some rocks (not all successfully) to see different vantage points.

The rest of the day was scheduled for a drive to Lunenburg, after a short stop at a hard to find place called Oak Island where there is some treasure hunting going on.  I had not seen the TV shows about this, but will have to look them up.

I was struck by the signs posted next to the urinal at Oak Island. I think the one on the right is supposed to refer to the sink next to it... but the choice for placement was disconcerting either way.

Lunenburg was fantastic for the scenery, and one of the few things open was a boat tour company. We all decided to go on a private tour of the harbour for an hour. Great tour, perfect weather, and lots of sun to keep us warm.

Adam got to drive the boat for a while - almost smiling....

From my brother - the family shot.

After saying our goodbyes the next morning, we all went our separate ways. Wendy, I and the boys headed back to the airport while the rest drove up towards Cape Breton. Just next to the airport was the Atlantic Aviation Museum - couldn't pass up the chance to see that!

After a good lunch at the Stanstead airport (donairs - Halifax is the donair capital!), we flew back to Toronto and fought traffic all the way back home (took almost as long to get home as to fly from Halifax). 

Next trip? You may have to wait until August (hint: mountains near Canmore and a beach on the Bruce Penninsula are involved).

If you would like to see more images and videos, here is the link to the Google photos album.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEX4XvTk7ZBBVtmd6

Last day in Quebec City

Wendy's conference was over last evening, so we took the chance to go out to dinner and wander the city for a while. Below is the view from our window in the evening (after most of the Blue Jays disaster game was over).

This was an interesting and colourful sight - seemed to be a war memorial.

The restaurant where we ate dinner was reported to be the oldest pizza restaurant in the city. We had a chicken and bacon pizza with a Caesar salad - ON TOP! Yes, the salad was piled on top the freshly baked pizza. Actually better than it sounds!

Halloween decorations are big here. This display went all out, with a cauldron, fake flames, and real steam.

The pumpkin was of good size as well.

Purple is the predominant colour used to light up most buildings at night. Here is the Chateaux Frontenac.

Our last full day was set aside for Wendy and I to sleep in then tour the Citadel. It is the main Fort and home to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd regiment (vingt deux; the Van Doos). Below is a shot taken in one of the museum areas with badges from military units across Canada.

Most of my photos were on my real camera, but here are a few from the tour.

This panorama will likely stick off the edge of the web page, but it shows a nice view of old Quebec.

This is their largest cannon but it is not the one they fired at noon.

We did stop in to visit a beautiful old cathedral. Gorgeous interior...

This picture of Wendy nicely combines 2 common themes from the trip. Here is Wendy eating maple cotton candy (really good stuff!) while watching a Blue Jays game!