We arrive in Halifax harbor a little before our scheduled arrival at 10:00 AM. Again it is a gorgeous day, blue skies, no clouds, a light breeze, and temperatures rising to about 70. We could not ask for it to be nicer.
Before arrival we had to complete a declarations form for the Canadian authorities. We just dropped it in a box by the front desk, so I doubt much is done with them. Upon disembarkation there is no check at all, just a government employee counting passengers as we enter the terminal building.
I did not book a tour for today, instead take the Hop-on Hop-off bus that makes a continuous loop around the city lasting about an hour an a half.
I get off at the only stop that interests me, the maritime museum. The museum is appropriately housed in an old warehouse along the water front. There are many artifacts, the more unique being a mold for casting large anchors and a complete rotating lens assembly from a light house. I would estimate the lens to be 6 feet in height, and 4 feet across.
Many ship models are on display, including old "ships in a bottle" dating back several hundred years. There are several old ships in the harbor that are also open for touring.
Halifax is a very modern city, and the guide tells us it is the second fastest growing city in Canada. The current population is about 400,000. We are told A 600 sq ft apartment rents $1000 to $1500 a month plus utilities and an additional $150 for a parking spot.
I return to the ship too late for lunch, which is probably just as well as I have been going to the dining room each evening. Tonight is the first show with the singers and dancers, the same tribute to Broadway they have been performing on the Vision of the Seas for years. The cast is new, having joined the ship in Bayonne
There are actually several people in the Solarium pool, the first I have seen the pool used at all.
I don't know if this is just this ship, or just my room steward, but so far there have been no towel creatures on my bed in the evening. Is this another cost cutting measure?
I think I mentioned yesterday that the theater entertainment was a movie last night. Surprisingly they had the entire 9 piece orchestra in the Centrum playing music for those that wished to dance. There were a few couples, but not many, actually I only saw two.
The food and service has been good in the dining room with the exception of the first night when the galley couldn't keep pace. The Canadian Government did an exhaustive health inspection that took all day while we were here in Halifax. The captain and the dining room staff both reported that the grade was 100%. The crew and staff were very happy, and I doubt any passengers were disappointed with the inspection report.
I should have internet for the next several days, and will be posting the blog on a more regular schedule.
After dinner I head to the theater to catch the production show. As I had been warned earlier, the theater was nearly full 35 minutes before show time when I arrived.
Tomorrow we are in Sydney, no not Australia but Nova Scotia.
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