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

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.

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?

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 😀

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).

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.

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