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Maritimes Madness | DAY 7: (Pt. 1) Exploring Downtown Halifax Cont.

9/24/2018

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​Our final day on the East Coast was not marked by a roadtrip, but an on-foot adventure about the downtown area.

​With a return flight slated for early evening, there was just enough time to prance about like a local before making our way to Stanfield once again.
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​Being a weekday, the food court in Scotia Square was in full operation. Nearby coffee shops were also open for business.

I took to a solo expedition in search of a caffeinated pick-me-up, eventually arriving at one of Dalhousie's campus buildings. Along the way, souvenir shops were visited and horse-pulled carriages were spotted.
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​The intention was to find coffee at Chimneys Cafe, but, when it came to the exchange of funds for goods and services, it was discovered that I had not a single cent on me. Oh, the crisis associated with switching bags!

Apologizing and then bidding farewell, I trekked back to retrieve my wallet. At the same time, I did a quick search for potential lunch destinations. Dora-Q looked promising, and so the suggestion was thrown out for voting. The response was positive.
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​In the name of time, I opted to hop on local transit for my second outing. Buses along Barrington and Spring Garden from Scotia Square were very frequent (on weekdays anyway), so it wasn't long before I found a suitable route.
To a certain extent, the Halifax buses did not differ too greatly from Miway or TTC. The layout was similar, but the degree of cleanliness was far beyond my anticipation. There was no griminess to be spotted here, nor dust-incrusted seats. Moreover, the floor was spotless.
I later learned this to be a result of strictly enforcing unsealed beverages. Commuters were not spotted feasting mid-transit either.
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View the full album HERE !
​Route 7 Robie travelled parallel to the waterfront for some time, then turned sharply onto South Street. This area was unique in that it as equal parts residential and commerical; its proximity to the Halifax rail terminal also suggested convenience for post-secondary students studying away from home.
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Maritimes Madness | DAY 7: (Pt. 2) Departure + Afterword

9/24/2018

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Read Part 1 HERE !
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The 7-day Atlantic roadtrip came to an end.
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Venturing to the East Coast was a first for two-thirds of the party, and I quickly came to the realization that despite having lived in the country for my entire lifetime, I had rarely stepped out of Ontario and British Columbia.​
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​We retraced our initial path at Stanfield to reach the domestic gate. But this time around, we caught sight fresh lobsters near the baggage drop.
Other souvenirs such as caramel popcorn and alcohol were also spotted, thought swiftly deemed unnecessary.
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​Having arrived at the airport on weekday afternoon, one would anticipate majority of the shops and dining kiosks to remain open. Lo and behold: the East Coast was not so different from Richmond; Booster Juice closed its gates just as we settled into the waiting area.
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​A solid hour-and-a-half had been allocated for exploring the post-check-in area, however, it turned out that there wasn't a great deal that bedazzled us.

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 6: (Pt. 2) Digby Cont, Yarmouth + Shag Harbour

9/23/2018

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Read Part 1 HERE !

​​Following lunch, the party engaged in a stroll along the Digby waterfront.
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​Clear skies, minimal wind, and ripples upon ripples of brilliant Bay of Fundy waters accompanied our southbound trek on Water Street
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​Only a handful of pedestrians were spotted during our stay: a few dog-walkers (presumably local) and a small group of camera wielders (presumably tourists such as ourselves).
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View the full album HERE !

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 6: (Pt. 1) Annapolis Tidal Plant + Digby

9/23/2018

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​At 6 AM the next morning, I meekly pried open my eyes at 6 AM sharp. "Morning Flower" sounded a bit different.
I heard faint tapping noises, which I presumed to be rainfall at first. But the sound reverberated from within the room, not on the other side of a glass panel.
For a millisecond, I contemplated the possibility of it being the tapping of laptop keys. But no one else was awake.

Pitter patter. It was unmistakably water droplets.

And it sounded as if it was taking place in the general area of my most valued possessions.
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​Scrambling with the daunting realization that I may never be able to access the sole device that enabled consistent connection with the world, I grabbed my glasses and a flashlight.

