Maritimes, A Trip of a Lifetime

This picture pretty much sums up our experience, so you can stop now. Or go ahead and keep reading, for an hour or more, but don't say I didn't warn you!

During the first year of Law School in Ottawa I told/threatened/begged Big Dragon, "Once you are done all three years of law school we are going to celebrate by touring the **Maritimes." Because he tends to be alright with my crazy, he readily agreed.

**Maritimes for us means Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Cape Breton (biking the Cabot Trail is bucket-list worthy) and Newfoundland would be separate trips down the road of our life, once we have some student debt paid off and no more diapers to change. We heard from others that New Brunswick is kinda blah so that's why it isn't included, although we did drive briefly through that province to get to the Confederation Bridge, more on that later.

One of the many wonderful things about living in Ottawa was the proximity to many great and beautiful cities. As noted in previous blog posts, our family has traveled to Montreal, New York, Quebec City, Orlando, Florida (that was a flight, not a drive away), Niagara Falls, and now the furthest East we have EVER been.

Law school wrapped up and oddly enough the days seemed long (especially in the dead of winter) but the weeks, months, and years seemed to zoom past.

So there I was again, sitting in front of a computer screen making bids on hotels and car rentals, and booking flights. An all too familiar position of glory.

We kept Little Dragon up all day and had a late afternoon flight from Ottawa to Halifax. He ended up falling asleep during take off. Yes, the bumpy, scary, white knuckled, feel like my stomach drops into my butt, takeoff. What a weird kid. He must have been really beat.

That day we didn't do anything too exciting as we grabbed some dinner and checked into our hotel.

I got a good deal on The Westin Nova Scotian. We stayed here the first two nights and then again the night before we flew out. No FREE parking, but we parked in the gigantic Loblaws parking lot right next to it because we are ghetto like that.

 When checking in, we were told that this is the best weather that Halifax had all year (20C) because of the awful dump of snow they received late in April. The bellboy who informed us of this said it jokingly with a tear in his eye.

I loved our views from this hotel as it sat right next to the harbour and the Farmers Market.

Pier 21 and the train terminal. A hub of transport to say the least.

The glowing Farmers Market amidst the rainy gloom.

After getting a great sleep, we set out to walk the boardwalk. We stopped in at the Farmers Market (on a Monday morning) only to find that it was DEAD inside. We had our choice of homemade soap or Thai food, we passed on both. One day I will have to return on a Friday or Saturday (both days we were going to be in Charlottetown). Where is the to-die-for seafood everyone talks about? Where is the lobster?

You may or may not remember that I had been on a vegetarian diet for the past two years but since my pregnancy with Honey Badger, I have been including seafood every now and then. So I guess I am a pescetarian, which equates to a weak-sauce vegetarian. I don't quite fit in with the "normal" meat eaters, yet the real vegetarians and vegans mock my conviction. I guess I am stuck in a dietary purgatory.

That day we had a great time in the sunshine walking down the harbor, spotting huge ships and light houses, taking the ferry (taxi) across to Darmouth and back and playing at a park situated on the dock.

For dinner, we went to the Wooden Monkey. That place had what I needed. It was such a chill atmosphere inside that I did not feel guilty bringing a 4 month old and a crazy Little Dragon (while the food was being prepared we played a game of "Spot the Monkey" as there was monkeys scattered around the restaurant). And it was hipster, in the sense that it was local food and everything was baked, not fried. The service was phenomenal and the food was so so good. I even loved the homemade coleslaw! Let me take a minute to wipe the saliva off the keyboard. I still have dreams about my meal. I kick myself for not taking a picture of the plates of food we ordered. If you ever go there, remember Wooden Monkey. It is a must! Plus, it didn't hurt that I had a Groupon ($20 for $40 worth of food, boyah!)



Tuesday we went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. It was a wealth of information for how little it was in size. Little Dragon (3 months after the fact) still requests to go back to Halifax to see the talking parrot and creepy skeleton of a pirate. He likes creepy stuff. Side note: Even though it's presently August, he is REALLY big into Halloween. What can I say, he's a werido. And he's all mine.


The exhibits that I was drawn to the most was The Explosion of Halifax (that happened in 1917) and the Titantic (ships full of ice, an undertaker and a priest were sent out from Halifax to retrieve bodies and they found more than they had room for). Big Dragon and I did our usual routine of shift work for Little Dragon duty. The longer his legs grow, the faster he runs. 

We also spent A LOT of time talking to Merlin, the parrot. I had never been around such a magnificent bird before that talked almost as much as Little Dragon. We had him saying, "Hello, Merlin, I love You, and Goodbye."

And I kept thinking, "Take it all in now Little Dragon because since a parrot has an average lifespan of 95 years there is no way we would ever get one." I guess, you have to include the pet in your will when you purchase it because it will likely live longer than its owner. Big Dragon told me that, although he hasn't personally had to deal with such a client. I am sure they are out there.

