Oceania – we’re back!! This scheduled 78 day trip is to include parts of eastern Canada, Iceland, Norway, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Denmark, Amsterdam, Belgium, Germany, France, back across the Atlantic and up the St. Lawrence Seaway ending in Montreal. Some places these travelers have been before, but there are many new locations and sights to be experienced. Those anticipated new locations along with NO long flights were the attraction of this cruise. So – off to NYC (again) to board.
On a cruise, it’s always great to have that first day at sea. Gives one a chance to get acquainted with the ship, to unpack and generally get settled in. Especially if one is adopting the current cabin as ‘home’ for three months! Then it is time to ‘hit the ground running’. The first two stops on this itinerary are locations previously visited. Instead of boring you with details previously provided in years past, new information will be the name of the game. However – if you have forgotten all the fun details given during the fantastic road trip in the Magic Bus in September, 2014 (yikes – it was really that long ago?!?!) here are links to all that wonderful information —-
https://egmagicbustour.com/2014/09/21/omg-what-a-place/
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia (New Scotland) and is the cultural center. It offers a 10-day film festival, a week long jazz festival and a military tattoo. Unfortunately, the timing was wrong for all of these, especially the tattoo – which would have been loved. The Halifax Public Gardens, one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gardens in North America, is a gem in the middle of the city right next to the Citadel. It was established in 1874 for the citizens of Halifax and remains so today. It truly is a ‘don’t miss’ – especially for a bit of quiet.
The Annual Mural Competition was also in full swing, with competitors working furiously to complete their entries.
On to Cape Breton Island and its industrial and metropolitan center – – – –
The cruise ship docks right in town with a fantastic boardwalk to enjoy along the harbor. The town is small but friendly and is the entry to the stunningly beautiful Cape Breton Highlands NP (which will be further explored on the return trip).
Fifteen miles from the coast of Canada is the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon – the only French territory in North America. It is composed of eight islands, only two of which are inhabited. One of those is Saint-Pierre with 5,500 very friendly inhabitants! During America’s prohibition in the 1930’s, this string of islands became a hub of traffic entertaining even Al Capone! This day was the celebration of Bastille Day, with dancing, singing and lots of food booths. Couldn’t have planned this stop any better.
Saint-Pierre’s history was a difficult one in the 1700 and 1800’s, as it was battled for back and forth between the English and French. It finally wound up in French hands after the war in America ended. There were efforts to build defenses from then on, but little funding came from France for such efforts until 1854. At that time a battery was built with three canons to greet ships or fire reglementary salutes on national holidays. Fortunately peace came and allowed the islands to develop without wars.
St. John’s – the largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador – was next on the itinerary. It was much anticipated as Newfoundland was new territory for these travelers. However, due to a small channel into a narrow port and unusually high winds, the ship was diverted and this experience will have to wait for the return trip;-( More to look forward to.
E & G – Having fun on the new Vista ship and looking forward to ICELAND- really new territory!!!
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 