Crew Blog

Compare and Contrast ….

12 June 2008

We have just experienced two stopovers in the space of a week and a half – how very different they were.
Manhattan made a spectacular backdrop when we arrived late one night into North Marine Cove.  The location of the marina was amazing with Ground Zero just 2 minutes away, but we all agreed the reception was fairly muted, despite us winning the race – we were but a little pip in a very big apple.  However, our two day visit afforded us some great shopping, thanks mostly to a very favourable exchange rate, and we even managed to pack in some sightseeing too.

Just a few days later we were entering Halifax harbour. How were we going to fill our time?  We had four days which seemed far too long..  But what a wonderful welcome we received.. People lined the shore and we were paraded to the race presentation through the crowd, each crew following a cadet carrying our boat flag.  This was followed by a chowder competition (rivalry between Halifax restaurants) and a tour and free sampling at a local brewery.  In fact the time has flown by.  We’ve had an excellent guided tour of the town and citadel on an old routemaster bus, had barbeques and breakfasts, and also fitted in visits to the maritime museum and Pier 21 museum (where immigrants entered Canada), as well, of course, as some compulsory shopping for essentials. Many of us have become lifelong members of the Mountain Equipment Co-operative for $5. The restaurants have been excellent and lobster has been tackled by quite a few. Halifax also has the highest number of pubs per square mile in Canada, and I think some of the crew made it their aim to visit as many as possible during our stay. The Haligonians have been wonderful. I don’t think I have met kinder and more accommodating group of people.  They have gone out of their way to be helpful, from the ice cream seller who offered to phone for a cab, to the woman who paid Mark’s bus fare because he didn’t have the right change. The fact that you can walk right out into the street and the cars will stop for you gives a good idea of the gentler pace of life in Halifax. (but don’t try this in Quebec!).  I don’t want to sound like a travel brochure, but if you fancy a holiday in a region that looks similar to Scotland with some of the warmest people on the planet, then try Nova Scotia.
We are now on our way to Sydney, where we have been promised an equally friendly welcome – I can’t wait.
Love to all, see you in three weeks.
Judith