Lo and behold, the sight was jarring: the lightweight, yet heavy duty camera bag I had researched so extensively was soaked to the core, dampened by what I can only presume to be nasty, used bathwater (and whatever foreign material utilized in ceiling tiles).
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Somewhat gratefully, the droplets had only missed the rest of my equipment by a mere centimetres. Two cameras and an unsheathed, charging laptop had barely avoided the calamity. The contents of my backpack, though, were tell another tale.

Desperate attempts were made to remediate the inflicted damage. However, the irritable musty smell persisted.
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​And just when I thought it was all over, crashing down with a bang were the permeated fragments of tile.
My first concern was the potential asbestos content of the tile; it is not uncommon for old materials to rely heavily on the cancerous substance, and once made friable, residents of the room would have been directly exposed to its hazards. Had the piece not given way due to dampening, the compact quadrants would be immediately become a zone of invisible danger.

More alarming was the very fact that these droplets could have easily saturated an area with a live current, and consequently resulted in an explosion with energy contributed from neighbouring electronics.
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​The overall mood at breakfast time was grim - and could you blame me? I settled for the Matcha Custard Mini Gangs acquired the previous night, then took to the streets of Downtown Halifax once again for coffee. Alas, it was Sunday, and few cafes in the area had opened for business.
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​We then set off for another adventure shortly afterwards. The trip involved routing through Dartmouth, which involved crossing the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge. It was my first time coming across a toll bridge; Hwy 407 is the only P3 method of transportation involving tolls (or at least that I've used anyway). The fee for the Macdonald Bridge was only a loonie though, making it signficantly more economic than tolls back home.
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​Our primary destination was Digby, a town on the southwest coast of the province renowned for scallops. En route was Annapolis, where we stopped for a quick tour of the Annapolis Tidal Plant.
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The renewable energy plant was grand in scale, and even featured an information seminar and interactive presentation on the upper floor of the Interpretive Centre.

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 5: (Pt. 2) Exploring Downtown Halifax

9/22/2018

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Read Part 1 HERE !

We rolled into Halifax just before 6 PM, which granted us a brief slot for exploration prior to dinner.
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I was first to abandon the car. The road trip had been a lengthy one - too lengthy, if I'm completely honest - and since we had returned to civilization (and data reception!!), there was no longer a reason to avoid using our lower limbs.

​​The streets of Downtown Halifax weren't so different from that of walk-able suburban neighbourhoods back home. Objectively speaking, they were cleaner. Shop variety was as about as diverse as The Danforth, with about as much pedestrian traffic as Bramalea City Centre at 7 AM, and closed as early as major malls in Richmond.
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Students in sweats made up the bulk of the citizens wandering the streets. This group became more prevalent nearing Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road. Located at the T-intersection was Saint Mary's Cathedral, a large commercial building, and restaurants featuring an outdoor patio.
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The odd Cantonese bakery was also discovered while heading downhill towards the waterfront. At this point, many eateries had shuttered for the day; Kee Heong was no exception.
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​Traversing the waterfront trail, I came across a jewellery boutique specializing in pewter, COWS' ice cream-only kiosk, a playground of abstract attractions, a 360 experience dome, and an open historical exhibit. This journey was accompanied by perpetually breathtaking perspectives of the harbour.
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A new multi-level building was in the midst of construction just north of Prince Street. To accomodate pedestrian and visitor traffic, a Seabridge had been laid in place. The boardwalk permitted a beautiful view of the waters, unobstructed by boats and sailing equipment; on the south side of the bridge were orange pillars, each baring a snippet of information regarding the city and its history.
Small bulbs had also been wound about each side of the bridge, providing a soft glow after nightfall.
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View the full album HERE !