The rest of the day we spent driving to PEI. There were moments in those 3 hours when both of the boys were crying/screaming that I contemplated opening up my door and rolling out of the moving vehicle. I had watched others do in the movies, how hard could it be?



We stopped at, I want to say Amherst for a gas and then continued on. After about an hour of driving, Big Dragon asked if I had paid for the gas when I went to use the restroom. No, I thought he had paid at the pump. Oh no, now we were Bonnie and Clyde. Don't fret we ended up calling the gas station later and paid with credit card.

Going across Confederation bridge was on my bucket-list (you may start to see that my bucket-list is a bit lengthy, but you gotta have things to live for, right?)

So it ends up the view going across the bridge is pretty pathetic. But seeing it before and after and just knowing you are in the middle of the Atlantic ocean is pretty surreal.

Our trusted driver. Don't drive us into the ocean!

Asleep again!?

Eyes on the road.

He wasn't crying for this part.

The bridge is 12.9km long and is less than 20 years old. It must be a pretty penny to maintain it as there is a $45.50 per 2-axle automobile, to leave the island. Almost as much as it is to leave Cuba ($25 per person).

Countless times we were told by others that we HAD to check out the Bed and Breakfasts in PEI. You will love the charm! The breakfasts are amazing! Okay, enough already! I booked us into one in Summerside, PEI.

Call me not old-fashioned, but I kind of like the regular hotels. The house was nice, clean, the people were very friendly, Little Dragon enjoyed chasing their kittens, but I guess I am a more private person and don't exactly find being the same quarters as strangers comforting. Also, Little Dragon's curiosity was sparked and he felt the need to explore every inch of the house, attempting to open locked doors, etc. Needless to say I felt a little on edge that night.

In contrast to how I felt, he looks right at home.

The next morning I was prepared to have a mind-blowing breakfast but since there was just our  family and some scary Russian dude we were fed a small fruit salad (old fruit) and French toast on regular sliced white bread. I had to think about the Wooden Monkey again to get to my happy place. On the positive side, the beds were extremely comfortable and it was the first time that Honey Badger slept for 8 hrs straight.

Outside the Bed and Breakfast, Willowgreen Farm

Just chilling with his new bud.

These two. Enough said.

 

Me and the red ocean water. I am also sporting a Made in Canada, cute, cute boutique jacket that I picked up at the Halifax Value Village. It is the biggest Value Village I have explored. And trust me, I have been to my fair share. I loved Halifax's Value Village. Did I mention we hit it on 1/2 price day? It was heaven.

After a nice country drive from Summerside to Charlottletown, seeing the red soil and potato field after potato field, we checked into one the best hotels I have ever beheld. I would recommend the Rodd Royalty to everyone. The people (like most people in PEI) are super, duper pooper friendly. It included an extensive hot breakfast buffet and the last morning we were there, the hotel wasn't very full, so they let us order off the menu for breakfast. Large plates of fresh fruit and eggs bennys for everyone! Take that Bed and Breakfasts!




We explored the city. Went into a few shops, talked to the fisherman at the harbour about when to expect lobster. At this point, because of the late start of spring, the lobster that they were selling was shipped from Nova Scotia  (which translates into double the price) and the first catch of the season was anticipated for this upcoming Sunday, Mother's Day. Saturday the fisherman were to drop their traps and Sunday to collect.

With a population of less than 150 thousand, does PEI really need a Court of Appeals? Could it not be consolidated with New Brunswick? Big Dragon seems to think so. He went inside to see what was on the docket for the coming week so he could sit in on an interesting case. He was told they don't know, they just come in and find out that day. How absurdly casual?

It was the nicest day in the in the long range forecast so we set out for Basinhead Provincial Park, a little more than an hour drive. The beach with the famous "singing sands". The sand is made up mostly of quartz which gives it a sandpaper scratchy sound when ones feet are dragged across. 

A rare picture where I didn't crop out the snow banks. Depressing, right? On the right above Little Dragon's head you can see the outline of a ship. These two had a lot of fun playing in the sand. 

After a fun filled day of sand, snow and sun (and a private beach, I might add) we packed 'er up and headed back to the hotel. We stopped in a bakery in Souris and bought some delicious clam chowder and baked goods.

The next day, we meet up with my parents and went to..... drum roll please... the place that everyone thinks of when they think of Prince Edward Island... continue drumming... Anne of Green Goobers.

And now here are some more pictures, because of course, it didn't happen unless you take a picture.

He FOUND it first!

Honey Badger thought it was a house of LIES. Or maybe he sensed a ghost. OR maybe Big Dragon forgot to put deodorant on. Either way, you can clearly see he was deeply disturbed.

Okay everyone, act like you are NOT cold.

Where's Dad? Oh wait, there he is!

The next day we did almost exactly what we did before, but with Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa Dragon). We hit the downtown again but this time we went inside this huge, gorgeous Basilica. It is called St. Dunstan's Basilica and it is nothing short of breath-taking.


