[trip style = urban + sightseeing] {more pics below}
Book Smart We got in late, and had to leave early. This left one full day to tour the seaside city known for its higher learning and history. In almost every location we ate or rested, we overheard intellectual conversations debating politics and religion. Yes, t'was a city influenced by academia with Dalhousie sitting right in the middle of town.
Street Smart There was also a street smart side to Halifax: a Michael Jackson-esque street performer dancing to Billy Jean, a busker who pretended to play his guitar for cash and three young girls (under 10) vigorously and harmoniously playing their fiddles to entertain those boat-gazing along the pier. As we hip-hopped to historical locations throughout the city, learning more about its roots, its sub-culture and its importance in Canadian History, we encountered a city which is just as much book smart as it is street smart. This is Halifax.
A Day in the Life of Halifax
{Started the day at a restaurant we'd read about in multiple publications and iphone apps. The verdict? Best breakfast ever at Jane's on the Common. I don't normally even order pancakes, but the ricotta banana pancakes were to die for.}
{Rhubarb cordial at Jane's. Such a simple drink--just crushed rhubard with soda--but so fabulous with brunch.}
{Taking a stroll through the Halifax Public Gardens est. in 1867, the year of confederation. Love the gates.}
{The tradition of putting a bandstand in gardens is a lost art. Apparently, a band plays here every Sunday afternoon in the summer.}
{A lesson in Canadian history at the Citadel, originally a strategic British outpost prior to Canada's Confederation. Everyone at Fort George is dressed in period costume and takes onlookers through a day-in-the-life at the Citadel whose star-like configuration took 28 years to build completing in 1856.}
{We couldn't very well leave Halifax without tasting and touring Alexander Keith's brewery. Given Keith is the father of Canadian beer, we felt we had to take the tour, proper thing. Between the history lesson, beer manifesto and two steins poured at the end of the tour, surprisingly, it ended up being well worth it .}
{Finishing the tour with a swig of the ol' India Pale Ale.}
{Passing this restaurant earlier in the day, we thought we'd return for dinner.}
{Known for its pizzas and cocktails, Morris East was close to our hotel and felt like our kind of restaurant. It did not disappoint. Our thin crust pizza had a goat cheese base topped with thinly sliced peaches and prosciutto. I was so taken by it, I recreated it this weekend.}
[trip style = beach]
{The Fairmont Algonquin. See my review 
{Town of St. Andrews by the Sea.}
{Cute gift shop find: 'sea glass' lamp base.}
{The Hungry Whale Cafe, a seaside coffee and ice cream place.}
{Whale watching with 
{A finback whale!}
{Seals!}
{Watching whales trying not to be seasick...wasn't that bad given I get motion sick on chair-lifts.}
{Captain 'McGee' posing with my husband Nathan...}
{I turned into a purple people eater in front of the local sweet shop.}
{The Lobster chair, or waiting area, at The Gables Restaurant.}
[trip style = sightseeing] {more pics below}
{Montreal's bagel scene is famous, so I biked to Fairmount Bagels---the city's original bagelry---to eat a $0.70 breakfast. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to enjoy our bagels since the store is literally as small as it looks.}
{Holt Renfrew Cafe. Apres bixi'ing around the city, I retreated to the air conditioned bliss of the Holts Cafe. Unfortunately, I was a tad bit sweaty and everyone else eating designer lunches just-so-happened to be decked-out in Prada, Halston and LV. Either way, I had the best open-faced sandwich I've ever eaten in my life: poilane bread, topped with thinly-sliced tandoori chicken, cauliflower, broccoli and drizzled with tzatziki-like sauce.}
{It was love at first sight when I sauntered past 
{This pic was taken at about 10pm. When we checked the temperature at that time, it noted 26 degrees, ‘feels like 32.’}
{A quick stop at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to view the free mid-century modern furniture exhibition.}
{Cool design inside of the Cathedral}
{Inside the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth lobby. See my review of the hotel 
[trip style = urban]
The Canadian patriotism I experienced at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics gave a whole new meaning to Canada Day this year. The Olympics reminded me of my deep love and appreciation for the true north strong and free as well as the freedoms we often take for granted.
The Queen's prelude into the Canada Day celebrations. She followed in a horse-drawn carriage sporting a red suit with a maple leaf broach for the event.
The stage where the festivities took place.
Parliament's East Block.
Canadian Snowbirds doing a fly-by.
Me in front of a Snowbird; not the kind that goes South for the whole winter.
Parliament's library, refurbished in 2002.
Ottawa river overlooking Gatineau, Quebec.
Beside Parliament. The Rideau Canal looking up towards the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Above the lochs you see in this pic, in winter you can skate along this canal for 8km. Puts a whole new spin on commuting.
Me in front of 24 Sussex (PM's residence). Since I came unannounced, Stevo wasn't able to have lemonade with me on his balcony.
Having a break at Planet Coffee.
Grabbing a croissant at the bakery where Obama stopped to pick up some 'Canada cookies' for his girls during his initial visit to Ottawa in February 2010. PS - I Highly recommend the aforementioned Moulin de Provence bakery in Ottawa's Byward Market.
Ending the day with a literal bang. We were so close that our hair and clothes were speckled with ash.
[trip style = weekend getaway] [more pics below]