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 5: (Pt. 1) Keltic + The Dock

9/22/2018

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​East Coast is analogous to West Coast in that you'll never know what weather conditions await you the next day. Some days are bright and sunny, while others grey and dreary.
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​While we had checked into Keltic with clear skies over our heads, the clouds had rolled in around the late evening hours and camouflaged the sunset altogether. The next morning was an extension of this drabness, but with the inclusion of pelting rain pellets and brutal blasts of wind.
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I roamed about the estate first thing in the morning, seeing as there was little else to see and do in the visible two-kilometre radius. For majority of this solo stretch, it was nothing but humidity and havoc.
It wasn't until closer to breakfast time that I discovered the Middle Head trail. 
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​Guided tours were supposedly held at 10 AM each day; the "hike" - if one could call it so with its relatively flat elevation - required a few hours to make the round trip. Had my stomach not been empty (and had I not promised to return within the hour), I would have gladly taken on this adventure. Most of the trail consisted of uninspiring shrubbery, but the tip of Steering Island would have certainly resulted in a stunning view of the surrounding coves.
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Maritimes Madness | DAY 4: (Pt. 2) Rusty Anchor + Green Cove

9/21/2018

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Read Part 1 HERE !
Eventually, we pulled into the parking lot of Rusty Anchor.
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​Time and time again, it was proven that restaurants could exist wherever tourists left their mark. Sustenance is in constant demand while on the road, and it appeared that many earned one's keep by partaking in the fulfillment of such a need, offering their own version of local specialties.
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​Rusty Anchor was part gift shop and part eatery. The reception area was brimming with monogrammed apparel bearing the restaurant's name; behind it was a dining hall furnished with nautical decor and plastic tablecloths. Several windows situated about the interior provided illumination.
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​Drinks were served in mason jars and diner-style gradient glasses. It was a nice touch, should you ask me, and possessed a cohesive vibe to its surroundings.

​The party took the Seafood Wrap and Lobster Roll, which came with sides of chips & salsa and spinach salad respectively.
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​An all-round mediocre dish, the Seafood Wrap was filling but exceptionally fishy in stench. Little can be uttered in regards to the tortilla chips and salsa, for they were clearly storebought and easily replicable.

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 4: (Pt. 1) Cabot Trail Road Trip

9/21/2018

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​The night before had been dreadfully cold, averaging a mere four degrees once the sun had vanished. Stargazing and attempts at streaming V Live replays had been benumbing pursuit.
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Though the chilliness did carry over to the next morning, clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine welcomed us into the day.
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​Breakfast was devoured at the Glenora Pub, which was located adjacent to the dining hall we had visited the evening prior. The menu was simple, and the offerings decidedly standard. However, the ambiance was another story altogether: blinding UV rays penetrated through the windows, then were partially refracted by blinds, filling the space with a warm, comforting glow. Interestingly enough, this was also a spot where the Wi-Fi connection remained resolute.
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​A cup of piping hot black coffee and PB&J toast later, we returned to the suite to re-assemble our belongings yet again. This was a zone of zero signal, so I stood outside for an additional few minutes to ensure all the necessary communication had been made.
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​We then commenced on what would be remembered as the most scenic road trip of a lifetime.
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​Cabot Trail was a two-way path that wound around the perimeter of Cape Breton. It curved around mountainous regions - sometimes at very sharp angles, might I add - and featured consistent variation of elevation levels.

​Given the spectacular weather conditions, we were able to embrace the entirety of the route while being well-informed of the upcoming twists and turns. (During times of dense fog though, one would consider it perilous to attempt the trail without a shred of familiarity.)
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​The scene that lay before us was absolutely breathtaking. 
Stretching from front to back, then side to side, the sky was a seemingly endless wash of vibrant blue. Paired alongside luscious green forestry and hilly paths, it was a snippet of nature that someone from the metropolitan regions of the nation would not witness on an everyday basis. Moreover, indications of civlization were essentially nonexistent. There wasn't a telephone pole nor streetlamp in sight to interfere with the drive. Mind you, this also meant disconnection with the rest of the world.