 

Funny story. We park next to the Basilica and this older gentleman comes out of this gigantic building. We thought could be a place where the priests live. And I distinctly heard him say "Are you Greg?" to Big Dragon. Greg is not Big Dragon's name. It isn't even close. Big Dragon, who did not hear the specifics but saw the man gesturing for him to come inside, walks up the steps with Little Dragon shadowing behind. Grandpa Dragon follows as well cause... well, why not? I turn to Grandma Dragon and ask, "Didn't he just say Greg?" My mom nods in agreement as that is what she heard too. I call to them that we are heading to the Basilica and Big Dragon waves us off.

We go to into the church look around, use the washrooms and wait.

Turns out, Little, Big and Grandpa Dragon went inside and followed this elderly man around a bit. Went into his room and he asked Big Dragon, "Greg", if Ashley was coming up too (me?) for marriage counseling. Big Dragon awkwardly tells him that no, we are not those individuals whom he was expecting. The man apologies that he did not have his hearing aids in and our three boys leave the room and eventually meet up with us. So weird and completely avoidable, yet hilarious. Men and their layers of miscommunications.

After wandering through St. Dunstan's and the vast Arts Centre, right smack dab in the middle of the city we take the folks to Basinhead because when in PEI...

Once we had our fill there we went to the furthest point EAST of the island and made obscene gang signs with our hands.

He's a hommie.

Wolverine photo-bombed our picture.

You can see the cold wind on his little face.

So very cold.

The next day we went to church at the Charlottletown WARD. Yes, they have a ward there. I am jealous. I only know one person who is originally from PEI, Richard Cartier. He was one of my Rugby coaches and my seminary teacher in high school. He was/is a cool guy as he wasn't one of those robots from Utah, which I had a couple of years in a row. AND he was a convert, a perspective I had and still do appreciate. So I was in the mother's lounge with another lady and mentioned this single connection I had to PEI and she said, "Well, his mom is here." I went back to the chapel and looked around, Hmmm... who looks like Cartier? Bingo. She is a cool lady with a perma-smile. Of course we took a picture.

Once church was finished we went to North Rustico to indulge our appetites at the Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers family restaurant. The buffet table is 60 feet long and we shared a giant lobster. We stayed for 3 hours and ate very slowly. This was PEI to Big Dragon. To him THIS was heaven. Little Dragon on the other hand was confused as to what part of the lobster he should eat.

Group shot!

He didn't stand a chance.

I love his little face in this photo so much. I want to put this one on a canvas one day.

My little dolly.

These three entertained me for hours. If you were on a team of good eaters, you would want to recruit these guys. Amazing!

Little Dragon, "I don't like muscles"

Little Dragon kept insisting that, Yes! You DO eat the claw.

She has still got it.

What a Mother's Day to remember. Love ya Mom.

After carefully expanding our stomachs we thought it would be nice to walk on the trails of Prince Edward Island National Park. The babes got to nap and we were able to take in the beautiful views of the cliffs and the ocean.

We kept hearing that there are foxes on the island. The owners of the Bed and Breakfast had mentioned that they needed to "Get the cats in the barn or them foxes will get em' ". Apparently Big Dragon and Grandpa Dragon saw one on the walk. Everything there is so majestic. The colours so rich, the bright red soil is shocking (I thought about collecting some in a jar, but what am I going to do with dirt?) the blue sky and ocean waves and the green hills.

 PEI is an enchanting little place. With rolling hills, fields, little farm houses and a Protestant church that pops up on every other hill. It would be nice to go back one day, perhaps in the month of August when surely all of the snow has melted.


We went back for a night in Halifax, to catch our plane back to Ottawa. I was amazed how fast Halifax grew on me. They call it the Toronto of the Maritimes because it is the largest city out East. And by golly the shopping is A-Ok. Because it is a port city, it gets things shipped in from everywhere. The last morning we were there, Big Dragon offered to watch both of the kids for a couple of hours so I got to walk around and shop. Bless his heart.

I was able to purchase a little piece of artwork from a tourist-y shop called Joanne's and I went back to The Black Market and gawked some more of the wall-to-wall trinkets they house.

This is what the outside of The Black Market looks like.

I kid you not, this is what the inside of it looks like. I almost had a stroke.

The Westjet flight attendants LOVED Little Dragon's Wolverine hoodie (found it at a Winners in Charlottetown) and wanted to see it with the hood up. OF COURSE he went into character and chased them around in their little black heels and OF COURSE they thought it was hilarious which OF COURSE riled him up even more. At one point, no joke, one of them was on the floor and he was on top of her wrestling. Got to love Westjet. When we walked away I could hear one of them say, "Wow, I am sweating!" Welcome to my life, ladies.

Overall, we had a great time and would go back in a heartbeat. I told Big Dragon if, down the road, there were ever any work conferences or such that were held in Halifax we should/must go. 

In the words of Anne, " It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”

And I am pregnant. JUST KIDDING!! Just seeing who actually reads all of this. Man, that was long. I think my fingers are going to fall off. Sorry for abusing your eyeballs with all of these words. Go to bed people!