Four weeks cruising to Canada UPDATED
Another welcome break. This time its down to Southampton to pick up the QM2 for our first leg to New York. From there its a transfer to a Celebrity ship for two weeks up to Boston, Portland Maine, Bar Harbour,St Lawrence River and Quebec, Corner Brook Newfoundland, Sydney Nova Scotia, Halifax and then back to New York and once again on the QM2 to Southampton.
Our seven days transatlantic voyage on the QM2 was as always exceedingly good, although there is still this pompousness that can be very overwhelming. And you have to realise that there are many various types who have been fortunate to collect a good pension pot that has allowed them to enjoy, what was once only for the privileged. This is great, but some are not accustomed to the basic niceties. They act as they would behind their own four walls. Sounds snobbish, but manners and eating habits are necessary when in company.
But there were also many very well healed people who had purchased cabins well above my pocket who were far removed from being polite or well mannered. But, as in life, you manage to use your blinkers and enjoy what was good. And there was a lot that was.When l have more time l will add more information regarding the cruises, ships , food , service and value for money. Presently l am just catching up on uploading the pictorial side of the diary. Along with details on how we nearly missed our Celebrity cruise due to delays and the provision of only three immigration officials to deal with a ship load of passengers.
Boston.
Very disappointed, but could be due to the weather.
Next day we arrive in Portland Maine, a more manageable town with many hidden gems that were not too difficult to find. The fog was down as we sailed into harbour, but it soon disappeared and we manage a complete circumnavigation of the town on foot.
Bar Harbour, Maine
Very interesting port of call, with some excellent walking. just a pity we didn't have time to explore further afield. The Acadia National Park looked amazing, and there seemed to be a great but service to get walkers and cyclists to the various areas.
Had a real feeling of "Murder She Wrote" with Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher in the small fishing village of Cabot Cove.
The whole area was just made for exploring, by Kayak, cycle or on foot. Just a pity about the weather, although it was just perfect on our visit. Sun shining, but crisp.
Not the only ship in town, but they were soon whisked away on a tour.
A real playground for the sporty types. Would imagine that the fishing, both sea and freshwater game would be good.
We move off and head up the St Lawrence River with the changing colours of the trees on both banks.
Eventually reach Quebec with the Châteaux on the hill and the QM2 moored in prime position. They had arrived earlier to snap up their position immediately under the funicular railway that lifts you up to the top without the slog.
We were positioned on the other side of the docks, but the had provided coaches to take us up the winding streets to the Château.
A fascinating city, and smaller enough to manoeuvre around on foot, although you have to be prepared to climb. The historical centre is full of interesting shops, restaurants and bars, and very French, as you would imagine. The broad walk the links with the citadel gives you super views of the river and the Appalachian mountain ranges to the south. Never realised that they continued up as far as this.
The parks seem to link the two centres and add an area of tranquillity. Amazed to see black squirrels. Big things, wondered what they were at first.
Well worth the two days stay over. Gave us time to visit the modern centre, which has its own vibe.
Then it was all aboard for our trip up the river and into the main channel heading for Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
Then the real treat, whales, two or three at a time. Not the lavish spectacle of the smashing humpbacks, as often found round Hawaii, but nevertheless, large giant mammals. Spouting and gliding along, just underneath the water.
Over the two days we managed to spy at least seven separate groups. managed to have the camera ready on one occasion, but the image wasn't that great.
Corner brook
What can l say about the place.My expectations of a little attractive fishing community were totally dispelled. We found a sprawling conurbation set around a paper mill and other industry. Very underwhelming, although the people were exceedingly friendly and did their utmost to make you feel welcome.
Attempted some of the highlighted walks, but found them difficult to follow, as there were just no signs to guide us in the right direction. We did manage to find the start with the help of some locals, but it was more a circular park walk around a pond. Yet we did see a Blue Jay. A first for me, along with chipmunks darting in and out of the woods. As well as squirrels with a white chest and a black line down their tails.
Just a quick mention on the Celebrity Summit. We had been on this ship ten years back, and to be honest it needs a total refit. Its a real rust bucket. According to the crew, it is due a refit next February. In my view it needs a restoration project to renew all the bits that are falling off. Its lost that edge. By the way, that is the name of the latest Celebrity ship that has just been launched, and its amazing.