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 3: (Pt. 2) Departure from P.E.I. + Glenora Inn & Distillery

9/20/2018

 
Read Part 1 HERE !
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​We stopped for lunch at Gateway Villages, just before crossing the Confederation Bridge a second time.
Subway was our ultimate decision, as the only diner operating according to their listed hours was an overpriced lobster-centric diner.
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< Pictured above: 6-ft Sweet Onion Teriyaki Whole Wheat Sandwich and Smoky Bacon and Cheese Panini >

In spite of the sandwich franchise's quick service nature, the staff maintained the amiable, unhurried attitude consistent with the province's calm temperament.
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​COWS and Subway are essentially joined at the hip, separated only by a narrow corridor and two single stall bathrooms (one per gender). That said, it wouldn't have been fair to have departed without popping by. A Single Scoop of Fluff N Udder and Cownadian Mint finished off the midday meal. Chocolatey and indulgent, the duo was delicious without being overly sugary. Fluff N Udder's plush threads of marshmallow fluff and peanut butter bites made for a delightful, unexpected pairing; Cownadian Mint was refreshing whilst devoid of the icky, Listerine-like peppermint essence.
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​What followed was a five-hour drive to Mabou, where our accomodations for the evening resided.
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​Absent along the way were telephone poles and signal towers, which meant cellular reception was essentially nonexistent. I had initially questioned why we had brought along a GPS for the ride, since Google Maps was a reliable navigation source. But thankfully we did. I spent the trip either snoozing in the back seat or streaming pre-downloaded videos.
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​At long last, we pulled into Glenora. Welcoming us was a winding pathway lined with shrubbery, with the setting sun just penetrating between the curved branches.
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​Glenora Inn & Distillery was a beautifully compelling place to stay. Before its entrance was a manmade pond (that had unfortunately been drained for the upcoming winter months).
We pulled into the gravel lot to inform the staff of our arrival. This check-in destination doubled as a gift shop featuring whiskeys and locally crafted condiments; adjacent to this building was a long, narrow hall, commonly used as a wedding or event venue.
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View the full album HERE !

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Maritimes Madness | DAY 3: (Pt. 1) Anne of Green Gables + Orby Head

9/20/2018

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​The subsequent morning, we awoke to warmer weather and slightly less overcast conditions.
​As such, we revisited the waterfront and the touristy red sign. We caught sight of a cruise ship, along with a prevue of the copper-tinged mineral material that we would later witness in abundance.
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​Receiver Coffee Co. on Richmond St. (Victoria Row?) was my chosen breakfast destination. Nestled between the Anne of Green Gables shop and a series of gastropubs and tourist traps, the storefront was somewhat reminiscent of Maison May, front-facing windows and entrance ramp and all.
​In contrast, its interior bore a shocking similitude to My Dog Joe. One could describe the establishment as rustic - very dim with dingy lighting and a chalkboard-like menu board.​
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​Toronto café prices were observed here. (You know, basic Toast for $4 and avotoast for $5 extra at $9.)
The caffeinated drink menu was slightly lacking in labels. Next to each listing was two prices, but it was not made clear whether it pertained to cup size or temperature level (hot/iced).
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Similar to many other cafés, hot drinks were served in insulated paper cups sporting café's logo, while iced beverages in disposable plastic cups.
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​My small Iced Latte (requested with light ice) was four dollars before tax and underfilled a solid. 1.5 - 2 cm under the rim of the cup. My wait time averaged three minutes, which was longer than that of customers who had ordered pour-overs or hot lattes (complete with latte art). But, from what I recall, it doesn't take much to pull an espresso shot.
The final product was unsweetened and, frankly, very, very average. I could have easily reproduced the beverage at home. At least the brew hadn't been overly acidic.
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​I also picked up a Blackberry Basil Muffin for substantiation. Unlike the latte, it far succeeded my expectations by proving itself a super tasty specimen; a crisp exterior, ultra-moist interior, and two fresh blackberries contributed to its charm. I could not perceive the presence of basil, but the addition of the herb is usually a hit or miss. The subtlety of the culinary plant was probably for the best in this case.
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​Anne of Green Gables is the quintessential tourist destination of the province, along with COWS (a stop we could not make it due to schedule restrictions). Signage for the Heritage House adopted the form of a federal government fixture with the name of a National Park. The gaudy, colourful signs were not to be observed at all, thus we missed the entrance the first time around.
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    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



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WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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