Category Archives: Travel

The bucket list

23 Sunday Jun 2024

Posted by in Art, Food and Cooking, libraries, photography, Travel, writing

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Is it safe to assume that most adults have a bucket list of things to see or do before they die?

My bucket list is very tame, containing no extreme sports or other risky activities. I had one item on my list in 2020, to visit East coast Canada and dip my toe into the Atlantic Ocean. I had already accomplished the west coast and Pacific Ocean toe dip during a trip in the spring of 2017. As you may remember, the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022 cancelled travel plans for many people. I was heart-broken. Perhaps you were too.

Enter the cold, dark days of winter 2024 when I started dreaming about spring and reviving my east coast plans. One sister offered to join me on a VIA Rail train journey to Halifax Nova Scotia, to spend a few days as walkabout tourists plus obtain photographic proof of my primary objective.

Those with little patience can skip to the recommendations section. I hope you will enjoy some of the photographs along the way.

My Atlantic Canada trip objectives

  • Dip my big toe into the Atlantic Ocean
  • Tour the Halifax sites of interest by foot
  • Visit the Halifax Central Library
  • Consume East Coast food
  • Purchase souvenirs and gifts for loved ones
  • Have catch up chats and creative times with my sister
  • Enjoy train travel

Main objective: Touching the Atlantic Ocean

Woman in sun hat dipping her toe into the shore waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
On June 17, 2024 I dipped my toe into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a balancing act to admire as I toddled over rocks near the shore.

We toured sites of interest – within walking distance

We only got detoured twice during our visit to Halifax although we had printed maps and my sister followed the questionable directions from Google maps.

Halifax seaport cranes - Point Pleasant Park
Shipping cranes at the Halifax Seaport as viewed from Point Pleasant Park. They look like robot giraffes!
Park benches at the Halifax Public Gardens
Park benches at the Halifax Public Gardens. I never saw so many Rhododendron bushes. The park was colourful and dreamlike.

Visit the Halifax Central Library

We were impressed with the Halifax Central Library building exterior, interior, as well as the rooftop patio view of the harbour. We visited TWICE. I would go back again but maybe fly down east instead of taking the train. How would one compensate for contributing to polluting airline emissions?

Halifax Central Library building
My first encounter with the Halifax Central Library building. I was immediately attracted. I wanted to visit this building since it was opened in 2014.
Blonde tourist beside the big L of the Halifax Central Library building
Theresa posing with the giant L of the Halifax Central Library building
View of the Halifax seaport harbour from the rooftop patio of the Halifax Central Library
View of the Halifax seaport harbour from the rooftop patio of the Halifax Central Library during our second visit. This was my favourite part of the site seeing activities.

Enjoy east coast foods

After a disappointing second walkabout to the near-deserted wharf and nonexistent Farmer’s Market, we enjoyed an early lunch of the award winning lobster rolls at Tomavino’s. We enjoyed other foods but I don’t want to burden readers with the photos. That’s what Instagram is for 😀

Award winning lobster rolls at Tomovino's Halifax
After a disappointing second walkabout to the near-deserted wharf and nonexistent Farmer’s Market, we enjoyed an early lunch of the award winning lobster rolls at Tomavino’s.

Quality time

My sister brought water colour pencils and special paper for us to create renditions of the seashore photos we took during the daytime tours. I chose instead to do a painting of a black cat in the style of Maud Lewis with influences from Bill the Cat (Bloom County).

Watercolour painting black cat in the style of Maud Lewis, influenced by Bill the Cat
Theresa’s painting of a black cat in the style of Maud Lewis with influences from Bill the Cat (Bloom County).

During our walkabouts to Spring Garden Road area, I picked up many souvenirs and gifts from local shops, especially items with reprints of paintings by Nova Scotia’s darling, Maud Lewis. I can relate to her and some of her life struggles in many ways.

Travel options

We took the ViaRail “Ocean” train tour from Montreal to Halifax with intentions of walking to sites in the area. The train trip was supposed to take one day and one night (21 hours). It took us much longer travelling through eastern Quebec where we had to drive slow to avoid derailment on heat-buckled rails or poorly maintained CN Rail tracks.

This was NOT in the travel brochure!

Next time, I may choose to fly.

ViaRail sleeper car cabin on The Ocean line between Montreal and Halifax.
An example of a ViaRail two-person sleeper car cabin (in daytime seating mode) on The Ocean line between Montreal and Halifax.

Recommendations

  • If you plan to travel by VIA Rail and you choose the pricey sleeper cabin option, confirm with the provider that your car built before 1970 has working air conditioners.
  • Even if travelling with a companion, choose the Cabin for one option so you each can have your personal space. There will be plenty of opportunities to socialize in the lounge / service car, the dining car and seats of the cooler coach car. Make sure you are wearing your “Multi-pass” bracelet.
  • Get up and walk around to encourage circulation, especially when stopped in major stations and you’re not bouncing off the walls due to the rocking motions.
  • Bring the Gravol.
  • If you are a smoker, be prepared for only 3 stops of 15 minutes to step outside to satisfy your addition.
  • Chat with other passengers, get to know where they’re from, where they’re going and why they are taking this trip. You can meet many interesting people.
  • Bring a book and a hobby to keep your hands and mind busy.
  • If you plan on doing most of your destination tours by foot, wear comfortable shoes, pack a jacket, water bottle and map. Pack some curiosity, patience and empathy too.
  • Get to some of the beautiful, natural places in your country before they are spoiled by the effects of climate change.