But the facilities were still excellent, food and service knocked that provided by the QM2 into touch. The staff especially were amazing, so friendly and attentive to your needs. The breakfast boys would be singing as they came round to top your coffee up. Perhaps not everyone's idea of service. But they ensured you were looked after, without the old school, patronising superior aloofness of Cunard.
The entertainment was also superb, truly amazing, and once again a couple of notches up from that provided by the QM2. But on the downside, the speakers were very poor, compared to the superb quality provided by Cunard. They are truly so interesting, its quite possible to be engrossed in lectures for five hours a day. You even miss out on the food.
So both have their own plus and minus points, although l would still pick a Celebrity in favour of Cunard, yet l would always choose the QM2 to navigate the Atlantic in winter. The ship is made for rough seas.
Anyway, back to our cruise.
Our next port of call was SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA
A rather overcast day, but warmer than the previous days.
Interesting place, quite rustic, a sprawling place with wide streets. The majority of houses constructed from timber, although a few older houses and churches were constructed of brick. The most memorable part was the plethora of art, craft s and thrift shops. But more unusual was the giant violin in the port. Why?
Where else can you go and see the world’s largest fiddle and bow. It was designed and constructed by Cyril Hearn, the fiddle and bow reach a height of 60 feet and can be seen by the incoming cruise ships in the harbour. It is made of solid steel and is illuminated at night. The fiddle was constructed to honour the area’s Scottish musical heritage.
Its what l imagined Boston was going to be like, but in a smaller manageable scale. You can walk through history, climb up to the fort and look back down on the harbour and then meander from one bar or restaurant to the next.
Our seven days transatlantic voyage on the QM2 was as always exceedingly good, although there is still this pompousness that can be very overwhelming. And you have to realise that there are many various types who have been fortunate to collect a good pension pot that has allowed them to enjoy, what was once only for the privileged. This is great, but some are not accustomed to the basic niceties. They act as they would behind their own four walls. Sounds snobbish, but manners and eating habits are necessary when in company.
But there were also many very well healed people who had purchased cabins well above my pocket who were far removed from being polite or well mannered. But, as in life, you manage to use your blinkers and enjoy what was good. And there was a lot that was.When l have more time l will add more information regarding the cruises, ships , food , service and value for money. Presently l am just catching up on uploading the pictorial side of the diary. Along with details on how we nearly missed our Celebrity cruise due to delays and the provision of only three immigration officials to deal with a ship load of passengers.
Boston.
Very disappointed, but could be due to the weather.
Next day we arrive in Portland Maine, a more manageable town with many hidden gems that were not too difficult to find. The fog was down as we sailed into harbour, but it soon disappeared and we manage a complete circumnavigation of the town on foot.
Bar Harbour, Maine
Very interesting port of call, with some excellent walking. just a pity we didn't have time to explore further afield. The Acadia National Park looked amazing, and there seemed to be a great but service to get walkers and cyclists to the various areas.
Had a real feeling of "Murder She Wrote" with Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher in the small fishing village of Cabot Cove.
The whole area was just made for exploring, by Kayak, cycle or on foot. Just a pity about the weather, although it was just perfect on our visit. Sun shining, but crisp.
The geology was quite amazing. As we walked along the coast the various strata was on view for all to see. And the park is supposedly rich in features.
No fewer than 26 mountain peaks rise above the island, some visible up to 60 miles at sea. How these mountains formed is a fascinating story that involves colliding continents, erupting volcanoes, scouring glaciers, and countless other splendid catastrophes.
The wildlife is magnificent, even managed to get a shot of an eagle in flight. Not sure if its a bald eagle or a golden eagle ( white head with golden beak) Then again it could be a sea. Considering where l took the photo, the latter could be a distinct possibility.
Blow up the photo to get a really good look at it. But only if you are interested of course.
A real playground for the sporty types. Would imagine that the fishing, both sea and freshwater game would be good.
We move off and head up the St Lawrence River with the changing colours of the trees on both banks.
Eventually reach Quebec with the Châteaux on the hill and the QM2 moored in prime position. They had arrived earlier to snap up their position immediately under the funicular railway that lifts you up to the top without the slog.
