Journey into Winter Pt. 4

Halifax, The lighthouse Trail, Peggy's Cove.

It is a sunny but bitterly cold afternoon as we drive from the train station throughout the historic city of Halifax to the Chateux Halifax hotel. We are fascinated as the taxi driver gives us a running commentary on what we are seeing. We get a glimpse of the recently refurbished Old Town Clock, commissioned by of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (Queen Victoria's father), in the 1790s. We pass by Halifax Citadel National Historic Park, which houses the star-shaped fortress, one of the most important relics of Halifax's colonial past. It was built in 1828 and 1861. On Citadel Hill, each noon hour, they fire one of the cannons. So accurate is the time, you may set your watch by it. Halifax is also home to the Halifax Art Gallery, the well-known Neptune Theatre and the Universities of Dalhousie, St. Mary's and Kings College.

The city's nautical and miltary heritage is apparent by the number and quality of maritime and war museums. The best known is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, located on the waterfront. It has a huge collection of artifacts, including Queen Victoria's Royal Barge and a collection of ships that are moored outside in the harbour.

There is a special area of the museum, where one can learn about the terrible explosion in 1917 in Halifax Harbour. It occured when a munitions ship collided with another vessel and the resulting explosion killed more than 2000 people. It destroyed half of Halifax and parts of Dartmouth across the bay.

There is also a large Titanic exhibit because Halifax, *being the closest port, became the operations centre for the recovery of the dead. Besides telling the story of the disaster, there are a large number of artifacts from the ship. Also, many of the victims are buried in nearby Fairview Lawn, Mt Olivet and Baron de Hirsch Cemetaries. If you are into cemetaries, Halifax's "Old burying Ground" has oldest one in Canada.

In the summer months one might also take a harbour cruise in the bluenose 11, or other sailing trips, visit the Maritime Command museum, The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History or take afternoon tea with the mayor in the historic City Hall. Halifax is also known for it's beautiful gardens, including the Halifax Public Gardens, one of the finest examples of Victorian Gardens in the world. A ferry trip to Dartmouth across the harbour is also a must.

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