Thank you for reading this far. Keep practising kindness and patience with those you encounter along your life’s journey. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Feel free to share some of your east coast travel experiences in the comments below.

T

Going to extremes

21 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in education, Health, pets, photography, Travel

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I have skipped seasons in my corner of the world, from one extreme to another. 

We are half-way through summer and stuck under what is called a “heat dome“, a stagnant mass of hot, humid air lingering over much of southern and eastern Ontario, and Quebec.

As a positive note, this heat must be good for growing the crops, for farmers to produce the food we need. Right?

The Central Experimental Farm

At times, I whimper and wilt quietly in this heat. At others, I want to lash out at people for their stupid acts and hurtful words. 

Spring seemed to sprint by with nothing much memorable except for a short staycation and sisterly visit. I finished one college course, changed my program of focus and started another.

On the Summer Solstice weekend I had a whirlwind tour in planes, trains and automobiles to the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to stay at one offspring’s trendy downtown rental unit then travel by subway and intercity bus to visit the oldest boy and his growing family. I felt blessed to visit their joyfully busy home bursting with toys and baby gear.

grandma bracelet

When the weather (and temperatures) permit, I try to get out for early morning walks along my regular routes for meditation and prayer. I express my gratitude for getting up, dressed and making it outdoors. It is refreshing and inspiring to be surrounded by birdsong, and occasionally spot local wildlife.

Urban rabbit

Urban wildlife

A couple of weeks ago, I had to say farewell to one old cat whose health was waning, especially after a heat wave in early July.

farewell snuggles the old cat

It was a bittersweet occasion to relieve the old boy from the pain and discomfort. I have to admit that I am sleeping better due to less midnight caterwauls and early morning breakfast service calls.

The other one doesn’t seem to miss him, enjoys the extra attention and is holding out well with her twice-daily Insulin shots.

tabby cat sitting surrounded by plants and air conditioner

Miss Geneva enjoying the comforting hum of the air conditioner

After she goes, I will have expendable income, more money and freedom to travel. I can finally shake the Cat Lady label and maybe start dating again!

Succumbing to keeping up with technology, I got a new cell phone that takes awesome photos and wants to assist me with many other tasks – which gets creepy at times! As a worker in IM/IT, I  see the advantages and risks that Artificial Intelligence can present. I do not see a need in my home for ID-IoT technology.

I am waiting for my course marks after completing a final exam a couple of weeks ago. This eager beaver already registered for another course starting in September.

Even if I don’t transition into Career 2.0 in a couple of years, I like how this keeps my mind active, gets me out to meet new people and make new friends.

Yes, I am still working for a living and complaining about the commute with unreliable public transit. The positive side is that I get most of my reading done while riding the buses.

We can’t escape the vitriol and poisonous political rants to the south of us, and now we have to filter out the attack ads related to a Federal election in Canada this fall. It used to be funny with the late night talk show comedians pointing out the foibles of the US Administration and their witless leader but after a while, it becomes depressing and surreal because America can’t seem to shake off elements of divisiveness and blatant bigotry.

To end this entry on an encouraging note, the weather people have just announced that the heatwave warning has ended and the dome is dissipating, just in time to start the work week all over again!

Stay cool, Canada as we endure the extreme weather changes and political climate – and if anything, remind ourselves to do as Ellen says, “Be kind to one another.”

Thanks for dropping by.

T

How far would your generosity go?

15 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in community, philosophy, Travel

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I used to purchase sheets of OC Transpo bus tickets to help my offspring get around town if they didn’t have a loaded or valid bus pass.

I would also carry extras with me as a backup plan if my PrestoCard balance ran out or to help out if a bus buddy forgot their pass.

Soon that will no longer be an option.

OCTranspoTicketsGoodUntilApril302018 - Edited (1)

Ottawa’s public transportation service will not accept paper tickets after April 30th. Commuters will have to have a Presto Card handy and loaded or carry $3.50 in exact change.

Coins350BusFareApr2018 - Edited

So, you could offer to pay for a fellow OC Transpo commuter who has forgotten their pass or doesn’t have the $3.50. You could offer them your backup stash of coin or indicate to the driver you wish to pay for another’s fare with your PrestoCard.

Presto Card pic from Prestocard.ca site

Presto Card pic from Prestocard.ca site https://www.prestocard.ca/en/

The latter will cost you 5 cents less but require social interaction with two people instead of one and delay others getting on the bus…

I suppose I will use the PrestoCard payment method for a friend instead of offering cash. It’s a matter of me remembering to load enough on my card.  

On a related note, I wish PrestoCard would send an email or text to notify you when your balance gets to a day’s value or less. 

Gone are the days of the paper passes 😦 and Federal tax credits for using public transportation.

I find this ticket-less system counter-productive and risky:

  1. Low income riders have to jump through hoops to prove their financial status in order to qualify for a Community Discount pass.
  2. Social service agencies can no longer provide bus tickets to their clients so they can get to appointments or related events.
  3. Buses may be carrying more coin as alternate payment rather than paper tickets. This could make for theft opportunities or cause more fuel usage due to extra weight.

 

Are you an Ottawa public transportation user? How are you adapting to these changes? What’s your opinion on this new system plus the city’s attempt to prepare commuters for the late and over-budget Light Rail Transit system?

T