We were positioned on the other side of the docks, but the had provided coaches to take us up the winding streets to the Château.
 |
| Le Château Frontenac, the 5 star historic hotel dominates the skyline from the port |
A fascinating city, and smaller enough to manoeuvre around on foot, although you have to be prepared to climb. The historical centre is full of interesting shops, restaurants and bars, and very French, as you would imagine. The broad walk the links with the citadel gives you super views of the river and the Appalachian mountain ranges to the south. Never realised that they continued up as far as this.
The parks seem to link the two centres and add an area of tranquillity. Amazed to see black squirrels. Big things, wondered what they were at first.
Well worth the two days stay over. Gave us time to visit the modern centre, which has its own vibe.
Then it was all aboard for our trip up the river and into the main channel heading for Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
We were never very far from land.
Considering it was October, the sun was out and it soon warmed up.
Earlier
whilst having my early morning coffee, l spied a pod of porpoises swim by, then
another. Before long the sea seemed to be alive with them. We hadn’t seen a
great deal in the sea so far this trip, but all a sudden we were being treated
to a real show. This seamed to go on forever. Then as quickly as they came,
they disappeared. But there must have been hundreds. Then the real treat, whales, two or three at a time. Not the lavish spectacle of the smashing humpbacks, as often found round Hawaii, but nevertheless, large giant mammals. Spouting and gliding along, just underneath the water.
Over the two days we managed to spy at least seven separate groups. managed to have the camera ready on one occasion, but the image wasn't that great.
Corner brook
What can l say about the place.My expectations of a little attractive fishing community were totally dispelled. We found a sprawling conurbation set around a paper mill and other industry. Very underwhelming, although the people were exceedingly friendly and did their utmost to make you feel welcome.
Attempted some of the highlighted walks, but found them difficult to follow, as there were just no signs to guide us in the right direction. We did manage to find the start with the help of some locals, but it was more a circular park walk around a pond. Yet we did see a Blue Jay. A first for me, along with chipmunks darting in and out of the woods. As well as squirrels with a white chest and a black line down their tails.
Just a quick mention on the Celebrity Summit. We had been on this ship ten years back, and to be honest it needs a total refit. Its a real rust bucket. According to the crew, it is due a refit next February. In my view it needs a restoration project to renew all the bits that are falling off. Its lost that edge. By the way, that is the name of the latest Celebrity ship that has just been launched, and its amazing.
But the facilities were still excellent, food and service knocked that provided by the QM2 into touch. The staff especially were amazing, so friendly and attentive to your needs. The breakfast boys would be singing as they came round to top your coffee up. Perhaps not everyone's idea of service. But they ensured you were looked after, without the old school, patronising superior aloofness of Cunard.
The entertainment was also superb, truly amazing, and once again a couple of notches up from that provided by the QM2. But on the downside, the speakers were very poor, compared to the superb quality provided by Cunard. They are truly so interesting, its quite possible to be engrossed in lectures for five hours a day. You even miss out on the food.
So both have their own plus and minus points, although l would still pick a Celebrity in favour of Cunard, yet l would always choose the QM2 to navigate the Atlantic in winter. The ship is made for rough seas.
Anyway, back to our cruise.
Our next port of call was SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA
A rather overcast day, but warmer than the previous days.
Interesting place, quite rustic, a sprawling place with wide streets. The majority of houses constructed from timber, although a few older houses and churches were constructed of brick. The most memorable part was the plethora of art, craft s and thrift shops. But more unusual was the giant violin in the port. Why?
Where else can you go and see the world’s largest fiddle and bow. It was designed and constructed by Cyril Hearn, the fiddle and bow reach a height of 60 feet and can be seen by the incoming cruise ships in the harbour. It is made of solid steel and is illuminated at night. The fiddle was constructed to honour the area’s Scottish musical heritage.
Halifax Nova Scotia
Now this is something special, a place well worth visiting. It has a life and soul about it.Its what l imagined Boston was going to be like, but in a smaller manageable scale. You can walk through history, climb up to the fort and look back down on the harbour and then meander from one bar or restaurant to the next.
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